#monsieur pigeon

[dragonpigeons]

It's my burfday today! :D I have another pic in the works that I was gonna post but I won't manage to finish it today so I'm posting this one instead. It's actually for my Riida RP acc on twt. The bonsai tree in the middle is another RP acc I have (it is Saka's bonsai tree lmao yes I RP as a tree) and the pigeon on the right is Riida's PA (cos Riida is disorganised af & needs nudging to do her work often).

Anyway I just wanted to share it here & celebrate my bday with you guys ^^ Thank you for being here with me!

#dragonpigeondraws #happy birthday to me #riida #monsieur pigeon #bonsai #op oc #one piece oc #yes i'm drawing 2 bday pics for myself cos i deserve it #ngl things have been pretty rough 4 me since last year #but actually it's been a long journey that started in childhood #i think i can say i'm proud of how far i've come #i wanna thank everyone that supported me & spared a kind and caring thought for me in the past few days #it's really nice to feel that i'm appreciated & cared about. really really nice #i wanna keep all your precious words and feelings close to my heart always. #i'm just an ordinary person who enjoys ordinary things #thank you for making me feel like i matter

[tenebraevesper]

Up Ladybug, Entry 26: If You’re Here (Part 1)

''Through that slumped back rain pierces painfully, I remembered having prayed. Even if in this world there is only one umbrella, I will find you and give it to you. Even though I'm unable to do anything I'll at least get drenched in your place, for some reason. Please, tell me, what is bothering you?''

– Kimi ga Ireba by Detective Conan

xXxXxXx

''Hey, hey, do you think Amber is really telling the truth in regards to her encounter with Ladybug and Chat Noir?'' Sophie asked, with her, Claude, Allegra, Allan and Bridgette being gathered around her and Bridgette's desk. They all glanced towards Amber, who was surrounded by several of their other classmates who wanted to know the full details and clearly enjoying the attention she got.

''I have no doubts about that,'' Bridgette said, leaning against her seat, arms folded across her chest and a slight smirk on her lips.

''She was walking around pretending to be a superhero,'' Félix said, not even lifting his gaze from the book he was reading while listening to the conversation happening one row behind him. ''Would it be surprising for her to draw Ladybug and Chat Noir's attention this way?''

''I suppose it wouldn't,'' Allegra said, leaning against the wall behind them. ''Not to sound cynical, but I doubt you can be a superhero without some kind of superpower.''

''What about Batman? He's a superhero and he doesn't have any superpowers,'' Allan said.

''Actually, he does. His superpower is being a billionaire,'' Sophie said, with her friends bursting out laughing. Even Félix snorted, hiding his smile under the book. She then glanced at Bridgette and Félix, a slight smirk on her expression. ''So, are you two planning to have another lunch together, or…?''

Both Bridgette and Félix froze at the question. It wasn't really about the implications of them being alone together, but a reminder of what happened a day ago and both of them just disappearing and Ladybug and Chat Noir appearing and somehow knowing about what had happened. Neither of them had talked about it since that.

''Uh, um,… How about going to lunch as a whole group?'' Bridgette suddenly suggested, laughing nervously and a sweatdrop forming as she saw her friends giving her a weird look. She knew that they were all wondering why she didn't want to spend more time with Félix. After all, he was her crush, even if they still had their doubts about him. Sophie rose an eyebrow, then smiled innocently.

''Oh, I just remembered that me and Allan wanted to check out that café down the street,'' she suddenly said, looking at a confused Allan. However, he quickly picked up on her intentions and agreed, nodding.

''I was actually planning on going to lunch with Carmilla,'' Allegra said.

Claude shoot Félix a scrutinizing look, then said, ''I wanted to meet up with a few people from the theatre group. They're working on a mime and pantomime-type of performance and I wanted to ask them a few questions.''

''O-Oh…'' Bridgette was panicking internally. The school bell rung for the end of the recess and everyone went back to their seat, with Sophie sitting next to Bridgette.

Sophie then leaned over, placing her hand on her mouth and whispering to Bridgette, ''I know how hard you have worked to get Félix's attention. It is nice that you're worried about spending time with us, but trust me, it's okay. You can go to lunch with him, none of us will be mad about this.''

To seal the deal, she winked at her in confidence. Bridgette just smiled back, but at the same time, she had to wonder whether Félix would bring up what happened a day ago. She was worried that he might figure out that she was Ladybug, since it was too much of a coincidence for her to just appear at the same time she made that flimsy excuse.

Félix, who tried to ignore the sense of anxiety, had the same thoughts. He knew that his excuse to deal with Amber/Queen Bee was absolutely laughable and that anyone would be quite suspicious of him disappearing, only for Chat Noir to suddenly appear with all the knowledge about what had happened.

However, even though they were concerned in regards to their own secret identities, they were even more worried about something else – for Bridgette, it was the possibility that Félix was Chat Noir, while for Félix, it was the possibility that Bridgette was Ladybug. Neither of them was ready to face this situation.

xXx

Lunch was… rather awkward. Both were sitting outside under a tree, eating their bought lunch together in silence. Both already had the feeling that they should bring up what had happened the day before, but neither of them was willing to make the first move. They both knew that if they started even implying that they were assuming that the other might be a superhero, they probably wouldn't know how to handle the truth.

For Bridgette, she simply couldn't believe that the distant and aloof Félix could be flirty and playful Chat Noir. Or perhaps, she didn't want to believe it. After all, her feelings towards both were rather complicated and she wanted nothing more but to keep things as they were. She didn't want to even think that this all might just be an illusion.

For Félix, he knew that he was risking everything with his actions. Despite having grown quite fond of Ladybug, he was still focused on removing his cursed ring, remembering the day before when he attempted to place another book on a bookshelf, only for the wooden panel to break and all of the books to fall off the shelf. He knew that this was just another instance of his bad luck acting up, another reminder that, even if he was happy in life, misery would always follow. Therefore, he needed to steal that kiss from Ladybug, but if she was also Bridgette and if she learned that he was Chat Noir, he knew he would lose her. She had put so much faith into him and if she knew what he was up to, she would never trust him again. He even entertained the idea of telling her the truth, but he felt that he was in too deep to dig himself out of this charade.

But, am I really putting on a charade at this point? Félix gazed ahead, his eyes distant and thoughtful. Bridgette noticed that distant look on his expression, wondering if she should say something.

''Hey, Fé…''

''Bridgette…''

Both immediately shut up after they spoke in unison, looking at each other in confusion. Both were silent for a moment, before speaking again at the same time.

''What did you want to ask me?''

''Please, you go first.''

Silence again as they realized that there was indeed something on each other's mind, followed my a sense of frustration because neither of them wanted to talk, even though they knew they needed to do some proper communication. Félix then cleared his throat, deciding to be the one to break the ice, noting how Bridgette was staring at him in anticipation.

''I was just wondering… what do you think of Chat Noir?'' he asked.

''Eh?'' Bridgette gave him a blank stare, not expecting this question. Still, despite being stunned by it, she was  also glad that he wasn't bringing up what had happened the previous day. Instead, she leaned against the tree, placing a finger on her lips. ''Well, let's see… I have met him a couple of times, and I think he's actually a really sweet person.''

''Really?'' Félix gave her a look of surprise. Sure, he remembered that he as Chat Noir and Bridgette did have a good relationship, even when dealing with their own emotional turmoil, but the last thing he expected was for Bridgette to describe his alter ego as ''sweet''.

''Well, it is more in the sense that he want to be seen as someone who cares a lot, even though he does,'' Bridgette replied, with Félix figuring that she had indeed nailed his personality. He then noticed her giving him a curious look. ''What do you think about Ladybug? You have met her, right?''

''Ladybug…'' Félix trailed off as he thought about her. ''I think that she's very passionate about her goals and determined to keep those she cares about safe. She also has that…'' Félix stopped himself from completing the sentence as he saw Bridgette's warm and kind smile. Why does she resemble Ladybug so much? He lowered his head, feeling something constraining his chest.

''Félix, are you okay?'' Bridgette asked.

''I'm… not sure,'' Félix replied. ''But, I hope I'll figure it out eventually.''

xXx

''What are you searching for, Kid?'' Plagg asked, observing Félix as he rummaged through his closet, eventually taking out a black leather violin case. He stared at it hesitantly as Plagg flew closer, giving him a confused look. ''What's that?''

''It's the violin my mother had gifted to me,'' Félix replied, opening the case and showing Plagg the stringed instrument that was inside. ''It feels like ages since the last time I took it out.'' He walked over to the closet and then took out what appeared to be a box with items necessary for maintaining a violin. ''I did keep it properly stored, but…'' Félix reached for a handkerchief and used it to clean the instrument carefully. ''I'll need to change some of the strings.''

''How come you had never told me that you can play a violin?'' Plagg asked.

''That's because I gave up on it a while ago. I used to love playing the violin, but after what happened… I couldn't do it anymore,'' Félix replied, staring at his violin somberly. Plagg gave him a sympathetic look, with Félix narrowing his eyes. ''However, this is an emergency.''

Plagg rose an eyebrow, being quiet for a moment as he wondered what Félix meant, only for it to dawn on him. ''Wait, is this your plan? You're going to serenade Ladybug with music?''

''I admit, I am running out of ideas…'' Félix said dryly, looking down at the violin.

''What about trying to figure out Ladybug's civilian identity?'' Plagg sat on Félix's shoulder. Félix's eyes narrowed.

''That… I consider that my last resort,'' he said in response. He didn't want to say it, but he wished that it wouldn't come to that.

xXx

Chat Noir spotted Ladybug at their usual meeting spot on the Eiffel Tower, carrying his violin case carefully as he feared that, with his bad luck, something might happen to his precious instrument. Even though he hadn't played the violin in a long time, his skills were all but rusty. Aside from being able to play many classical and modern pieces from memory, he had also practiced playing by ear, that is refining his ability to pick up music notes and play along almost instantly. Of course, he also made sure to actually practice the piece he was going to play to complete perfection. He was certain that he would succeed in his plan.

It is not as if I'm playing for my uncle and… Chat Noir felt a sudden piercing in his chest, shaking his head to get those thoughts out of his mind. No, I can't think about what happened! You're playing this for Ladybug, no one else!

He took out a small loudspeaker and his smartphone out of his pocket, turning the loudspeaker on and selecting the accompaniment. While he had trouble picking what he would play, as he wasn't completely sure what approach he would take, he decided that he would at first try to impress Ladybug and go from there, settling on one by his favorite violinist, Lindsey Stirling, called Master of Tides. He put the bow in proper position and started the music, grinning and showing his fangs.

Let's get this show on the road!

xXx

Ladybug was sitting on the metallic structure of the Eiffel Tower, legs swinging as she observed the city in the nighttime. Despite her intial fear of heights during the very beginning of her adventure, she now felt more confident than ever and was excitedly waiting for Chat Noir to show up so they could start with their nightly patrol.

To her surprise, she heard a sudden whining sound, like a siren, followed by a steady beat. The siren sound continued as Ladybug got up, looking around frantically as she tried to figure out where it was coming from, only for the beat to suddenly drop and Chat Noir to leap right in front of her, playing a violin. Ladybug's jaw dropped as the music picked up with Chat Noir tapping lightly in the rhythm of the instrument, taking steps back and forth as he moved along the beat, as if dancing, but not quite.

Ladybug stared him, completely mesmerized by his masterful playing and elegant yet lively dance, to the point that it took her until half-way of the song to realize that he was playing this for her, if his mischievous cat-like grin and glinting green eyes were any sign of confirmation. He clasped her hands in amazement, her heart-beat picking up as she observed him, enjoying the sound of music and even nodding along with the beat, which switched tempo seamlessly from lively to much slower, almost dreamlike, like a ship on calm waters, only for the tempo to pick up, the ship crashing through waves as it braved the tides. She genuinely wanted to dance to it, to lose herself in the music, but alas, the song eventually came to a sudden end. Nevertheless, Ladybug started clapping, completely delighted by the show.

''Chat, that was amazing! I had no idea you could play the violin!'' she said, absolutely starstruck. Chat Noir smiled, taking a deep bow.

''Thank you. I had figured that I could surprise you with one of my special talents,'' he replied, being a little out of breath. Usually, one would play the violin while standing still, but he decided to put on a show and, given Ladybug's reaction, it was worth it. ''I'm quite happy that you enjoyed my performance, Bug. I played it with you in mind.''

To his joy, his words actually made Ladybug blush, but instead of lightly joking back and trying to downplay the situation or even just put up a clear wall between them, Ladybug smiled back. ''That's really sweet of you.''

Chat Noir's expression showed surprise at first, only to smooth into joy. His tail flicked as he realized that this may have been the breakthrough he needed. If he could keep up the momentum, he would be able to get rid off the curse in no time. He would be finally free from his bad luck, no more tormented by every little thing going wrong in his life. Maybe it could happen tonight, as long as he manages to charm Ladybug into kissing him, be it by using music or words or actions.

Then, Chat Noir would finally be no more.

Chat Noir's green eyes, previously glowing with life and triumph, suddenly turned dull and lost their luster. All the sounds and light around him dimmed, as if being drowned out by the darkness that crept around him and Ladybug, who was still smiling at him, not even aware what was going through Chat Noir's mind. It was just them here, and he could see a huge shadow looming over her, her own future taunting her, one filled with suffering and pain. They were the only beacons of light standing amidst the darkness, but soon, it would only be her standing there, all alone.

Wh- What am I doing?

Chat Noir stepped back, his move being rather sudden. Ladybug stepped forward, reaching for Chat Noir's hands and holding them in an assuring manner, her expression showing concern.

''Chat Noir, what's wrong? You look so pale.''

''I-I…'' Chat Noir had no idea how to vocalize his thoughts. He genuinely wanted to move on with his plan and finally earn Ladybug's kiss. However, it felt like he hit an invisible barrier, with Ladybug standing on the other side, confused and perhaps even scared for him, not understanding the inner struggle he was going through.

To kiss Ladybug, it meant to lie to her. It meant to betray her – the one person who put her trust into him despite their rocky start. She had shown him kidness and support, love and friendship. They were partners and Chat Noir knew that Ladybug trusted him with her life, opening up to him and only to him, when things were the hardest. It was natural that she would turn to him for support, as a fellow superhero, but lately, it felt like their relationship meant much more to Ladybug than being a simple partnership… and Chat Noir was on his way to destroy that.

Not even understanding himself why he did this, Chat Noir suddenly moved, wrapping his hands around Ladybug, his actions startling her. His expression was blank as he pulled her into an embrace, whispering, ''You mean the world to me, Ladybug.''

''Chat…'' Ladybug had no idea how to respond. She could hear a hint of sadness in his voice, completely puzzling her. He was so happy a moment ago, and now, it felt like a switch had been flipped, and she wanted to know why. Chat Noir then let go of her, giving her a faint hint of a smile, but Ladybug could see the sorrow in his eyes. However, before she could even ask him anything, they heard the sound of wings flapping. Both turned their heads towards the sound, only to realize that there was a flock of pigeons gathered and flying across the Seine towards a particular direction. Both rose an eyebrow, exchanging glances.

''Are they flying towards Jardins du Trocadéro?'' Ladybug asked. Chat Noir tilted his head as he observed the flock of pigeons abruptly swerving to the side.

''I think they're actually flying towards the Aquarium,'' he said, completely confused.

''Why would Monsieur Pigeon attack the Aquarium?'' Ladybug asked, still baffled.

''Honestly, I don't know. Maybe he hates fish now?'' Chat Noir shrugged. Ladybug took a deep sigh, reaching for her yo-yo.

''Okay, let's chase him off,'' she said in a tone that clearly indicated that she was completely done with the Pigeon Man. Chat Noir couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction.

xXx

''Aaghhrr! You two will pay for this!'' Monsieur Pigeon, dangling upside-down due to being tied up via Ladybug's yo-yo. Ladybug and Chat Noir were standing on top of the Aquarium building, both rolling their eyes. They had to admit that this was probably their easiest fight to date, as while Monsieur Pigeon was terrorizing whoever was close to the Aquarium, they snuck up to him, with Chat Noir blasting the pigeon villain with a Black Storm, knocking him off his pigeons, and Ladybug catching him with her yo-yo.

''I'd say this is a new record for us,'' Chat Noir said, with Ladybug smirking in response.

''Not fair! I haven't even done any gloating!'' Monsieur Pigeon protested.

''Why have you even attacked the Aquarium?'' Ladybug asked, drawing the villain's attention.

''To draw your attention, obviously! Rooo- Roooo!'' Monsieur Pigeon replied.

''Is this another of Papillon's schemes?'' Ladybug asked, noting the look of panic on Monsieur Pigeon's expression.

''I'm not telling!!''

''It totally is,'' both Ladybug and Chat Noir responded in a deadpan tone.

''Aaaghhhr!''

''Hey, how about you tell us what Papillon's plans are?'' Ladybug called out for the pigeon villain, who sneered at her.

''I won't tell you anything! Roooo- Rooooooo!'' he replied.

''Okay, then why are you attacking us?'' Chat Noir asked.

''Because Papillon wants you off the streets so you won't bother while he is-'' Monsieur Pigeon suddenly cut himself off, his bulging eyes widening in horror as he just realized he was about to tell them everything.

Chat Noir smirked mischievously, giving Ladybug a knowing look, ''Too bad he didn't give away everything. But, it was worth a try.'' He glanced over at the villain. ''In any case, we're handing you over to the police.''

''No you won't!'' Monsieur Pigeon made a cooing sound, with Ladybug and Chat Noir being suddenly attacked by a flock of pigeons. Forced to defend herself, Ladybug let go of Monsieur Pigeon, turning her yo-yo into a shield. Once the flock dispersed, they realized that Monsieur Pigeon was also gone.

''Should we go search for him?'' Chat Noir asked.

''We could, but I'm more curious whether there will be another attack,'' Ladybug said.

''I somehow doubt it. When did this guy ever return after being defeated once?'' Chat Noir said.

''You're right, but we still should go on a quick patrol. Afterwards, we could spend some time together,'' Ladybug suggested. Chat Noir was a bit surprised by her suggesting them hanging out so casually. His heart-beat picked up as he realized that this was his chance, but then a chilling feeling pierced his chest.

''I… I can't,'' Chat Noir admitted, his gaze pointed to the side as he avoided eye-contact with Ladybug. ''I think we should split up for the patrol. If you see anything, give me a call.''

To Ladybug's surprise, he turned on his heel and quickly leapt into the night, heading towards the Eiffel Tower. She wondered what was going through his head, as Chat Noir seemed to be a lot less playful lately, even refusing to spend time with her, while before, he'd look forwards to interacting and flirt with her whenever he could.

Did he really lose hope because of my rejection? Ladybug wondered as she leapt towards another building, parkouring across the city. I didn't think things would turn out like this.

She had been thinking a lot about her relationship with Chat Noir. At the very start, she didn't have a high opinion of him, much less when she found out he was lying to her and made her feel like a fool. However, after giving him a chance, she had learned that there was indeed more than he was willing to show. He had a hidden vulnerable and troubled side, and Ladybug could only speculate what kind of life he had. She wished to know him better, having warmed up to him. She was being honest when she described him as sweet, as well as mischievous, sort of like an aloof cat who had a favorite person. I'm Chat's favorite person. Ladybug stopped, feeling a strange sensation piercing her chest, trying to understand it. It was a rather familiar warmth, but this time, she was hesistant to think about it, let alone explore it. Some part of her was aware what it may be, but she didn't want to acknowledge it.

xXx

''Plagg, de-transform me!''

Chat Noir had de-transformed, with Félix walking over to his bed, placing his violin case on it and lying down. He sighed, feeling quite downcast. Plagg hovered above him, noting how they had returned home much earlier than usual, but Félix already looked completely exhausted.

''Something I don't understand…'' Plagg started, hovering next to Félix in a cross-legged position. ''Why didn't you stay longer with Ladybug? She had suggested that you two hang out together. You had the perfect opportunity to convince her to kiss you.''

''I… I don't know,'' Félix responded, frowning and then turned his back to Plagg. ''I don't want to talk about it.''

Plagg tilted his head, aware that, while he wasn't the most compassionate entity in existence, he knew that something was clearly wrong with his friend and flew over to hover in front of Félix's face. ''Kid, do you even want to get rid off your curse?''

''Of course I do!'' Félix grumbled, suddenly getting up and frowning at Plagg. The cat kwami grinned mischievously, happy to get a more emotional reaction from Félix, and then promptly sat on the top of his head, still in a cross-legged position while folding his tiny arms across his chest, putting on a thoughtful look.

''I have noticed that you're not putting as much effort into your goal as you did before. That is why I had been wondering whether you had second thoughts about everything,'' Plagg said.

''Plagg, have you forgotten what had happened yesterday?'' Félix asked, looking up at the upper level of the room, where his private library was. A bunch of books had been stacked up on each other on the floor, with a broken shelf leaned against the wall. Plagg felt a chill as he remembered the shelf suddenly breaking and some of the heaviest books falling on top of Félix. Félix then added, as if reading his mind, ''If I hadn't been self-taught to always be alert to my surroundings, I would've ended up in the hospital, either to get stitches, or dead because of blood loss and a broken skull. I'm not giving up on my goal.''

''Then what is going on?'' Plagg asked, now in a more aggressive tone as he flew up to him. The two stared at each other, Félix still being silent as he locked eyes with his kwami. To Plagg's surprise, he then faltered.

''Do you know what exactly will happen when I remove the ring?'' Félix asked, gazing at the cat's head on the ring glinting in the dim light.

''Well, if I remember correctly, both the bad luck will be once more contained within the ring until someone else puts it on,'' Plagg explained.

''What about Ladybug?'' Félix asked.

''Obviously, she would also be able to remove her earrings, if she wishes to do so. If she keeps them, she keep access to all of her powers, aside from her good luck,'' Plagg continued.

''So, she will really lose her good luck power?'' Félix asked, feeling a sudden chill spreading through his chest.

''Exactly! It is a quid pro quo deal – you lose your bad luck, she loses her good luck. Of course, the powers could be restored if you, or someone else, put the ring back on,'' Plagg added.

''I see,'' Félix muttered, then looked at Plagg, who appeared to be a little surprised by his next question. ''What about you?''

''I'll be absorbed back into the ring until I get a new holder. It has always been like that,'' Plagg replied. Aside from the chilling sensation, Félix could also feel a sense of guilt washing over him. It appeared that his emotions were reflected on his expression, because Plagg quickly tried to cheer him up, ''Hey, it's okay! I'm used to this. After all, this has been going on for centuries. The most important thing now is that you don't get killed by your own bad luck.''

''Thank you, but… is there anything you'd want to do while you're still here?'' Félix asked, catching Plagg off guard with his question. Plagg wondered what was going through Félix's head at the moment, but decided to take the opportunity.

''Well, aside from eating every kind of cheese that exists in the world, sleeping all day and having fun, as well as seeing you succeed in your plans… I would also like to hear you play again,'' Plagg said, pointing at the violin case. Félix was a bit surprised by his request, but nodded, grabbing the instrument and getting up.

''Do you have any requests?'' he asked, with Plagg humming.

''I don't know. I'm fine with whatever you want to play,'' Plagg suggested. ''Maybe you could play something for both yourself and myself, something that makes you happy because currently, you look like a cat caught in a storm.''

Félix snorted at Plagg's remark, only for his expression to change, looking more solemn. ''It had been a long time since someone had told me to play something that makes me happy.''

''Félix…'' Plagg could see the sadness and grief in Félix's eyes. His gaze was distant, if only for a moment, with the teenager then looking at the kwami.

''I haven't told you why I even stopped playing, right?'' he asked, with Plagg nodding.

''Hey, if you don't feel comfortable sharing something personal, I'm fine with it,'' Plagg responded. Félix shook his head.

''No, I want to share this with you because I you're my friend and I trust you,'' he said. Plagg felt something in his throat, as if choking on a large piece of cheese, and nodded in agreement. Félix then looked down at his beloved violin, taking a deep breath. He could feel a sense of pain and longing constricting his chest, but regardless of his feelings, he wanted to be honest. ''My mother had gifted this violin to me when I was still a young child. I had a phase where I was listening to nothing but classical music and I wanted to learn to play an instrument, and while Uncle Gabriel pushed for me to learn how to play the piano, I insisted on the violin, so that's what Mother got me.''

''Why would your uncle insist on you learning how to play the piano? Both are instruments, so isn't it the same thing?'' Plagg asked.

''Not really, although you need to practice hard for both things. I think it was more an attempt at trying to control my hobbies. He did later on claim that me practicing sounded more like we had a dying animal in the house,'' Félix added the latter part in a deadpan tone, with Plagg laughing. ''Well, what did he expect? I just started playing.''

''You should've told him that he should be happy you didn't try to learn how to play bagpipes,'' Plagg said, with Félix chuckling as he imagined Gabriel's look of horror had he chosen that instrument.

''I think he'd disown me if I suggested that,'' he said, taking a deep breath and continuing the story, ''Nevertheless, Mother wanted to nurture my interest in music, regardless of how bad I was. She would always smile at me and tell me how much she loved my performances, even though I knew that they were awful.'' Félix smiled as he remembered his mother's gentle smile, encouraging him to play to his heart's content. It was her smile that drove him to practice every day, getting better and better at it. ''I made it my goal to master every musical piece successfully, even taking requests and playing my mother's favorite songs. However…'' Félix lowered his gaze, a shadow falling over his expression. ''Mother eventually was diagnosed with her illness and spent a lot of time in the hospital. I would visit her at every chance I got, and I would bring my violin with her to play for her, because I believed that this would somehow help her.'' Félix trembled, not even noticing how blurry his vision was. ''I was so naive, but I insisted. She was always so pale and weak, but she still managed to smile… and then, she was gone…'' Félix was shaking, a tear falling down his cheek, and he quickly wiped it away with the palm of his hand as he tried to continue talking, despite the agony he felt. ''After… after she died… It became too painful for me to even touch the violin again… I just put it in my closet and tried to forget about it… I couldn't relieve those memories again…''

Plagg suddenly flew up to him, hugging him tightly and nuzzling his cheek. Neither said anything, as Plagg knew just how much Félix was suffering. He was still grieving his mother's death, all alone.

''It was sure a big deal for you to play the violin again,'' Plagg said as he then sat on Félix's shoulder.

''It was… but, it wasn't as emotionally painful as I feared it would be,'' Félix said. ''Seeing Ladybug smile and enjoy the music, it made me happy again. It made me feel just like when I play for my mother. I loved seeing her smile and I loved seeing Ladybug smile… and, I guess that's when I realized that I couldn't go through with it.'' Félix said, a wave of guilt crashing into him. ''When I was performing for Mother, I put all of my feelings into it. However, when I was performing for Ladybug, I was lying to her. It was wrong of me to do that.''

''So, you're not going through with your plan to just serenade Ladybug?'' Plagg asked. Félix shook his head.

''No. If I'm going to play again, it'll be just for you and for myself,'' Félix replied, looking around the room. ''Although, I don't feel like playing here. This place just feels… empty.''

''Hollow even,'' Plagg chimed in.

''Desolate,'' Félix added, now with a smirk.

''Dull,'' Plagg added, his smirk matching Félix's.

''Suffocating,'' Félix and Plagg said in unison. Both chuckled, with Plagg hovering next to Félix, a mischievous look on his expression.

''Well, you know the magic words,'' he said, looking excited. Félix nodded, smiling as he brushed with his fingers across the ring.

''Plagg, transform me!''

After being briefly enveloped in a flash of black light, Chat Noir appeared, storing the violin back into its case and going towards the balcony, opening the door and leaping into the night.

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#Up Ladybug #felix agreste #chat noir #plagg #bridgette cheng #ladybug #tikki #monsieur pigeon #claude savard #amber bourgeois #allegra baudelaire #allan durand #sophie renard #lindsey stirling #miraculous ladybug #ladybug pv #miraculous ladybug pv

[buggachat]

R.I.P. Monsieur Pigeon. You're not dead but I don't think you're Lila's style....... you will be so so missed

#ml spoilers #ml s5 spoilers #ml s5 finale spoilers #ml recreation #recreation spoilers #ml re-creation #re-creation spoilers

[springbon-t-art]

The Missing Co-Workers!

Well this took a while but I'm so happy with the result! ...Just look at all of them... Look at all of you!

I really hope you all like this! It was a delight to draw and thank you so much for being a part of this

I'm glad I found my co-workers! ^^

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.

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If you want to see all the individual images, HERE is a drive file with all the endings!

Employees (Not in order of apperance):

@artismeyou-45- (deactivated) @sammy-l-yourfavprophet @krislgfox @cutecrewmates-ask-ripcrewmatesau @mathewharris7703 @omori-headspace @bniebee @somebodytolove31 @undyworld @mushysposts @averageg0blin @theshawsperrs @riotzerosys @caremelly @radioproto @youcancallmeemma @mayyak @jennicatzies @just-another-colin-kinnie @whosectype @ink-machine-kidd @cutebendy @willowtreexxdotcom @nikola-the-noodle @blackkatdraws2 @chgdraws @bootleg-parable @melodylyricx @remon-chizikeki-the-second @bluebee-11 @tophattio- (deactivated)

@radioactivevulture @rainsacurse @beartitled @yellowzonez @that-one-art @deedjre @4thwallbreakerdraws @chuckchuck228 @ilostmymircowave @mxmint323 @greatalpacacomputer @file-unknown24 @justneury @thebestfatherfigure @0-yeni-0 @pillatedcompills @pawl3ss @fazbearedits @frog-senpai17 @anirregularity @minicorruptprogram @mikothemushroom @noir-ish-bee @nevameko @horografy @machines-art-shenanigans @heckinrissa @plut0nix @theoneinmultiplefandoms @thisnoah @kodaclownbear @cha1nsawblood @betrootsoup @that-songbird @mei-meidraws @villiun @dragon-365

@troolyart @coralkrill @liminal-spaced-out @starlystudios @aroaceweirdos101 @catsupport @rick-ety @blackwoodcharles @fanartlove25 @bandelyn @mortallyholydelusion @xandyprojects @irldragonart @aifangtower @ddedanonino @monsieur-fisch @tyrianludaship @soulguardianazeralith @unfinishedbow @thenamesmobu @goldenshadow-1506 @mrfisherot @creepybaesment @haven-creates @fizzypopsoda-comics @shinymoonforest @parasocial-paradox @rainecloud020604 @aquarius-stories-and-story-ideas @mistytearious @notnyxxy @bluefirethefox @sunny1927 @melody-starlight @noi-exe @selfsidestuff @roseaterougerues

@pigeon-food @luna0liekki @paradoxspir1tart @cookiebonbon @bananatemilkshake @bread-cat-luna @goopy-guy @mirrorocean @purpleskelet0n @seers-art-studio @g0ld-blackapple @neat-o-things @soulsquigg @nikoforgot @doodle-girl @darkeeveeanimatesu @floofo-woofo @comfortventure @souppye

@haruoriginal @bucketfullofstrawberries @kelpiekidd @galaxyhanart @juaneloriginal @sparkice811 @inkitts @employee052 @c3c-lll @tumbling-turmoil @trixiiuwu

and goth_and_toons & dollfacedraws! (on instagram)

Tumblr has a tagging limit! sorry :c

Thank you once more to all of you!

#the stanley parable #the missing coworkers #not my oc #<3<3<3 #thank you #the stanley parable ultra deluxe #tsp #tspud #tsp 2

[redleavesinthewind]

love that my boobs are small enough to cause major gender confusion

#also love that it always happens in french. been called jeune homme and garçon and monsieur i love it #though the monsieur was technically also luxembourgish cause we just use the same words there #anyway why does this only happen when i’m in luxembourg why can’t i cause major gender confusion in scotland too #pigeon coos

[thirteenducks]

rest for the weary

(neuvillette x fem!reader) [sfw]

༻❁༺ content: fem!reader (reader is referred to as 'girl'), no established relationship

༻❁༺ word count: ~1.9k

༻❁༺ tags: sickfic? sort of?, mild hurt/comfort, gentle and tender Neuvillette, being overworked, fainting, neuvillette is sexy in a paramedic kind of way, crimes against gloves, almost-crimes against pastries, "you will be taken care of So Help Me" neuvillette, very self indulgent, can you tell i'm a college student

༻❁༺ author’s note: blame my mutuals for putting talk about neuvillette being gentlemanly and kind on my twitter feed. this is their fault and also the four glasses of sangria i drank before i wrote this

Neuvillette would like to believe he understands human behavior quite well by now. What he does not understand is their tendency to be self-sacrificial to the point of exhaustion. When your stress reaches a fever pitch, he steps in.

You don’t remember if it was the fatigue or the hunger that you noticed first. Both have been on the fringes of your consciousness since you left your bed early this morning. Right now, they’re kept at bay only by a lingering headache that worsens as you step out into the clear day.

The beautiful azure of the morning sky above. The flocks of pigeons that dapple the steps of the Palais Mermonia like sunlight through leaves. The hum of the Court of Fontaine as coffee sales begin for the morning. All are lost on you as you forge ahead, feet barely clearing the cobblestone below them.

The papers on your desk, stacked high and demanding attention, are all that your bleary eyes register at the moment. Anything else is secondary.

As much as your conscience would contend it, your current predicament isn’t entirely your fault. Sure, you had procrastinated a bit when the pile of records was first assigned to you, and maybe hadn’t chipped away at it the way you could’ve if you planned ahead. 

For a gestionnaire, though, it’s also just that time of year when the clouds pour rain daily and the opera house sees a never-ending rotation of cases.

So if that means some sacrifices on your side are required, you’re willing to make them for the good of the Court. You’re certainly not the only one, either. The circles under the Chief Justice’s eyes always grow darker during the rainy season; you hope he’s taking better care of himself than you are.

Once you’ve gotten rid of this batch of paperwork, you’ll be free to rest for a while, you tell yourself. You can take a break. Maybe you could walk to that cafe down the street with the nice cashier and get yourself breakfast, if the rain isn't too bad by midmorning.

Your knees waver under you as you carry the precarious stack of records to the threshold of your office. On second thought, maybe you should ask if they offer delivery.

The low murmur of a familiar voice, a pleasant bass melody, reaches you as you step out into the plush carpet of the hallway. It floats through your dizzy head like syrup.

Good. You won’t have to walk far to give these to Neuvillette, then. You’re not sure your feet would carry you all the way to his office anyway, and you’d rather not field any uncomfortable questions about your health from such an esteemed man. 

Assuming what you hope is a pleasant expression, you approach the Iudex and Sedene as he bends at the waist to inspect a bump on her antler. 

There’s a very becoming look of concern on his face, you notice. It must be nice to be the focus of such care.

The unfazed voice of a Melusine comes from somewhere below you: “I promise it’s just a mosquito bite, Monsieur. I must’ve stood around the docks for too long this morning.” 

“Even so... I would administer some anti-inflammatory soon, Sedene. Please don’t neglect your health,” he chides as he pats her head affectionately.

Neuvillette rises again to his full height, catching your eye as you draw near to him.

A fetching smile upturns the corners of his mouth. He greets you with a stately nod, holding out his right hand for your stack of records. Your gaze flits to his other hand, currently engaged by an apple turnover.

Ah. A gift from a Melusine, no doubt. You hope he enjoys it, even if a part of your brain wants you to snatch it for yourself.

If Neuvillette catches the way your eyes linger on his breakfast, he doesn’t mention it. What he does is quirk his head to the left in a silent question as he continues to stand with his hand outstretched.

Oh, archons. How long have you been standing in front of him with a blank look on your face? Too long to be appropriate, certainly.

Clearing your throat and forcing a smile, you take a step forward to hand off your pile of papers to him. Only, instead of making contact with the floor of the hallway, your shoe falls into thin air as your other knee buckles and your back falls towards the carpet.

As your consciousness slips, you feel a cool hand snake around your waist.

Your head goes limp, bouncing a bit with the impact until the pastry drops to the carpet and Neuvillette’s other gloved hand comes to cradle the back of your neck.

He’s caught you. He wishes you were awake to instruct him what to do next.

He lowers you to the ground softly, brow creased with worry. Sedene stands next to him with a similar expression, holding the turnover she saved as it fell. 

“Sedene. Bring me a pillow from the sofa in my office, please. Quickly.”

The Melusine salutes and she darts off. His eyes never leave your face as he kneels, large frame bent over you protectively.

Releasing your waist, he brings a hand up to his teeth and tugs off the glove in a smooth motion before resting his bare fingers against your forehead. A curse in a tongue unknown to all but him breaks the quiet air and his brows knit together. Humans and their damned self-sacrificial nature.

Sedene returns holding a cushion. He eases it under your head with care, ensuring your neck is supported before he retracts the hand underneath.

There in the Palais hallway, the Iudex of Fontaine strips himself of his judge’s coat, uncaring of decorum at the moment. Gentle hands graze your bare skin as he wraps the garment around your shoulders. Were you conscious, you would feel the softness of the silk lining against your cheek and the scent of the ocean it carries with it.

He knows from his extensive observations of human behavior that you’ve probably only collapsed from fatigue, not sickness. And yet… and yet he cannot keep himself from stroking your forehead, cool fingertips resting there as he meditates.

Another moment passes before he makes up his mind. Your body rises from the carpeted hallway floor into strong arms, seldom-seen muscles flexing under his white undershirt. 

The change in altitude brings you halfway out of your daze. Through hazy vision, you catch the sight of pale skin moving above you. His slit eyes meet yours and you don't manage more than a small sound of confusion before you’re pulled back under by sleep.

With a brief nod to Sedene, Neuvillette carries you to his office in a few quick strides. The door slides shut behind him.

Your hands unconsciously tug on his lapels and you curl your body closer to the warmth of his chest, making his ears burn.

Every time he thinks he understands your species, something like this happens. 

He had certainly noticed your energy waning over the last few days, but he worried about the propriety of mentioning such a thing to you. Would you resent him for asking about something so personal? Should he send someone closer to you to step in before you hurt yourself?

In the end, he had settled for bringing you breakfast from a nearby cafe. He glances at the turnover, now sitting innocently on his coffee table courtesy of Sedene. It taunts him.

The silence in his office is deafening as Neuvillette lays you carefully on the sofa next to his desk. He runs through the list of human vitals in his head.

You’re breathing quite deeply. Your pulse is healthy and strong as his fingers press against the side of your throat. The color in your face is returning to its normal shade. Surely all you lack is a good meal, which he can certainly provide, and some rest. 

Then why do his hands shake as he pours tea into a cup on the table before you?

Why can he not keep his eyes from you as you sleep, chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm? 

Why does he find it impossible to return to the paperwork that calls his name just a few feet away?

A clap of thunder shakes the building.

He doesn’t realize how long his eyes have been trained on yours until you’re staring back at him through lowered lids, awakened by the noise.

It takes about a half second for you to remember the circumstances of a few minutes prior and gasp, sitting up with a speed that makes Neuvillette reach towards you in concern. His coat falls from where it was draped across you and you stare at it, unblinking. 

Your gaze flits to Neuvillette, bare to the wrist. He watches silently as you register the sofa you’re laid upon and the lavish office around you.

The Chief Justice makes a strangled sound in the back of his throat when you rush to stand up, face burning. Your head spins - whether from fatigue or embarrassment, you’re not sure. A million apologies threaten to spill from your mouth at once.

With your head bowed and your feet unsteady below you, you don’t see the hand rising to your face until a cool sensation spreads over your flushed forehead. The surprise of it shuts you up immediately. When you do dare to raise your eyes, you hardly trust what you see in front of you.

There is no anger in the face of the Iudex, in the downturned curve of his mouth or the crease of his brow. Only tender concern presents itself as he addresses you.

“You appear to be feverish. Please, sit back down. I won’t have you fainting again if I can help it.” He removes his hand from your skin, leaving behind a burning sensation that you can't attribute to a fever.

“Mon- Monsieur?”

He tuts, raising the cup of tea to your hand and folding it into your grasp. “Drink, please,” he murmurs, face etched with care. 

You blink a few times, sipping the drink as if compelled by magic. It's sweeter than you’re expecting.

“Good girl.” 

You nearly choke on it.

If possible, Neuvillette looks even more distressed by your sudden coughing fit. “You’re far redder than when you awoke. The fever reducer in this blend should help with that, but in the meantime, please take some of this…”

The minutes pass quietly. Periodically, Neuvillette instructs you in a gentle tone to drink your tea or eat a bit of pastry. He absolutely forbids you to stand after the second time you attempt to excuse yourself.

When he's been assured that you're comfortable, he speaks again.

“May I ask why you believe those papers you were attempting to bring me were worth working yourself to exhaustion over?” 

His words are authoritative, but his voice carries such softness that you can’t help but be honest with him.

“I’m so very sorry, Monsieur. It won’t happen again. I’ve just had a lot on my plate this week.”

Neuvillette's violet eyes are melancholy as they meet yours. “Of course. It’s a busy time of year for us all,” he says, shifting his gaze to the steady rain outside. “I do hope you know, however, that I would far rather your work be late than your health to fail on my account.”

You duck your head. “...I understand, Monsieur.”

The man’s stately expression fades into something unreadable at that.

“...Please, call me Neuvillette.”

You were unaware that his voice, so commanding in the courtroom, could sound so tender directed at you.

Your gaze darts up from the floor. The Iudex is not meeting your eyes. His are fixed instead on the light drizzle pattering the windowpane. A faint swathe of color decorates his lofty cheekbones.

As you smile and nod your head, pronouncing his name with a few words of thanks, the morning sun streams into the room behind you.

It’s getting to be quite the lovely day outside.

#genshin impact #genshin x reader #neuvillette #neuvillette x reader #neuvillette x fem!reader #fem!reader #:3c #this was fun to write and even more fun to see my beta readers react to #shout out to tender and honey btw love you guys #have i mentioned how much i love gentle men recently #if i haven't here's 2k words to remind you

[trainsinanime]

Miraculous Ladybug jokes in fanfics that will never not be funny

Not complete, not ordered. You can combine them for even more fun!

Identity shenanigans

Marinette steals someone's phone

Adrichat

Marinette does something weird; Adrien looks at her with soft eyes and earnestly goes "she's great"

Monsieur Pigeon is at it again

Pre-reveal, pre-relationship: Adrien is in love with Marinette but at most 50% aware of it

Pre-reveal, pre-relationship: Ladybug is in love with Chat Noir but at most 25% aware of it

Random side character (within the context of the story) has a crush on Marinette that they may or may not know about

Several random side characters (within the context of the story) have a crush on Marinette that they may or may not know about

Marinette has a bit of a crush on a random side character (Kagami is a great choice for this, although/because Marigami is also a great ship in its own right)

Gabriel has opinions on child-rearing

Plagg compares things to cheese

Alya and Nino are up to something

Luka responds only by strumming his guitar

Any mention of T-Rexes or space trash

Kagami tries to solve an issue by using a sword

Characters have opinions about what Marinette's hair color actually is

Detective Nino

Cat puns

Fanfic writer tries extremely hard to avoid writing a Lucky Charm plan

#miraculous ladybug #feel free to add more

[smilingangel582]

Me see lee Lyney and him having a crush on Aether:

AAAAAAAA SOMEONE WHO LIKES THIS TO!?

Any ways I was thinking of requesting lee Lyney and ler Aether but if you don't take request because of to busy or just plain out just don't want to I understand

Have a good day or night ☺️

-Pepper 🫑 anon

Nah, nah, Im totally planning on writing ler!aether soon!! Hehe, great minds think a like.

I often have a very air headed mind, so I decided to write the fics on requests so it will be easier and better for anons, hehe. Anyway, enjoy this genshin fic. Additionally, think of this as a sequel to "Rainbow roses."

This is romantic, btw hehe~

(P.s his tongue sticking is way too cute, and i wanna punish him with tickles)

Fontaine thrills Aether in many ways. He often thought Sumeru was the best place he ever visited, but Fontaine came to equal grounds. He can tell Charlotte wasn't kidding back then.

"Bonjour monsieur." The far voice of the woman in a frilly dress greeted him, "Are you perhaps on your way to see Mr. Lyney's latest magic show?"

He smiled and exchanged glances with Paimon, who pointed out "Yup we are... we really see Lyney go wild"

The rainbow rose he kept made him look forward to today's show. It's been some time back after the phantom weasel incident.

After showing the way to take the tickets the woman already left. Lynette was by the entrance of the opera house waving now along with her ears and tail swishing "Hi,"

"Lynette!" Paimon squeaked only to greet back, "Oh, where's Lyney?"

Aether nodded in agreement. Then, for the first time, she offered a fond smile, "I'm sure the ever so confident and bold magician Lyney is, in fact, nervous in particular today."

Aether tilted his head "Why is that?"

She pointed at the rainbow rose on his bosom. "This... well, I'm sure I gave you enough hints, so... take your seats in the front we'll meet during our performance."

With a mysterious glance, she left. Paimon clueless turned to the rose. "Eh? Because of the flower? Was he worried about us asking for the trick again?"

Aether blushed with a smile. Maybe he did understand the situation, especially after Charlotte's brief enlightenment of floral symbolism.

"What's got you so red?" She piped curiously, of course he shakes his head and offered to proceed to the opera House.

Indeed the show began, there's no sign of anxiety, yet he did shift his eyes away from Aether when he talked animatedly by flourishing his hat with a pigeon flapping out of his hat.

The crowd laughed when he juggled clumsily, feigning that he wasn't talented at that but then spinning them back to Lynette, who perfected it by one hand. Aether was fascinated by magicians. He never did understand how magic is considered a form of deception.

The show was spectacular as always with new tricks and old ones that never get bored. After the show everyone exited, talking about how amazing Lyney did and Paimon nagged on that she gotta know the trick somehow to satisfy her.

Later on, the stars of the show arrived. Lyney's discomfort seems slight, but it's his voice that convinced his act. Lynette waved adorably "Hello, did you like the show, traveller?"

They nodded, and Paimon as always stepped towards Lyney folding her arms. "So, teacher? Paimon observed your tricks! That disappearance magic happened because you had a pigeon hidden in the hat, right?"

Aether pointed out now "I doubt that's it, he did show his empty hat"

"Right on the money traveller"

Hearinf Lyney's reply as well, it felt like the end of the world for Piamon. she wailed "Aahhh Paimon's gonna get brain fry!"

Lyney stuck his tongue playfully "Well sorry Paimon, but you tried... I still can reveal my secrets like that"

Aether wanted to say something, but Lyentte suddenly reached for Paimon, taking her out. "How about Paimon and I go and have some desserts, you two chat along"

Expecting a chide from Lyney Aether turned to him, but he flushed in complete surprise. "D-dont leave... I mean... don't spoil your a-appetite Lynette" she was already gone with a complaining Paimon.

Aether is socially active, so he can tell how Lyney is awkward for the first time. As a man on stage he's hard to read but right now Aether can read him like a book.

They left the opera house only to reach the top peak of fontaine, through the lift and staring at the city and waters. Lyney seemed to change the subject first "So, how was the show, traveller?"

Aether shrugged with a grin "As amazing as ever, honestly that's amazing"

"Loss of vocabulary, I see?" Lyney chuckled "well its a good compliment for me, and I'm motivated..."

Aether slowly picked the rainbow rose, seeing the latter distracted by the breeze he shifted the topic now, "I must say, you have a really nice way of expressing passion, Lyney"

Choking a bit to a dangerous topic he sheepishly waved it off seeing hiw the rainbow rose is already involved, "Come now, you flatter me traveller, do I look like a floral expert to you"

A clever magician indeed.

Smirking, Aether advances, pinning Lyney against the balcony as his arms gripped the railing, he appeared taller now, "So, quick question, Charlotte did provide the symbolic meaning of the rainbow rose, plus you decided to change it so easily after knowing the truth, I doubt it's ignorance"

Lyney's position did seem uneasy. He tried to remain calm, but Aether's mesmerising golden eyes didn't let him. "Aether, please... I..."

"You said my name"

That genuinely sounded happy. In fact, he could see Lyney's defences crumbling gradually. He reached to playfully pinch his sides. "Right...? You did say Aether, right?"

Flinching at the touch, he tried to push those taunting fingers, "N-no...?"

"Liar,"

The squeezes became clear as water this time, Lyney couldn't help giggle contagiously. "Alriihight trahahahveller thihihis ihihis rihihidiculous!"

Grinning back, he hummed mockingly. "Not even the magician can understand my sense of humour"

He forcefully wiggled his fingers under his armpits finally breaking the defensive part of him. This made Lyney try to escape from the side as loud snickers tumbled from his lips "Ahahaha Aehehehether wahahahit wahahahait whyhyhyhy?"

"Lynette did let slip a fact about you, so... I want confirmation. " this time, both of them blush, one because of the flushed excitement and the other in his predicament.

"Whahaha? Shehehehe dihihid?" He tried once more to push the annoying pesky fingers playfully poking his bare underarms, which he tried to close up.

"Come on Lyney, admit it, you like me?"

This was like that night with Lyney all over again. He whined now trying to curl away from him, "Ahahaha plehehehease! NOHOHO!"

Aether decided to slide his fingers on his tights, though he didn't know how sensitive they were "How convenient that your weakest spots are so vulnerable, Lyney your so cute"

"CUTE??? AHAHA AEHEHEHTHER COHOHOME OOHOHN WHYHY AHAHARE YOU TIHIHIHICKLING ME?"

Aether decided it was enough before anyone else heard Lyney's loud laughter. He watched the other lean forward on the balcony gasping for breath "Ahahaha gohohod thahats uhuhunexpexted"

"Sorry, I felt... like doing it, since you seemed to stiff" Aether said shyly.

"Aha... noho worries I... neheeded that" finally gasping and regaining his stamina he cleared his throat, no picking up his hat "Well truthfully, I didn't expect you to find out so easily, I... uh... didn't mean to but-"

"Save it, Lyney," Aether grabbed his wrist and and then reached over to grip his neck as he forced a kiss. It surprise Lyney that a mild reaction of pulling away took over but soon gave into the warm touch.

They had the same rosiness, and Lyney lowered his hat with a wary giggle. "Ihi don't know what to say... uh, Aether"

"Say nothing, I'm looking forward to your next performance" Aether waved now heading back first. Then Lyney nodded with overwhelming happiness but mischievously added "And revenge"

Looking back a brief frightened look took over but he smiled it over "Sure then I'll get revenge on your revenge, Mr. Magician."

Lynye ran after him, catching as they laughed together. Meanwhile Paimon was the only clueless person who was still engrossed in figuring out how Lyney did his tricks.

Hope Lynette didn't slip a new interrogation method for Paimon. She just left us speechless when she drank her tea, pretending obliviously to that question.

#genshin impact tickling #tickle fic #cute #romantic #aether x lyney #lee!lyney #ler!aether #paimon #lynette #genshin impact #request #fluff

[melissajanart]

Bonjour monsieur pigeon!

#pigeon #bird illustration #art blog #artist on tumblr #art

[dragimal]

Fontaine Review

I’ve mostly kept quiet til now, cus’ I wanted to get through most of the main story of Fontaine + characters before saying anything (and honestly, I still haven’t done much exploring or world quests yet, so forgive me for any lacking context there), but like. good god, Fontaine is THE single worst written region in the entire game, with some of the worst plots, character writing, and gameplay I’ve ever seen.

let's go

1) the hunting metaphor

if you don’t believe me, I’ll start off with a small example—one of the few things I’ll provide full dialogue reference for, because it’s honestly a little insane.

For reference, since this is a minor moment in the grand scheme of things, this is the conversation between the final ensemble, discussing their plans to trap Furina into telling the truth. If you’d rather just watch it, here’s the timestamp, but I’ll relay the relevant section here.

[dialogue start]

Clorinde: In that case, do any of you have experience in… hunting?

Lynette: Not that I recall.

Lyney: Freminet and I once used a wooden stick and a basket to catch wild rabbits when we were younger. As for Lynette… ah right, you were sick that day, weren’t you?

Freminet: I’ve also gone diving to catch some fish before. Does that count?

Clorinde: I’m afraid not. You may or may not have heard, but Fontaine once played host to a group known as the Marechaussee Hunters. Though that was their name, they did not hunt animals, but rather various monsters left behind by the ancient dynasty of King Remus. Today, Fontaine’s monster population has already thinned greatly, so the Hunters have blended back into society, taking up arms in other lines of work. They even left a unique methodology of hunting in their wake.

Clorinde: A trap comprises of the following components: bait, a trigger, and a containment device. Sometimes, a lethal implement will also be necessary to deal with the prey. So if we were to build a trap together right now, what would you choose to build it with?

Lyney: For me, I would prefer something basket-shaped. Pigeons and rabbits will see the bait and naturally enter the snare. Our line of work requires a deft hand, and we’re some of the best in the industry, so you can count on our techniques.

Navia: You used some of those techniques while moving the people of Poisson, didn’t you? My subordinates mentioned that you even performed some magic for the bawling children.

Lyney: Yes, and I even managed to gather some intelligence in the meantime—I’m quite the multitasker if I do say myself.

Freminet: I’m afraid I can’t claim that my strong suit… I prefer more stable methods, like placing bait in the water and waiting for the fish to come within reach… That’s the kind of method I would count on.

Paimon: Hehe, calm and steady—exactly the kind of person who would catch loads of fish.

Lynette: And I can be their assistant.

Clorinde: With discretion, I’m sure.

Navia: Hmm… I’d probably use some sort of mechanical animal. Papa once bought me some small clockwork squirrels, mice, and such. When placed in the forest, they can attract others of their kind. I remember that you liked those too, didn’t you?

Clorinde: I did, and that would be a good way to go about it. If they’re realistic enough, animals of the same kind will follow them all the way to the trap.

Navia: What about you, Monsieur Neuvillette?

Neuvillette: I… fear I do not have any related experience.

Clorinde: That makes sense. You usually solve problems directly, without the use of any such tricks. But I do have one more question for you, Monsieur. If we were to create a trap now, how would you design it?

Neuvillette: Hmm, I would like for it to be effective but bring no harm to the prey. A more gentle trap would be ideal.

Clorinde: Kind, as always. However, our intention doesn’t necessarily change the containment device and the type of implement we need. If we wanted to kill the prey in one strike, we would need a powerful implement. However, that also goes for prey that must be captured and safely contained.

Navia: Wait, why’s that?

Clorinde: Only a hunter who is a true expert at subduing their prey can snare it without harming it. The line that divides life and death is often exceedingly thin.

[dialogue end]

Now anyone would see that long, drawn-out hunting metaphor and think, “oh, so this is gonna be a big hunt, then? Hunting an Archon? A bit weird, given the vibe of the archon quest before this point, but that’s cool!”

But then—

[dialogue start]

Freminet: …So, are we going hunting together?

Paimon: Uh, we hadn’t thought of seeing ourselves as hunters. It kinda works… but maybe it’s still not the best metaphor.

Neuvillette: If our means of capturing and dealing with our prey is to put them on trial, then the hunting metaphor is actually quite accurate. But we shall require much more courage than any hunter to judge a god—a being whose seat is an exalted throne.

Traveler: That’s right.

Lyney: Oh, so that’s what is going on… sounds very interesting.

[dialogue end]

So not only are the characters within the scene confused by the metaphor, but then Hoyo itself has to step in with blank pages of text to dispel the audience’s confusion.

[image IDs: screencaps of white text on blank, black backgrounds reading as follows:

“Clorinde’s hunting metaphor was just that… a metaphor. You will not call this a ‘hunt’ because that is not what you should do at present, nor has the relationship between you and Furina reached such a dire stage. What you need is simply the secrets she is keeping. Attempting to take her secrets is an act of sacrilegious disrespect, but must be done to prevent Fontaine from sinking into the waters as foretold in the prophecy. There is neither hunter nor prey, but there must be a ‘trap.’ That is what you will need.”

End ID]

To be clear, hunting has not been mentioned as an activity or even a metaphor throughout the entire archon quest leading up to this point, and it’s so irrelevant after this point that the Hoyo writers themselves had to step out from behind the curtain to tell us that, no, the cast will NOT be hunting Furina, actually.

So like, what was the point? Hoyo just wasted several minutes of my time painting a complex hunting metaphor, only to tell me it’s nothing? Was it just an excuse to make Clorinde’s skills relevant in the final cast of characters? Why??????

Y’know what metaphor would have been fitting, though? I’ll give you three guesses……. Fucking STAGE PERFORMANCE!!! Performance and spectacle have been huge themes this entire quest, the entire country of Fontaine is mired in performance, and the entire last act of this quest is a literal performance-- why didn’t Hoyo choose that as the metaphor? Or, hell, even easier, just cut out the entire metaphor completely! We already know that the group is discussing what to do about Furina, Hoyo could’ve just cut to black at an earlier point in the convo and been done with it!

This may seem nitpicky as my first point, but it’s so telling of Hoyo’s writing philosophy—don’t write anything meaningful, and don’t commit to anything of substance. It’s really the core of all other problems, imo, and it’ll keep coming back again and again.

2) Traveler + Paimon

The Traveler issue is a bit complicated, and perhaps more subjective than my other issues, but bear with me.

Namely, the Traveler is supposed to be the player’s self-insert, while also being a character within the setting—a combination that just… doesn’t really work, at least not the way Hoyo approaches it

For one, Traveler has goals that often run counter to what the player wants to do. The obvious example being that Traveler just wants to get on with it and find their sibling, whereas we players want to take our time to explore, meet characters, and run through various sidequests. So this leads to a weird tension where the Traveler is simultaneously a kind-hearted errand-runner, always happy to help out… while also being very fed up with it all, anxious to just find their sibling and the truth of their separation.

There’s also the simple fact that we, the players, aren’t given any options to affect the path and choices of the Traveler, beyond “snarky answer” vs. “not-snarky answer”. This isn’t strictly a bad thing, not every game needs to have branching paths or complex character interactions… but it’s not exactly conducive to the “self-insert” approach that Hoyo tries to frame the game as, ya feel me?

And don’t even get me started on Paimon’s role in this! Even if Traveler has a personality, they can barely get a word in over Paimon’s constant whining and commentary. I’m not the first person to point out how annoying she is, but she truly is such an unnecessary plot convenience, when Traveler could easily just… speak for themself (and with a much more pleasant voice). Though that may be the problem-- I honestly think Hoyo only added Paimon so they could still claim Traveler as a self-insert, since Paimon usually serves as the mouthpiece for Traveler. Either that, or she’s supposed to serve as a lore dump to introduce Traveler to Teyvat, but like… Paimon is dumber than a rock, and other characters in the setting explain things far better than her.

Anyways, my point with Paimon is that, because she serves as the mouthpiece for Traveler, that means she also serves as the mouthpiece for the player. Which is infuriating, when she’s saying dumb shit I don’t agree with, but Hoyo thinks I’m supposed to. No, I don’t feel hostile towards Kaeya or think he’s “shady”, I actually like the guy! No, I don’t think Tighnari’s tangents about botany are boring—I’m a bio major, and I love hearing people talk about their interests in any case! Etc. etc.

thus, it feels like Hoyo is carefully straddling the fine line of “self-insert” vs. “character with autonomous personality” without really committing to either option, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and a bit frustrated (or often frustrated, when Paimon’s speaking).

But I will admit, this usually isn’t a problem. Sure, the “half-insert” approach bothers me sometimes, but at least Traveler’s dialogue options are often written vaguely enough that I’m not taken out of the moment, and Paimon… well, I try to just pretend she doesn’t exist. On the whole, the Traveler issue isn’t game-breaking…

Or it wasn’t, until Fontaine.

Suddenly, left and right, Paimon is being rude and dismissive towards more characters than ever (no, Paimon, I think YOU’RE making this moment with Neuvillette awkward, actually), and Traveler is not only agreeing, but inventing new, fun ways to act downright cruel (Lyney + Lynette, FURINA… we’ll get to them…). They’re both rude to a huge chunk of the cast-- not only the strangers we barely know, but the kind and charming characters who’ve never done a bad thing to us or anyone we know of!

It’s a heel-turn that suddenly emphasizes the problems with Traveler that were, up to this point, far more subtle.

For one, this behavior runs counter to how the players respond to these situations, as we've discussed. like, Traveler being rude to Lyney? Fan-favorite Lyney?? In a gacha game that’s trying to sell us our favorite little blorbos? What in the world kind of decision is that???

But more fundamentally, this personality switch runs counter to what we’ve grown to expect from Traveler. we expect someone who is open and understanding to all sorts of situations and types of people… but that’s not really the case, is it? Traveler is only here to find their sibling, and they’ve apparently grown tired of pretending otherwise. No more sympathy and understanding, the patience is gone.

I honestly think I’d enjoy the experience more if Hoyo committed to Traveler as a full character rather than a half-way insert. it doesn’t come up much in-game, but if you look at Traveler’s voice lines on their story tab, you’ll discover tons of fascinating backstory and personality. I want to learn more about their experiences in other worlds, and their thoughts about how Teyvat compares to other places! I want to know more about the apparently deep bond between Traveler and their sibling, and the trials they’ve been through together before Teyvat!

I wouldn't mind a bitter Traveler, if the Traveler was treated like an actual character, and we got to watch the progression of this bitterness over time… but we don’t get to see it, because they’re not treated like a full character. and I honestly don’t even think this was an intentional character choice, in any case.

This leads into the related problem of—

3) the Fatui

ok sure, the Fatui are not exactly trustworthy, that’s been proven time and again. I don’t blame Traveler for being wary of new Fatui characters, or even the organization as a whole. I get it.

however, Traveler has encountered many, MANY people on their journey, including many different Fatui operatives. There are many formerly-‘bad’ individuals (including Fatui) that Traveler has come to understand and even befriend, in many cases.

The obvious example here being Childe, who isn’t even among the list of “reformed” individuals. he’s literally still a Harbinger with violent streak, he’s implied to have a high death count, and he tried to drown Liyue (with Zhongli’s permission, sure, but Childe didn’t know that)… and yet Traveler STILL befriends him. I’m saying this as a huge Childe simp myself—I love the guy, but even I can admit he didn’t do a whole lot to earn forgiveness. Idek what the thought process is in that relationship, was Childe just too pathetic by the end of the Liyue archon quest to be considered a threat by Traveler anymore? Impossible to say.

But then Traveler will meet other Fatui characters and inexplicably act horrifically cruel. I think it starts with Ganyu’s story quest, where we’re encouraged to profile some random Fatui guy and extra-judiciously beat him up for the crime of… picking berries. And then Traveler just laughs it off like, “well, he had it coming anyways,” like HUH? WHAT?? And then the 9th Company in the Chasm… WHEW don’t even get me started. That whole Company was literally on the floor DYING of starvation, clearly no threat to anyone, and especially not anyone as skilled as the Traveler… and then Traveler STILL has the gall to act suspicious! The story basically had to drag Traveler, kicking and screaming, to help characters who-- I must emphasize-- were dying of starvation.

Real heroic character, there. Love playing somebody that’s clearly so kind and compassionate. Ugh.

At least the hostility towards Scaramouche makes some sense, given Traveler’s personal beef with him across several countries/quests, + Scara’s personality. Like, yeah, Traveler is rude to him after his defeat, but at least Scara gives as much sass as he gets. Still a frustrating double-standard, considering how nice Traveler is to Childe “literally still a Harbinger” Tartaglia, but whatever.

But Lyney and Lynette? The people who have been nothing but kind to Traveler? Who show genuine concern for Fontaine’s safety, who pass out free gadgets to help out the people of Fontaine? Whose tragic backstory involves literal child sex trafficking, and being rescued by the one single Harbinger that seems to have largely unselfish goals*? (*not saying Arlecchino prolly hasn’t done anything bad, but we’ll get there)

and Traveler still has the GALL to scoff at their trauma, and claim it doesn’t matter???

[image ID: a screencap of dialogue from the 4.0 archon quest, reading as follows:

Paimon: So that’s how you two joined the House of the Hearth.

Traveler: That’s all in the past, though. The Knave is after the Gnosis, isn’t she?

End ID]

If I thought the 9th Company quest was bad… WHEW… I’ve never wanted to reach through the screen and strangle the Traveler more than I did at this point (at least until Furina’s story quest <3 )

Hell, the House of the Hearth’s concern for Fontaine isn’t even a front, as is proven by Arlecchino and co. helping out in the final act. For all that Arlecchino and her House have likely done terrible things in the name of her goals, she and the siblings were completely honest about protecting Fontaine… and Traveler is STILL hesitant about the siblings, even when their sincerity has been abundantly proven.

[image ID: a screencap of dialogue from the 4.1 archon quest, reading as follows:

Lyney: As you know, the House of the Hearth has many reasons to seek the Gnosis, but our highest priority remains resolving the prophesized crisis. You can trust us on that.

Traveler: Sorry, I must refuse.

end ID]

Make it make SENSE.

Look, I would understand the hesitation if Traveler had never encountered any nuance in the Fatui before this point. Truly, I get it-- the Fatui is a powerful, deeply influential organization. I also don’t trust powerful, deeply influential organizations! but I must once again emphasize that TRAVELER IS FRIENDS WITH CHILDE. This just feels like a swift kick in the nuts, at this point.

It’s also worth noting that… Hoyo didn’t have to write the Fatui as cartoonishly evil. I’m frankly sick of seeing Fatui as the masterminds behind 90% of the evil plots in Teyvat, as if they’re the true root of all evil. For one, it’s boring-- I’d like to see other people making bad decisions for once, and I’d like to see more Fatui with more complex goals than “be evil, make profit”, such as the complexity of the House of the Hearth in this quest.

Hell, it’s already established that each Harbinger does their own thing with their resources/power.

[image ID: a screencap of dialogue from the 4.0 archon quest, reading as follows:

Lyney: But our organization is very, very large, and the Harbingers have very different personalities and goals.

End ID]

[image ID: a screencap of dialogue from the 4.2 archon quest, reading as follows:

The Knave: Don’t be too preoccupied with “sides.” The goal of the Fatui concerns not a single place or person, but rather the entire world. With such a grand goal in mind, it is inevitable that we must wear many masks.

End ID]

so I’m hoping we’ll see more of this nuance?? But this is Hoyo we’re talking about, so I’m not placing my bets on it.

But the more troubling thing abt the Fatui’s writing is that it feels very… Red Scare. Not that this kind of flat stereotype is exclusive to the Fatui—the Treasure Hoarders are a classist stereotype of “thieves” (despite the fact the Traveler prolly plunders far more ancient tombs and artifacts than the whole organization combined…), and the Eremites and related enemy NPCs are a racist caricature of ‘Arab’ peoples. So like, forgive me if I don’t trust Hoyo to continue to write Fantasy Russian Mob with grace and nuance.

but honestly, the real kicker is… I agree with the Tsaritsa’s goal of destroying Celestia. Celestia is an unambiguously genocidal god-state that can and will destroy any peoples that even hint at threatening their power. I joked abt Fatui being the root of all evil, but throughout Teyvat’s entire history, it seems like Celestia actually is the root of all evil. Like, yeah, blast that sucker out of the sky. Obviously I don’t agree with the free reign the Tsaritsa has given her Harbingers, but I don’t necessarily blame her for using that power to gain their loyalty.

And yet, the game continuously frames the Fatui organization as flatly evil—even Arlecchino, for all the good she did in this quest, clearly has her own agenda. Like, y’know that trope where the group resisting an unfair system is made to do cartoonishly evil things, thus delegitimizing their core goals? It feels like that. Yeah, it sure is hard to agree with the objectively correct main goal of the Fatui, when they keep starting civil wars across the map. Too bad nobody fucking else wants to fight Celestia… oh well, I guess we just have to accept Celestia’s iron rule!

The Fatui isn’t even the worst offender of this infuriating trope, tbh. Let us not forget Khaenri'ah—the people that didn’t want to be ruled by Archons, made their own, autonomous nation, and were thus completely annihilated by Celestia because their technology was “too dangerous”. and then the survivors are either cursed with immortality, or mutated to become black-skinned monsters wearing ‘tribal’ masks/outfits (the og racist caricature, if you will). But I’d be here all day if I started talking abt that, and it’s not related to Fontaine, so I’ll leave it at that.

I can’t predict what Hoyo’s endgame is for Celestia, so maybe they’ll surprise me, but forgive me for distrusting Hoyo’s obsession with authority and “divine rights”.

Which leads into the next problem—

4) the Fortress of Meropide

It’s one thing to have a fantasy world with fantasy ‘cops’ and some kind of punitive system. Like, sure, fine, it exists, but we don’t have to dig into it. Hell, we can even have ‘cop’ characters without it being a huge deal. at least Kujou Sara and Cyno-- for all their blind loyalty-- could eventually see the flaws in the system. Sure, I would’ve liked to see the systems themselves challenged-- to see the people of Inazuma not so readily forgive the Shogun, or to see the idea of “forbidden knowledge” questioned as a tool of control, maybe. but I wasn’t rly expecting that level of self-reflection from Hoyo anyways, so whatever. Ultimately, those systems are ‘fixed’ so they no longer subjugate the people, so I can’t complain too much.

but then we get the Fortress of Meropide. A literal prison—not even just a metaphor, it’s just. Literal, modern prison, but with a steampunk veneer.

Let me lay out all the issues here, beyond the obvious:

“autonomous” prison

generally, the Fontaine justice system exiles people rather than imprisons them. Long ago, all these “exiles” made their own society outside of Fontaine, both for survival and to “repent” towards Egeria (we’ll get to that). Thus, the Fortress is technically “autonomous” from Fontaine, since its population is full of these “exiles” rather than true “prisoners”.

But if that’s the case, why are the exiles still on Fontaine land? the Fortress is still within the borders, after all-- if they are truly just “exiled”, then they should be free to roam outside of Fontaine. Yet, why are these “exiles” escorted straight to the Fortress by Gardes-- as if they are, perhaps, prisoners of the Fortress?

The only way this works for me, logically, is if the Fontaine government claims no connection on paper, while still working with the Fortress under the table. This would allow Fontaine to exact whatever policies/cruelties they like on prisoners, without the oversight of official Fontaine policies to hold them accountable for this behavior.

Fontaine can’t violate their citizens’ human/worker rights, if the people in question aren’t actually citizens anymore.

credit coupons

Prisoners do not earn Mora for their work in the Fortress—instead, they earn credit coupons, and these coupons are only worth anything within the bounds of Fortress.

So let’s follow these facts to their logical conclusion: if prisoners can only earn credit coupons, then they can’t save up any real Mora (unless there’s lore abt credit-mora exchange I’ve missed). That means, when they’re eventually released from the Fortress, prisoners have no money to their name. and unless there’s some system in place to hold prisoner housing/assets safe (doubtful), then prisoners have likely lost their home, job, and any savings as well. So a newly-released prisoner is just as poor (if not worse off) than before. They will likely have to steal for survival, and end up in the Fortress again. if that’s the case, then why would they leave?

Like, gee, I wonder why so many prisoners choose to continue living in the Fortress after their sentence is done? Surely it must be because of the excellent accommodations!! 🙄

prison labor

the main job available to prisoners is factory work, building many of the machines used in above-ground Fontaine. No wonder Fontaine doesn’t want the prisoners to leave, they’d lose their free (slave-labor) workforce!

Notably, prisoners also help make Gardemeks—the robots that serve as a large chunk of the Fontaine police force, and prolly arrested many of the prisoners themselves. What a slap to the face!

welfare meals

Every prisoner apparently gets one free meal a day, after which they must pay for any other meals using their credit coupons.

But what about people who can’t work? the sick, the disabled? one meal a day is not enough to survive, and trying to do so would only make people weak and sick, which would make them even less able to work, continuing the vicious cycle. And the fact that prisoners didn’t even get that little crumb before is kinda nauseating.

Also why is their quality Russian fucking roulette??

[image ID: screencaps of dialogue from the 4.1 archon quest, reading as follows:

Paimon: Oh, you mean the meals are random?

Sigewinne: Yes, what you get to eat depends completely on your luck. You could say that it’s a… distasteful little game that Chef Wolsey likes to play here in the cafeteria.

End ID]

I know Genshin is a gacha game, but this is too much. Fuck people with food sensitivities or allergies, I guess.

EDIT: informed prisoner choice/consent

there's two main instances of uninformed decisions being thrown at prisoners:

A) Sigewinne makes special meals for prisoners whom she observes to be overworking themselves. instead of telling them this, though, she just silently slips her meal into their gacha-tin instead of their regular meal. thus, instead of understanding that they are being given a healthy gift by the Fortress nurse, prisoners just see a gross piece of meat and think they're being punished or poisoned for non-stop working 3 days in a row.

now, I'm slightly more lenient with Sigewinne's case, considering Melusine aesthetics and such. there's a chance that Melusines, idk, have a higher sense of smell or something, so she thinks she need not explain the healthy qualities of her meals to humans, bc they should just be able to tell it's healthy. MAYBE.

but Sigewinne has been working at the Fortress for how many years? seriously, how many years, I'm not sure-- at least as long as Wrio's been there. that's quite a while to not have picked up on human habits-- especially for someone like Sigewinne, who apparently spends all her time studying human behavior/emotions in order to give them the best care possible.

honestly, given Sigewinne's interests, this feels almost cruelly intentional? like, what the hell else am I supposed to think, when Hoyo takes time to note Sigewinne's interest in human emotions? and especially considering the manipulative role she played with Lyney and co... yeah, no dice, this girl is a razor blade hiding under a lolita dress.

B) Fonta wants to sell their drinks down in the Fortress, and in particular wants to test out a new drink they've come up with, to see if the prisoners like it. Wriothesley thinks Fonta sucks and believes only the dumbest of prisoners would spend their precious coupons on Fonta. so to prove this, Wrio slips a bottle of the special Fonta into certain prisoners' cells (those he deems to have recently made stupid decisions) to see if they'll drink it. without knowing what the drink is, prisoners only see a mysterious bottle of unlabeled, blood-colored liquid, and throw it out without touching it.

so, for one, it's really not Wrio's place to decide what his prisoners do with their money. he may think Fonta is stupid, but it's people's Archon-given right to spend their hard-earned money however they see fit! I don't want the president of my country telling me I can't have a nice, refreshing cola after a hard day's work, fuck off!!

but also, like. Wrio clearly knows what he's doing, here. he's giving this new product the worst possible chance at positive reception (pulling off the labels, leaving them in prisoner dorms with no explanation), and claiming it's Fonta's fault for making a bad product. fucking of course nobody wants the new product, they think it's literally blood, and probably some kind of threat!

I bet you a million bucks, if prisoners knew what it was, this blood-like Fonta would get at least some clientele. there's always a morbid audience to be found, and the chances may even be higher in a prison

Wrio doesn't even start offering prisoners his drink of choice-- high-end tea-- to be bought instead, so like. this isn't even a flex on his drink tastes so much as another way to control prisoner's very few means of recreation and personal choice.

medical care and general health

why is Sigewinne the only nurse? That’s insane, there should be a full staff of medical professionals-- the Fortress is huge. And considering all the leaky walls and rusting metal, I’m surprised more prisoners don’t have gangrene or tetanus.

Also being deep underwater, with few windows out into the surrounding lake, the Fortress gets basically no sunlight. it’s socially cut off from the outside world, and as far as I know, there’s little else to do beyond Fight Club (I’ve heard tell of a library, but I certainly never saw one!). the Fortress seems primed to turn people fucking insane and/or depressed. Humans need sunlight and fresh air, humans need intellectual and physical enrichment.

And y’know what? I’d accept all this if it was intentional—some commentary on the corruption of the state, and the way prison only destroys lives.

But that’s the worst part—it’s not.

The Fortress is framed as not only necessary to Fontaine’s functioning, but good for the people. Traveler and Paimon constantly comment on how “surprisingly nice” the Fortress is, how they love being there. Meanwhile, every time I’m in the Fortress, I feel like a fox caught in a bear trap-- I want to fucking LEAVE, but the game acts like I should love it SO SO much.

[image ID: a screencap of dialogue from the 4.2 archon quest, reading as follows:

Paimon: That’s right! Today is our last day in prison… But now that Paimon says that, it doesn’t feel like we were confined here. It’s actually been pretty nice.

Traveler: A lot of people have helped us out.

Paimon: Oh, yeah. Paimon feels fond of this place now.

End ID]

Hoyo voice: oh boy, don’t you just LOVE it here? Isn’t it so fun and great??

Not to mention the weird “redemption” undertones of it all.

…

[image ID: screencaps of dialogue from the 4.1 archon quest, reading as follows:

Wolsey: Now everyone gets a square meal every day, even no-good slackers who’ve never picked up a wrench in their whole lives. Nobody starves to death here.

…

Wolsey: Whatever the case, hard work is rewarded here. You’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else as fair and reasonable.

End ID]

--

[image ID: screencaps of dialogue from Wriothesley’s story quest and the 4.1 archon quest, respectively, reading as follows:

Wriothesley: Which is why in my opinion, learning to reconcile with oneself is the first step on the path to redemption.

--

Wriothesley: And with that, the people here stopped referring to the Fortress as a prison. They saw themselves as repenting sinners, who would regain their freedom once they had sufficiently redeemed themselves.

End ID]

How disgustingly Christian 🙄

this only reinforces the idea that prisoners are lesser citizens that deserve to live under the worst conditions, unless they “repent” and bring something “valuable” to society. Not to even mention that every crime is treated equal, in the scenario—yeah, sure, I definitely want the single parent who stole food for their starving kids to go to the fucking pit of darkness. Definitely.

And if it wasn’t already incredibly obvious, this is way too close to real-life to be comfortable—everything from credit coupons, to exploitative prison labor, to the idea of prison as “redemption”. This is how real-life prison works, what people think of prison, and how society often treats convicts.

It’s one thing to write a narrative that’s tone-deaf to the deeper implications—Hoyo does that all the time, I’m used to it. But this? This feels intentional. This feels pointed and vicious. This feels like Hoyo, mask-off, saying, “these are our unambiguous views about the state and punitive system, and we’re going to make you agree with us using a hot guy mouthpiece.”

Which is, of course, why I hate Wriothesley so much.

It’s not just that he’s a smug, insufferable bastard (though he is), but it’s more what he represents for this story.

Essentially, Wrio is not allowed to be wrong. This is partly bc he’s a high-spec guy and Hoyo is afraid of letting high-spec guys be wrong (see: Alhaitham), but mostly because Wrio is a thesis statement for the Fortress. Wriothesley is authority, and according to Hoyo, authority is always right. even when authority is manipulative and cruel, as long as the “proper leader” is using that authority, then it’s actually for your own good, so you should just shut up and listen.

Wrio can’t be wrong, bc if he is, then what does that say about the Fortress?

Thus, interactions between Wrio and the prisoners take on a different tone. Wrio’s not just some schmuck acting smug—he’s a guy with power, and he delights in lording that power over the people who can’t tell him “no”.

[image ID: screencaps of in-game dialogue from the 4.1 archon quest, reading as follows:

Deakin: Th- The Duke! Greetings, Your Grace! L-Lovely weather today, isn’t it?

Wriothesley: Greetings, my good fellow. I’m willing to imagine that the weather is as good outside the sea as you say it is. Ah, how great it would have been if only the Fortress of Meropide had been built on the coast. It would have been so convenient to enjoy a nice chat in the sunshine.

End ID]

[image ID: screencaps of in-game dialogue from the 4.1 archon quest, reading as follows:

Fitzroy: Ah, Y-Your Grace! Good morning… I mean, good afternoon!... No wait, what time is it again?

Wriothesley: What time indeed. Time waits for no one, so it’s best to keep an eye on it.

Fitzroy: Ah, m-my apologies, Your Grace! *panting*

Paimon: Geeze, that guy’s so nervous he almost forgot to breathe…

End ID]

these interactions kinda make me wanna vom! This isn’t playful teasing, and Wrio knows it—he’s got all the power, and he can wield it as he likes.

Also, knowing that Wrio was once a convict doesn’t make me like him more. He’d only work for me if he was like Roy Mustang—a smug bastard façade hiding a manic drive to tear apart the whole system from the inside, and then himself. But Wrio is the Duke, and little has changed in the Fortress. Class traitor? Die

Also, this is a minor problem compared to the writing issues, but the Fortress is just an awful place to navigate. Why does each elevator only move between two floors, when there are several floors? I should NOT need to turn on sparkle-trail navigation for a single goddamn building. Nightmarish, 4.1 was easily the worst quest in the entire game, bar none.

5) Furina

Furina herself is excellent—she’s one of my new fave characters, and the situation involving her, Focalors, and Neuvillette is insanely tragic and devastating. I’ll give Hoyo props for that one—that scene was insanely well-executed, and Furina/Focalors’ Eng va crushed it.

No, I’m upset with all the writing surrounding Furina.

It all starts going sideways when Traveler tricks Furina into the final trial of the archon quest. I don’t blame them for the situation, of course-- they couldn’t have known that Furina was about to maybe open up, if only they had a bit more time alone. but GOD that betrayal still stung… except the Traveler didn’t seem to agree. they didn’t show any concern for Furina in that moment, or at any point during the trial. But y’know what, fair enough—there are bigger problems than Furina’s feelings in that scene, so I don’t blame them for focusing on the more pressing goal of Fontaine’s safety.

But then they enter Furina’s literal mind. They see her desperately clinging to a mask of confidence, even at her deepest core. They see her scared and alone, frantic for solutions and sacrificing every part of herself for months and years, decades and centuries. They see her tears flowing over and over, desperately trying to cover up the fatal cracks in her façade.

[image ID: a screencap of a scene from the 4.1 archon quest. White text reading, “Scene 182375, Opera House, Furina,” sits on a black background. Hundreds of faint tally marks are scratched into this background, marking the days. End ID]

Traveler sees Furina at her most vulnerable, most broken, and her still caring more for the people of Fontaine than her own health and happiness.

And Traveler has the AUDACITY to demand MORE of Furina. To demand to see the “truth” of Furina’s situation, as if her trauma wasn’t already abundantly fucking clear by that point. Literally, if Furina knew anything else about her “mirror self”, Traveler would have seen it by then-- what do they even want from Furina at that point??

and THEN. after Fontaine is saved, and Furina fucks off to solitude (good for her), and Traveler now has an intimate understanding of Furina’s trauma concerning performance and spectacle… Traveler and Paimon make fun of her situation. Paimon makes fun of Furina’s clear depression meals and lack of life skills like cooking, as if it isn’t extremely fucking obvious WHY she lacks those skills.

And Traveler demands Furina return to the stage.

And when Furina decides that, no, she’d rather not act ever again, Traveler completely ignores her boundaries. Furina literally calls it a boundary that she refuses to cross, and this newfound confidence and self-worth is framed as a problem that needs to be fixed.

Paimon even calls her a “drama queen” for daring to set boundaries.

[image ID: a screencap of dialogue from Furina’s story quest, reading as follows:

Paimon: It’s amazing… even though Furina’s still being a bit of a drama queen about it all, she’s really fired everyone up!

Traveler: I’m really looking forward to the final production.

End ID]

As if it isn’t completely fucking obvious? Why Furina wouldn’t want to play as someone else again? to cover up her own feelings with a mask? to be ogled as a spectacle, an object? To be judged by the harsh gaze of her people?

Hell, even Neuvillette suggests that Furina belongs on the stage, but frankly that’s character assassination, imo. Neuvillette was HORRIFIED when he learned what Focalors did to Furina, and even if he saw the necessity, that doesn’t mean he was happy to learn that a dear friend of his has been suffering so severely for centuries. But anyways.

Furina finally makes a solid decision for herself—no coercion from outside parties, no playing a part-- she makes this decision all on her own, for herself. And the people she’s closest to decide that they know better. They decide that Furina doesn’t know what’s good for herself, and that they should dictate exactly what she needs.

Was 500 years not enough for you people? Was it not enough?? this literally makes me nauseous! It makes me want to burn down all of Fontaine and spit on the ashes! Sorry, Neuvillette, you may forgive Fontaine, BUT I FUCKING DON’T!!

And the real kicker, the true punchline to her “character arc”, is Furina receiving her Vision on stage. The culmination of her core character—her hopes, her passion, her will… is being pressured into playing a role. Again.

What a joke.

6) Melusines

One of my lesser problems with Fontaine, but I consider myself a connoisseur of creatures, and Melusines deeply disappoint.

design

Melusines are supposed to be slug-things, but they just look like toddlers? YAWN, give me real slugs!

Also they look like cutesy toddlers, and they don’t wear pants. Really bad vibes, there

behavior

Melusines have this whole schtick abt not understanding human communication/emotions, but it doesn’t land when they look, act, and talk like tiny humans. When Sigewinne calls me “cute”, it feels weird and infantilizing, because she’s a tiny human calling another human “cute”.

infantilization

speaking of, Genshin has always treated nonhuman objectification and boundaries weirdly (I could say a lot abt how Gorou is treated..), but the treatment of Melusines is especially uncomfortable.

Like, they’re fully autonomous adults that have been alive for hundreds of years, and they’ve made their own underwater town… yet everyone keeps infantilizing them?

Like when Eloffe wants to use Kiara as a model for child clothing

…

[image ID: screencaps of a scene from Neuvillette’s story quest, featuring the short, pale pink Melusine Kiara, and the human Eloffe. The dialogue is as follows:

Eloffe: Hear me out. I’m planning to release an outfit for children next month and wanted to hire you as my model. Is that okay with you?

…

Eloffe: I think light and frilly clothes look best on you. You’d definitely look cute wearing them.

End ID]

for one, this wouldn’t even work bc Melusines have different proportions than humans, but like… why not use an actual child to model child clothes? Why not make clothes for Melusines themselves? Why not ask them what styles they’d like to wear, instead of just assuming? This is kinda rude??

And the worst part is that the Melusines don’t even seem to notice this infantilization—as if they’re so far ‘removed’ from human culture, they don’t realize when they’re being objectified.

[image ID: a continuation of the previous scene, with the following dialogue:

Kiara: I love them too! Especially the soft and fluffy kind…

End ID]

Not gonna lie, it’s creepy!

Slug-girl racism

slug-girl racism is dumb. It’s already dumb when stories do cat-girl racism, so making the characters slugs instead doesn’t make that narrative any more profound. At least the racism is over by the time the story starts, but that was a rly dumb aspect of Neuvillette’s story quest …

#shut up ashley #genshin impact #sorry this is lik 6k words um. I had a lot to say

[remdc-ladyblog]

LIST OF AKUMAS

Stormy Weather

Lady Wifi

The Evillustrator

Princess Fragrance

Monsieur Pigeon

Pixelator

Copycat

The Bubbler

Simon Says

Gamer Not

Animan

Darkblade

The Pharaoh

#miraculous #ladybug #miraculous ladybug #ladyblog #a rewrite of marinette dupain-cheng

[tenebraevesper]

Up Ladybug/Up Ladybug Remix (Masterlist)

Up Ladybug

As heroes, Ladybug and Chat Noir have teamed up to battle against the mysterious Papillon, who wants to annihilate the duo and spread chaos across Paris. As civilians, Bridgette and Félix are dealing with unrequited love and a curse. While the love of one could break the curse of the other, neither of them are prepared to deal with the consequences of their decisions...

Chapters

Entry 0: The Butterfly

Entry 1: A Miraculous Tale

Entry 2: The Black Cat

Entry 3: The Mini Menace

Entry 4: The Curse

Entry 5: Never Lose

Entry 6: Turnabout Fortune

Entry 7: The Thief Among Us

Entry 8: Welcome To The Show

Entry 9: Leap Of Confidence

Entry 10: Dance With The Devil

Entry 11: The Desperate Confession

Entry 12: Soothe Your Pains

Entry 13: Reflection

Entry 14: Step By Step

Entry 15: Youth Of Today

Entry 16: The Storm

Entry 17: The Trigger

Night 18: Credens Justitiam

Entry 19: The Lingering Loneliness

Entry 20: Hotaru

Entry 21: Clash At The Museum

Entry 22: Under The Moonlight

Entry 23: All The Right Moves

Entry 24: Icebreaker

Entry 25: Queen Bee

Entry 26: If You’re Here (Part 1)

Entry 27: If You’re Here (Part 2)

Up Ladybug Analyzer

Up Ladybug - Never Lose/Kuyashisa wa Tane (Regret is a Seed) (OP/ED)

Up Ladybug - Gyakuten Winner (Turnabout Winner)/Dreamers (OP/ED)

Up Ladybug - Time Factor/Datte Kyō made Koiwazurai (Because I’ve Been Lovesick) (OP/ED)

Up Ladybug - Akikaze no Answer (Answer of the Autumn Wind)/Go Your Own Way (OP/ED)

Up Ladybug - Force/Perfect World (OP/ED)

Up Ladybug - Mit Aller Kraft/??? (OP/ED)

Up Ladybug - Meet The Superheroes (Bridgette Cheng/Ladybug & Félix Agreste/Chat Noir)

Up Ladybug - Meet The Kwami (Tikki - The Kwami of Fortune & Plagg - The Kwami of Misfortune)

Up Ladybug - Meet The Villain (Gabriel Agreste/Papillon)

Up Ladybug - Meet The Henchmen (Pierre LaRue/The Mime & Xavier Ramier/Monsieur Pigeon)

Up Ladybug - Meet The Assistant & The Bodyguards (Adeline Arsenault/Domino & Nathan and Simon Fortin/Brutus and Cassius)

Up Ladybug - The Void, The Charm & The Curse (Null - The Kwami of Void)

Up Ladybug - Meet The Phantom Thief (Carmilla Brigante/Phantom Thief Belladonna)

Up Ladybug - Meet The Quantic Kids (Claude Savard, Allegra Baudelaire, Allan Durand, Sophie Renard)

Up Ladybug - Meet The Queen (Amber Bourgeois/Queen Bee)

Up Ladybug - Meet The Quantic Kids Remix (Bridgette Cheng/Ladybug, Félix Agreste/Chat Noir, Claude Savard/Kid Mime, Allegra Baudelaire/Melodie, Allan Durand/Gavroche, Sophie Renard/Sparrow, Amber Bourgeois/Queen Bee)

Up Ladybug - The Good Luck Charm & The Bad Luck Curse (The Ladybug Earrings & The Ring of The Black Cat)

Up Ladybug - Emotions & The Butterfly Wraiths (The Butterfly Brooch)

Up Ladybug - The Relationship Shift (Brilix)

Up Ladybug - The Relationship Shift (Brichat)

Up Ladybug - The Relationship Shift (Félibug)

Up Ladybug - The Relationship Shift (Cursed Charm)

Analyzer - The Hidden Potential of the Miraculous Ladybug PV (Miraculous Ladybug PV)

Up Ladybug Remix

Due to unexplainable circumstances, Bridgette and Félix find themselves in a different universe, where their counterparts are saving Paris from a villain who apparently has nothing better to do but send his Akuma to cause havoc. Despite their attempts at staying away from the action, they do tend to get themselves involved when the situation calls for it.

Chapters

Up Ladybug Remix - No Secrets Allowed

Up Ladybug Remix - The Right To Choose

Up Ladybug Remix - The Butterfly Effect

Up Ladybug Remix - It’s Okay To Murder… What?!

Up Ladybug Remix - The Black Cat’s Responsibility

Miraculous Ladybug Analyzer

Analyzer - Félix Graham de Vanily (Miraculous Ladybug)

Analyzer - Why Cat Walker Works Where Cat Noir Fails (Miraculous Ladybug)

Analyzer - Félix & The Risk He Takes (Miraculous Ladybug)

Analyzer - Félix Strikes Back (Miraculous Ladybug)

Analyzer - Félix & Emotion, Part 1 (Miraculous Ladybug)

Analyzer - Félix & Emotion, Part 2 (Miraculous Ladybug)

Analyzer - Félix & Emotion, Part 3 (Miraculous Ladybug)

#Up Ladybug #Up Ladybug Remix #bridgette cheng #ladybug #felix agreste #chat noir #ladybug pv

[squadron-goals]

Wartime conditions

30.10.16

At 10 a.m., Hauptmann Bökelmann summoned us to Bohain for a meeting. He explained our task to us. It consists largely of establishing connections and obtaining news quickly. First we should orient ourselves on the battlefield. We have to check the connection, ask the combat troops for news and requests, see which areas are particularly under fire, check strengths and weaknesses, and request reinforcements on our own in the event of an attack. We have carrier pigeons, telephones, signallers and light signals at our disposal. If there are urgent calls, our messages go first. In any case, I am becoming more and more comfortable with my task; it is interesting, independent, dangerous and perhaps also grateful. As personal support I have two non-commissioned officers and four men, all of whom have bicycles. As news, he told us that barrage requests would be communicated by yellow floating bullets, "advance fire" by red bullets. In the evening the gentlemen of the 1st battalion met at the place of the assistant doctor Köppen. There were so few that everything fit around a round table. As always before battles, the mood was extremely cheerful.

31.10.16

Today I had a beautiful example of the unity of the French civil society. My host came to me and showed me some wounds that his neighbor had inflicted on him. He also grabbed him by the throat and shouted “Demande pardon”. I wrote the good monsieur Lemaire a letter of complaint in French to Captain Sesselberg. For lunch today we had pancakes and then played Doppelkopf.

1.11.16

In the evening we played a Doppelkopf and celebrated Heilmann's birthday with champagne, cognac and an excellent dinner. We became very cheerful as the evening progressed and went to the ensign's quarters, where we said a lot of stupid things to the landlady.

2.11.16

In the evening we drank a lot of wine with Lieutenant Dreckmann, the leader of our big baggage. On the way home, Lieutenant Wiese wanted to visit a madam and was led to a house in front of which there was a huge racket. Suddenly Wiese realized that he was standing in front of his own quarters. Amid the angry shout: "I won't live in the regimental brothel" and the roaring laughter of those around him, he left to look for new quarters that same night. Boje knocked on the door of a certain Madame "la poule" and of course made such a noise that the door was not opened for him. With an angry "je vous laisserai punir (I will punish you)" he left the inhospitable place and conspired to put at least 20 men in the Madame's quarters the next morning. These are wartime conditions.

3.11.16

Today there was another scout troop meeting with Hauptmann Bökelmann. I got 3 very good maps, including one from Combles with every bit of the trench noted. The cannons were booming particularly loudly on the Somme front today, it sounds as if a huge number of heavy trucks were rolling along in the distance. In the evening we witnessed a wild scene. In the 2nd company, a wild corps seems to have come together, from the company commander to the ensign. I am writing from house number 26. Boje en Chemise. A nice pit of sin this Brancourt. Heilmann knocked continuously on house 6 until a human voice came from a bed: "Well, go away soon, this will soon become too annoying for me!"

4.11.16

The next morning general community activities. "There is order here." Here the comb is with the butter. Appetizing thing! In the evening we drank a huge punch with a whole bottle of rum. I only had the strength to throw myself into the ensign's bed, where I woke up at 7:30 with a pounding head. I went to my quarters. When I woke up I had a very unpleasant sensation. This time it would be even less pleasant "Malborough is not in the war. Malheur! Malheur!" [Jünger feared that he had gotten syphilis]

7.11.16

Last night we received news that we will probably be leaving tomorrow morning. At 9 o'clock we left in automobiles. I made several crosses at the exit of the village. Before we left, the chief medical officer came and made a lot of crude jokes. I rode in the staff car with Hauptmann Sesselberg and the adjutant and was therefore very soon at our destination, Gonelieu, 25 km from Brancourt. We officers from the 2nd have a room with a fireplace, into which we put the furniture. We had our first casualty while chopping wood. Ahrberg hacked with his hatchet when Lieutenant Schlösser called out to him, "Careful, not in the foot." The accident had already happened and Ahrberg had split his right big toe deeply. He was immediately bandaged, which we did with our chewing mouths. In peacetime, one would certainly not have continued to eat breakfast if one had seen such a sight. Tomorrow evening 76 and 164 will take over from our predecessors at Sailly. Our regiment remains at the rear as an army reserve for the time being. I will ask Bökelmann tomorrow about my special orders.

#ernst jünger

[aidanchaser]

Boulangérella: A Miraculous Fairy Tale AU - Chapter 3

Table of Contents Read on Ao3

beta’d by @7wizardsshallanswerthecall, @mothmanhamlet, @ccboomer and @aubsenroute​

Chapter Three Monsieur Pigeon

Ladybug was not entirely sure how she and Chat Noir would be able to successfully free Monsieur Ramier from Hawk Moth’s control. When Monsieur Ramier had been transformed by Hawk Moth in the past, he was given the power to control pigeons. Tonight, however, Hawk Moth had granted him an ability to get revenge on those teenagers who had harassed his pigeons by transforming them into the very pigeons they had come for. Now no one in the city was safe; merely the brush of a cursed pigeon’s wing would transform them into another bird in Monsieur Pigeon’s flock.

Ladybug and Chat Noir ducked behind a chimney and pressed themselves flat against the wall, hoping to hide from Monsieur Ramier—or, rather, they ought to call him Monsieur Pigeon while Hawk Moth had control of him.

“My lady—” Chat Noir pinched his nose between his thumb and forefinger. In a nasally whisper, he continued, “I think he’s got us pinioned down.”

She ignored the terrible pun. This was hardly the time. “This power of his is new…” She tried not to sound too doubtful as she unclipped her magical bandalore from her waist, but she couldn’t see a solution yet. “How can we possibly get close enough to find the cursed object?”

“I can distract him,” Chat Noir suggested. “My sneezes will make it easy for him to find me, and you can find the object Hawk Moth has cursed.”

“He doesn’t need to find us. Any of his pigeons can touch us and that’s it…”

“Hawk Moth won’t want our miraculous gifts to transform with us,” Chat Noir pointed out. “Maybe we can use that to our advantage—”

He stopped as a flash of orange on a nearby rooftop caught his eye. It stood out strangely in the dark night, especially when most of the movement in the sky was made of gray and black pigeon feathers. But before he could mention it to Ladybug, Chat Noir sneezed.

A nearby pigeon called in response, and Ladybug and Chat Noir ran. He pulled Ladybug in the direction of the orange blur, unsure where else they ought to go. He hoped that, just maybe, it was a stroke of luck, the sort that Ladybug could turn into a victory.

Ladybug and Chat Noir slid over a roof top and down to the street level, just in time to see something orange and white slip into one of the many tunnels that ran under the city. Underground certainly seemed safer than the skies, so they both followed.

Chat Noir dropped down beside her and rubbed his nose. “It might smell down here,” he said, “but it’s easier to breathe than among all those feathers.”

“What was that orange… thing?” she asked.

Chat Noir glanced around, but he saw no sign of the orange blur that had led them here. “I hope it’s help.”

Ladybug cupped her hands around her mouth. “Hello?” she called, and her voice echoed down the tunnel walls. She hoped that the birds would not have bothered to explore the tight, underground maze that ran beneath the city. Of course, they would eventually get to her and Chat Noir, but she should have enough time to make a plan.

“Ladybug?” a soft, feminine voice called back. “Is that really you?”

“Who’s asking?” Chat Noir’s voice echoed in the tunnel. He leaned casually against his baton, but his senses were fully alert. His ears twitched with the magic that pulsed through his veins and his green, cat-like eyes shimmered in the dim light of the underground sewers as they searched for movement.

A girl stepped out from an alcove, and Chat Noir’s shoulders twitched with the urge to pounce. She had long, dark hair with a reddish tint to it. In the front, her hair had been pulled into two red tails with white tips, reminiscent of a fox. She wore white trousers tucked into black boots, and a bright, orange sash wrapped around her waist and trailed off into a sort of tail, white-tipped like her hair. She wore a tight orange bodice edged with black lace and black gloves that ran the length of her arms. Her shoulders and neck were bare, decked only in a gold chain from which hung a curved orange pendant. A pair of tall orange ears sat on her head, not unlike Chat Noir’s own leather cat ears, and her face was covered by a mask in the shape of a fox’s head.

The part of her that drew Chat Noir’s attention, however, was the large bamboo stick in her hand. He kept his brilliant green eyes trained on it, waiting for her to lift it into an attack position.

“Ladybug, I was so hoping I would find you,” the girl said effusively. “Those pigeons—they attacked my family.”

“I think we’re safe here for the moment,” Ladybug said, but Chat Noir was still hesitant to relax his guard.

“How did you get away from the pigeons?” he asked.

The girl touched the pendant at her neck. “This is the gift of illusion. I was able to hide myself. It did not last for long, though…”

“You’re all right now,” Ladybug promised. She held out her hand to the girl. “We’ll help you, and we’ll save your family.”

“Thank you! I know if anyone can help, you can, Ladybug.” She took Ladybug’s hand and squeezed it.

Chat Noir eyed Ladybug and decided he ought to trust her judgment. They were a partnership, but they were not exactly equals. She was the captain and he was more like her first mate who supported her decisions. If she thought they ought to help this girl, he would go along with her plan.

He re-clipped his baton to his belt and gave their new friend a dramatic, sweeping bow. “It’s a pleasure to make your cat-quaintance.”

Ladybug and this new friend were equally unimpressed with his chivalry and humor.

“You said you had the magic of illusion?” Ladybug asked, as if Chat Noir had done no more than clear his throat.

The girl nodded.

Ladybug smiled. “Illusion just might be the distraction we need without risking turning Chat Noir into a pigeon.”

Ladybug tossed her bandalore into the air and called for her Lucky Charm. There was a bright rose-colored light from her bandalore. Her spots flashed and the magic of creation flowed from the bandalore until it had finished constructing the lucky item that she needed. The object that fell out of the light and into her hands was warm and buzzed with magic. She examined the curved reed, red and decked in black spots like her dress. She pursed her lips, unsure exactly what she needed to do with it.

“Do you think you're supposed to hit Monsieur Pigeon with it?” Chat Noir asked.

Ladybug glanced over at their new friend and the bamboo reed in her hand. “Can you make both sound and images with your gift?”

The girl nodded, and Ladybug laid out their plan.

Chat Noir didn’t like it, but Ladybug was in charge, and so he did as Ladybug asked. He stood on the fifth bridge from the palace and stared at the dark water below. It looked cold. At least his allergies would probably be unaffected while he was in the water.

With a sigh, Chat Noir put the hooked end of the reed in his mouth and jumped into the river.

He could not see well in the water, but the dark itself was not much of a problem for him. The city was well-lit at night, which left her alleyways and the depths of her river dim to the average person, but for Chat Noir it was easy for his cat-like eyes to adjust. He stayed below the surface, careful to keep the top of the reed above the water so that he could breathe, and waited for Ladybug’s signal.

It was not long before he saw what he was waiting for. Ladybug and Chat Noir approached the river bank, pursued by a flock of dark pigeons, whose wings reflected iridescent purple in the city’s many lights.

The illusions of Ladybug and Chat Noir hesitated at the water’s edge, apparently cornered. Monsieur Pigeon, in his dark pink and purple suit approached.

“Which will it be?” the man asked with dark glee in his voice. “Join my pigeon army or hand over your miraculous gifts?”

Chat Noir watched Monsieur Pigeon closely in search of the object Hawk Moth had infected in order to amplify Monsieur Ramier’s anger. In the past, it had been Monsieur Ramier’s pigeon call whistle, but Ladybug had warned Chat Noir to be careful and sure before he made his move. They would not get two attempts with Ladybug’s magic of creation, nor Chat Noir’s magic of destruction.

Monsieur Pigeon lifted the whistle to his lips. It was as black as ink, and Chat Noir was certain that he was using it to control the monstrous pigeons. It must be the object they needed. Around the reed in his mouth, Chat Noir muttered, “Cataclysm.”

His ring burned and dark energy gathered in his palm. It may not have hurt, but it required a lot of focus to hold onto.

The first time Chat Noir had summoned his power, he had hastily grabbed a lamp post to keep from losing control and shattering a building; the lamp post had crumbled to dust beneath his hand. After that first night testing his new powers, his fay had warned him that the stronger his emotions, the stronger his Cataclysm would be. In those early days of grieving his mother, it had been almost impossible for him to use it effectively.

But he had learned to control it, and the freedom of being Chat Noir combined with working alongside Ladybug had given him hope in a future again. His Cataclysm had become manageable from not only use and practice, but thanks to a quelling of his grief.

Now, it was a tool he could manage as easily as Ladybug used her Lucky Charm. It cracked and popped in his hand, eager to destroy the first thing it touched, but he held back and waited. He watched as the illusions of Ladybug and Chat Noir removed their illusory miraculous gifts and dropped them into the river.

Chat Noir’s mouth quirked into a small smile. Their new friend had no idea what he and Ladybug looked like underneath their masks, and he thought the tall, plain looking man that took Chat Noir’s place an odd choice. Whoever that man was, though, Chat Noir figured his life was probably easier than Chat Noir’s true identity.

Monsieur Pigeon, as Ladybug had predicted, dove into the river after the miraculous gifts. Chat Noir made his move.

He shot forward in the water and grabbed the whistle out of Monsieur Pigeon’s hand. It crumbled to dust in his grasp. Like ink dripping off of a quill, the suit Monsieur Pigeon had been wearing fell away, and Monsieur Ramier reappeared. He swam up to the surface hastily for air. Chat Noir did the same, careful not to lose sight of the dark iridescent butterfly that flitted through the water.

As Chat Noir broke the surface, Ladybug extended a hand to help him up. Chat Noir reached for her hand and was shocked as his hand passed through hers. Ladybug vanished, and nearby, their new fox-like friend laughed.

Chat Noir climbed out of the river and turned to help Monsieur Ramier. “Ladybug?” he called, annoyed with both himself and their new friend. Carefully, he shook the water from his arms. He hated the way it clung to him. It made him feel sticky, unable to slip easily and invisibly through the night.

Ladybug—the real Ladybug—hurried across the bridge. The large pigeons that had surrounded the illusions returned to their normal size and color, and Ladybug no longer had to avoid them as she chased down the dark butterfly that was struggling to fly away with wings weighed down by water. She unleashed her bandalore on it. The circular clay on the end of the string slid open and captured the butterfly within it. There was a flash of white light as the butterfly was sealed inside, and the bandalore returned to Ladybug’s hand.

Once she had whispered the incantation to purify the cursed creature, Ladybug opened her bandalore and released the butterfly. The butterfly, now as white as snow, flitted off into the night. Ladybug wished it well on its journey, as she always did. And as he watched, Chat Noir’s heart fluttered as it always did; he loved her for her confidence, determination and intelligence, but her kindness, more than anything else, left him full of adoration. His love never waned, no matter how many times he watched her wish a future of hope onto a creature that had been turned into an agent of destruction.

Their new fox-like friend stepped out of the shadows beside Chat Noir and watched as Ladybug threw her bandalore into the air and her Lucky Charm undid all the damage to the city and its citizens that Hawk Moth had wrought through Monsieur Pigeon. There was a sweep of red, flitting ladybugs that swarmed the pigeons, the streets, and then hurried down the alley, finishing their work throughout the city.

All was as it had been when Ladybug and Chat Noir had first transformed and slipped off into the night, except for the whistle. Ladybug’s magic was powerful, but the object that Hawk Moth infected with his curse remained damaged in whatever way Ladybug and Chat Noir chose to free the curse. It was the one thing Ladybug did not have the magic to fix.

But Monsieur Ramier had grown quite used to replacing his pigeon call whistles in the past year.

“Are you all right, Monsieur Ramier?” Ladybug asked.

Monsieur Ramier wrung out his dripping cap. “Did it happen again, Ladybug?”

“I’m afraid so,” she smiled. “But everything’s been set right.”

“I am so sorry,” he said. “But thank you for saving me. I know I can count on you each time.”

“Of course you can,” Ladybug promised. “And Chat Noir and our new friend, of course.” She gestured to Chat Noir and the girl in orange.

The girl in orange grinned and rested her flute-like reed over her shoulder. “You can call me Volpina,” she said.

“You have my gratitude,” Monsieur Ramier said with a bow.

Chat Noir wrinkled his nose in an attempt to stall a sneeze, but he was unable to stop himself. The group of pigeons lifted into the air in surprise, then followed Monsieur Ramier along the river’s edge, back towards his home.

“We really couldn’t have done this without you, Volpina,” Ladybug said, and held out her hand to the girl in orange. “I hope we’ll have your help in the future.”

Volpina took Ladybug’s hand and even managed a small curtsy. “Any time, Ladybug. I think I’ll be in the city for a while longer.”

“You’re not from here?” Chat Noir asked curiously.

Volpina’s mouth twitched into a crooked smile. “I thought you heroes liked secret identities.”

“We do,” Ladybug said quickly, “but it is surprising that you just showed up suddenly.”

The smile on Volpina’s face faded. Though her eyes were hidden behind an orange and black mask, complete with the snout of a fox, she looked sad. “My grandmother passed away recently. This pendant was hers. I didn’t know it was a miraculous gift until I put it on. I was afraid to use it, unsure that I could uphold the legacy she left behind, but when my family was hurt in Monsieur Pigeon’s attack, I called upon the power of illusion to escape and find you.”

All of Chat Noir’s wariness melted away in an instant. He knew grief. It cloaked him as thoroughly as the masks he put on for each of his identities.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” he said. “You were a great help today.”

The green emeralds on his ring flickered and the magic in one of the stones of the cat’s paw dimmed.

Volpina eyed it curiously, then said, “I think I need to take my leave.”

“Of course,” Ladybug said.

And as Volpina disappeared into the night, Ladybug’s earrings flickered.

“We ought to go too, chaton,” she said with a smile.

But he was loathe to leave his lady after their time together had been so brief. He looked down at the five glowing green emeralds set into his ring. Only one had flickered out. “I have a bit longer.”

Ladybug shook her head, but she was smiling. “It’s a good thing we met Volpina tonight.”

“Oh?” He quirked an eyebrow.

Her smile faded ever so slightly. “Well… I might not be around very much over the next month. It’ll be good to know there’s someone else here to help the city.”

Chat Noir’s heart sank. But he swallowed down his own hurt and focused on her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly, but Chat Noir did not believe her. Ladybug was many things, but chiefly she was a hero, and a hero did not show her weak spots, not even to her partner.

“It’s just…” She struggled to find the words then finally managed, “In my other identity, I’m about to be very busy. I have a lot of people that I’m responsible to, and they’re all going to need my attention. I’ll still be around, and if Hawk Moth attacks I’ll be there, but these nights where we patrol… I don’t know how many of those we’ll have for a while.”

“Oh,” he said. He did not know how to put words to his heartbreak. Nights with Ladybug were the best part of his life. He wasn’t sure what he would do without them, and he wasn’t sure how to tell her about his own looming deadline.

Her earrings flickered again. Another emerald on his ring went out.

“Promise me something?” she asked.

“Anything,” he said readily.

“Try not to steal anything, please? I don’t want to come after you because Audrey Bourgeois can’t find her pearls.”

Chat Noir flicked at the silver bell that rested at his collar. It jingled softly. “I wear this bell for you,” he grinned. “Can’t get past any hunting dogs with this on.”

It was not entirely true. Chat Noir was good at sneaking around even with the bell around his neck, but it symbolized his loyalty to Ladybug more than anything. It had become an addition to his outfit only after he had fallen for her.

It had not taken him long. The very same night that she had first dragged him from the Bourgeois's manor only to send him right back in to return the rings he had taken, one of Hawk Moth’s monsters had attacked.

Chat Noir had readily run to help, and though he would never know it, it was his confidence that had encouraged Ladybug to join him. She might never have dared to use her magic to face the monster if he had never asked her to help protect the city.

Together, they had learned that they could defeat the monsters in a way that the castle’s soldiers could not, and that the gifts they bore from the Forest of Fay were gifts that could be used not simply for their own benefit, but to help and protect the kingdom. And, more than that, Ladybug could undo in a moment whatever damage had been wrought by Hawk Moth’s attack.

It was during that first fight that Ladybug had learned that Chat Noir was a better friend than he was thief, and it was during that first fight that Chat Noir had fallen in love.

So he had worn a bell, ever since that first fight. A faux-deterrent from stealing, because his lady had asked him to.

“Thank you, chaton,” she said, and smiled.

Chat Noir cherished her smiles as much as he cherished her laughter, but he could not bring himself to match her smile.

“I also have some bad news,” he said. The third emerald on his ring flickered out as her earrings flashed.

Ladybug’s smile faded and she tipped her head. “What’s wrong?”

He liked that she had echoed his question. He wished that he could, like she had, assure her that it was nothing.

“After this month, I don’t know that I’ll still be around.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I have one more month before… well, before I assume some new responsibilities in my other life. I think they’ll make it harder to spend my evenings with you, Ladybug.”

It was not often that Chat Noir used her name properly. Ladybug knew that he was being serious, and not just trying to tease her or make her feel guilty for leaving him alone for a month.

She wanted to press him for details, but it would not be appropriate. She was the one who had set the boundaries between their daily lives and their lives as heroes, and it had been for a good reason. She was protecting him and his loved ones as much as she was protecting herself.

“Are you… sure?” she asked, unsure herself what she ought to say.

“I wish I wasn’t.”

It struck them both that from now on, then, any moment might be their last night together. And though it broke Ladybug’s heart to know there was a chance she might lose her best friend for good, she said, “You should go.”

The fourth emerald on his ring flickered out, and her earrings flashed.

“What if I didn’t?” he asked.

“Chaton…”

“Just kidding, of course.” But he had not been kidding, and he and Ladybug both knew it.

She kissed his cheek, then said, “This isn’t good-bye yet.”

“Not yet,” he agreed, and disappeared the way Volpina had gone, but whoever she was, she had already vanished

The final emerald on Chat Noir’s ring flashed and flickered out as Chat Noir murmured, “Plagg, claws in,” and his dark disguise vanished. The black suit fell from him and gathered in his ring, revealing a set of clothing that was just as dark but of much finer and more delicate cloth. The black wisps emerged from his ring and solidified into the form of the tiny black creature he had found in the forest almost a year earlier.

Prince Adrien Agreste leaned against the brick wall that formed half of the alley way and looked up at the sliver of stars visible above the close rooftops while the black cat-like fay dug through a nearby pile of garbage for some discarded cheese. They would need Chat Noir’s disguise to return home, but first the fay creature Plagg would need an offering of cheese to complete their initial bargain before he could give Adrien another turn with the magic of chaos and destruction.

Adrien considered, not for the first time, what might happen if he simply strolled up to the palace gates, and how his father might punish him for sneaking away. On his darker days, Adrien almost dared to do it. What was left for his father to take away from him? He had no control over whom he spoke to nor how he spent his time. Did he even really have control over whom he would marry, or would he just accept whatever his father asked of him? Shy of locking him in a dungeon, there were few ways for his father to restrict his freedoms much further.

But those were only on Adrien’s dark days. He knew that his father only wanted to protect him. He could not imagine how even his aunt might react, knowing the crown prince put himself in the path of danger almost nightly to protect the palace and the city from Hawk Moth’s attacks. He didn’t think she’d be any happier about it than his father. His mother might have understood, though. She’d have been upset, he thought, and worry, but he liked to think that she’d have understood.

“We need to do something about our new fox friend,” Plagg said as he dug through the piles of garbage.

Adrien tore his eyes away from the stars. “What’s wrong with Volpina?” She had helped them, despite his initial suspicions, and her grief had seemed genuine.

“Weren’t you listening?” Plagg disappeared into an old wooden box and re-emerged with a wedge of pungent, mold-covered cheese. “It’s not camembert, but it’s aged alright.”

Adrien wrinkled his nose in disgust as Plagg swallowed the cheese whole. He was not sure how Plagg managed it, considering the wedge itself was about twice Plagg’s size, but the fay creature seemed to stretch around the cheese, then compress back into his fay form.

“What do you mean about Volpina?” Adrien asked, when it was clear that Plagg was too interested in digesting his meal to return the conversation on his own.

“Did you notice how her pendant didn’t flicker with magic after she used her gift? That’s not a normal bargain. That’s a lifetime debt. Those trades don’t come cheap. Sounds like she may have stolen it from her grandmother.”

“Weren’t you listening? Her grandmother died. Surely Volpina just wanted something to remember her grandmother by.”

Plagg, however, was concerned for Trixx, who was his best friend in as far as fay creatures had best friends. Trickery and chaos went hand in hand. But he paused his concern for Trixx and took a moment to gauge the grief in Adrien’s eyes.

Plagg was not a sensitive creature by definition. He was born of chaos and destruction. His power was a curse, meant to inflict harm on others. And even then, it was mostly targeted at those who would hurt Tikki and her bondsman—or bondswoman, as was more often the case.

As a rule, Plagg did not express fondness for his bondsmen—or bondswomen, as it had been on several occasions—but Adrien was an exception. Plagg had observed many things in his year at the palace, but he had observed very little fondness. Adrien deserved a bit of care.

So Plagg shifted into his preferred form, a scrawny black cat, and threaded himself around Adrien’s feet. He nuzzled his whiskers and cheeks against Adrien’s ankles in a rare show of affection. It earned him a small smile from Adrien. It was still a sad smile, but most of Adrien’s smiles were sad. Someday Plagg would get a real smile from this boy. Something absolutely feral. It was what the boy deserved, especially after all he had been through, and especially given what was to come.

Plagg could not see the future—that was a different fay’s gift—but Plagg knew a few things about what went on in the palace that Adrien did not know. He chose to keep them to himself for now. Adrien would find out in time, and hopefully he would be ready to face those secrets when they eventually unraveled, as secrets always did.

Adrien knelt beside Plagg and stroked his spine. “We can’t do much more to investigate Volpina tonight. I suppose we ought to go home.”

Plagg tilted his head. “I bet we could still snag one of those pendants you were thinking about. Ladybug doesn’t have to know.”

The sad smile twitched ever so slightly. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Something smaller then,” Plagg wheedled. “Something that really won’t be missed. Oh, we could stop by that boulangerie! It isn’t far. They’re the only place I’ve seen in this half of the continent that sells those fluffy cheese-filled pastries.”

“I can just order a bunch to be delivered to the palace,” Adrien said, but they both knew it would not be the same. There was something thrilling about slipping in and out of somewhere unseen, of having power and control over one little thing in his life when he was denied that power in so many other places.

When Plagg made no additional argument except to stare up at Adrien with pleading green eyes, the prince sighed. “Plagg, that’s a business, and the shop owners are very kind. I don’t want to steal from them.”

“Take the old stuff. It tastes just as good. We can leave something in exchange. Please,” he drew out his plea with a long whine. “We haven’t stolen anything in over a week, and you just promised Ladybug that we’d be good for another month. Can’t we have one last teeny-tiny hurrah?”

Plagg was Adrien’s closest friend and confidant while simultaneously being Adrien’s worst influence.

“Plagg, claws out,” he whispered, and the black cat at his feet stretched around him, spreading out from his ring, and cloaking him once more in the disguise of Chat Noir.

So when Marinette Dupain-Cheng finally returned home, well after her parents had retreated upstairs to bed, she found that three of their popular deep-fried, cheese-filled pastries were missing, and in place of the pastries, someone had left behind a small bouquet of budding hellebore.

#ml fairy tale au #fairy tale au #ml fic #miraculous ladybug #miraculous ladybug fanfic #ladynoir

[theressomethinghappeninginparis]

Yeah you can't change my mind on the feelin I have there's a shadow following me and ruining anything ahead on my path.

One guess. Why was the pawnshop closed? Right, the owner is fucking dead and the place is cluttered with dust and blood. Great!

Transcript of the first and second page: Comment on my sanity as I threw up again from disgust, more importantly: there is a symbol next to I think Rennes (he has a small name tag on him) and it is the exact same as at Carvier's place. The newspapers mentioned it yet I'm sure not explicitely. On his PC were several contact numbers that I wrote down and maybe am going to call. One thing that stood out was that he has some maps on his desktop that I send myself via mail and printed them. I'm wondering what location they're showing and also why the hell he had several passports on his front desk, neatly arranged. As if someone placed them there for him to see. Did this person also murder him? What does the Monstrum want with passports?

Transcript of the third page: Here's the map. What I can read is "The open ??? stals here", "Don't fall into this" and "That is you way in". It seems like I've seen this somewhere. I suspect it could be a map of part of the sewer system. I've been to several sewer parties before, they are well documented and there are arrows to indicate the correct path. If that's a catacomb map, where is "your way in"? Where into?

Transcript of the fourth page: Here are the three contacts I found. They have weird names and I obscured them since I think that's safer. One is "Monsieur Àvotreservice", called him and he started yelling since I wouldn't tell him where I got his number from; "La Porte" is the guy from the church and "Mangeoire à pigeons", is, brace yourself, the guy in the park! I got a bix at Rennes and haven't gotten back to Pierre yet. If I can set up a straight face maybe I can use that to bribe one with the box. I need to talk to park-guy again and to church guy.

Transcript of the fifth and sixth page: The park guy's name is Bernand. He is really interested in the box and is willing to take me to Bouchard to get myself a fake passport or...whatever use he could be, and his conditons are to bring him the box and he gives me a password in return. Wow. The church bouncer is not the guy inside the church, not gold-lover, but a bouncer. Bernand's password is for him and he also wants the box and 800 euros. I can't give him both so I need to head back and think of what to do next. I need to get to Bouchard. But how?

On my way back I met the lady in front of the club again, her name is Janice. She told me she'd rather me trust Bernand and asked me what my business with Bouchard is anyway. I told her about the passports I found at Rennes and that he sells them and she laughed and explained Rennes is just a stupid vendor. So... she doesn't know he's dead. I asked about the murders and she shrugged it off as daily business, people stay home. Bouchard's business is failing.

Now, a thought. If he is in desperate need of clients, couldn't I just get to him and ask about that? If I can pay? I'm not planning on meeting him in person, I just need a way to get to the Louvre and then into Carvier's office. I will call the numbers again and ask Pierre. There has to be a way to get these documents for one use only. I'm not planning on stealing anything and yes I notified the police about Rennes.

Transcript of the sixth page: The text is slightly unreadable but the most important thing is this: I called the guy who was mad at me, I offered the box Pierre and Bernand want, he said he had open business with him left, it was the fucking herbalist speaking on behald of Bouchard on the phone as I recognized his laughter and threatened him with giving the police a clue about Rennes...long story short, the next day after telling Pierre I will totes get him the box I picked up the security card and gave him the "box"- thanks to him not knowing it was an imitation. Whatever, I am off to the Louvre...somehow.

I need a hint on how to enter the museum. I can't just use the front door and I haven't thought...this far. Do I really need to call this guy again?

#angel of darkness #classic tr #tomb raider #traod #tomb raider series #lara croft #journal #aod #tomb raider angel of darkness

[sunlessea]

" — oh my. you look absolutely terrible! mayhaps i should have dragged your lifeless husk of a shell to my clinic whilst you were out."  they spin their cane upwards in their grasp and reach out the end to poke at his midsection as if examining a living corpse, though @londonfallen still appears very much alive. how wonderful, the iv they'd had him dutifully reliant upon had done it's job. shame for the temporary scar it'd left on him  :  the doctor supposes, in the end, he must've had to rip it out when he'd awoken alone.  "quiet, quiet, all these voices in my head  :  i said good evening already, didn't i? no? oh. good evening, monsieur silas elial edwards."  the picture of good manners, they push him out of their way the moment his door is unlocked, stroll into his home with melodic, skipped steps.

it is not the first time they have entered without permission in the past good, long while.

"now, a little birdie told me  —  a pigeon, actually, poor little buggers, someone really should give them a hand... or a feather  —  that you..."  they fall into the nearest seat, legs crossing in tandem. with hands folding politely in their lap, cane shifted aside, they fix him with the gorgeously dead stare of their lovely mask.  "...have been looking for me. you fall near dead for well over a year's time, put all this work on my shoulders deciding whether to upkeep your existence or dump you and your unflinching order into the zee, then suddenly shoot awake, and the first thing you seek out is me? that's either suspect or adorable. maintenant dis-moi, о чем это?"  their voice heightens a few octaves behind the modulation, mocking his posh accent,  "quite strange for you to go around london's streets on your hands and knees begging for my attention instead of sending out your followers, innit?"

#` ✞ the doctor. ⁞ i see your darkest dreams‚ they’re no longer make believe. #londonfallen #lmfao #ic tbt.