I would unironically love to have a gift exchange with a random medieval peasant though. No trying to kill them with hyperpop and energy drinks, I want to give them some sparkling rosé, share a kit kat, let them run around in some new sneakers, play some chill dungeon synth, give them a lighter or maybe a swiss army knife even.
And if they feel like giving me some medieval stew, cheese & honey, salted fish, ale, or what the hell ever they feel like in exchange i'd be delighted to try any of it.
But yes, we would also definitely have to smoke a joint at some point, this should go without saying
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And so it makes sense that these are now the places where fascism grows; that’s what these places were designed for. The suburbs were invented as a reactionary tool against the women’s liberation and civil rights movements. The US government, in concert with banks, landowners, and home builders, created a way to try and stop all that, by separating people into single homes, removing public spaces, and ensuring that every neighborhood was segregated via redlining. The suburbs would keep white women at home, and would keep white men at work to afford that home. These were explicit goals of the designers: “No man who owns his house and lot can be a Communist,” said the creator of Levittown, the model suburb. “He has too much to do.”
The reason Target has become the locus of today’s particular right-wing backlash is the same reason countless viral TikToks attempt to convince women that they’re at risk of being kidnapped every time they’re in a parking lot. It’s the reason why true crime is one of the most popular podcast genres in America, and why many refuse to travel without a gun by their side and shoot people if they set foot on their driveway.
[...]
It is of course true that these mass hysterias are part of an organized right-wing movement that is attacking human rights across the country—through legislation banning abortion, gender-affirming care, and books, and making it illegal for educators to teach American history accurately. But the shape this movement has taken is not coincidental; it is in fact the product of the unique shape of public life in America, or lack thereof. Suburbanites do not have town squares in which to protest. They do not have streets to march down. Target has become the closest thing many have to a public forum.
We often hear that urban areas are more liberal and suburban ones more conservative, and we’re often told that this is because of race. That may be partly true, though cities are whiter than ever and suburbs more diverse than ever. Instead, it may be that suburbanism itself, as an ideology, breeds reactionary thinking and turns Americans into people constantly scared of a Big Bad Other.
The suburban doctrine dictates that public space be limited, and conflict-free where it exists; that private space serve only as a place of commodity exchange; that surveillance, hyper-individualism, and constant vigilance are good and normal and keep people safe. It is an ideology that extends beyond the suburbs; it infects everything. Even cities, as Sarah Schulman writes in The Gentrification of the Mind, have become places where people expect convenience and calmness over culture and community. What is a life of living in a surveilled and amenity-filled high-rise and ordering all your food and objects from the Internet to your door if not a suburban life? To make matters worse, the people who have adopted this mindset do not see it as an ideology, but as the normal and right state of the world; they, as Schulman writes, “look in the mirror and think it’s a window.” So when anything, even a gay T-shirt, disrupts their view, they become scared.
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I tried to get a tighnari ai to behave the way I wanted it to but it did not work. Instead I wrote a tighnari fic myself
// sexist tighnari, implied sexist Cyno, non-con, tighnari and reader without a vision, kidnapping, breeding
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Tighnari was nothing but kind and patient to you. Sure, you had to be dragged back to Sumeru by your feet given how idiotic you were, but it was your own fault.
It all started when you went to Sumeru after hearing your traveler friend say what kinds of things Sumeru has while they were in the process of traveling there. Back and forth, their life sure must've been interesting. Not only trying to find the missing sibling, but seeing so many nations and knowing so many people.
As much as it wasn't the life you wanted for yourself, that itself was inspiring enough to get out of the unchanging surroundings to visit Sumeru. It sure meant to be a one time visit, just seeing the mushrooms, trees. Exploring the culture, people, their way of being. You were fortunate to stay in Sumeru while the conflict with dendro archon was finally resolved, and the Lord of dendro freed herself from the oppressive hands of akademiya. To think they'd hide away their once beloved God just because she was no longer the size she used to be.
That itself was a story full of inspiration, and just like that you stayed in Sumeru longer, as far as allowing your friend to introduce you to the people they met. Paimon sure kept talking the whole way, but alas you were there. After meeting Cyno you met the forest ranger called Tighnari; it wasn't the first time you met a person with animal body parts, as much as his huge ears always shocked you. After exchanging pleasantries traveler explained what Tignnari does, and he agreed to let you learn from him about the forest. As much as you weren't a person to like the outside world, the beauty of sumeru had you captivated for a while. To the point you didn't even realise that something from the forest made you sick. Weakening you, you hardly had the energy to leave the village, it sure wasn't related to Tighnari.
Yeah, right.
You knowing other people was irrelevant, as you spent more and more time with Tighnari, completely oblivious to the fact that you had an effect on him. It was confusing the other, Collei had a vision. He could teach her, given that Celestia was kind enough to even accept her input. Collei was just a girl after all, but you? An ordinary person with no vision, expecting to get some knowledge? Tighnari didn't know whether to find it hilarious or astonishing, and yet he fed you with the thought that you were in fact learning valuable things.
Sure, the mushrooms he taught you about aren't really that common, so there's no need to learn about them, but he had to have a reason to tell you about the plants that definitely will not heal wounds? When you asked about essential information, he only said you had more to learn before you'd be able to gain that top knowledge.
It frustrated you to no end, after all you didn't plan to live there. Tighnari refusing to share essential knowledge was sickening, and yet you clung to the idea that maybe he will tell you something important.
From not caring, you became a person who's sole idea was to get Tighnari's approval. Your weird weakness didn't go away and only grew worse, and for some reason the only relief you could get was to not be exposed to Sumeru for the most part.
"Let's see if staying inside does you any better."
He said. And you didn't expect that to work, in fact you didn't expect him to say it again a week after.
Your skin felt less itchy, but as soon as it started to get better, the sensation of your clothes against your skin was the key to your irritation. As much as staying inside helped, now the clothes kept bothering you. And whenever you as much as stayed in something looser or shorter, Tighnari would look at you for a moment, before he'd continue doing what he did before.
It remained unclear wether that was the intended effect, and one could only assume it wasn't what the ranger intended. Still, that being a side effect made it all more convincing.
And yet to him you were nothing but trying to tempt him. Make him snap, which is what you'd get if you weren't careful enough. And after a few weeks he regarded to you with some sort of coldness, some sharpness to his speech.
And still, you remained as kind as ever, as much as sometimes it annoyed you. You were offered a drink or two by Tighnari at some point, and he drank some as well. After all he only taught you how to get rid of witherings by a long distance, if he ever needed your help. And you stupidly believed he finally began to treat you like a friend, only to end in his bed, crying out, spread open. All because you gave him the permission, and maybe it was your own fault for being too relaxed around the fennec.
After that Tighnari began acting weird around you, closer. More touchy. There he'd pull your hair from your face, other time he'd tickle your chin. You thought it was going better, your weakness finally fading ever so slightly.
One time when he was telling you about the completely irrelevant topic of sumeru roses, you mentioned briefly if his dendro could dry them up or preserve them so you could take them to your homeland. Show these beautiful flowers to people you knew. If he could help you take more.
That was met with an expression filled with blankness, before he jokingly said something along the lines of. "we will see"
He didn't take you seriously though, and after you mentioned it again, he seemed irritated as ever, long ears pushing themselves back on his head as Tighnari fought the troublesome feeling in his gut. But he agreed to let you see if his dendro can work to preserve later. And you, like an idiotic human you were, agreed.
Only a day later did you see that your weakness returned, and that it only came in the morning. Tighnari blamed it on allergies and pollens, that "these flowers aren't ones that you grew around. That's what makes you weak, possibly."
Confused, you never understood why. It was only when you were looking for Colleis medicine did you knock over a bottle that spilled down your shirt, and within a moment you felt your body burn. The effect truly was invisible, the substance clear as water. The first thing you did was to wipe it off, the sensation so terrible it took you a moment to connect the dots. It felt the same as when you'd step out of the house, the same as when you'd put on more layers. Was it someone's- was it Tighnari's doing?
The idea made your stomach curl, and you were quick to try and confront him. But all you've been met with was Tighnari telling Collei you seem to be getting worse, making up stories about him.
"I didn't expect local flora to affect you that way, we will be more careful next time"
And when your whining was finally over, now that Collei walked somewhere else, you had to deal with what you've caused.
To think someone like you could try to make Tighnari, the beloved caretaker of the forest, look bad. You couldn't forget the look of disappointment on Collei's face when she walked out, remembering the gloomy look on the foxes face. The memory had your hands shaking.
"To accuse me of such things. I really do wish to know what I might've done that you try to make me look bad" and yet you already knew what face hid behind that mask. Any protest you brought up was muffled by his hand, fingers easily making you drink a vial. Being pressed against the wall with his fingers blocking your nose was sure one way to get you to swallow it whole.
It made you dizzy rather fast, and he managed to just about lay you on the bed before you fell unconscious. Tighnari panicked, he had to find a backup plan. He couldn't let you leave him with that issue, leave him stranded till he'd die.
Sure, you were just a human girl. A pathetic little idiot who thought she'd get away with getting on his nerves, teasing his nature. And then planning to leave, he couldn't let you be away without a consequence.
And not once did he mention the weakness of his kind, to him, his manipulation was just means of ensuring your stay. And now that you had clear plans to move, Tighnari made it sound like he was used by you.
Maybe him not telling you why you couldn't leave was also means to keep his own shame to himself. He'd whine about this to someone, and not bring the issue up with you. and since you pretended to deserve knowledge, to be so knowledgeable, maybe you should've known what you've done when you let Tighnari have his way with you.
You hated everytime he turned it that way, and Collei didn't look too keen to touch the topic anymore. Because as longest as you didn't try to leave, the forest ranger didn't mention the topic to anyone. You'd be good, let him do as he pleased, and you'd be fine.
That's until your friend was back from Fontaine to meet with you up again. Tighnari dreaded that visit, traveler always could tell when something was wrong. And you were meant to be gone from Sumeru by that time, so after a while of planning he made you behave. By some miracle you had your hands on herbs that would help you with not conceiving the first and last time you let Tighnari act up, and you thanked Archons for that opportunity.
But this time, Tighnari was straight about it. And if you dared to as much as make a wrong look, he'd make sure you'd be swollen with kits before you'd be able to say another accusation. Before you'd able to leave and not depend on him anymore.
And so, when Traveler and Paimon finally arrived, you did your best to behave. Using their visit as means to distract the forest ranger, you had a plan. After all he couldn't chase after you when they were there, so you waited carefully for the time they'd arrive, and dressed up. Earlier you didn't do that, because of the odd feeling on your skin, usually wearing loose clothing. That was preffered by Tighnari's standards. You were a silly woman, easy access was what was preferable.
And the moment you were alone for as much as a moment, you ran. You ran on your feet fast, you ran for a while. And even if the pain was like needless, you pushed through, just to make sure you weren't there anymore. And even if you were faintly aware that someone was after you, you landed in the famous sumerian port. Only then did you realise how long you haven't seen this place, and before that someone could catch up to you, you sneaked on the container ship. It rather fast sailed away, leaving the person who followed you rather angry.
Traveler did ask Tighnari where you went, and as much as the ranger tried to hide both his anxiety and anger, he assured it must've been to get Collei's medicine. Shortly after the traveler was gone though, Cyno met face to face with the other.
"She sailed to Inazuma, now that the decree in Inazuma is lifted, a lot of merchants move their things there." He started. Ah he was annoyed, Cyno didn't want to disappoint his friend like that. But he almost had you, almost.
"It will take three days for the boat to arrive to the port in inazuma, but there's no other boat available for at least a week" and yet Tighnari couldn't bring himself to be angry at the general. It was his own issue. "Thanks for letting me know that."
Cyno scoffed. Although not earlier mentioned, Cyno met with you quite a bit. Everytime he visited Tighnari, you exchanged glances. And these weren't pleasant. You knew Cyno was aware of everything, and Cyno didn't care either. As longest as his friend was happy, he couldn't care less for an opinion of a woman. Even more so, one who thought she could handle taking care of plants and forests without any real talent.
Or a vision, to show her ambition was worthy of attention.
You tried to gain knowledge to be able to develop more solutions for the problems of your nation, and now you were not only chased by a crazy fennec, you also had a general from Sumeru on your tail.
First days in Inazuma were nothing but an issue, and you eventually managed to ask the sweet girl you met to find you a job. Ayaka already knew where you'd be useful, and so you ended up as the main caretaker of her garden. Her estates garden that is. Even though you hardly met her brother, Thoma was good enough of a friend. Although nothing was between you two, it took you some convincing to make Ayaka hide your traces in Sumeru.
You cried to the Celestia itself that day, just how blessed you were that someone as kind as her was willing to help you out on your second day in Inazuma, keeping in mind your impromptu arrival. After all you didn't get ready for this at all, maybe it was better. Maybe that cursed Ranger would've known something was up otherwise. Regardless, you were happy that Cyno couldn't show up. General in Inazuma could cause some diplomatic issues, and even if he sent men here in disguise, they'd never find you.
That is what you thought, because when the traveler came there to meet with people again before their new journey, you were sure you'd collapse.
"Paimon meant to ask, after the last visit in Sumeru we didn't see you for a while. Paimon is curious, do you not like the sumerus climate?"
She could be sweet, and yet that question itself seemed to fill you with anger. By then the fear of the ranger turned into anger faster than it could be seen that you were scared.
You said something unpleasant, after which paimon didn't ask about that at all. In fact, paimon didn't ask you anything again, and the guilt you felt in that moment was enough. You told the traveler that there was nothing to worry about, keeping Tighnari's little threat in mind.
He wasn't there, and it filled you with fear nonetheless. "Try anything, a word. Any weird movement, and I'll fill you with kits enough times for you to understand who you belong to." So that you wouldn't be able to leave.
It was sickening.
To bear the children of your captor was the last thing you'd want, and even if he wasn't there, that fear didn't go away.
Alas Traveler ended up hanging out with Ayaka for the most part, and it was peaceful for another week. That time spent in Inazuma felt great, refreshing aside from the constant paranoia. That whenever Ayato wanted something, you assumed he'd send you back to Tighnari. Or whenever Ayaka would take you out in her limited time, you'd look around, back and forth to try and see if someone is waiting to snatch you.
It took you another week to calm down and grow accustomed to the people, but it didn't last much longer.
One day that you finally felt fine enough to walk out on your own, you bought Ayato another rather weird combination of ingredients. And you weren't even there to carry it in, only remembering the blunt pain to the back of your head the moment you turned to walk back to the estate.
From the sound of it, it wasn't Tighnari to be the one to drag you back. He was quieter, but these steps were rougher, heavier.
Whoever that was, you woke up on the boat again, tied to the wood that kept the floors of the boat separated. The column of that wood was thick, and with how you were tied, you couldn't even shift to the side.
There he was, you saw the light colour of his purple vision in the darkness. It seemed he stayed on boat, because in the end he really came for you. "You're lucky Tighnari can't leave Sumeru for more than a few days." Cyno spoke. "otherwise he'd smash your skull in the moment he saw you"
You knew it didn't mean to make you feel better. In fact it only brought more fear to your gut, tears swelling in your eyes as you bit your lip. You wouldn't give him any satisfaction, silent whenever he spoke.
Coming to Sumeru was a bad choice. How could you not notice the way you were treated just because of your lack of vision? Just because you weren't from Sumeru, because you weren't a man. "he was worried sick for this past month, and here you are, parading with some other men like a whore"
Cyno murmured, looking down to you again. By then he was stood near you, and you couldn't help but hiss. Only hearing him made you fill with anger.
It ended as soon as it started, and soon you were led out of the boat by force of course. After making sure you were unconscious again, you were driven back to Ghandarva vile.
Ah Cyno kept complaining just how worried Tighnari was the whole time you were on the ship, and now even if you were unconscious, you could hear his annoying voice repeat that.
And you didn't care, to you, they both could die. They could just go at eachother if that's how Cyno cared for Tighnari, you didn't care.
More than seeing Tighnari, you dreaded waking up. Dreaded the consequence of your own action, facing him after knowing what you did. And how angry he'd be.
As soon as you opened your eyes you saw you were stuck in the similiar office again, with the soft bed, and the unfortunately similiar figure at the desk.
At least he seemed to be composed for now, eyeing you in silence before you were lectured. He'd leave the physical punishment for later, firstly telling you just how idiotic you are.
"You sure are pathetic, such a weakling like you going away. I sure hope you had fun, that was the wrong way to beg for my attention" he started, putting down the mixture of herbs he was mixing.
Tighnari stood up, his fluffy tail twitching. And it was clear he did his best to keep his ears straight, so they wouldn't betray any emotion. And yet they kept twitching backwards in annoyance. "I never wanted your attention, asshole-"
At least you managed to have some of your sass, his fingers squeezing your chin to tip your head up. You almost forgot you had your arms tied behind your back. "quiet, let the adult speak."
"To think you can toy with me and my feelings is truly disgusting" he started, scoffing. "you really are pathetic, getting me to bond with you to then try and leave me forever. How cruel can you be, y/n?"
Your face twisted in confusion, repulsion. You felt dreadful with how he turned the blame on you again. "I never wanted any of this, Ti-"
"You didn't! Ah, yes tell me all about it then!" Forcefully you moved your head away from his grip, and that did not seem to please him. "You know fully well we mate for life, and you just got up and left. What is actually wrong with you!"
"First you start showing yourself around me, carelessly showing off to tempt me. And when I finally had enough, I am to blame?" At that point you knew that speaking would rile him up more.
It wasn't the Tighnari you used to grow fond of. He was nice, he cared for you ; and now he's just awful. He didn't deserve any more words to describe his behaviour. And whenever you brought it up earlier, you were met with 'if you behaved, I could be nice around you again'.
Now wasn't the time to think about that, because he hissed. "I'm a man for Archons sake! You lured me in and then dared to-" he spoke with utter disgust. "Leave like nothing, are you really that dumb to think we wouldn't find you?"
It seemed the anger pent up and he didn't know how to express it anymore. Especially with his recent heat, where he couldn't cope with it anymore, crying from pain at the thought of not being able to get it out on you. It wasn't as bad before you two had sex that time, but now, now that he craved you, the pain was bad enough to make him throw up. That thankfully was a few days ago, now he was way better. It still brought a lot of anger and frustration, but you not seeing him in that sorry state was the most convenient.
"Or was it just some competition?" He started. "make yourself my mate and then fool around to make me prove myself like a pathetic little cub, all for your own amusement? That must've been what you wanted. To make me show how well prepared I am to care for you and our little kits-" oh no. No. "Ah, to test me like that, you sure are not trustworthy"
"But now, that..that will change. You won't leave me again to entertain other men" he started, leaning to look at you. By how he looked at you though- The threat from before finally sank in. He wouldn't let you leave. You wouldn't be able to leave.
You'd be stuck there with his kits, unable to go anywhere anymore. You'd be a good girl and stay in Sumeru, and you wouldn't make yourself visibly available to any other men as he assumed you wanted.
"Tighnari I'm- ssorry please ddon-t do this-" before you knew it you were already crying, his finger wiping off the tear as he sighed. "Don't cry, I'm only doing what's best for you, please, understand it" it wasn't time to focus on how angry he was. Because oh how happy he was to finally have you back.
For a brief moment that caring voice returned, even if it was nothing but condescending. By that time Tighnari was already sat on the bed, pushing you back to lie down. And with your arms tied, you couldn't as much as sit back up, shaking your head when he tugged you by your legs.
Like that he was sat between your thighs, looking at you.
Oh he'd rather do it when he'd be in heat, but he knew if he waited more, his little darling would find a way to leave.
Again.
And Tighnari could not have that in any way, he could not have you as much as think about it. "calm down now.."
Despite saying that he took your top by it's edgee, ripping the buttons off to open it up. "tighnari nno-" another whimper.
Squirming away was of no use, he held you down, and within moments your bottoms were off as well, face buried in your neck as his fingers dragged across your clothed heat. At least your underwear was still on.
You dared to try and hiss again, this time his hand dug into your waist, making you wince. After he made sure to bite your neck he spoke, maybe he enjoyed seeing your face twist in that pain.
Either way his other hand didn't have the glove on it anymore, fingers moving beneath your underwear to move up your folds, index one rubbing your clit in circles.
You really were just crying, whimpering for him not to do that, and each time he'd say something along the lines of. "Let me take care of it.." or "behave now, you brought this upon yourself" and even if he didn't speak it harshly, it was clear he was belittling you, focused on how easy it was to slick you up, his fingers easily entering you.
Tighnari shivered, oh it felt nice. You were so hot, squeezing his fingers in a way where he couldn't just wait to sink into you. And yet he was careful, dragging them over your walls, scissoring them lightly with each move until you were whimpering.
Each move made your body tremble, shivering. Your thighs squeezed him in a pathetic attempt to try and slow him down, or discourage him, but Tighnari only took it as a challenge, gripping your thigh to move it open.
"H-nhho- I'm ssor-Ssorry let's- nh- ttalk it o-ooUt.." your pathetic crying mixed in with the whimpers, breath hitching each time his fingers dragged out of you.
"It's far too late for discussions, mate" mate. Only then did it click he couldn't have been lying. Was it really your own fault for letting him use you that one, single time? No. You couldn't let yourself be tricked, he did it himself. He should've thought about what he did.
Tighnari's fingers felt undeniably nice, and despite the weak kick you tried to give him, your thighs only shook, funny feeling in your gut tightening, curling. Your little struggle only made him tip his head a little, did you really think you could do anything? Weakened?
He knew how to pick you apart, so when you felt close, he made you come on his fingers against your will.
The forest ranger knew how to make sure you weren't distracted, and once he slipped the remaining fabric off your legs he undid his pants, taking our his mostly hard length out.
Mostly hard- he must've gotten off to the sounds of you whimpering and asking him to stop. Fucking degenerate, you didn't understand how someone could get off to that idea. You couldn't even tell him how disgusting he was, Tighnari's tip already moving over your heat to slick himself.
Moving into you easily he groaned, the sound melodic as your heat tried to push out the unwanted intrusion. But it only made him let out a whimper, Tighnari bottoming out inside you soon after, pressing into you, almost grinding as he nibbled on your neck again. "ggonna stuff you sso good-" ah it's been so long-
He really really missed it, that's how it was supposed to be. You were his mate for archons sake! And as a good mate you were supposed to fulfill his desires! Not run away and make him hurt and ache!
After all it was your fault for allowing him to have sex with you that one time. It was your fault he couldn't stop himself from wanting you so much, you should've known. You should've asked. And you were selfish instead, now paying the price as he slowly moved his hips away from you, just to bottom out again with a shaky groan. That was right, you were his.
"N-nnari please don't-" you knew the nickname usually worked, pace smoothly picked up as he shook his head. "N-nhh.. shhut up-" another grunt followed. "Bbe good and take it- Nhh fuck- you're sso tight.." it's been some time since someone did that to you, and Tighnari felt somewhat grateful that, by how you reacted, he was the last one you laid with in this way.
All you could do was whimper through tears, your body feeling funny. For some reason your body reacted in a way that betrayed your mind, it wasn't what you wanted. And yet it only grew warmer, hiccups leaving as you stared at the ceiling.
"nGh.. you'll bb-be a good girl- take it-" the ranger started again, the softness of his tail tickling the underside of your thigh. "Look at you already- hheating up like that.." he was aware this was a punishment, but to Tighnari, - before he'd let his anger take over and destroy you - the punishment would be better if it was taken slow. Your body betraying you, violatiing you in a way where you couldn't control yourself.
You enjoying it would only make it more humiliating, and he really did want to make you ashamed enough not to get any more funny ideas.
With each move the pace picked up, hand tight on your waist as you let out a shaky hiss, other hand sliding down your thigh so his thumb could press to your already aching clit, giving it slow rubs.
It all made you feel tight again, abdomen growing tense as you tried to use your legs to shift away, digging your feet into the bed to move up. But his grip was too tight, Tighnari's hands forcing your hips back onto his cock.
"Don't- hhn.. don't ffucking try that--" the thrusts grew sharper, and you had no choice but to look away. That gave you some sort of control, distracting yourself from what Tighnari was doing. You wouldn't give him the satisfaction of coming on his length like a cheap whore.
He seemed to catch on with your plan, his thumb pushing into you even more to make you wince. "Don't annoy me even mm-more, y/n- you know what's.. hha.. gonna happen otherw-wwise-"
You thought back to the traveler. To Ayaka and Thoma. You used their kindness up and were snatched without a warning, you didn't even get to say goodbye.
You imagined yourself taking care of the garden there, remembering the way you had to use the knowledge provided by Tighnari to do that. That itself made your brain focus back on reality. "Look at me, nnow-"
Once he was ignored he decided to let your hip go, hand gripping your chin tight to make you look at him. His eyes were narrowed, ears pulling themselves back in annoyance. It took you a moment to realise how rough he had become, uncontrolled cry following. Were you really moaning pathetically while thinking about Inazuma?
"You'll look at me-" Tighnari hissed, thrusts nice and hard. Oh god. You'd break.
"And see everything-"
Another harsh thrust. You'd spill.
"I'm doing to you-"
With that your core went tense again, the orgasm you so badly avoided making your toes curl, shaking your head. But his grip was too firm.
It was understandable, he was rather good with his how.
"Y-you understand?"
Unfortunately for you, you weren't able to hiss again, shaky and quiet cry leaving as you arched into the other unwillingly. That itself had him shudder, feeling you come against him like that mare his hips stutter into yours.
"H-mhh.. ggonna fill you-" oh no. "You wwant to be a mommy?"
You cried out that no, despite it being muffled. You whined and tried to kick at him after realising what he really meant, but it was useless. He was too strong, he was too fast.
The pace was all funny, ah he was close it seemed, face lowering back again so his sharp teeth could graze your neck. "g-ngh.. you're ggOnna- nhh llook soo good swollen with my kkits-"
That outcome was to be expected. You did that to yourself.
And now you had to pay.
You recalled that before all of this, when that mistak between you happened, he pulled out right after he came, but now, now that he finished inside you, he only stayed in, the discomfort only now settling in.
He felt odd inside you, did you tighten or did he thicken? Even if you tried to shift your hips it only made you wince, Tighnari's ear giving a small twitch of satisfaction.
"We will be stuck like that for some time. This gives you time to reconsider what you've done"
You really were crying up to that point, salty and hot tears streaming down your warm cheeks as you hiccuped, shaking your head.
He was nothing but manipulating. Always talking like he cared about what you had to say, always behaving like he could resolve the issue when in reality, you were never listened to.
"It's fine if you don't feel talkative this time. We have much more opportunities to talk it out tonight"
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#0009 a planet’s strongest & weakest °
sun —
strongest: 5°, 9°, 10°, 17°, 29°. strong self of identity and values. respect towards the self and others. extroverted and very expressive of their traits. good relationship with the father; high self-esteem, self-belief. very confident in personal abilities.
weakest: 7°, 11°, 19°, 23°. key issues to do with identity instability, issues with the father, issues with not having clear goals and ambitions in life. lonely and likes to be alone too much. heavily introverted. has difficulty expressing the sign’s traits.
— 🌸 — 🌸
moon —
strongest: 3°, 15°, 21°, 26°, 27°, 28°. strong emotional and logical balance. is playful and wears their heart on their sleeve. sensitive and empathetic; emotionally wise. mothers others. good relationship with the mother.
weakest: 8°, 10°, 20°, 22°. failure to rationalise emotion. issues with the mother, fear of vulnerability, emotional turmoil, emotional dissatisfaction.
— 🌸 — 🌸
mercury —
strongest: 0°, 3°, 15°. clear communication and ability to perceive and understand complex information. rational and realistic, but not excessively. good relationship with money and siblings. seeks to know more, constantly. open-minded and a team player.
weakest: 9°, 12°, 21°, 24°. failure to articulate reasoning and emotion clearly; disconnect from rationality and emotion; issues with siblings. failure to have independent opinions and thoughts. arrogant and opinionated. does not enjoy learning.
— 🌸 — 🌸
mars —
strongest: 1°, 8°, 10°, 13°, 20°, 22°, 25°. clear ambitions and goals in life. athletic and healthy; is not lazy. channels anger and emotion healthily. has little to no issues with men. is not sexually frustrated. does not lack self-esteem.
weakest: 2°, 4°, 7°, 14°, 16°, 19°, 26°, 28°. impulsive habits and excessive energy that’s improperly channeled; anger issues, laziness, unpredictability. low ambitions and self-esteem. issues with men.
— 🌸 — 🌸
venus —
strongest: 2°, 7°, 19°, 26°, 27°. unique fashion style. very social but knows to enjoy personal space and time. strong personal boundaries in relationships/in general. doesn’t seek external validation. strong self-esteem. good relationship with money.
weakest: 1°, 8°, 13°, 20°, 25°. issues with past partners, low self-esteem, issues with money. may be vain and attention-seeking. nonexistent social life, lonely life, bad experiences with friends.
— 🌸 — 🌸
jupiter —
strongest: 4°, 9°, 12°, 16°, 21°, 24°, 28°. strong faith in the self and others. clear spiritual/religious views. the person is a gambler in life but no excessively; they have faith in the universe. broad view on cultures; enjoys travelling and learning and exchanging information with others
weakest: 3°, 6°, 10°, 15°, 18°, 22°, 27°. over-gambling and putting too much faith into the unknown. not being able to plan. having issues with spirituality and faith; feeling lonely from religious beliefs; egotistical and a know-it-all
— 🌸 — 🌸
saturn —
strongest: 7°, 10°, 11°, 19°, 22°, 23°. strong personal boundaries, sense of authority, and relationship with money. strong self-worth and discipline. hard-working and virtuous. family-oriented and traditional. strong values and morals
weakest: 1°, 4°, 5°, 13°, 16°, 17°, 25°, 28°, 29°. key issues with personal boundaries and sense of responsibility; inability to enact personal change; fear of publicity, fear of independence, fear of change.
— 🌸 — 🌸
uranus —
strongest: 8°, 11°, 20°, 23°. rebellious and unafraid to enact change. strong self-esteem and sense of identity. unafraid of showing originality, honesty, and authenticity. unafraid to be a leader; is compassionate for others’ suffering. independence and highly resourceful
weakest: 2°, 5°, 14°, 17°, 26°, 29°. inability to enact progress in society and in the personal life; fear of public opinion. key issues to do with independence and personal freedom and originality. lonely social life or little friends. toxic relationships with friends.
— 🌸 — 🌸
neptune —
strongest: 4°, 12°, 16°, 24°, 28°. strong connection to the psyche and emotion. ability to dream and act on those dreams. healthy relationship between reality and the fantasy world. compassion for others. healthy channels of artistic gifts.
weakest: 6°, 10°, 18°, 22°. fear of reality and responsibility. fear of commitment. disillusion with fantasies and false dreams. escapism through excessive dreaming, sleep, and substance abuse. disconnect from reality. laziness and extreme solitude.
— 🌸 — 🌸
pluto —
strongest: 0°, 13°, 14°, 29°. transformative change. evolution of the soul/spirit. religious and spiritual awakening. transformation of the shadow side. renewal of identity. the person has little to no issue seeing the harsh reality of personal change. there is no resistance to change.
weakest: 2°, 11°, 14°, 23°, 26°. fear of change, abandonment, and transformation. fear of new beginnings and endings. fear of vulnerability and shadow traits. strong distaste of publicity — there is a deep need to be truly alone and isolated.
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Time Travel killing Jesus and the religion of empire
There's a post about time travel going around tumblr, and somebody tagged that they would kill Mary before the birth of Jesus, so that Christianity wouldn't exist.
Problem is, while that might indeed kill Christianity, it would probably just mean that Constantine would slot Mithraism into his Imperial domination schemes instead.
In the late 200s AD there were two mostly-underground monotheistic mystery cults rapidly gaining adherents in the Roman Empire. There were a lot of similarities between the two, at least superficially. For example, there was a lot of emphasis on communal ritual meals. One was Christianity. The other was Mithraism. Constantine was intrigued by both. We know he was involved in Mithraism in his youth.
But what Constantine really liked the idea of using religion to unify the Roman Empire. By the 300s, the Roman Empire was beginning to fragment, with regular civil wars. Constantine came to power in one of those civil wars. He thought that if everyone worshiped the same god (instead of different gods worshiped in different places, with the Roman pantheon and emperors as a thin veneer of unity), it would help keep the whole ramshackle edifice together. (Spoiler alert: it did not.) So he picked one of the two monotheistic religions that was rapidly gaining in popularity, and encouraged people to convert to it, heaping power and wealth on (some of) them. And that's how Christianity became an imperial religion.
Christianity changed rapidly in response to that. Major parts of the religion were changed or dropped entirely. For example, until Constantine, the vast majority of Christians were strict pacifists. In most communities, soldiers were required to leave the army and find a new trade before they could be baptized. Obviously, this was unacceptable if Christianity was going to become the religion of the Roman Empire. In a straight-up choice between pacifism and Imperial power, the Christian church as a whole dropped the pacifism like a hot potato. 100 years after Constantine you have St. Augustine laying out the "Just War" theory where war is fine as long as you have a good reason for it. That's a complete 180 from everything the early Christians believed. There are many other examples of things that got dropped or changed in Christianity to make it more palatable to Imperial might.
There are a lot of toxic things in Christianity as we know it. But the thing is ... many of them come from this process of adapting their beliefs and practices to fit what Constantine (and later Emperors, and the entire power structure of the Empire) wanted Christianity to be. Namely, something tame that affirmed and enforced the existing Imperial power structure. And Christianity has been a partner and tool of the power structures of the dominant culture ever since. This is one of the reasons there's so much difference between Jesus' teachings and Christian teachings, in so many cases. In a straight-up choice between faithfulness and power ... a majority of Christians in the last two thousand years have most often chosen power.
But here's the thing. If Christianity didn't exist, that doesn't mean none of this would have happened. It just means that Constantine would probably have chosen Mithraism instead. Do you think the Mithraists would have been any less willing to take the power and wealth on offer to them, in exchange for becoming a lackey of empire? Do you think Christianity was uniquely corruptible? I don't.
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DAY 10: MOSNTERFUCKING FT. NAGA! KATSUKI BAKUGOU
WORD COUNT: 2.9K
WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF ALIENS / MENTIONS OF DEATH / DUB-CON / BITING / APHRODISIACS / BLOOD KINK / TAIL FUCKING / THROAT FUCKING W/ TONGUE / DOUBLE PENETRATION / FINGER LICKING / OVERSTIMULATION / CHOKING / EROTIC ASPHYSATION / NIPPLE PLAY
for decades, humans have been broadcasting their presence in the universe. sending radio waves into space in the hopes of making contact with possible extraterrestrial life with no caution as to whether there might be dangerous predators lurking in that infinite darkness searching for their next target. and after many attempts, they finally got what they were seeking.
it's been two years since aliens made contact with humans. since then, humanity has evolved substantially. interstellar affairs were the least of worries for all the nations before any of this occurred. with the lack of protocol or proper response plans, humans weren't equipped to handle intergalactic species arriving on our planet. but they did what they did best, and they adapted to their new reality.
when the reptiles from outer space arrived on earth, they seeked mutual exchange with the humans. to provide us with the knowledge we lacked in exchange for a way to progress their receding species. humanity agreed, and the changes in society were limitless. technology became so advanced that humans could travel in and out of earth just as freely as the aliens could, and we kept our end of the bargain.
women volunteered, per governmental request, to have sexual interactions with the foreign creatures, with the full disclosure that the outcome was uncertain. many died in the attempt, not compatible with their dna. but with many efforts and scientific breakthroughs, cross species became possible between humans and aliens, resulting in the birth of nagas.
and with that, society changed forever, birthing centers were made to specifically progress the species for mutual benefit between parties. the space reptiles grew in numbers and humans found many ways to profit from the discovery.
nagas varied in form, if an alien had sex with a human, a creature with human features and anatomy on its upper half and the body of a snake on its lower half would come out, earning the name of nagas. if nagas had relations with the reptiles from space, the serpentine genes would predominate resulting in a more advanced version of the same reptilian alien. and if a naga mated with a human, the chances were uniform, either another naga would come or a human with a higher physical and mental capacity than regular humans would.
with such remarkable creatures, they were sought out for many reasons. they were used for military purposes by every nation, a game of who possessed the most advanced creature that would grant them victory when needed. the markets quickly thrived in many ways. nagas were killed for their skins to feed the fashion industry, underground affairs piqued interest with how many buyers wanted to get their hands on a creature that would surely get them status within their groups. and soon, naga tails were just as treasured as rare blue lobsters at high-ranking restaurants.
you had taken advantage of the situation as well, being one of the first volunteers to explore life outside of the planet. for an entire year, you visited other planets and explored different colonies among them, learning everything that you could about their culture.
but after a long year of traveling, you finally decided to return home. life outside of your planet was fun but nothing compares to the feeling of being on earth. you were currently hiking in the forest near your house, making your way towards the waterfall you’d visited countless times before. enjoying the fauna around you, since it was one of the things you missed the most while being away.
other planets did not have the green landscapes that earth had, or the same animals that could be found here. they didn't have the vast supply of water like earth does, and their plant life was almost non-existent. the majority of them relied on their advanced technology to provide them with the resources they needed, and others would make do and adapt with whatever they could find within their colonies. the animal life was also nothing compared to the abundant species on our planet, most of the extraterrestrial creatures possessed reptilian features, similar to the ones who visited us two years ago.
you were almost near the waterfall, the singing of the birds around you giving you a nostalgic feeling after not being able to hear them for so long. the sun peeking through the trees felt nice against your skin, with spring starting, all signs from the cold winter had started to melt and the weather was finally starting to feel warm again.
you're planning on making your trip to the waterfall brief, enjoy some snacks while admiring your surroundings, maybe going for a quick swim before making your way back home. not wanting to stay outside for too long or allow nightfall to catch you since springtime was the breeding season for nagas.
it wasn't rare to see nagas out in the wild, many would adopt hatchlings in pet shops thinking they could raise one for themselves and regret it later when they would start to grow out of proportion. resulting in them getting released into the wilderness to fend off for themselves and survive any predators that would be interested in them, including other humans.
untamed nagas could be quite violent if they felt threatened, and matings could be rather rough since male nagas would often try to force themselves on females, naga or human, to satisfy their own sexual frustrations.
you had set up your blanket near the rocks that had a clear path close to the water. finishing up some berries you had packed while you read the last page on the current chapter of the book you brought along to pass the time while the soothing sound of the waterfall filled your ears.
deciding to go for a quick swim before it was time to return home, you took your clothes off and entered the water. the warm liquid coating your skin as you sink deeper, making sure to give your surroundings a quick look before submerging yourself fully into the water. swimming near the waterfall as you feel your muscles relax under the soft stream, completely forgetting about the world around you.
floating around the water, a splash startles you as you immediately shoot up, wiping the water from your eyes and quickly looking around to see where the noise came from, frowning when you don't notice anything unusual. you remain still while wondering if it was just your imagination, but before you could fret further on the thought you noticed that the sun was starting to set, and you needed to leave soon.
swimming back to shore you fail to notice the ripples forming in the water close behind you until it is too late. something wraps around your ankle, preventing you from swimming further as a gasp fills your throat. suddenly pulling you harshly as your back hits a strong wet surface. a tail wraps around your center, making it impossible for you to move as you try to wriggle against it, but the large appendage only seems to get tighter the more you fight it.
a hissing sound feels your ears, making every muscle in your body go stiff as you feel your stomach sink. you could feel the vibration of the hissing deep in your bones, only one creature was capable of making such sounds, a naga. swallowing the lump inside your throat, you look back over your shoulder to get a better look at your captor, but the sight makes your breath hitch inside your chest.
the most captivating blown out vermilion irises were staring back down at your widened ones. wet blonde hair framing his face while droplets of water dripped from his ends, smooth skin adorned with brown scales that looked golden under the sunset skies. the tip of a forked tongue flicking constantly from in between his lips while he holds you closer to him.
the different shades of brown scales pulled you from your trance, noticing how some were darker than the others, making shivers run down your spine at the realization. a pit viper, some of the deadliest snakes among the nagas, with venom that could be fatal if not treated immediately.
before you could worry further on the thought, the male flipped you over so you're now facing him as you straddle his waist. noticing his erect cock in between the both of you, your lips parting as you stare down at it, not seeing one like it before. the throbbing pointed tip was already leaking thick ropes of cum that dribbled down his large cock, with long ridges that adorned the top of his shaft and pulsing veins under it, leading down to the large knot peeking from the slit of his tail.
sharp claws pull you from your haze as they grace against the delicate skin of your neck, dragging the back of his claws across your throat before finding refuge at your nape. feeling them tangle with wet strands of hair as he pulls you closer to him.
“what’ssss your name?” he asks while dragging the s between his tongue. you tell him your name and he repeats it, testing the words on his tongue before releasing what sounds like a pleased hum. his claws are still scratching against your head while you try your best to keep your eyes on his and not let them wander down towards the twitching cock between you.
“what um, what's yours? you ask, trying your best to stay calm and ignore the tension that's building between your legs.
“bakugou katssssuki”, you give him a small nod in acknowledgement while he starts to untangle his tail from around your body. feeling your muscles relax as you run your hands over your arms to soothe the tension.
you take a quick peek over your shoulder to where your things are waiting for you near the rocks before looking up at the sky, taking note of how it's almost nightfall, pondering if you could even make it back to your house tonight, or if you'll ever return home given your current predicament.
a warm breath against your neck startles you as you turn back to face the naga. bakugou had lowered his face down to your neck, breathing in your scent while nuzzling his nose against the crook of it. you're about to ask what he was doing but you were interrupted by the scream that ripped from your throat.
he sank his fangs into your neck, pain shooting through your body momentarily before heat starts to coarse through you, making you a panting mess while you try to ask what he did to you, stumbling over your words as you find it difficult to focus with the pulsing between your legs.
“relaxssss, female” he whispers against your ear, the tips of his forked tongue tickling against your heated skin. “it’ss jussst a little sssomething to make your body ready for me”
“n-no please don't do this” hissing sounds fill your ears as he quickly turns your face so that you're staring directly at him.
“ssstop fighting, you think you can come ssswim in my territory without a cosssst… and in mating ssseassson of all timesss” he spits before a wide grin spreads across his face, allowing you to see the long sharp fangs protruding from his mouth, still dripping with the aphrodisiac induced venom that he injected you with.
“you had to know exactly what you were doing”, he makes a show of sliding his long tongue across his fangs, drinking the venom from them before wrapping his tail around your center. lifting you up with it while hooking his claws around the center of your bikini bottoms, ripping them off in one swift motion before dragging his fingers between your folds.
slick coating his digits as it dribbles between them, smirking as he brings them towards his mouth. sucking his fingers while staring at you, your walls clenching around nothing at the sight of his tongue swirling around his digits while lapping up your juices.
claws digging into the fat of your thighs before sinking you down on his cock, the tip alone making your body jolt as it stretches you around him. lowering you deeper into his cock, the ridges rubbing perfectly against your sweet spot, not letting a single place inside you go untouched as you sink completely down on him.
the hissing sound returns while he gives you a moment to adjust before lifting you up until the tip of his cock is almost out and sliding you back down on him. repeating the action a couple of times before picking up the pace. raspy moans leaving your throat as he continues to thrust you up and down his cock with his tail.
bringing you closer to him while untangling his tail from your center, wrapping his hands under your thighs as his claws dig into your rear, drawing blood while he continues bouncing you on him. burying his face in the crook of your neck again, this time on the opposite side as he sinks his fangs down into your skin again.
injecting his venom into you before switching to suck on your skin, drinking your blood as the sweet taste of your liquids make his eyes roll to the back of his head. wrapping your arms around his neck to stabilize yourself as much as you could, you let your head fall against his shoulder as you feel the effects of his poison sink deeper into your muscles.
you feel his tail caress the back of your neck before sliding down your spine until it reaches your rear. rubbing it between your ass cheeks, collecting the slick oozing from your tight rim from the aphrodisiac before pushing the tip of his tail into your hole. the action making you yelp as he bullies his tail deeper into your rear. thrusting it while matching the rhythm with your bounces. the knot in your stomach was getting tighter and the stimulation on both of your holes was driving you closer and closer to the edge.
letting go of one of your thighs as he reaches up to wrap a clawed hand around your throat, lifting you from his shoulder as he brings you face close to his, not giving you time to comprehend what he was doing before pressing his lips against yours. dragging his forked tongue across your bottom lip, asking for entry as you open your mouth for him.
your eyes shooting open momentarily before they roll shut again at the taste of your own blood dripping onto your tongue. spilling the mixture of his venom and your blood down your throat as you moan into his mouth, a low purr vibrating in his chest as he devours you. your blood tasting sweeter mixed with your saliva as he pushes his tongue further into your mouth.
the wet muscle getting longer and longer as your lips stretch around his thick tongue while he shoves it down your throat. thrusting it in and out of your mouth while he stares down at you, your vision blurring with tears as you feel the knot inside of you burst. gushing all over his cock and tail as your release dribbles down your thighs.
going limb against his grasp while your holes are completely stuffed as he chases his release. the overstimulation pulling orgasm after orgasm from you as you start to feel lightheaded from the lack of oxygen. retracting his tongue from your throat as you greedily gulp air back into your lungs while he leans down on your body.
dragging his tongue down your chest before the forked tips coil around your nipple, his fangs scraping against your skin before he switches to the other breast, giving it the same treatment as he leans back up to your level. pulling you in for another kiss before burying his face in your neck again, the hissing sounds getting louder this time as he picks up his thrust.
his pace almost animalistic as he chases his release, the feeling of your walls clenching around him and your nails scraping against his scaled back sending him over the edge. his cum feels hot inside of you, filling you up until every last drop is spilled deep inside your warmth.
keeping you plugged as he pulls you close against him, embracing you in his arms as he submerges halfway into the water, keeping you warm while placing kisses on the side of your head.
“hey… you're still with me?” he asks while drawing circles on your back.
“mhm” is all you manage to say while nodding your head softly against his chest.
a soft chuckle leaving his lips as he lets you slip away into sleep while he keeps watch making sure no one else enters his territory while he has you like this. happy that he resisted the urge to kill you when you first set foot into his space, watching you from the trees, curious as to what a pretty thing like you was doing venturing off so far into the forest.
hopeful that he finally found a mate to spend his time with after years of loneliness and suffering. smiling against the side of your head as he activates the purring in his chest to make sure you get a good rest wrapped in his arms.
♡ kinktober masterlist ♡
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Photographs (Tsukishima x Reader Pt. 1)
You had been accepted to do a foreign exchange student program in Japan. For the rest of your high school career, you would be living in a completely different country and culture, filled with people with different mannerisms from you.
And you couldn’t be more thrilled.
From a young age you had been studying the country, its culture, and their language. Reading, writing, and speaking for hours on end ever since you were nine. It simply enthralled you, for no particular reason. While it’ll never be the most useful language, you didn’t care. You found beauty in it, and it made you happy.
So, when you found an opportunity at your local high school to travel to the country you always wanted to, you jumped at the chance. Your parents were a little hesitant at first, not exactly keen to the thought of their child leaving for a huge majority of the year, but, to your honest surprise, you had managed to convince them after few weeks of begging. The easy part was getting accepted; Since you spoke the language at a high level, they couldn’t have found a better candidate. All that was left was the paperwork and the preparations necessary.
Which only took a whole year.
To say you were impatient was a bit of an understatement, but once you had completed your first year at your local high school, they had given you the exciting news that next year you would be attending Karasuno High school in Miyagi. You were so ecstatic that the next couple of weeks flew by and soon you were on the plane heading to your greatest dream true.
When you got off the plane, you were greeted by your host family that you would be staying with for the rest of the program. It was quite a small family, with a single mother and two brothers. Not that you had minded. The mother and the oldest son, Akiteru, his name was, seemed quite nice actually, both exhibiting a friendly and pleasant aura. They were comforting to talk to and had settled any kind of nerves you had mustered on the plane.
You wish you could same about the other one.
The other boy, Kei, who was your age and was going to be going to the same school as you, seemed extremely cold and distant. He hadn’t even said hello, but just looked at you funny. As if you were already somehow an inconvenience to him. He also was extremely intimidating, with not only his lackluster enthusiasm, but his almost 6’3 stature. He seemed to loom over you, eyes screaming distaste and annoyance. When egged on by his brother to ‘loosen up’, he had uttered the most exhausted greeting, not bothering to listen to yours before turning to leave to the baggage area. Flipping his headphones to his ears and leaving any sort of social opportunity to get to know you.
If it weren’t for the physical similarities, you wouldn’t even think he was related to the other two. Definitely a black sheep if you’ve ever seen one.
But nevertheless, you wouldn’t let him ruin your experience. He was a speed bump at most, and it sure as hell wouldn’t stop you.
That was your initial mindset. And while he certainly didn’t stop you, he did manage to make it all kinds of shitty.
During the first month of you living with his family, Kei hadn’t said a single word to you. He was always in his room and acted like he didn’t even know you existed. The only time you’d ever see him, was during dinner. And even then, he acted like he didn’t know you, not saying a single word as he quickly ate everything and marched right back up to his room.
Now, you didn’t mind if someone didn’t like you. You weren’t a child; You knew that not everyone gets along. But it seemed liked he hated you for simply existing; without even giving you a chance. And it frustrated you. Yet, you couldn’t figure out why it bothered you as much as it did.
You didn’t even know him, and still, it was one of the most infuriating things you’ve ever experienced.
Over the course of the days, (That felt more like months) you had reasoned that why it angered you so much was that it almost always was you and him alone together in the house. You had learned later on that Akiteru was a college student, so he rented a small apartment and only visited for the holidays, and that their mother’s job required her to often have full time shifts to support you all securely.
You figured that you were just insulted that you were the only option in this empty, silent house, and Kei still chose to not speak to you; opting to be left in virtual loneliness.
But you wouldn’t dare admit that it hurt you more than it should’ve.
To add on to the list of problems, since school wouldn’t start for another two weeks, you were basically stuck with yourself. Which got boring really quickly, but manageable, nonetheless.
You moved on and acted as though you weren’t bothered; Simply figuring that if Kei was that much of a prick that didn’t want to speak with you it was his loss and your gain. School started, and the first term flew by. Not being cooped up in a house with someone that seemed to hate your guts proved useful to you, making some decent friends by the end of it, and soon the second term had started.
To your surprise, during those months he did start talking to you, but in classic asshole fashion, it was only to annoy you.
(Maybe it was the fact that he saw you thriving, but it’s not like he’ll ever admit it).
Apparently, the man had the frustrating abilities to make fun of anything he put his mind to. To your dismay, this meant your clothes, the way you talked (Heaven forbid you mess something up in Japanese), your looks, your friends, and countless other little things.
It seemed that misery really did enjoy company, since Kei clearly couldn’t stand the thought of you being happy, for some inexplicable reason.
Each and every comment had started to pile up inside you, and with each new one, your patience grew thinner and thinner for the tall blonde boy.
You had tried to let the little things go, since you could clearly tell that Kei was one of those people who loved getting a reaction out of others. Countless adults from speeches, presentations and logic said that if you showed you didn’t care, he would stop.
But he didn’t. In fact, it made him all the more relentless.
He’d constantly torment you, no matter what you did. You found that whether or not you ignored him was irrelevant. So, if it didn’t matter, you realized that at least you didn’t have to take his shit sitting down.
If he wanted to play mean, you could play mean.
You slowly started fighting back, and that only caused him to fight back harder. He seemed to like a challenge and boy did you hate to lose. It went on like this for some time, your ‘relationship’ only growing more and more tense all the while filling with more annoyance and hatred for the other person. You enjoyed watching him reel back for a second, seeing him process if what you said was correct at first, but it had started to get exhausting extremely quickly.
It got to the point where all you wanted now was for him to stop. Not have anything else to say. Not have the last word in an argument. To say something and have him be silent. To see with your own eyes, him flustered and struggle to form words in anger and embarrassment. Just one time would make you satisfied. To give him a taste of his own medicine, and you would die happy with your life choices.
You were snapped out of your daydreaming when your history teacher stated he had just assigned a partnered task. To create a presentation about an influential moment in Japanese history. You have to stop a groan of pain from escaping your throat. It was just your luck. Although you’ve never loved the concept of group work, with too many bad experiences in group projects, to add on to the shitlist, this was the one class that you had no friends in. So, in torment, you had to watch the excited students go to their chosen partners desk and wait until the teacher had to pick a partner for you from the scraps of the useless souls left behind.
At least until Kei had walked up to your desk.
You blink. You had forgotten he was in this class; you never paid him any mind in school, with him only talking to you to try and annoy you and all. You whistle lowly.
“What a surprise. I don’t remember summoning a minion of the Antichrist.” Your tone is dry, not even having to look to know that Kei is rolling his eyes.
“And I don’t remember asking to have you in my house. Things happen.” You scoff.
“What do you want, Tsukki?” You coo, using a mocking tone. After you found out that Kei had a friend, and accepted the reality that someone out there genuinely wanted to be his friend, used that nickname, you refused to let it go. You were quite happy with the way he reacted to it. He glares at you hard, and you only smile. He lets it go after a moment, and you watch is distaste as his face returns to the calm and indifferent expression that you’ve come to despise.
“Let’s work together.” He said simply. There’s a beat of silence as you process the words.
You.
And Kei.
Working together… On a project that would require a lot of time… Hours, even days…
…
Yeah, that isn’t happening.
You didn’t have to say anything, just with the quirk of a brow, you showed your hesitation. Or more like ‘Even if Hell freezes over, or if pigs fly, I still wouldn’t say yes’. He just tsked, as if you were a toddler not getting a simple concept. You felt your nails dig into your palms.
How did he always manage to get on your nerves so easily?
“We already live in the same house. It would be easier than trying to meet up with others.” Kei spelled it out for you, and you look away. Unfortunately, he did have a point. And even more so, Kei wasn’t an idiot. Sure, he acted like a complete jackass, but he did have good grades. Better than yours at least. And you needed to do well on this assignment too. You sigh, not seeing any real reason to say no.
But you weren’t going down without a fight.
“Guess you really favour convenience over your asshole ways.” You click your tongue as the bell’s rings, signalling that the period is over. His reaction is cut off by that sound. You sigh heavily, before giving in.
“Alright.” He nods and goes back to his seat to collect his stuff. He walks away you feel a pit start to form in your stomach.
Suddenly you don’t want to go home.
~~
The rest of the day had gone by smoothly enough, with you and Kei having different classes, the project had flown out of your mind. It was a Friday, so you had planned to walk home with your friends, and maybe get some food on the way. It would be a nice way to unwind and relax from a stressful week.
Key word *planned. *
Just as school was over you received a text from yours truly.
Are you going straight home?
You raise a brow at your phone. What did it matter to him?
No. I’m hanging out with some friends.
Which ones?
Does it matter?
**Not anymore. Stay until I’m done practice. **
You stop to stare. He’s never asked you to stay before. He’s actually quite quick to push you anyway when it came to his practice. Not that you minded.
Why?
**It’s important. **
Care to explain?
**Just wait until after practice. **
Kei, I have plans.
Kei?
You let out a frustrated grunt, trying to decide what to do. About ninety percent of you wanted to forget that Kei ever existed and go out anyway, but the other ten percent is nagging you with the fact that he said it was important. It could be anything, and it could be serious. Ultimately, you gave into that ten percent, with a curse to your conscience and a grit of your teeth you cancelled your plans with your friends and went to sit in the library.
For the next five hours.
You were pretty sure that your soul had left your body when Kei finally texted you.
Where are you?
Library
You saw outside the doors, so you finally got up and went to him, your mind going insane over what could be so important that you wasted your precious Friday. But he doesn’t say anything, only looking to you and walking to the entrance of the school to begin to walk home. You recoil with an extremely confused expression, having to jog to reach him. He doesn’t say anything as you catch up to him. You clear your throat. He turns to look at you, raising a brow.
“What?” You give him a look of disbelief.
“What do you mean ‘what?’ You made me miss my plans for something ‘important’. I’d like to know what it is.” You finish, hands on your hips. Kei simply looks you up and down, like he’s measuring you. You can feel your blood pressure start to raise.
“We need to work on our project. Let’s work on it after dinner.” If this was a cartoon, your jaw would’ve hit the floor, then maybe there would be steam coming out of your ears.
This bastard just kept surprising you. It’s like he wanted to find new levels of low. You couldn’t even believe he just did that. How could someone be so petty?
“Are you fucking serious?! I had to stay afterschool for five hours so you could tell me something that fucking stupid?!” You could barely think straight, not even having the mental capacity to come up with something witty. Kei rolls his shoulders, causally stretching while you’re about to combust, lazy smirk adorning his face. You’ve never wanted to slap a smile off more…
“You didn’t have to stay.” You almost choke.
“You said-”
“Exactly. ‘Said’. I never forced you to do anything. You could’ve left at anytime.” You let out a lot of strained sounds. What kind of argument was that? Couldn’t he just for once, let go of his pride and accept he was an all-around asshole? You saw red.
“You know what? I’ve seen a lot of shit in my day, but you are the most immature, petty-” Kei cuts you off.
“Anything new to say? I’ve heard it all before, trust me.” You practically growl. You see him smile even wider out of the corner of you eye. This was what he wanted. Remember, all he wants is a reaction. That thought calms you down considerably. You take a huge, tired sigh, all of your previous energy gone. He was like a parasite, you realized. He completely drained your being. Not to mention annoying as fuck.
“What Yamaguchi sees in you; I’ll never know.” Kei shrugs. “Heard that one too.” Kei slips on his headphones, clearly seeing that you’re not going to be entertaining him anytime soon.
One of these days, you’ll get him back. Just be patient.
The rest of your walk was spent daydreaming about that day.
~~
Kei had told you to meet up in his room to start working on the project, so after a silent fuming dinner, you had reasonably calmed down enough and gotten the necessary supplies and knocked on his door. You seriously considered barging in to tell him to fuck himself and the project, but your grade average was at stake, and your schoolwork was something you could never risk over some stupid boy. You decided to bite the bullet, taking a deep breath, and attempt to let all of your previous irritation wash over you as he calls through the door.
“Come in.” You open the door to his room and take a look around. To no one’s shock, you had never actually been in Kei’s room before, not really needing or wanting a reason to do so. It was fairly neat, with huge white desk and matching white walls with his volleyball jersey set cleanly on top. A couple of shelfs with some plushies of dinosaurs that you decided not to comment on but kept stored for future mockery. Boringly enough though, it just looked like a boy’s room, which did give your ‘Kei is the source of all evil on earth’ theory a few heavy hits. You didn’t realise you were staring until Kei pulled you out of it.
“Are we going to do some work? Or are you just going to stand there gawking?” You glared at him slightly.
“Well how often do you get to see the Devil’s lair? This might be the last thing I ever see if I don’t get out here alive…” You mumble the last bit, ignoring his eye roll, before sitting down on his bed, spreading out all your work material on the mattress. Once finished you both just looked at each other.
Now what?
“Uh… So… What do you think we should do our project on?” You ask awkwardly. Kei looks at you like you’re suddenly the biggest inconvenience known to man. You resist the urge to throw your notebook at his very hittable face.
“How should I know?” You snort in annoyance. Someone’s cranky. Is it his time of the month?
“Well sorry I was asking my partner a question about the project we’re both assigned to work on. We must alert the church elders at my audacity.” You can hear him ‘tsk’ loudly, his swivelling chair moving to face away from you, slightly. You can’t help but roll your eyes at his pettiness.
This wasn’t going to lead anywhere, and you really wanted to get this over with. You take another deep breath, attempting to be the bigger person.
“Okay, how about we both start by researching some important events, then choose from there?” Kei takes you suggestion into consideration, before turning away from you.
“Fine.”
And with that he opened his computer and when down to it. You as well opened up your laptop and started your research. Things start to move better than you would’ve thought, because after about twenty minutes of searching, discussing, arguing you both finally decided to go with the Atomic Bomb dropping, with it piquing both Kei’s and your interest.
Well, with it piquing your interest and Kei being indifferent rather than disgusted at the ‘shitty’ choice.
You soon started researching, both going into your own little worlds, writing notes, and finding new sources. In the middle of the session, Kei had randomly got up and left the room. You assumed it was to get a drink or use the washroom.
You didn’t take any notice to him leaving, too focused on the task at hand. You had been taking notes on the event and had gone to set down your pencil to remove a rebellious strand of hair that had been getting in the way of your vision. Truthfully, Kei’s bed wasn’t the sturdiest material to study on, so when you set your pencil to the side, it had obeyed the laws of physics and rolled off, making a sound as it clattered on the wooded floor.
Sighing tiredly, you lean over the edge of the bed to look for the astray pencil, only to find it underneath his nightstand. Reaching your hand into the darkness to grab the pencil, you felt a small piece of folded paper near it. Curious, you picked it up and brushed it slightly. It had been covered in dust, lost, and forgotten.
You unfold the small piece of paper, like any person would, to find a picture. It looked to be an older picture; Maybe couple years at the least, with the colours fading and the edges being tattered, you guess.
Though the colours were fading, you could see the photo just fine. In the photo was a small boy, outside with trees surrounding what looked to be a park. He had a volleyball in his hands, the hugeness of the ball showing just how tiny his hands were. He wore a huge smile, the ones that were contagious, but with light hints of a smug and cheeky attitude; The kind of attitude that only looks cute with kids. With warm blonde hair, rosy cheeks, and huge black glasses sliding down the bridge of his small nose. You couldn’t put off the fact that he looked extremely familiar…
A light switch flicked in your head, putting two and two together.
Oh my God.
That’s Kei!
…
That’s Kei?!
You let out a small laugh of shock as you inspected the picture closer.
He looks so different. Well, not really. Physically speaking, they were basically a shot for shot remake, but just the energy of Kei in and photo and Kei now was astoundingly different. Just looking at the photo made you smile. He seemed like such a happy kid. Not to mention completely and totally adorable.
I wonder what happened…
Well, he grew up, that’s what happened. You thought cynically. But he had to have kept some of that childlike wonder and happiness. The debate continued on in your head. He was only fifteen after all, but it seemed like it had been stripped from him, and pretty early on. Thinking about that made your heart feel heavy, but you had managed to brush it off just as Kei had came back into the room. While you hadn’t noticed his return, he sees you on the bed, not working, holding a small photo, and looking at it with the stupidest smile he had ever seen on you. To say he was a little confused was an understatement.
“What are you doing?” His voice makes you jump, looking up at him. You don’t respond as you look back the old photo, then back at him. Now that you actually think about it, he’s still pretty cute.
You pause at your own thoughts.
Woah okay, that came out of nowhere.
You shake it off as you finally go to respond, the smile still plastered on your face, not able to stop. “Look at what I found.” You sing with small giggles, getting up as you show Kei his photo. His face is priceless. It’s a mix of confusion, realization, then complete and total mortification. You can’t hide your laugh as he tries to snatch the photo, but you pull it to you before he had the chance.
“Where did you find that?!” He shouts, and you laugh harder.
“Your worst nightmares, apparently. Look at how cute you were!” You say between wheezes, laughing so hard your stomach started to hurt. You hold the picture to your chest when he tries again to grab it from you. He covers his face in his hands before giving you the hardest glare you’ve ever seen. And if it were any other situation, you would’ve been scared shitless, but the glare loses all intimidation when you see his cheeks and ears are flushed pink.
He’s blushing. He’s cute when he blushes. You take a mental picture of this moment as your laughter dies back down to small giggles.
“Give. It. Back.” He holds his hand out, expecting you to be completely compliant. You weren’t going to give in that easily. It was thrilling to see him embarrassed. Seeing him so flustered that he couldn’t form words.
The satisfaction was almost addicting.
You had always thought Kei needed a taste of his own medicine, to see just how bitter it was. Also, you wanted to keep the photo. It was just so precious, you bet that you could look at it after having the worst day and instantly feel better.
So, dawning his trademark smirk, you boldly utter the words.
“Make me.”
You two hold each others’ eyes for a couple seconds, fighting a power struggle, and you clearly winning. But without any kind of warning, he charges at you, using his long arms to try and reach the photo. You laugh at his attempt and quickly step back from him, going into the centre of the room, and extend your arm behind your back.
“Why do you even want the stupid picture?” He spits, extremely irritated, not to mention embarrassed, and you smirk. Oh, how the roles have reversed. You could see why he enjoyed it so much. It was an absolute riot.
“Are you kidding? This picture can make the usual unbothered Tsukishima Kei act like an embarrassed schoolgirl. This thing is gold. Plus, you’re adorable.” You add, and Kei blushes harder. Your eyes widen at an idea popping in your head.
“I wonder how your volleyball team would react to this picture…” You say excited, and Kei widens his eyes in, dare you say it, fear.
“You wouldn’t dare.” You scoff. He clearly doesn’t know how serious you are. You were fully prepared to give him Hell. You hum.
“To be honest, normally I wouldn’t, but those five hours I spent in the library today have really changed me. You know, as a person.” As soon as you finished that sentence, Kei had had started trying even harder to get that photo away from you. Each time trying to reach your arm with newfound vigor, with you stepping back each time he got close. Eventually, after playing for a little while, he was actually managing to overpower you, which isn’t a surprise. With those arms and legs there was only a matter of seconds until you would be backed into a corner.
So you decided to broaden the playing field.
“C’mon Kei~ Try a little harder, won’t you?” You teased, waving the picture in front of you, like a matador with a very, very angry bull. Once again, he reached for you, long arms trying to reach the photo you held behind your back, not expecting you to also pull his door open and dash out of his room, not even trying to contain your laughs as he stumbled through his doorway, letting out an angry groan.
His misstep gave you enough time to run down the stairs, and all the way down to the dining area. He was right on your tail though, sprinting to you, ending up on the other side of the table. Staring you down with heavy, infuriated eyes.
Neither of you move, the room being filled with only gasps for breath and your small giggles.
“You’re acting like a child.” Kei spits at you, perhaps hoping for a response that wasn’t a simple shrug, with you accepting the insult all the while dawning a lazy grin slapped on your face.
“Probably. But this is most fun I’ve had in this house. And you’re playing along. So, aren’t we both the children here?” He doesn’t respond, taking your moment of contemplation as his chance, running around the table, and attempting to reach the photograph in your hand.
Your reaction wasn’t fast enough, running away from the table but not far enough to keep a safe distance. You were so concerned with where he was that you didn’t see the couch behind you, legs hitting the front of the cushions. The movement way too strong for you to stay balanced.
Out of pure instinct, and with Kei being the closest upright object to you, you grabbed at him.
Apparently, he hadn’t been expecting you to grab him, and with such force too, because when you fell you had taken him down with you, both landing on the couch. Hard. You both make sounds of surprise before falling on top of each other.
You could feel his weight on you, and you struggled to move as he used his arms to push himself up, looking directly at you. His face was still flushed pink, you bet yours was too. You could feel the mood instantly change, from hatefully playful to…
Not.
You two were so close you could feel his breath on your skin, but you didn’t care. Both of you hadn’t said anything, staring at each other still, until ultimately you realized what kind of position you both were in.
Kei was between your legs, his pushing your thighs apart. You had unconsciously hooked your legs around his thin hips. When did that happen? You were so close that your chests were bumping into each other with every breath; His arms had caging your face in, causing you to only be able to look at him.
Your face and heart exploded.
“Uh-uhm… Kei?” You whispered, not being able to say anything louder. He continued staring, not saying a single word. You could tell from his eyes that he was lost in thought, weirdly. You try to snap him out of it.
“Kei, you’re crushing me- “
“Shut up.”
Kei out of nowhere, slams his mouth on yours. You freeze, and so does your mind. Your body stiffens, but Kei doesn’t stop. The kiss is aggressive, on his part at least, pouring out all of his frustrations into that single kiss. Your teeth clack together but you still don’t respond, and Kei starts getting impatient, and bites your lip. Not hard to draw blood, but hard enough to make you gasp. With your mouth open, he pushes his tongue in and that’s when you finally start to react. Feeling the bottom of stomach start to heat up, your mind buzzing, and your body giving you weird sensations, you slowly kiss him back, forgetting all common sense.
You could feel his smugness coming off in waves about that fact that you had started to respond, so put him in his place, you ran your hand up his arm to the back of his head. You comb your fingers through his amazingly soft fluffy hair and tug a little harder than necessary. He groans in slight pain. The sound sends shivers down your spine.
Things begin to get more heated, the kisses becoming longer and sloppier when Kei decides to run his hand up your thigh, leaving you to let out a soft mewl. His hand goes to rest on your hip, when he goes to kiss your cheek, down your jaw all the way to your neck. He gets into a rhythm there, with kissing, licking, sucking, and even biting lightly all down your neck. After some experimenting, he had found out where the most sensitive parts were, and absolutely ravished them. By then you were an absolute mess, hair sticking in all directions, lips swollen, a light sheen of sweat covering your body, and a completely destroyed neck much to Kei’s pleasure. His hands had gone from your hips to your back, pulling you up so he wouldn’t have to crane his neck as much. His mouth reaches where your neck meets your shoulder, and starts leave light butterfly kisses, clearly teasing you. You whine in protest, but he just chuckles.
You tug his hair to indicate that you want him to face you again, once he removes his face from your neck you lock your lips with his. He returns it immediately, taking his hand to go under your shirt and rub your warm and slightly sweaty skin. You let out a light sigh.
Then it all stops.
The warmth, the kisses, his hands, his body, everything. You hadn’t realized that you closed your eyes until you open them, to see Kei looking down on you, smirking as if he just won the lottery. In his hand, was the photo.
“I win.” He declares, as he rips up the photo and throws it in the trash. He goes to sit down in his desk, wiping his lips and sitting on the couch causally, as if nothing even happened. You can’t say anything, your brain too stunned.
You inhale all the air you had lost in those moments, feeling the cogs in your mind turn as you abruptly stand, confused with all the new sensations and feelings that just happened.
And with Kei of all people.
Kei…
“Y-yeah, I guess you did.” You mutter, averting your eyes and refusing to look at him, knowing that his eyes were burning holes in your back.
“Let’s work the project some other time.” You say quickly as you practically run to your room, slamming the door, and sliding down it. Running your fingers on your lips before burying your hand in your arms. Face burning with red hot embarrassment and shame.
What in the fuck just happened?
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Mikejima Madara FS2 4*: On a Wintery Street Corner in Paris
Madara: PLEASE PARDON THE INTRUSIOOON ☆
Shu: GEH—? Mi—Mikejima… …!? What in the world are you doing here!?
Season: Winter
Author: Yuumasu
Characters: Mikejima Madara, Itsuki Shu
Shu: Nnngh… … Yawn~...
(Because of the consecutive all-nighters I’ve pulled—or perhaps due to the immense relief I felt at having delivered the final products—I ended up sleeping soundly until well past noon.
Umu. Fortunately, there’s plenty of lead time before the next job is due. I will need to prioritise a proper rest in order to achieve the perfect results.
Perhaps, I could take a stroll and clear my head—)
Madara: PLEASE PARDON THE INTRUSIOOON ☆
Shu: GEH—? Mi—Mikejima… …!? What in the world are you doing here!?
Hmph! Cease this tomfoolery of yours, and get yourself gone this instant! The last thing I’d want is for a barbarian like you to be rampaging around my atelier!
Madara: Hahaha! What a nostalgic exchange of words!
I recall having a similar conversation with you back in the day when we were both in Yumenosaki Academy! It was about the Museum (1), if I remember correctly—
Shu: NON! I have no intention of reminiscing about Yumenosaki with you!
You came here for a reason, did you not? State your business quickly, and in as few words as possible.
Madara: My business, huh~? What if I told you it's “Nothing at all”?
Shu: (glares) … … … …
Madara: Sorry, sorry! I was just kidding, alright? Please stop with the death glare already!
Actually, I’m here because Leo-san asked me for a favour.
Shu: Hmm? Because of Tsukinaga… …?
Madara: Yes. Apparently, he’s been treating the pen case that Shu-san gave him like a precious treasure, however—
He was so focused on caring for the case, that he left all his writing stuff behind in this atelier.
Shu: So that’s the reason he ended up taking just the pen case home with him? He’s quite the amazing fellow for doing that, honestly.
And what about you? Did you really come all this way to Paris just for Tsukinaga’s forgotten items?
Madara: Nope. It just so happened I had some business in Europe, so I just dropped by.
Shu: “Just dropped by”—you say? Even though “Europe” can be expressed as a single word, it’s still not a place you can travel about hither and yon on a whim and fancy.
Anyway, Tsukinaga’s belongings aren’t here anymore. The other day, I happened to send some parcels to Seisoukan, so I slipped his forgotten items in as well. That’s where they are now.
For heaven’s sake. Anyone and everyone seems to be carelessly leaving their things behind lately. They’re travelling abroad after all; I’d really wish they’d be more careful!
Madara: I agree. The language and culture are different here, so one shouldn’t assume that things will be the same as back home in Japan. It’s better to be more careful in the end.
However, I believe the reason people always leave their stuff behind in Shu’s atelier is because they feel so much at home here, you knowww ♪
Shu: Hmph. I’m not happy to hear that at all. This place isn’t a playground, you know.
It looks like you've made a wasted trip. Will you be leaving Paris right away?
Madara: Nope. I’ve got some time before my flight, so I’ll relax and enjoy myself till then.
… … Hmmm? Why are you all dressed up for?
Are you heading out? If so, I’d absolutely love to tag along ☆
Shu: Hmph. Forget it. Being with you, Mikejima, doesn’t exactly spell rest and relaxation for me.
Madara: Haha! Oh, come on, don’t say that! As the saying goes, “No road is long in good company”, and two people will have more fun together than when they’re on their own, you knowww ♪
<An hour later.>
Shu: Umu. It seems there’s a flea market held here during the weekends.
Madara: Oooh. What a classic Parisian scene~
You may already know this, but the origins of the flea market started right here in Paris.
It is said that the name came from the fact that ‘antiques could be found in such sheer numbers, it was likened to a gathering of fleas’.
Shu: Urk. Please spare me your detailed description. I already knew about the name’s origins from long ago, and simply imagining it as you have described it makes my back itch.
Besides, there are other theories about the origin of the name.
Personally, I much prefer the idea that the name came about because of "the thrill which comes from the time and effort spent hunting for hidden treasures here, which are as elusive as fleas.”
Madara: The thrill of a long hunt, huh? Indeed, the accomplishment you feel when you locate a hidden treasure is reeeally something special!
Madara: … … Oh, what's this? It seems I have found something good right away!
Yes, yes! This piece of pottery will be perfect to display some plants ☆
Shu: Humu. Is gardening a hobby of yours?
Madara: No, I wouldn’t exactlyyy call it a hobby, but—
I’m not sure who started it, but my dorm room is full~ of plants. I myself add in new ones occasionally too.
Madara: [Excuse me, Shopkeeper! I’m interested in this piece of pottery here—]
Shu: (... … Hoho. His French seems pretty good, from all that time spent abroad.
The best part of the flea market is the haggling over the price. It’s a battle of wits on how skilfully one can negotiate… …)
<Ten minutes later.>
Madara: HEYYYY! I’m baaack, Shu-san!
I’m sooo sorry to have kept you waiting. Things got reeeally lively with the shopkeeper, and our conversation got carried away!
Shu: It’s alright, I don’t mind. I’m glad you got what seems to be a good deal.
It’s really none of my business what happens to you, but witnessing someone I know get ripped off doesn’t sit right with me.
Madara: Ufufu. Have you been worried about me, Shu-san? You’re sooo kind… … ♪
Shu: Oh, for heaven’s sake. Stop jumping to weird conclusions. I simply did not wish to have an unpleasant experience.
Madara: Hahaha! Even so, it made me reeeally happy ♪
And since I managed to score a good deal just now, I’ll give you a treat as a thank you for waiting!
Please recommend a local specialty, Shu-san!
Shu: Hmmm… … In that case, how about “Marron Chaud”—or roasted chestnuts?
It’s a winter specialty that’s sold all over town at this time of the year.
Madara: Hoho! That sounds great. It seems like it’ll warm the body up too!
There’s the scent of something reeeally fragrant coming from over there. Let’s go grab some right now… … ☆
Translator’s Notes:
1) (!) era story, Steampunk Museum.
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Embracing Accessibility and Diversity: The Vital Role of Remote Presentations in Game Conventions
In recent years, the gaming industry has witnessed an unprecedented surge in popularity and innovation. This phenomenon is often celebrated at large international conventions like Gamescom / devcom, where developers, enthusiasts, and creators from around the world gather to showcase their latest creations, share insights, and explore new horizons.
However, as the gaming community continues to expand, so does the need to ensure that these conventions remain accessible and inclusive for everyone. Enter the concept of live remote presentations – a powerful tool that preserves diversity, fosters representation, and empowers those who might otherwise be excluded.
During the pandemic, many conventions like GDC, Gamescom, Gen Con, etc. decided to go remote rather than cancel their events outright. Now that COVID-19 is under control, these same conventions have decided to return to an IRL format for the obvious benefits of fostering greater networking opportunity, spontaneous collaborations, personal branding, cultural exchange...among other advantages.
We were very fortunate this year that even though Gamescom / devcom was one of thsoe conventions that returned to an in-person format this year, they were able to accomodate our Founder / Creative Director Alx Preston's remote talk From Pixels to Polygons – Bringing the Hyper Light Universe into the Third Dimension. They decided to make an exception to the in-person only format this year due to Alx's specific health considerations.
But maybe a hybrid format should be the norm, and not the exception?
The Power of Representation and Diversity
One of the most valuable assets of the gaming industry is its diverse and passionate community. Gamers, creators, and developers hail from various backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, enriching the industry with fresh ideas and innovative concepts. Embracing this diversity fosters creativity and leads to games that resonate with a broader range of players. But for this diversity to flourish, the voices and viewpoints of all members of the community need to be heard.
Accessibility as a Cornerstone of Inclusion
International conventions like Gamescom attract attendees from around the world, turning them into melting pots of ideas and creativity. However, the barrier of physical attendance can inadvertently lead to exclusion. Not everyone has the financial means, the physical health, or the time to journey halfway around the globe to participate in such events. This exclusion can inadvertently stifle unique perspectives and novel insights that could otherwise contribute to the growth of the industry.
The Crucial Role of Remote Presentations
Live remote presentations offer a solution that bridges the gap between physical presence and accessibility. By allowing speakers to present their ideas, projects, and perspectives remotely, conventions can ensure that individuals who might not be able to attend in person can still contribute meaningfully. Here are a few compelling reasons why this approach is essential:
Global Representation: Remote presentations empower voices from different continents, cultures, and backgrounds to participate and share their experiences, especially including folks from foreign countries who might encounter time or money difficulties getting visas to travel. This widens the scope of perspectives and ensures a more holistic representation of the gaming community.
Inclusivity: Everyone should have an equal opportunity to engage with the industry they love. Remote presentations provide a level playing field for those with limited physical abilities, financial constraints, or geographical limitations.
Time and Resource Efficiency: For busy professionals, remote presentations eliminate the need for extensive travel and time away from work or other commitments. This encourages a more diverse pool of experts to contribute without sacrificing their personal and professional obligations.
Reduced Environmental Impact: International travel carries a significant carbon footprint. Embracing remote presentations aligns with sustainability efforts and demonstrates a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of such events.
Technological Advancements: With the rise of high-quality video conferencing tools, remote presentations can be seamless and engaging. This eliminates potential technical barriers and ensures that remote speakers can effectively communicate their ideas.
Looking Ahead: A More Inclusive Gaming Community
In conclusion, the gaming industry's continued growth hinges on the cultivation of diverse ideas and perspectives. International conventions like Gamescom play a pivotal role in this process by providing a platform for individuals to share their insights. However, it's crucial to acknowledge the limitations that physical attendance imposes on accessibility and representation. By embracing live remote presentations, and offering a hybrid format, these conventions can pave the way for a more inclusive and vibrant gaming community.
In a world where technology connects us across continents, it's only fitting that the gaming industry utilizes these tools to break down barriers and amplify voices. By making remote presentations a staple of game conventions, we celebrate the richness of our community while ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table, regardless of their location, resources, or physical abilities.
Thank you so much to Nico Balletta and the devcom / Gamescom team for giving us the chance to share our projects with the world. Here's to an amazing Gamescom 2023!
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Hi Desi ! Can i ask you who is stray kids would date a woc of different ethnicities ? Thank you :)
Oop! 😳 Time to spill some more tea then 🤭
MTL to date a WOC outside of Korea in Stray Kids:
(According to my pendulum, based off of their current energy / preferences)
Felix
I.N
Bang Chan
Changbin
Seungmin
Han
Hyunjin
Lee Know
Top row:
Left is Bang Chan, center is I.N, and right is Felix
Bang chan's reasoning for being third most likely is because he's very sexually enticed by woc outside of his race. They peak his interest and finds them attractive. I am pretty sure he's been with them before. Some of you guys might not want to hear this but it's giving he wants to soar his oats with just about anybody 🫣. I'm not really getting any romantic feelings, so he seems non committal or he would date a foreigner, but would really have to think about if he'd marry one. He's not really mature yet long term for a cross cultural or interracial relationship. Bang Chan is still ignorant in some areas of other cultures (he just wants to fuck 🥱). It's just giving like he is aware of other people's culture and then when dating someone who's not from the same culture, it's like he think would make a better partner than someone hasn't before. A know it all who doesn't really know it all ifykwim. When its like he can't hold any of his relationships down, he constantly searches for new beginnings or the next thing sexually (for any Bang Chan fans ready to fight don't be arguing with me on anon in my inbox!!! This is his energy for now, he's in his fuckboy era, do not put the blame on me for this! Sometimes we won't always hear the most pure or positive messages about our faves and that is okay)
Ngl I.N surprised me 😳 even though I did channeled before that his future spouse was someone that had dual citizenships (Korean and British). I was pleased to hear what his response was on dating a woc outside of his country or race. I.N's view on dating a woc that isn't Korean is quite positive. He shows admiration for them and has more pure intentions than I would say in comparison to Bang Chan (💀 I mean no shade??? but eh, I said what I said). I.N would be very supportive and willing to learn about his partner's culture or traditions. He honestly wouldn't care as long as they have similar family structures. I.N is rebellious by nature, so he just cares about his happiness and the happiness of his loved ones.
Felix's reasoning for being most likely to date a woc is given the fact he feels like he is an outsider in his own country and culture as well. He is Korean, but doesn't feel Korean enough? Felix resonates more with how he grew up in Australia and misses that lifestyle. There is water here and what seems like a beach. Felix could outpour a lot of love towards people that are different from him now and doesn't judge based off of racial stereotypes. Being able to travel overseas and meet new people has allowed him to open his mind and broaden his horizons. It's almost as if he was limiting himself in some areas (caring too much about labels, what's Korean, what's not Korean, what makes him Australian or what doesn't make him Australian). Controversial maybe??? Felix could feel more loved and respected by woc outside of Korea (I laughed I'm sorry 💀). There is a cultural difference so maybe they are more expressive with their love language where as in Korea they show it differently (I.E: a foreign woc might be affectionate and show physical touch, where a Korean woman would exchange gifts). Felix's view on dating woc could be more so a romantic fantasy or he likes the relationships he's seen in movies, television, or music videos. I channeled this before in a reading for him but I always think of Harry Styles and his Grammy's performance for "As It Was" to be his ideal romance. (Felix fr just as delulu as the rest of us LMAOOO 🤧)
Middle row:
Left is Changbin, center is Seungmin, and right is Han
Changbin is down for whatever honestly 💀. He's not the type to search for love but more so takes action only if he wants to experience it. He's romantic in general so if anyone could handle him and his quirks, then he's happy. Changbin would be very charming. I feel like he just needs the opportunity to meet a woc? I don't think he's ever dated a woc outside of Korea fr. "I had the plan, I just needed the platform" type of energy 🤣
Seungmin would be a hot mess I'm sorry 💀 I'm not even gonna sugarcoat it. It's like he wants to but he's not doing it based off of realistic decisions. It's more so he has an idea of what it's like to date a woc outside of Korea, but he's not focusing on the sentimental value of what it means to be in a relationship. Seungmin is very picky in general and makes romantic decisions based off of his illusions (another delulu??? Free the Virgos please). So because of his high expectations he would not be able to form long lasting connections. Also woc could be turned off by his behavior as well, they would most likely call him out or reject him because he's not mature enough. They won't tolerate it. Seungmin would just get his feelings hurt but it would be his own fault for being so damn sassy all the time 😂. He is stubborn though, so he would keep trying until he learns his lesson and also he finds the right person who can match his energy. The person he dates would require a looooot of patience because he is not easy to deal with. Very chaotic energy, but funny!
The reason Han is one of the members who is least likely is because he is more shy and introverted. So going up to a person and asking them out in general is not his thing. If Han were to date a woc that wasn't Korean, he'd have to be most likely friends first. "I have anxiety bruh." (💀). He'd want to take his time and get to know the person regardless of what their race is. I don't think he has much of a preference, it's just about who he's attracted to within that time. Han would be protective of his partner though and would express his love through gifts, money, etc.
Bottom row:
Left is Hyunjin & right is Lee Know
Hyunjin for being one of the members who is least likely to date a non-Korean woc is because he is very traditional. Whenever I do readings regarding his love life he always makes this very clear. He finds some woc (yes I said some because it's not a large number of woc he likes💀) beautiful, but it's not something he wants to go through all the trouble for. Too tedious for his liking. Hyunjin's fanbase is mostly in Korea as well so he could focus more on that because that is the attention he is used to getting from, so he cares more about catering to his fans, his family's expectations, as well as his own personal preferences. It's like he's not closed off to the idea, but Hyunjin doesn't like change. He prefers to stick to what he knows and situations that are predictable. To try being in a cross cultural or interracial relationship, it would make Hyunjin really anxious, nervous, and uncomfortable, because it is a type of environment he is not used to. I can say for sure say he's only ever dated a woman who was Korean or of Asian descent. Hyunjin would have to work on his confidence and care more about his own thoughts than other people's thoughts in order to be with a woc that wasn't Korean.
Lee Know is somewhat similar to Hyunjin's response, with a nicer approach. In his opinion, he feels like it requires courage to be in a relationship with a woc outside of Korea. He believes people who date someone that isn't the same race as them go through a lot of hardship. Channeled message: "I think if I was a father and my child looked like me, or looked like me a little less because they had features like their mama, whether their skin was maybe darker or their hair was a different texture. People would be very cruel and it would make me very upset as a dad. It's not a easy route to take. Maybe in the future when I am more brave I will think about it, as for now I am okay with being a coward!" (PLS 💀)
I hope you guys enjoyed this reading! I will be forming my own harem with these 4, take care besties 💋
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Since that article about physical contact vs non-physical contact in different countries, here are some experiences I've had about it:
Usamericans are, by far, the most different from my experience. They are the only ones that get physically tense if you unexpectedly touch them, the only ones that would make a step back if you get to close so as to keep their personal space safe. The first time I met a Usamerican, he was my age (17 at the time), and he was staying in my house for a week as part of an exchange program. My mother felt that he was always very tense, that he needed to relax and so she did what every Spanish mother in her place would do: hug him, hold him, touch him and feed him. He would only get tenser, to my mother's frustration. Nobody explained us or him that the reason he was so tense in our house was the incredible amount of physical contact he was seeing and experiencing all the time by everyone. I have also met very huggy and physically affectionate usamericans and I wonder in which circles they usually move or where are they from because they are an exception. It was on the internet that I first saw "PDA" (public displays of affection) as something negative that people shouldn't do. I guess it comes from the US, it may also be a UK thing?? I don't know. It was confusing because people seem to get angry at it and I am like "what are you supposed to do then? How do people know you like them?" Also, learning that teachers are NOT (never ever) supposed to touch their students, I was in shock. What do you do with toddlers? They need physical affection and they will come up to you for it. What if a 12 year-old is crying? Aren't you going to at least confort them? How do you confort someone without touching them? Now that I know more about US culture, I wonder if white people are more distant than black people, or if religion plays a role.
Chinese and Japanese people I've met tend to keep their distance and may feel uncomfortable but, the ones I've had more contact with, soon get used to it and even enjoy it. I guess many won't or will find it invasive, but I have met some who went all in the moment they saw a world where you could hug people just because. I particularly remember two Chinese girls who, upon meeting a lot of Spanish people in France and seeing we were always hugging and touching, started to do it *way too much*, touching body parts you are not supposed to touch (like ass or boobs) because I guess for them it was all equally accessible/non-accessible, so we had to teach them to control themselves a bit. There was also a Japanese young man, a friend of a friend, who was shocked at first but then travelled around Europe and came back like "nobody was touching me :((((". He thought it was a European thing. He told me that back home in Japan, nobody would hug him, not even his mom.
Northern Europeans always keep their distance and won't hug you unless there is a need for it (and depending on the country/person, maybe not even then). Any other physical contact that is frequent in Spain, like grabbing someone's shoulder, is weird and could be interpreted as flirting. I have seen hugs and physical closeness in Sweedish series in situations that US series won't do, but I still had to tell my Northern European friends in Russia that, now that we were friends, I expected hugs and would ask for hugs frequently. Even with that, I once asked a Swiss friend for a hug and he went "why?". I was in shock. "What do you mean "why"? Because I want a hug? You shouldn't question hugs!". A Spanish friend in Switzerland told me that when she broke up with her boyfriend, her Swiss friend was there listening and giving company but not once did she got close enough to touch her. Not even for a hug. A Sweedish girl who couchsurfed at my place for a couple of weeks said that Madrid was the city of love because people were always hugging, snogging, kissing and touching each other everywhere (particularly couples).
A UK friend once told me about a girl he knew was feeling sad and he left her crying in her room and I was like "what the fuck. why would you leave her crying" and he said "that's what you do, if she wants to cry, you give her space" and I was like "listen to me: if a Spanish, and I would go as far as saying a Mediterranean, is crying, you better stay around. You keep an eye on them, you hug them, hold their hand, give them food. You do not leave someone who is crying and having a bad time alone unless they ask for it, and even then, you keep watch and check on them later on". He told me that you should leave English people alone when they are feeling blue (I can't promise I would do that but fair enough, I'll keep it in mind).
The UK is the only place where I don't know what is it that I do that people think not only that I'm flirting, but that things are happening between us, when I'm just there. I'm usually very good to know when I'm flirting and when I'm not but somebody may be interested. In the UK, it has happend a couple of times that we were having a normal conversation and then suddenly there was a certain complicity and I was there like "whaaaaat.... oh shit, I got in too close, didn't I? I may have touched their elbow on my way to the toilet or something".
Russians are surprisingly similar to Spanish, culturally and in character. There wasn't that much cultural shock there. They are not as touchy as Spanish people are, but they enjoy it, they hug people easily and they like physical closeness. Particularly, young girl-friends are very tactile, they often hold hands in the street, hug, etc. I have seen teenagers sitting on each other in public parks, I have seen couples hugging and kissing in the street. When travelling by train with my Spanish friend who lives in Switzerland, we chatted with some 50 year-old men in our wagon. She joked to one of them (in Spanish, I translated) and touched his arm to help drive the joke (he mentioned weaponry and she said "are these the Russian guns?"), and he didnt' bat an eye, he laughed and nodded. "Oh, they don't mind being touched" she pointed out.
Latin Americans seem to me just like Spanish, but they feel Spanish are cold and distant.
I think, amongst the Mediterraneans, we are all more or less the same, whether it's Europeans, Maghrebians, Balkans... I have a feeling that some Asian countries and some African countries might be similar too, but I don't have much experience with them.
I'd say the way it works in Spain is this: we touch people to communicate with them. It serves the purpose of showing we are there, we like your company, we are listening. If you paid attention, you could see who gets along with whom, who are closer friends or family by how they stand next to each other and how they touch each other.
I will end with an anecdote. I am currently interpreting psychological sessions for Russian refugees. We were in a session and the psychologist received a phone call, she excused herself saying that it was the doctor and maybe something had happened at school with her daughter. She apologised herself, she was only picking up in case there was an emergency. It wasn't the doctor so she asked to be called later but she was quickly given some good news before hanging up. She said "I apologise, but I need to share this with you." She shared the news with us, crying because she got emotional. My first instinct (that I noticed only because there was a Russian person there who may not be familiar with Spanish ways) was to touch her arm so she knew we were there. I asked her "do you want a hug?" and she said yes. So we hugged and the patient came to hug her as well, copying us. We stopped a professional work environment to hug a person who was celebrating some happy news, to help her regain composure and feel accompanied.
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Villager and Illager Thoughts - headcanon
Thinking about the way society works with my silly little MC world...
Villagers probably have large sections of the world where they populate it, some villages are bigger than others and are very valuable trading places, but all villages are far enough away from each other that you'd have to use a horse or minecart to reach them, and even then, it might take a day or two.
I imagine theres wandering traders that group together in caravans, but nothing too big. maybe if you pay them a few emeralds they'll drop you off by a town in a few days. They're nomadic people, hardly ever staying for than a week, if that. They're always happy to see people, any new traveler is a customer and friend. Super friendly. Some can be sleazy, but they'll never give you items you can live without. Important fellows to those that live far away from any exotic places. They most likely know all or many languages, both spoken and written. It's better for business. I think to think they even raid temples at times!!! Maybe going though Jungle or Desert Temples just to leave things behind or take items,,
I think Illagers make plans of the best areas to build their strong beautiful mansions, and look for stable ground to build their outposts. I would think they have a way of communicating with those in the Mansion, maybe the ones that live there are more important or higher ranking. It seems like Evokers have a high status among other Illagers. Pillagers being the bottom of course. I also want to include more Illagers like those that were included in MCDungeons. They seem like so much fun, and different forms of magic usage seems logical. I mean Iceologers, Geomancers, and Wind Callers are all super interesting and really important to magic lore in the MC universe as a whole.
I do not consider Witches, Illagers (and neither does minecraft iirc) They all kinda just vibe and feel like they have their own lives. Not exactly violent, but curious and mischievous in ways that Villager culture clashes with. They all live on their own, but some make deals with Illagers or Villages. Their magic and potions in exchange for protection or resources. I imagine every village that contains a Cleric, knows of at least one Witch they can learn from, even if its gotta be in secret. I agree almost wholeheartedly with RetroGamingNow's interpretation of the Witch, I think its clear and makes a lot of sense, it's what i assumed for a very long time anyways. I feel like Witches are a fairly new source of magic in the world, compared to Illager and Villagers. This leads to them being seen as lesser than and never fitting in with either group. They rally in the ways of excitement, curiosity and overall, being true to one's self and never feeling sorry for being different. Witches are one of the most diverse groups, many of which are highly skilled and dangerous, but wouldn't hurt a fly without reason. Super happy group, some are hybrids or weren't even born Witches. My idea is there are Witches that are born as just that, and are brought up in the culture. The others are folks who practice witchcraft and chose to align themselves with the philosophy. (they refer to themselves as Witches if they'd like, its not required)
I touched on it a fair bit earlier, but, I had the idea that Villagers were also a being capable of magic. I like to think that the Iron Golems they spawn are from magic. villagers can create and build things when absolutely necessary or for their work, but they do not partake in magic since it is a lost art in their culture. However, the summoning of an Iron Golem unlocks a very deep connection with their world, allowing them to create life from (seemingly) nothing. (it actually does consume materials, it just takes those materials directly from the world from random places) A village will usually construct one themselves the physical way, but if under enough stress and fear, one can be summoned. Depending on the threat, it can be a permanent form, or just disappear after the Villager is safe. Illagers cannot do this, their connection with the Golem was cut as soon as they decided their fates. Iron Golems will only ever protect Villagers as Illagers are capable of protecting themselves. Although a Ravager is close to a Golem, I don't know how to fully implement them, as they must be fairly new to their technology.
Those are all my thoughts right now, things are subject to change. But yeah :0)
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Weird question for you, non-royal. How do you feel about people (and I'm assuming its mainly us American people) planting a tree/buying a plot of land to be "given"a title? I'm on Scotland travel group and a few people said locals HATE that. I can see irritation if one expects people to call them by the title but in my view, it's just charitable giving vs harmful. But I'm American and our tendency to "pay more for better" may have made me jaded.
It's a great question :) If someone buys it as a gift for a friend and they laugh to themselves and move on with their lives, I can't stop them. If they bump into a Scottish person and announce to them that they have a "Scottish title" that's an issue. There's a few things:
What you are purchasing is the right to use their trademark. So it's like if I trademarked Lady of Jessicatown I could charge people to be able to use that. That's it. 1) You're not buying a title; partly because this company has no authority to hand out titles that actually mean anything but also because even if they were giving you the right to style yourself as Laird or Lady or whatever, that's not actually a title. Laird is basically a descriptor that shows you own land. If you've ever watched a period drama and heard an English character being referred to as a squire, that's what Laird means. It's as much a title as Mr or Mrs. and 2) you also aren't actually buying the land. They can't sell the same plot of land to multiple people, but it can't be legally registered so you don't own it. I'm sure you can imagine if I waltzed over to the US and said I'm not from the US but I bought a title and some land in your country when in reality you knew that was bollocks, it would annoy you!
Being "charitable" doesn't make something good. I personally cannot point to any discernible benefit these companies have provided. I also think if you really want to support the Scottish environment, just give to charity. If you step back and think about it it's someone looking at another country and only giving money to a community project so they could get what they believe to be land and a title in exchange, in a deal brokered by someone who isn't from the country either (the two biggest companies were set up by people from England and Hong Kong). That is absurd!! So that's why I don't buy when people claim it's for charitable reasons. It's because they want what they think is a title, and the charity part makes it feel ethical. If it was about charity they'd do some basic research and find out within a few minutes these companies don't really provide much benefit and are not respected by environmental organisations or local communities. Which should be enough.
There is a very painful history around land in the Highlands, where most of these companies have land. I won't go into too much detail but from the mid 18th to the mid 19th century there was a period we refer to as the Highland Clearances. Due to a combination of factors - the agricultural revolution and the desire to wipe out Highland culture - landowners set about forcibly removing the local farming communities who'd worked on their land for generations. People had their homes burned to the ground by wealthy landowners, tens of thousands of people were forced from their communities, and lots of people died because they had no food or shelter. This is still an issue today in some ways as Scotland has a real problem with private land ownership. About half of Scottish land is owned by around 400 people. Many of them are absentee landlords - they own huge plots of land but only come up to go hunting a few times a year. They also often don't protect the farmers who rent their lands, just like they didn't in the Highland Clearances. A lot of them do real damage to the community: demolishing homes, cutting the land their tenants have for farming, poor environmental policies. And these "title" companies have to come in and buy huge swathes of land in order to be able to pretend to sell you some of that land. So because of historical and present day issues, there is an innate cultural sensitivity around land ownership in the Highlands which these souvenir plots tap into.
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Glory, Royalty, and Enlightenment in the Sword Isles
This was originally posted 5 months ago on my Patreon.
O ancestors,
Of the Sword Isles, the Vajrapayana, the Pearl of Gubat Banwa,
Hear us now as we sing the tales
Of legend and myth,
Of thunderbolt and flood,
Of men and gods.
Of kings and sages.
Anitu is the act of worship of the ancestors and reverence to nature. It is something done by everyone, it is a little act of magic, a little act of respect. Of course, the larger rituals, such as the great communal paganitu of the shamans of the Sword Isles, represent a more powerful anitu, a grander accruing of strength, one made to gain favor from the ancestors meant to be given to an entire community.
With anitu properly defined, let us speak of what might make the following things: a warrior, a king, and an enlightened one.
Each one is properly connected to a particular spiritual concept, and each one also represents a wave of religious influence from the Southeastern Continent.
ON WARRIORS
Anitu at its basest concerned itself with accruing glory, and by being warriors. In the savage lands of the early ages of The Sword Isles, survival was of utmost importance. Communities gathered around those that could show that they could protect others, as well as gain the favor of the ancestors by bringing them glory. Glory is honor and renown. It has stayed this way and will never change. It is the most important aspect of anitu thought, and by extension, common thought across the folk of the Sword Isles.
ON KINGS
As glory became a surplus and as warriors showed off their strength, they accrued more and more followers, eventually having to become true leaders. Due to constant trade and travel with those of the Southeastern Continent, they received a vast number of cultural exchange. Most importantly from them came the religious thoughts of Ashinin, who taught of the role of Kings: to provide protection, to shoulder the burden of violence, and to keep their subjects safe and healthy. Kings therefore shoulder a much larger burden than the average person, and are much more prone to larger cases of bad destiny. Therefore they must perform proper devotions to ensure the goodwill of both the gods and the ancestors.
This concept of kingship has proliferated most of The Sword Isles. Kings are therefore the center of their community, differing themselves from Warchiefs through the burden of righteousness. When Annuvaran thought arrived in the isles it proliferated among them a third axis that Kings must watch out for. Now they must not only accrue glory through combat, favor through devotion, they must now also accrue merit through righteousness. They must perform good acts and those that have performed the best acts will give goodness and good fortune to the rest of their kingdom. The concept of the Virtuous Raja arose, and it has turned the act of Kingship into a competition of goodness.
It is important to note that Datu are not Kings. They are closer to kings or lords. However, any time someone is called a Raja, that would be considered a King.
But Kings still die, and they still fail. In fact, a major reason for violence in the Isles is because of goodness competition between Kings. Some kings and chiefs believe that they have accrued more righteousness than the other, which has instigated numerous coups. This kind of fighting is most common in the territories of Ba-e and the hundred kingdoms led by the Sang Pamegat. Ba-e is constantly on the edge of a coup, with many claiming to be the rightful chakravarti.
ON ENLIGHTENMENT
Can kings achieve enlightenment? Of course. Anyone can achieve enlightenment. Enlightenment in anitu is different from enlightenment in Ashinin or Annuvara, though it is intensely influenced by it. Before Ashinin and Annuvara arrived in the shores of The Sword Isles, release from the cycle of life and death is known as Rest instead of Enlightenment. This release is found by either: dying with large amounts of wealth, dying in violence, or dying from the lightning bolt. This very often causes the soul to rest in either the sky or holy mountain, becoming a warrior of that particular holy place, and becoming worshipped as an ancestor spirit.
With the arrival of Ashinin and Annuvara, this has become a bit more complex. Those that die and become worshipped ancestor gods are actual gods who are still capable of attaining Patay Diwa, which very specifically translates to Ego-Death. By killing the self, one becomes one with the Universal Breath, known as Nihaya. With the arrival of Ashinin, this Patay-Diwa became known as Bathalatwa (a religious term that originates from bhattara and sattva), which means “Godhood”, with Batala being the Supreme God. Pagkabatala is a state of being where one is aligned completely with God, and thus attain a state of Batalahood, which liberates one from physical things. Death in Batalahood liberates one’s soul from Nature, which is commonly taught in Batala-Ashinin as just an illusion crafted by the imperfect Diwa when trying to perceive God, who is all of reality.
In Annuvara-Anitu, (Annuvara itself already taking many beliefs and ideas from Annuvara), liberation is known as Nirwana, which comes form Nirvana. This is the removal of the self and the achieving of Kawalan, or Emptiness, known Sunyata, Khong, or Sonhnhota. By removing the things that separates one from the rest of the world, Kawalan is close to Patay Diwa, but it is not attunement with supreme reality but rather, complete and utter liberation from suffering and reality. Achieving Nirwana is a state of mind: once you gain Nirwana, you are outside reality.
It is important to note that outside of monks, enlightenment is very commonly not always an ultimate goal for the common Folk. In fact, the concept of achieving enlightenment is something only Kings and Monks trouble themselves with, even though it is the Peasants and Servants that can attain Batalatva and Nirwana easiest.
ON BUDDHA-KINGS
This brings us back to the role of a King in the Sword Isles. Chasing Enlightenment is obviously not a horrible idea. It is, in many cases, the thing most wish to achieve. Very often, though, laymen and non-nobility do not have the leisure of meditating on texts and seeking nothingness. They have lives to live. This is where the King must arrive and help those around them. The King’s merit and righteousness overflows, meaning if the King does good, then the rest of his subjects will do good as well. If the King does evil, then he will shall be overthrown, and very often the one who instigate such revolution is God/an Avatar/Buddha/the like. Therefore, in The Sword Isles, a King must first be virtuous and righteous before they must claim to be an avatar or descendant of any God or being a born into a divinely chosen role. The King must be nothing more than a leader, divinely appointed by God, who does not live in royalty, but in the Folk.
ON GOD-KINGS
The Dewaraja is a concept that originates from Ba-e and Put’wan, and is both a borrowing from Ashinin as well as an indigenization of the concept of the Universal Ruler, or the Chakravartin, from Annuvaran thought. It is made up of two words: Dewa, which means God, and Raja, which means King. Devaraja must often be granted divine right by high ritual of ancient priests, sages, and shamans, who speak with the voice of the high religion of that region. Very often this is Batala, the Supreme. Other times, in areas more proliferated by Annuvara, this requires that a Raja first showcase an intense rigid following of righteousness and merit.
On names, once it was enough to be known as the Dewaraja. But single word regnal titles do not confer the same amount of power due to the diluting of names (example: in a single region, up to 5 different rajas might call themselves “maharaja”, diluting the title). Therefore the most powerful of Devaraja have long regnal names (Raja Batara Ambasi’s true regnal name, for example, which he almost never goes by, is Sri Dewaraja Mahadiraja Sri Bataradewa Dharmasiwabuddha Wikrama Krisna Ambasi. This is because fifty other kings in the 999 Chiefdoms call themselves maharaja already.) This is also practiced by the Ba-e matriarch Sangpamegat Kalangitan (regnal title: Sang Pamegat Dewi Sri Durgasakti Awalokiteshwara Batari Maharani Kalangitan) as well as the Sultana of Akai (regnal title: Sri Maharajasa Sultana Salip Yarashgara Dyatarja Tribhuwanotunggadewi). The Apunon do not follow this, and neither does Virbanwa.
Thus is the truth of the matter. May the God Batala bless us with all-knowing through His ajna, and let every day be auspicious. Ahom! Ahom!
Further Readings:
Basham, A. L. “Ideas of Kingship in Hinduism and Buddhism.” In Kingship In Asia and Early America: 30. International Congress of Human Sciences In Asia and North Africa, edited by A. L. Basham, 1st ed., 115–32. Colegio de Mexico, 1981. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvcwp01n.9.
Heine-Geldern, Robert. “Conceptions of State and Kingship in Southeast Asia.” The Far Eastern Quarterly2, no. 1 (1942): 15–30. https://doi.org/10.2307/2049276.
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Arcana Aquarium / Mermaid AU infodump:
Something I had written up several months ago and never posted. Just wanted to share it here in case anyone was still interested or wanted to use it for their own Apprentice or anything 🩵
It's all under the cut!
The Aquatic Research Institute of Vesuvia, or ARI
Functions as both a hospital/rehabilitation center and as a public aquarium. (Visiting the public-facing tanks is entirely optional for all Merfolk.)
Merfolk tend to stay there either as patients or as doctors/researchers themselves. There is also a sort of anthropological/cultural exchange aspect to it since Merfolk only recently (within the past fifty years) made their existence known to humankind in any official capacity.
Some merfolk visit like it's a tourist attraction. They show up and stay a few days to gawk at the landfolk through the glass before heading home.
Asra Alnazar, PhD, Head of Research (Historical Division)
Age 27
Child genius; has several college degrees.
His parents disappeared 20 years ago, he’s been following in their footsteps ever since. He wants to finish their research (trying to unravel the mystery that is the origins of Merfolk and their magic).
For the longest time he was funded by his university and spent time traveling the world studying various aquatic phenomena, but after Velle gets cursed, he applies for a position at ARI and befriends Nadia Satrinava (who introduces Asra to an oddly familiar-looking Mer named Julian) as he tries to find a cure.
Asra thinks Ilya is dead until he finds him years later when he begins working at ARI. Ilya (who goes by the alias Julian while at the ARI to keep his human life private) doesn't seem to recognize Dr. Alnazar and thinks they're meeting for the first time. Asra doesn't correct that assumption.
Ilya “Julian” Devorak, Captain, MD (unlicensed)
Age 34
He's cursed to go back and forth between human and merman every couple of months, and waits out his transformation at the aquarium until he can return to his human life and job. The time between transformations is changing (less time on land, more time in water). He worries that one day he won't turn back.
He lost his eye at some point in his past as a sailor, but it grew back when he transformed for the first time and now has a red sclera (to keep Julian's design consistent; who knows if I'll ever think up an actual reason besides that). He still wears the eyepatch when he's human because it's easier than explaining "ah, yes, I'm cursed and now my right eye looks like something out of a horror movie.”
Pasha “Portia” Devorak, Head of Security (ARI; Public Division)
Age 31
“Gee, Ilya sure is gone for a long time on those voyages for his work. I wish he’d at least call.” (Meanwhile: Ilya is living practically in her workplace under the alias ‘Julian.’ “Sorry, Pasha!”)
Nadia Satrinava, Head of Research (Magic-Sciences Division)
Age 40
Experienced magician and mechanical engineer. She began studying the ruins of old Mer temples in her early 20s since they contained some of the most fascinating puzzles, architecture, and spellwork she had ever encountered.
She’s the leading authority on any and all curses and old, forgotten spells.
She volunteered to help Julian after her sibling, Nazali, found him drifting, confused and half-starved, in the Prakran Gulf.
Lucio (Montag Morgasson), Patient at ARI, On the lam
Age 39
Causer of problems; bringer of chaos.
Literally it’s all his fault. He messed with the ancient power that, according to legend, allowed his tribe to walk into the sea when the land was no longer hospitable to them. He did this not only once (first, to gain the power he thought would help him enact a coup and take power from his parents) but twice (again, when Morga was catching up to him years later). The second time, he caught Velle and Julian in the crossfire, causing them to become exposed to the ancient spell and summoning the storm that ultimately pulled Julian overboard.
He may be responsible for the disappearance of Asra’s parents, too. Who knows? I sure don’t.
The only plague following him around is his (rightfully angry) mother, bent on avenging her husband's murder and punishing her son for his actions. And so, Lucio isn't really in any hurry to leave this convenient safe place where nobody recognizes him as Montag Morgasson.
He doesn't think Velle turning into a merperson would be a bad thing at all, and at some point makes their symptoms a lot worse by (playfully) dragging them into the tank with him. This is what causes Asra to hate him beyond just a general clash of personalities (even before he finds out about Lucio's hand in Muriel's loss).
Muriel (...just Muriel), Hermit
Age ???
Guardian of the Temple that Lucio keeps messing with. The two of them have a history of violence, but this latest fight left Muriel scarred and grief-stricken after Lucio killed Khamgalai, Muriel’s only remaining family.
He saved Asra once, when Asra was 18 and was just starting to adventure into more dangerous parts of the ocean. Ever since then, Asra has made a point to visit him and ask about his magic and the history of Merfolk. Muriel doesn’t hate it…
Asra comes to him for help after Velle gets cursed. Muriel knows more about this old magic than almost anyone else. He gives Asra a talisman for Velle to carry that will slow the effects of the spell. This is how Velle manages to go two years without transforming.
Lovell “Velle” Morandi, Research Assistant (Historical Division)
Age 30
Is the epitome of “What the hell, this was just supposed to be an internship.”
Literally, they applied for the position of Asra’s assistant about six years ago to get a credit for a degree they weren’t particularly enthusiastic about, and the two of them clicked so well that Velle kept agreeing to accompany him on trips any time Asra called, even after Velle had graduated and settled down in their hometown.
Their dream is to take over their mom’s flower shop and live quietly, but their dad insisted they go to college first just to get them out of their hometown and help them experience the world a little bit. They worry that Velle would regret staying in one place their whole life.
Velle isn’t much of an adventurous spirit, but Asra is one of their dearest friends and they understand enough of the science and equipment that they’re indispensable to him (since he doesn’t want to take the time to train anyone else).
After the trip to the Southern Sea and the curse, Velle has to move to the distant country of Vesuvia and work at ARI in the big city while Asra looks for a cure. Velle is just hoping to return home after this is all done…
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quietude. kamisato ayato
ft. kamisato ayato
genre: comfort, fluff
wc: 2.3k
synopsis: love is as elusive to men like kamisato ayato as belonging is to wanderers. and sometimes, in a little inazuman forest, they are but the same.
a/n: hi hi all. i’ve decided now is a time good as ever for an ayato comfort drabble (extended) <3
Chinju Forest isn’t typically where stories of this sort begin. Though the Yae Publishing House authors try their best to weave in magic and wonder, and perhaps fear in their stories of the forest, it is nothing more than ordinary—tanuki-infested at best.
That’s precisely the reason Ayato partakes in nightly strolls through the forest whenever he can. Peace adorns the Aralia trees, a slight breeze brushes past the leaves, and the faintest scent of sakura blooms lingers. That is all there is to it. An ordinary walk for a normal man.
Ayato’s nightly routine has nothing to do with meeting a certain traveler from afar.
In his impatience, he forgot his woollen scarf—Inazuman winters are not as harsh as Mondstadt’s but travelers do tend to wake up with sore throats more often than not. He didn’t forget his bubble tea though, and he’s sure that’ll get a comment from you. Even the Shogun could not get him to admit he’s smiling at the thought.
Oh, how he wishes he could see the look on his retainers’ faces if he could inform them of his midnight rendezvous.
A chance encounter brought him to you—and when he says chance, he truly means it was a coincidence, not something he can say often. Ayato plans leagues ahead for every step he takes but he couldn’t refuse a break when the workload finally lessened. Rest is just as important as work—but he found himself pacing the forest floors restless; restless for his sister, restless for his commission and restless for his country.
He found you trying your very best to collect sakura blooms with no knowledge of how they’re collected. And starting with that night, he found himself teaching you little facts and stories associated with Inazuma. In return, you taught him a thing or two.
“So you say, these… you exchange these sigils for mora?” Ayato furrows his brows ever so slightly.
“Don’t look so perplexed. This is how adventurers live.” You place your hands at your hips, shaking your head.
“I didn’t mean offense,” he says as he smiles.
“Then why do you look… ah, as Guuji Yae describes, like a little rascal right now?”
Ayato drops his smile before sighing. He opens his mouth and to his surprise, finds himself speechless.
“Don’t- Don’t hang around that woman too long,” he manages. “You’re already more of a tease than when I first met you.”
“Oh, but Sir Kamisato, isn’t change part of human life as flow part of water?”
“You’re mocking me, aren’t you?”
You bat your lashes, feigning surprise. “Impossible. Me, a lowly traveler from afar, harboring such heinous intent towards the Cultural Head of Inazuma, in the great islands of ete—”
He swiftly presses a finger to your lips, pursing his own. “Enough talking.”
Your lips stretch into a feline smile.
“I didn’t know some light-hearted teasing could get the Yashiro commissioner to squirm,” you whisper.
“Only when it’s you,” he responds nonchalantly. “You already talk far too much.”
Ayato turns away to face the sea. His brows are slightly furrowed and his lips pursed.
“Squirm?” He scoffs. “You’re getting ahead of yourself. I feel anything but discomfort around you.”
“Well, you could say it’s revenge for putting me in such awkward positions ever since I met you.”
“Oh? Pray tell me of these instances.”
There it is again. That satisfied smile adorning his lips, much akin to a chess champion’s airs upon victory. He knows exactly what you’re referring to.
“You’re the reason I almost got arrested my first week here!” You give in. This man needs to face his follies. And you love complaining.
“Oh? As far as I recall, it was blatant disregard for Inazuman law.”
You grumble out a response, though it makes no sense. You know arguing with him leads nowhere.
“You’re the reason I got sick during last time’s hotpot competition,” you throw, not willing to back down.
You really should’ve kept receipts of every grievance he’s committed against you since he’s so good at sorting through those. The glaringly obvious one is whatever he does to your heart in close proximity. Pretty boys are full of sin, and must never be trusted. You got the memo too late, you suppose. Admiring the blue of his hair glowing pearly under moonlight, you soon shift your gaze to his.
“I’m really reconsidering the one next weekend!” You warn, as though your absence at Thoma’s hotpot game could get him to sway.
Gosh, you sound like a child. Something about Ayato brings out this side of yours. And if you push the right buttons, maybe you’ll watch that side of his too. Unfortunately, it’s far too difficult a puzzle as of now.
“What a shame. I was looking forward to seeing you for the contest.” He exhales, and as if on cue, the wind picks up and brushes your hair from your face. The serenity of his blade has never matched his fox-like personality but there is certainly something akin to peace in his movement, in his being—even if that peace is the eye of a storm itself.
“You just want to watch me and Thoma uncomfortable,” you grumble.
“You always have the choice to back out,” he reasons.
“Not when Thoma won last time! You know I don’t lose. Besides, it’s your fault I got sick.” You frown deeply, accusing eyes pointed towards a certain figure clad in white.
“Ah, yes. Who knew Sea Ganoderma would have such an effect? As far as I know, it has a structure similar to fats and lipids—”
“Hush.” You kick your foot impatiently. “I don’t wanna listen to your jargon. You put Sea Ganoderma in hotpot, you jacka—ahem.”
Ayato laughs, a sound coming from deep within his chest, a sound like the crashing of waves against Inazuman shorelines.
“I didn’t mean to make you sick, if that’s any consolation,” he offers, once his laughter has died down. “I just like to see the expressions on people. Especially you.”
You feel an unfamiliar heat rise up your neck and jab at your ears.
“I’ll- I- I’ll win next time!” You declare, ignoring the feeling—although you know exactly what it is. “Thoma will go first though. Whicher hotpot makes him look the sickest is probably yours.”
“You still have to try it though,” he hums. “I’m not a stickler for rules but it is a game after all.”
You huff. “Whatever. As long as I win.”
Ayato gazes at you with moonlight adorning the right side of his face, and glint in his eyes that you suspect is not of the moon.
“Any other offenses I might have committed?”
You exhale loudly, perplexed at the audacity. “The night is too short to list all of them.”
“Well, waterfalls wouldn’t sound quite so lovely without rocks lining their ways. Don’t you think so?”
You breathe out, the warmth of your breath forming a little cloud of defeat. It’s a given you wouldn’t win so easily against the Yashiro Commissioner.
“I’m flattered to see you use your sharp wits on me and not tearing down some poor fellow in the Tri-Commission.” You roll your eyes.
He hums. “The longer the tongue…”
You shake your head. It’s not like Ayato savors blood. But you know he enjoys crime and punishment a bit too much.
“So what will you teach me today, Sir Commissioner? A little bit about the Watatsumi Priestess? I heard she’s going to meet Miss Sara to discuss politics.”
Ayato never quite understood how the sprout of your friendship with the daughter of the Kujou Clan grew. Even so, it’s oddly endearing to see you cheer her up despite her constant accusations of your troublemaking and ruckus. He knows you cheer her up—it’s evident on her face—and Ayato wonders if the effect of your presence shows on him too. There is not a single Inazuman soul who does not greet you with excitement.
That’s what it is—the bubble tea brewing his stomach—excitement to see a long-time friend, nothing more.
“Inazuman politics are a tad higher in level than what I’ve been telling you,” he sighs. “You can ask Miss Kujou to relay the details after it is done.”
You purse your lips. “Alright then. Ooh! Are Hiiragi Chisato of the Kanjou Commission and Kujou Kamaji of the Tenryou Commission going to get married?”
“I’m afraid I’m not too well versed in Inazuma’s gossip these days.”
“Liar,” you accuse, mouth agape at his blatant excuse. “You know every little thing the old ladies carrying their grocery baskets around town are saying.”
Ayato smiles, his eyelids lowering to match. There is nothing that makes him more content than denying you satisfaction, you swear.
“Alright then, what about the Shogun and Yae Miko’s secret lovechild?”
He clears his throat abruptly, clearly taken aback at the question. “I know no such thing, (name).”
You burst out laughing. You could count this as a win. “Ah, must’ve been that novel from Yae Publishing House then.”
Ayato can’t help his smile, and neither can he help but get closer to you with each passing second. The torii gates loom in the distance and the tree stump you’ve decided to sit upon looks anything but comfortable. Ayato could leave whenever he wants to. There’s nothing keeping him here.
Nothing but you.
What must it be like to travel the world with you? To tread land after land with wonder, to witness the wonder in your eyes. There is nothing Ayato wants more than to protect you, to ensure you follow your heart—the same he’s done for Ayaka, his country. The feeling washes over him in tides higher and higher. He is first and foremost the Yashiro Commissioner. It was certainly not easy getting here. He gave everything he could for his clan, for his family.
But for the first time, he wants more. He wants the dewdrops adorning your mornings. He wants the peace of your afternoons and to witness each of your jumps into puddles to make the children laugh. He wants the rains of your endless adventures at nights.
Ayato almost scoffs out loud. To think that the two of you could stay the same.
“Oh, I got another one! You could tell me about the Yashiro Commissioner’s deepest, darkest secrets. I’m sure that would come in handy—as a step ahead of general Inazuman knowledge.” You’re beaming ear to ear, taking pride in mock victory and yet, Ayato feels nothing but otherworldly adoration.
“I… A secret? Haven’t I spilled enough? Well, then.” Ayato’s voice fades into a whisper.
You look at him expectantly.
“There is nothing more I want than to feel your touch right now.”
Your face flares up at the words and for a good second, you strongly believe you misheard him.
“Eh? What do you mean?”
In response, a soft palm presses against your cheek.
“You’re just as warm as I imagined.” His voice is nearly drowned out by the low buzzing of crickets in the forest and the swaying of the wind.
The pressure against your lips is gentle, feather light and it lasts barely a second.
No.
Your fingers immediately fly to your lips, a warmth fizzing through your veins that you never knew was possible. Is this the famed power of the Kamisato Clan Head—to wield water as a weapon? Or, is this blade something he can only hold against you? You shiver. Ayato didn’t have to be so blessed in both face and words.
“I didn’t know you were in possession of a pyro vision,” Ayato breathes, breaking away. “With the way your face is radiating heatwaves.”
“Oh, really? Isn’t it shameful I could beat you in a swordfight without a vision?” You quip.
“Oh?” A smile adorns his lips, softer than you could ever imagine.
It is a heinous thing to say—but even the moon-bathed deep could not comprehend the depths to which Ayato’s heart drops at your gaze, at your lips, at your gentle and assured movement. This is special, extraordinary and much beyond what mere Chinju Forest could witness. Not lightning, not gods, not the elements could keep him from leaning in.
Another kiss follows, and another, and another—each short and filling your heart with fluttering joy till you’re sure it’ll explode.
The tanuki must be snickering at us, you think, but the overwhelming sense of tranquility doesn’t let you focus on anything but the man in front of you. You swear you can feel raindrops against your skin, your shivering slowly dying into a calm posture as your drive your fingers through his hair—and they stay till he’s done stealing every remark, complaint and story from your lips.
“Did you make it rain?” You whisper when he pulls back a final time.
“You have strange expectations of my abilities.”
You inhale, and a laugh soon follows in place of the exhale. Ayato smiles gently at you, and it makes your heart bloom into a thousand different roses at once. Is this what it’s like to be loved? To be heard and to be seen and to be felt?
It’s the strangest thing for a traveler to have a home, is it not? And yet, the pieces fit right into place. Is this also one of Ayato’s little schemes?
“How long have you…” You don’t know how to phrase it.
“Long enough to ask you to stay.” Ayato leans in again, but this time his nose buries into the crook of your neck, arms pulling you closer. He smells like sakura blossoms—you’d expected as much—but there’s also a tinge of honey and chamomile tea.
You could stay like this. You could find a home in this. You could stay. The answer will present itself by morning, this one or the next. Chinju Forest isn’t where stories of this sort end.
“Can we stay like this longer?” You whisper, your question barely audible. Ayato shuffles into a more comfortable position but he doesn't pull away. You bite your lip to keep yourself from smiling into his shoulder.
“I’m sure the forest doesn’t mind, (name),” Ayato sighs, and your night grows a little longer, a little sweeter.
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