#nani's hot takes

[chawarin-panich]

Ray's mother, music and the barriers to his heart that Sand must overcome

TW: discussion of suicide This is building upon the shorter meta I wrote here about the Micro song that plays during Ray's suicide scene. The parallels between Ray's arc in falling for Sand and Mew are so overt that I was completely overlooking the person that Sand is really up against in Ray's wounded heart and who, I believe Mew is ultimately a proxy for - his dead mother. I go into a little bit about how Sand's affection for Ray can sometimes read as familial here and I think it's quite readily noticeable how Ray acts very childlike around Sand with his puppy dog eyes and constant wheedling. One thing I do want to note is that Ray doesn't particularly come off as childlike in any of his other interactions either with his friends or in his conversation with P'Yo except for perhaps that first night when he got drunk and told his friends how much he loved them and during the suicide scene when he cries wrapped up in Mew's arms, distraught by how his mother never loved him. I think Ray is the epitome of someone with a deeply wounded inner child and the only way he can ask for love is as a child, somewhat helplessly and appealing to people's caretaker/protective nature. The parent child relationship between Sand and Ray comes up a few times through the episodes. The earliest explicit acknowledgement as far as I can tell is here at the end of episode 2:

There's another explicit nod as to how their dynamic is set up within Sand performing acts of service for Ray in Ep 3:

Sand says he has been Ray's driver, drinking buddy, shrink and chef. Three of those things - driving him around, cooking for him and providing him emotional support are not just familial activities but activities you would normally do for a young child. Sand pointedly leaves out that they've had sex from this list of services. And yes, that's because Sand doesn't view sex as a service and if it was just this then it would be hard to make the point that I'm trying to make which is that Sand needs to fulfill that parental attachment need that Ray craves; give him that type of no strings, unselfish kind of love before he will ever be able to gain Ray's trust enough to be able to build a romantic relationship with him. So how is the show making this point? That Sand is replacing not just Mew but Ray's dead mother in his heart? Well, let's start with the two things that Ray's mother has left him with: 1) music and 2) her alcoholism. Ray's friends were all very surprised when Ray volunteers to arrange the music for the party. While that was more about Ray's lack of interest in taking responsibility (His now in restrospect gut wrenching 'I'm only good for spending money' line from Ep1 like ouch) but it also indicates that none of them really know or connect with Ray over his music. How can they?

Music is such a deeply personal part of him, that's where he keeps the love he holds for his mother; the love that is entirely grief - painful in its vastness, beautiful in its consistency. And the first thing Sand tells him to do is be grateful for it - her good taste in music. The second thing? Is to show him how to enjoy it:

The fact that he's taking his hand and Ray is half resisting it, the silliness of the gesture more than the touch itself but he's undeniably enjoying himself - It reads to me like the awkward, stilted movements of a childperson who doesn't know how to move their limbs when they're first being taught how to do something. And when you realize that the song that Ray plays for Sand in ep2 is the same one that is playing when he's taken the pills - the positive associations that Sand is making with Micro in Ray's life suddenly becomes monumental. This happens twice more in the show. Once, in the car when Sand ditches his date to drive them to Ray's house where they engage in a delightful flirtation around it, Ray singing badly while Sand eats it up complains about it

And again, at the night of the party when Ray tells Sand to play Micro for him and Sand like the simp that he is serenades him with it:

But their connection over music doesn't stop at teaching Ray to cherish and honor his past - and unknowingly the pains that are attached to it. No, Sand goes further to expand it, help Ray find a space for himself in music, carve a corner of it that isn't only pain, isn't only that moment of seeing his mother laid flat on that floor with a whiskey glass inches from her fingers.

When music is such an integral part of Ray's personality how else does one interpret this scene other than Sand telling Ray to move on, when Sand plays Selina and Sirinya for him because finding new music he likes is Sand's happiness how else do I interpret it as anything other than Sand teaching Ray how to be happy? What am I supposed to do but pull out my own hair when they're connecting over music, looking at each other like this:

And Sand will do it AGAIN - as the ep5 preview suggests - take Ray's hand and teach him how to enjoy contemporary music while Ray makes his awkward, adorable face where he's having fun in spite of himself. And the sheer amount of joy that Sand gets in seeing Ray like this is just - they're so insufferable:

But perhaps the most surprising (and delightful!) of all is this:

Ray taking his headphone off, interrupting this magical moment of being with Sand and the music, telling him he wants to be close to nature and drink beer - for the very first time Ray desires alcohol not as a means to destroy himself but as a vehicle of peace and of connection and I haven't been well since seeing it and understanding what it means. In many ways, Ray's mother is such a tragic character. I know nothing of this woman other than the three seconds I have seen of her dead and the frightful way she has driven her son to follow in her footsteps, to feel so unloved and unwanted. And yet she named him Ray Pakorn (pakorn meaning sun) - a ray of sunshine. Perhaps even, her ray of sunshine.

How can I truly believe that she never loved him?

I know Ray tells Mew that she never held him but he loves her so dearly, wants to be with her so desperately, she permeates every moment of his life so thoroughly that the loneliness she left behind isn't a gaping emptiness but the festering carcass of a love so profound and full to bursting that Ray keeps trying to give it away, keeps trying to love his friends, keeps trying to save them and aches in the way that he finds no recipient for it.

People wonder what Sand sees in Ray, why he would fall for him. But Ray is a creature made entirely of love, soft still in the way he lets it rule his life, innocent in the way that he asks for it, precious in the way that he gives it away - How can Sand be anything but desperately in love with him?

#ofts meta #sandray meta #only friends meta #ofts #sandray #only friends the series #ofts ray #ofts sand #nani's hot takes #i spent so long on it please don't let it flop #but also its so long so i dont blame you #but i couldn't help myself #ray is an open wound in my heart #i do nothing but think about him #long post

[mrspeacockwasaman]

I feel like it’s definitely not being said enough, but some people seem to be missing the point about the Lilo and Stitch casting nonsense. The problem isn’t JUST colorism, (or I guess to clarify, that she isn’t literally brown skinned), it’s the consistent erasure of Polynesian/indigenous/east Asian/black features. This has always been an issue. The denial to cast someone without even an ounce of Eurocentricity. The same thing’s gonna happen with Moana for sure.

Why be so consistently disrespectful your own source material??? jfc can’t wait for the coco adaption 🙄🤦‍♀️

#lilo and stitch #colorism #Nani #racism #not so hot take

[owlwithanapple]

The Light and The Dark

Chapter 02. First

Previous

You are just a girl playing alone, but you are kidnapped by human traffickers and sold to another place. There you met Ria, your boss and the person who takes care of you like a sister.

You negotiate terms with Ria, as long as the money is raised you will be free. The prerequisite is to work in Ria's bar. One day, due to a storm, you met the four main members of the Roger Pirates.

Captain Gol D Roger is a brave and mighty but a bit childish man. Dark King Silvers Rayleigh is mature, steady and talkative. There are also two kids, Shanks and Buggy, who always love to fight.

When you were kidnapped again, you were rescued by the Roger Pirates. Roger knows that your dream is to adventure and is very motivated him to invite you. The end, Ria frees you to follow them on an adventure to explore the mysteries of the world.

Now you are one of the members of the Roger Pirates and the only female.

Morning on Roger's pirate ship

Your first day on the ship makes you dizzy because keeps rocking while you sleep. You underestimated the beginning of the adventure, you just haven't spit it out yet.

You drank a few glasses of wine last night but didn't sleep well. When you woke up in the morning, you were still very sleepy and yawned several times.

You wake up, change your clothes, grab a toothbrush get ready to brush your teeth. Suddenly want to urinate, remember Shanks said that the toilet is shared, you are a little anxious but go in cautiously.

You walked into the toilet but didn't notice that several crew members were standing to urinate, you walked in and closed the door sat on the toilet to urinate.

The crew members were amused to see you awake and confused, they started chatting, you didn't pay attention. Rayleigh came into the toilet wanted to relieve himself. The crew members said hello to him and left.

At this time, Rayleigh has no idea that you are also in the toilet. When he unzipped his pants and prepared to free himself, you opened the door walked out. Rayleigh was startled by the sound of the door opening and looked back to see that it was you.

"Y/N!?" Rayleigh was a little embarrassed and startled by you.

"Good morning~ I'm going to brush my teeth...bye." You left the toilet in a daze.

"Fuck..." You left Rayleigh alone in the toilet, embarrassed.

You didn't sleep well last night, you are confused now. You walked past Scopper who was on his way to the toilet. He said hello to you and you responded politely before walking away.

"Why are you just standing there?" Scopper opened the toilet door and saw Rayleigh standing still.

"Nothing..." Rayleigh said awkwardly, remembering the scene just now.

"I'll tell you something funny. I just met Y/N. She was swaying when walking. I thought she had a few glasses of wine in the morning." Scopper laughed out loud while holding a cigarette in his mouth.

"Indeed...it's a bit scary..." Rayleigh said softly.

"Huh?" Scopper looked at Rayleigh confused.

You see Buggy peeing into the ocean, Shanks next to him getting ready to prank him. You were just thinking about the children having fun, so you walked behind them and made a little joke.

"Buggy, be careful of seagulls biting off your dick." You leave these words and walk away.

"Nani!" Buggy quickly pulled up his pants.

"Hahahahaha! I'm laughing so hard! Sister, you are so good at talking!" Shanks laughed beside him.

You brush your teeth, wash your face, go back to your room, put your toothbrush in and comb your hair in front of the mirror. Shanks said that cleaning is a rotating duty, but you don’t know what you will be responsible for yet, you tie a ponytail to make it easier for you to wait for work.

After washing your face you wake up. Floating on the sea for a night, the sun outside is even brighter than indoors. The temperature is more unstable than expected, changing from hot to cold.

You go to the dining area to have some breakfast and Shanks waving to you. You approached him and saw Buggy hiding behind Shanks looking sneaky. You approached him to say hello.

"Buggy...what's wrong?" You squatted in front of him.

"Nothing..." Buggy said softly.

"Hahahaha! Sister, you are so good at talking!" Shanks laughed and praised you.

"Me?" You pointed at yourself and looked at Shanks with a blank expression.

"Buggy just urinated in front of the sea. I advised him many times not to do that. But because sister you said to be careful about seagulls biting off his dick! He ran to the toilet! I laughed to death!" Shanks laughed loudly and slapped the table.

"You speak so loudly!" Buggy and Shanks started to fight.

You accidentally and unconsciously hit Buggy's sore spot, you don't know what to do. Shanks repeated what you said and you covered your mouth to hold back laughter but it was so funny to think of you saying such things.

"Sister! Even you!" Buggy pulled you.

"I'm sorry, I really..." You are trying not to laugh.

"Laugh if you want, sister!" Shanks started to cheer.

Shanks kept laughing, you squatted in front of Buggy and clenched your fists to suppress your laughter. Roger and Rayleigh heard Shanks laughing during the conversation and came over to find out.

"I hear your laughter all morning, Shanks." Roger looked at Shanks.

"Roger! Rayleigh! They are bullying me!" Buggy ran to find Roger to complain.

"Bullying you?" Rayleigh looked at you and Shanks curiously.

"Actually, Buggy just urinated in the sea, sister told him be careful of his dick being bitten off by seagulls. Because of these words, Buggy went to the toilet obediently!" Shanks told Roger and Rayleigh with a smile.

"I'm sorry! Buggy! I didn't mean to!" You tell Buggy guiltily.

"Buggy, you really need to behave yourself. If you are really bitten by a seagull, I really can't save you." Rayleigh looked at Buggy and said seriously.

"Hahahaha! Go wild, Buggy!" Roger laughed.

"Noooo!" Buggy shouted.

You see that Buggy seems to be angry, you get close to him and poke him. He hiding behind Roger and ignoring you. His little kid's behavior is so cute.

"Buggy, I'm sorry. Make up with me, okay?" You reached out to hug him and comfort him.

"No! Even sister is making fun of me!" Buggy hid behind Roger and ignored you angrily.

"Hey, sister is right! And it's dangerous!" Shanks said standing next to you.

"Shanks...shhhh." You put your index finger in front of your lips to signal Shanks to stop talking.

"If sister wants to reconcile with you, just be good." Rayleigh told Buggy.

"Yeah! Everyone apologized." Roger told Buggy who was hiding behind.

"I don't want it!" Buggy shouted.

Buggy lose his temper to such an extent, you thought it was indeed funny but it hurt Buggy's self-esteem. It's normal for boys to be unrestrained, but you definitely seem to have really hurt him. You think about it and try talking to him.

"Buggy... just reconcile with me. Otherwise I will cry." You looked at Buggy pitifully.

"Cry?!" Buggy immediately ran to you from behind Roger.

"Are you willing to let me cry?" You asked Buggy pitifully.

Roger and Shanks watched you perform this act, they stood by and suppressed their laughter without interrupting the conversation between you and Buggy. Rayleigh is inexplicably cute when he sees you coaxing Buggy in this way.

"I don't want sister to cry! I will urinate in the toilet obediently from now on!" Buggy stood at attention and said seriously.

"Who is the good boy? Is it Buggy?" You said a little more naughtily.

"It's me! I'm a good boy!" Buggy said, holding your hand.

"Our Buggy is so good." You pat his head.

You calmed down Buggy who was having a bad temper in just a few moments. Roger and Shanks are so relieved to see you comforting Buggy. It's like a sister trying to calm her brother down.

Rayleigh stood by watched you and Buggy reconcile and even high-five and play together, which made him feel a little relieved. After all, although Buggy and Shanks are very good friends, they can be very difficult to control when they have a tantrum.

"Now that we've made up, would you like to have breakfast?" Rayleigh came over to you and asked.

"Yes! I'm going to eat a lot!" Buggy ran to get the food.

"Wait! Don't finish it alone!" Shanks chased after him.

"You two brats, get out of my way!" Roger followed excitedly.

"It's amazing you can handle those little guys completely." Rayleigh stood next to you and praised you.

"It's okay, I don't want him to be sad." You explained to him.

Rayleigh was deeply impressed by your actions. Your appearance for the first time let him know that no matter how bad the world is, there is still sunshine to illuminate it. You are that warm light that brings warmth and peace of mind to everyone in the dark.

"Rayleigh?" You approached him because he just stared at you and stood still.

"I was distracted. Sorry. Let's go and have breakfast." Rayleigh takes you to get breakfast.

You simply choose a few dishes and put them in a bowl. You find a seat to sit down and start eating. You see Shanks and Buggy sharing the same table with Roger. After Rayleigh sees you making your choice, he invites you to join him.

You sitting at the table next to Roger with Rayleigh, you see those two kids quarreling and fighting all the way through the meal. Roger didn't stop them because he was used to the two of them fighting.

"Did you sleep well?" Rayleigh asked you and drink a cup of coffee.

"I haven't gotten used to it yet. The ship is moving, and rocking when I sleep." You looking at Rayleigh and said.

"Haha, you will get used to it if stay for a few more days. Every crew member has experienced this, including myself. I used to sleep on the floor, and my back hurt when I woke up. It's a good thing that you can sleep on the bed now, You just have to get used to the waves of the sea." Rayleigh tells you his experience.

"I understand. Thanks for telling me." You listened to what he said before starting to eat.

"There's something I want to ask you." Rayleigh suddenly whispered seriously.

"Yes." You focused on what he was going to say.

"Did you see anything when you went to the toilet this morning?" Rayleigh asked this question, and you looked confused.

"Toilet. What's wrong?" You said calmly and then asked him again.

"It's okay. I'm just curious. Let's eat." Rayleigh took the tableware started eating breakfast.

The question Rayleigh asked seemed strange to you, you tried to remember what had just seen in the toilet. You remember a few crew members taking a piss, you walk in and close the door. After you came out, you saw him and said hello to him. At that time, he was taking off his zipper...

You remember that Rayleigh is also going to the toilet! You shyly covered your mouth with your hands looked at him. Not sure whether he should be embarrassed or shy, he guessed from your reaction that you remembered, he tapped the table lightly with his hand.

"I don't mind... we're even?" Rayleigh looked at you with a smile.

"I never thought we could even out over something like this." You laughed.

"Let's take care of each other from now on." Rayleigh raised the cup with coffee.

"I'll trouble you then." You toasted with him and drank coffee.

The two of you did go through some funny and embarrassing things. You didn't quarrel, just calmly resolved the embarrassment and reconciled. Both of you made a mistake and accidentally saw that scene. You didn't avoid each other, but you both laughed.

First impression is that pirates are unreasonable. But after the Roger Pirates appeared, you met Rayleigh and felt that he was a nice person who gave you a sense of security and warmth.

You are obviously just a stranger, but he will lend a helping hand when you are in danger. You were glad didn't refuse the invitation. Now have become friends with him, and go on adventures with them.

After finish eating, you two leave and walk around on the ship together. A bird suddenly flew over to you with a newspaper in its mouth, handed it to you, and then flew away. You and Rayleigh sit down somewhere and start reading the newspaper.

"Ah..." You saw the contents of the newspaper.

"What's wrong?" Rayleigh turns to you.

"The human traffickers you defeated were arrested by Marine." You pointed to the report.

"They brought it upon themselves and now they have to pay the price." Rayleigh said.

"We are pirates, so Marine is our enemy." You asked curiously.

"Yes, but it's better to avoid conflict with them unless necessary." Rayleigh said calmly.

After listening to what Rayleigh said, you continue to read the newspaper. Roger Pirates' bounty is still the headline news. As Ria said, one of their heads is equal to the price of two houses.

When you turn to the next page, there is a special note saying that sea monsters have appeared in a certain sea and attacked several ships. The place you looked at in the newspaper is somewhat similar to your current location.

Rayleigh saw you reading an article for a long time, he looked closer to see the incident of a sea monster attacking ships. He realized something was wrong and immediately clenched his scabbard, his instinct telling him that he was in danger.

"Rayleigh?" You see Rayleigh holding his scabbard ready to draw his sword.

"It's okay, just in case. Just keep reading and don't pay attention to me." Rayleigh reassured you.

You look at the sea see something strange about the waves and the rocking of the ship. The birds flying in the sky are unusually chaotic and noisy. You closed the newspaper and stood up. Rayleigh held your hand tightly.

Suddenly the ship received a big impact and you started to lose your balance. Rayleigh immediately stood up and hugged you. You were shocked as to what could have caused the boat to rock so violently.

"Just hold on tight, I'll take care of it." Rayleigh said.

"Huh?" You looked confused.

Rayleigh took off his glasses and shirt reveal his figure, you were frightened by his strong body. Normally he only shows off his chest muscles, but he takes them off, can clearly see how powerful his body is.

You take a closer look can see that his figure is really amazing, it makes you feel embarrassed just by looking at him. At a glance, his figure makes you salivate. Much better and sexier than you'd imagine a tough guy would be.

After he revealed himself and drew sword, you quickly took his things. He jumped into the sea, you ran straight to see what was going on. You're worried about whether he's in danger if he suddenly jumps like this.

The ship is hit by something again. Hold on tight or you will fall. You see there is a big black shadow in the sea around the ship. It is the sea monster that the newspaper wrote about here.

"Rayleigh!" You didn't see Rayleigh after he jumped into the sea. You were worried and called his name to the sea.

The sea monster suddenly rushed out of the sea. The monster's body had been cut and bruised all over. The monster fell into the sea again, but this time it floated on the water, which meant it was dead.

"Huuu... so nimble. I almost couldn't catch up." Someone climbed onto the boat.

You quickly took two steps back saw Rayleigh climbing up standing in front of you. There was blood on his sword, there were cuts on the sea monster's body. It was he who defeated the sea monster.

"Rayleigh!" You ran to him worriedly.

"Hey, I scared you." Rayleigh cares about you gently.

"It really scared me! Suddenly you jumped into the sea! I didn't see you! I thought you were dead!" You yelled at him worriedly while holding his things.

"Oh oh oh... I'm sorry, I think that sea monster will damage the ship if it keeps ramming into it, so I'll jump in and deal with it first." Rayleigh hurriedly explained and comforted you.

"Really...are you hurt?" You care about him tenderly.

"No injuries. Thank you, I let you worry." Rayleigh was happy to hear that you cared about him.

You handed the thing back to him and he picked up the scabbard put the sword away. He put on his glasses took back his shirt. He was wet now, so he didn't put on his shirt.

"Rayleigh, why are you all wet?" Roger asked curiously.

"The sea monster just hit the ship and I went to deal with it." Rayleigh said.

"What the hell! Sea monster!" Shanks and Buggy ran to see the sea monster floating on the water.

"Why didn't you call me? You stole the spotlight!" Roger said with a smile.

"I can handle this. I'll go back to the room first and see you later." Rayleigh left.

"Rayleigh is strong." You admire his strength.

"Of course! He is the first member who has followed me till now." Roger said proudly.

"I see." You whispered.

"By the way, little girl, do you know how to read signs?" Roger looked at you and said with a smile.

"A sign?" You asked him back.

"When the ship was hit just now, your first reaction was not panic but look around." Roger noticed your actions.

"You've been watching." You said looking into Roger's eyes.

"Of course! At least I didn't make a mistake!" Roger laughed.

"Roger, where are you going now?" You asked curiously.

"That island in front! Let's find out if there are any treasures inside!" Roger pointed to the small island opposite.

You use a telescope to see what's on the island. You see an abandoned boat parked nearby, maybe someone has been here before. A stone statue standing upright and a cave entrance.

Rayleigh changed his clothes walked over to Roger saw that you were looking at the island on the opposite side with a telescope. He noticed you stamping your left foot, he touched your shoulder you immediately turned to look at him.

"What are you looking at so fascinated?" Rayleigh is curious about what you are looking at.

"Nothing, just looking the island." You pointed at the island.

A few hours later arrived at the island and the ship pulled over. Roger wants two people to explore the cave with him, Rayleigh must be the first. Born to be his right hand, Rayleigh must follow him.

"Little girl! You come too!" Roger pointed at you and asked you to go with them.

"Me!?" You stood up and ran excitedly.

"Watch the ship." Rayleigh told the other crew members.

Before entering the cave, you approach the stone statue with ancient characters carved on it. You can't write ancient characters but you take a pen and paper from bag roughly imitate its words and write them on the paper.

What you know is a text that was abolished long ago and no one uses it anymore. You have read your father's analysis in his notes and have some knowledge of ancient writing.

But the meaning is not clear, the ancient text is complicated because it has been abolished. So no one is familiar with these strange ancient texts anymore, and even history teachers don’t know this kind of thing.

You read the words on the paper and then look at the words on the stone statues and draw comparisons and conclusions, but you still don’t understand what they mean. What you can't figure out is why the words should be engraved in such a conspicuous place, why shouldn't it be better to hide them?

You reach out to touch the statue wonder if there is any secret hidden there. It is possible that such rare ancient characters are still engraved in such a conspicuous place to fool those ignorant people.

While groping, you stepped on a dented stone slab, a door opened under your feet and you fell in. After Roger and Rayleigh finished talking about things, they realized you were missing.

"Little girl! Where are you!" Roger noticed that you were missing.

"No trace." Rayleigh said calmly.

Fortunately, you fell into a tree and didn't fall directly to the ground. You climb down the tree slowly, otherwise must have broken a few bones. Your foot was scratched by a branch but it didn't affect your movement.

You light the torch look at the scene around. You looked up and saw that the door had been closed. If Rayleigh and Roger hadn't discovered this mechanism, you have to find a way out on your own.

The skeleton on the ground may be the place where the last person was thrown to death. After all, if he fell directly to the ground from that high place, he would definitely die. Glad that there are natural plants to catch you. It's a wonderful tree that can grow so lushly in such a shady place.

"Let's take a walk first." You hold a torch and light the hole in front of you as you walk in.

There is only a straight road it is surrounded by plants but there is water on the road, although the water level is not high. When you see the exit, you run to see what's going on.

You are shocked by the sight before you, a small house surrounded by sea water. It is incredible that there is a house and sea water hidden underground on an island. Roger must have been as excited as a kid when he saw this scene.

You approach the house see the door has scratches and there are explosive barrels that have exploded. The person who came last might have wanted to blow this place up, but in the end they didn't succeed and they might have fallen into a trap.

You think about what to do, just prying the door open will definitely not work. You don't have any weapons or anything else that could solve it. There are no gaps in the wall around the sea water, which means that the mechanism of the statue just now leads directly to this place.

Take a walk and see if there is anything nearby that you might want to borrow. There is a rope behind when you detour. When you follow the direction of the rope, you see a handle.

"This... obviously a trap. It feels like it will be over once you pull it." You looked at the handle in front of you.

You hesitated for a long time whether should pull or not, but decided to give it a try. You hold the handle take a deep breath to get ready to pull. But this handle can be pulled up and down.

"Usually it looks like pulling down...what if you pull it up?" You mustered up the courage to pull the handle up.

The ground began to shake and the water slowly drained away. You let go of the handle walked closer to see that the door was already open! You happily wanted to go in to find out, but your feet were suddenly caught in the trap and hung in the air.

"Holy shit!" You were suspended in mid-air.

You were hung in the air couldn't reach your feet. In desperation, you shouted for help to see if anyone would come to save you. You can see that all the protruding stone slabs around the hut have writing on them.

"I see..." You figured it out! The font of the stone statue just now is the secret code.

But you can't move now only wait for someone to come. Rayleigh and Roger didn't know where they were going. Hope they both are okay.

"Help! Is there anyone there?" You shouted.

Rayleigh heard a sound, he pulled Roger ran towards the direction of the sound. Luckily they saw you were fine, but hanging upside down in mid-air. He reassured that you were fine but he was confused by the scene before him.

"Hi.Roger, Rayleigh." You greet them.

"Are you okay?" Rayleigh cares about you.

"It's okay, I just got caught in a trap." You explained.

"So funny! Hahahahaha!" Roger laughed.

You tell them how to solve the mystery, they understand it and step on the stone slabs in the order you told them. Luckily, the mystery was successfully solved, and a treasure box appeared from the ground.

Roger laughed excitedly when saw the treasure box, the trap holding you was released. Rayleigh quickly ran to catch you, otherwise you would fall to the ground.

"So thrilling." Rayleigh put you on the ground and supported you.

"Timing is just right! Thank you!" You smiled at Rayleigh.

Suddenly the cave began to shake, there was an ominous premonition, the mechanism affected the entire cave. Roger picked up the treasure box and told you to run.

Roger lead you to escape from the cave along the same path they came in just now. Rayleigh lets you run in front of him while he protects you from behind. Finally, you saw a ray of light and escaped successfully.

After escaped, the three of you stood together and watched the cave slowly collapse. As the old saying goes, once you get it, you don’t need to keep it. You sit on the ground and rest for a while. You were out of breath from running so fast just now.

"Are you okay?" Rayleigh sat with you.

"A little out of breath." You said with a smile.

"Y/N! Well done! You actually solved the mystery!" Roger laughed as he sat with the two of you.

"Can you read ancient characters?" Rayleigh is curious about you.

"I know a little bit." You told him.

Roger gives you the treasure box to open. You lift it up to test whether it is heavy, shake it to see if there is a sound inside. You cautiously opened it to see what was inside.

"Wow..." You stared at the gold nugget in shock.

"It's a little gift from the island owner." Rayleigh looked inside the treasure box.

"Hahaha! Just take it! It's worth remembering!" Roger laughed.

"Should I accept it?" You looked at Rayleigh doubtfully.

"You deserve." Rayleigh said with a chuckle.

"Yes! Take it, little girl!" Roger patted your shoulder.

You closed the treasure box and gave them both a bright smile. It's not about getting gold nuggets, it's about your first adventure and experience with them. You caress the treasure box and smile, this is the beginning of your dream.

Roger gives you everything in the treasure box, which represents your first experience. You go back to the ship together, put the treasure box in the room then take out a diary to write down today's experience.

Someone knocked on the door of your room. You put down your pen walked to open the door. Rayleigh was standing outside the door with a first aid kit in his hand. You welcome him into the room then listen to what he has to say.

"You were injured." Rayleigh put the first aid kit on the table and sat on the chair.

"Injured? Ah!" You thought that you had just been scratched by a branch, which did not affect your movement, so you did not go to the medical room to find Crocus.

"Show me the wound." Rayleigh asked you to show him the wound.

"It's just a small thing, my foot was scratched." You pointed to your calf to show him.

"Sit on the bed and I'll help you apply the medicine." Rayleigh got up and got the first aid kit.

"Hey! No need! I've caused you enough trouble!" You said in a panic, trying to politely refuse him.

"Y/N, obey." Rayleigh pulled your arm and made you sit on the bed.

Rayleigh lifted your calf applied medicine to the wound bandaged it skillfully. What a gentle person. Although sometimes serious or scary, but he always maintains a gentle heart towards everyone.

Take a closer look at the scar under his eye that was there before you joined. Judging from this, it should be a scar left by a fierce fight before. You can tell from his appearance that he is a strong man.

"What's wrong? You keep staring at me." Rayleigh raised his head and looked at you.

"Nothing." You chuckled.

"Next time you injured don't hide it. Once the wound worsens, your actions will be affected and life will be at risk." Rayleigh told you seriously.

"I know, I don't dare anymore." You said softly.

"Reflect on it." Rayleigh touches your head.

"I will reflect on it..." You said looking at him.

"We will have dinner at a sea restaurant tonight." Rayleigh said with a smile.

"Sea restaurants!? There really are restaurants on the sea!" You looked at Rayleigh in surprise.

"It's true. It's your first time, right? Look forward to it." Rayleigh chuckled.

"Yeah! I'll look forward to it!" You smiled brightly.

"Then I'll go do my business first, have a good rest." Rayleigh took the first aid kit and prepared to leave your room.

"Okay! Thank you! Rayleigh!" You thanked him excitedly.

"Hahaha, so cute." Rayleigh whispered.

"What did you say?" you asked him.

"Nothing. By the way, dress more formally. The basic requirement of the restaurant is etiquette." After Rayleigh finished speaking, he left the room.

"Etiquette..." You opened wardrobe thought about what to wear.

Evening restaurant

You did some research that this restaurant is one of the famous restaurants in the world. Any customers including pirates and marines are accepted here. It may take months or even years to reserve a seat.

Restaurants serve high-end cuisine, so they have certain requirements for customers, namely etiquette. This restaurant maintains a very high standard and quality food. So it is loved by everyone.

After arriving at the restaurant, they parked the ship in the exclusive customer area. Everyone is adjusting their mentality one after another. After all, they must maintain etiquette and noble posture.

"It's been a long time since I've dressed up! Hahahaha!" Roger laughed out loud.

"I'm really uncomfortable wearing it." Shanks said awkwardly.

"Hahaha, it really doesn't suit you!" Buggy pointed at Shanks and laughed.

"You guys, don't make any noise in a place like this." Rayleigh warned them seriously.

"Didn't see Y/N." Scopper asked curiously.

"Give the girl some time to dress up." Crocus said.

You put on a long white dress, high heels, tied your hair and twirled around in front of the mirror. The long-awaited dress up is in order to comply with the restaurant's requirements and not to embarrass the Roger Pirates.

You leave the room walk to meet Roger and the others. Everyone's eyes are focused on you. You feel a little embarrassed. Maybe you are dressing up too exaggeratedly.

"I kept you waiting." You approached Roger and his group.

Not only the other crew members but also their eyes turned to you, you were a little nervous and curious about their looks. You noticed that Shanks and Buggy were stunned.

"Is it weird? I'm dressed like this." You clasped your hands.

"Little girl! How can you be surprised! You are so beautiful!" Roger praised you loudly.

"Sister is so beautiful! Like a princess!" Shanks and Buggy kept praising you.

"It's really different when girls dress up seriously." Scopper said to you.

"A little flower of the Roger Pirates." Crocus said.

Rayleigh realizes that your well-groomed look is really charming. He knew that you were usually very attractive, but didn’t expect that the effect would be even better after you were dressed up carefully.

"Rayleigh, what do you think of my outfit?" You walked up to him and asked him.

"You are so beautiful, I will be fascinated by you." Rayleigh said teasingly.

"Your mouth is so sweet." You said happily.

"Everyone, it's time! Let's go! Go fill your stomach!" Roger raised his fist and shouted.

"Yahooo! Dinner!" Shanks and Buggy jumped up excitedly.

A seat was reserved in Roger's name, so he took the lead and walked to the front. Shanks and Buggy were playing and making trouble in the back. Scopper and Crocus looked after the two children like a father.

"Miss Y/N, please?" Rayleigh asked you to take his arm in a gentlemanly manner.

"My pleasure." You took Rayleigh's arm and got off the ship together.

Rayleigh glanced at your hand which was holding his arm. He was glad that he took the initiative to ask and would not offend you. He knows you wear high heels so he matches your steps.

You arrive at the door, the waiter opens the door. You see a lot of people inside dressed up and coming to this restaurant. Gladly didn't dress casually, otherwise would be embarrassed.

But it's your first time at such a high-end restaurant and you're a little nervous. Everyone's eyes turned to you, you held Rayleigh's arm tremblingly, trying to relax.

Rayleigh used his other hand to squeeze your hand holding his arm. You feel the warmth of his hand, you naturally relax. You remember that you are not alone, you are with them.

"Be confident, you are beautiful. Their eyes are attracted because of your charm." Rayleigh whispered in your ear.

"Well, thank you for staying with me." You squeezed his arm and smiled at him.

"Mr. Roger's seat is upstairs, I will take you there." The waiter welcomes you.

You slowly walk up the spiral staircase, the customers downstairs looked at Rayleigh with envy. You smiled when you heard Rayleigh speak more confidently.

"Here, please." The waiter takes you to your seat.

You see Roger and the others have already taken their seats. When you were about to sit down, Rayleigh helped you pull out a chair so you could sit down easily. You chuckled at Rayleigh, thanking him for being such a gentleman.

"Please wait a moment, we will serve the food later." The waiter said and left.

The waiter pours you a glass of wine and you taste the wine carefully. It tastes different from the wine in Ria's bar. This high-end wine has a stronger taste. It's a delicious and fragrant wine. You keep drinking a few more glasses.

"Does it taste good?" Roger asked you with a toast.

"It tastes good." You and Roger toasted and took a sip of wine.

"Later try more of the dishes. This restaurant is original and every dish has not changed in taste." Roger said to you with a smile.

"Okay. Cheers, everyone!" You stand up and raise your glass.

"Cheers!" Everyone at the table also stood up and raised their glasses.

Since the food was served slowly, everyone started chatting. Roger grabbed Crocus and kept drinking. You chatted with the two children, while Rayleigh drank some wine and chatted with Scopper for a while.

"I'm going to the toilet." You stood up and left your seat.

You ask the waiter where the toilet is, he tells you that you can find it just downstairs and at the end. You said thank you to him and started to slowly go down the stairs. You noticed that the eyes of the customers downstairs were still looking at you.

In the center there is a woman singing a song and you are drawn to her music. This time, everyone stayed quiet and enjoyed the music she sang. You quickly went to the toilet first.

You come back to continue listening to the song sung by the woman. You listen to her singing and are immersed in her music. If you haven't seen this kind of high-end performance, it is a new experience for you.

But you didn't realize that someone's eyes had been focused on you since you entered the restaurant. You are immersed in the atmosphere of the music, and your body begins to slowly sway to the music.

That man thinks you are very beautiful when he sees you swaying. It's like a flower but with thorns. From the outside, you have a beautiful face that highlights your gentleness, and graceful body curves that highlight your wildness.

"Miss." The waiter interrupts you and pokes you in the shoulder.

"Yes. What's wrong?" You turned to look at the waiter.

"This bouquet of flowers was given to you by that gentleman." The waiter handed the flowers to you.

"Me?" You looked left and right then pointed to yourself to make sure the flowers were for you.

"That's right." The waiter pointed to the table of guests.

This is the first time you received flowers from someone. They are so beautiful with white petals. You took the flowers and walked to his seat and saw two people wearing white coats sitting at the same table. The waiter told you that it was the man in the white coat without glasses who gave you the flowers. He was almost as tall as Roger.

"Are these for me?" You held the flowers looked at him.

"Hahaha! That's right, it's for you." You heard the man's wild laughter.

"Thank you. The flowers are beautiful." You thank him politely.

"Beautiful flowers suit beautiful you, miss." the man said teasingly.

"Wow..." You felt a little embarrassed hearing his sweet words.

"Sister!" Two children are standing behind you, pulling you.

"Why did you two run out?" You squatted down and asked them.

"Sister took a long time go to the toilet, so we came to see you." Shanks said with a smile.

"I'm sorry for making you worry, I'm going back now." You reassured them both.

"Sir, thanks for the flowers. I'm going back to my seat first." You said goodbye to him politely.

You turned around and left, leading Buggy and Shanks back to Roger's place. He simply thought you were beautiful, so he gave you flowers. He didn’t expect you to come and talk to him.

"Hey! Are you interested in that young girl?" Sengoku poked him.

"Haha, sort of." Garp said with a smile.

"But those two kids look familiar." Sengoku was thinking.

You followed Shanks and Buggy back to your seat, and the food was already served. Everyone is waiting for you to come back before starting the meal. You put the flowers on the table and quickly sit down to start the meal.

"Flowers?" Rayleigh looked at the bouquet of flowers.

"Oh! It was given by a customer just now." You said with a smile.

"Hahaha! Y/N is a heartthrob!" Roger laughed.

"Please don't say that, I'm so embarrassed." You lowered your head and whispered with a blush.

"Sister! You were dancing in the middle just now!" Buggy looked at you excitedly.

"I saw it!" Shanks said, raising his hand.

"Dancing?" Crocus asked curiously.

"There will be people performing here." Scopper said after taking a sip of wine.

"Why don't you dance if you want to?" Roger looked at you.

"They all dancing in pairs. I don't have a partner and not very good at dancing, so..." You said softly.

"I'll be your dance partner!" Shanks and Buggy raised their hands at the same time.

"You two are too short! If sister's dance partner short, she will be ugly." Scopper said with a smile.

When everyone here chatted and laughed, Rayleigh glanced at you. You didn't have a dance partner and he had an idea, but it was just after dinner. Let's relax and chat now. After all, he has to be careful even if he wants to invite you.

"Y/N, I'm actually curious about something. How old are you?" Scopper asked you seriously.

"That's right! I always wanted to ask but forgot about it!" Roger said.

"Hmmm, I'm curious too." Crocus took a sip of wine.

"I'm 19." you said.

"19?!" Scopper choked on his drink when he heard your age while drinking.

"Nani!" Roger was surprised.

"Adult." Crocus said calmly.

"You are really good at taking care yourself. I thought you were 15." Rayleigh said with a smile.

"I thought sister was just 15." Shanks was surprised to hear your age.

"I thought so too." Buggy's jaw dropped.

"Can't you see?" You stroked your cheek.

"Hahahaha! We must be older!" Roger laughed.

Rayleigh was surprised to know your age. Seeing the innocent look on your face, you turned out to be 19 years old. If Scopper hadn't asked, he would have thought you were 15 years old or a little girl.

You have a simple appearance and a sexy figure. But you still retain a little bit of your pure personality. At first, he accidentally saw your body, mistakenly thought you were developing very early. It turns out he misunderstood, you are really an adult woman.

Rayleigh cared about you very much at first. When first met, you exuded a lovely aura that attracted him deeply. Originally he thought he just wanted to treat you as a sister or a friend.

But now he thinks you are a gentle girl who will always face everything with a smile. He likes the feeling of you, and gradually finds that he cares about you more and more.

But one thing he cares about is whether you would mind a partner with an age difference. After all, he was older, but he still felt baffled. He actually even had the idea of ​​a partner.

It starts as a relationship between strangers, protect you when you are in danger. When you join, you are like a friend by his side. But now he's starting to have stronger feelings for you.

"Rayleigh...are you okay?" You poked his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I was thinking about something." Rayleigh didn't want to think about this problem for the time being.

"You were staring at me. I thought it was because I was dressed strangely." You laughed awkwardly.

"Not really. You look good in what you wear." Rayleigh encouraged you to feel confident.

You were a little shy and embarrassed to hear him compliment you. Rayleigh gives you the impression that he is a mature and steady man, but sometimes you will still feel a little embarrassed about when he speaks tender words to you.

Maybe you are not good at being praised, so when he praises you feel a little confused and nervous. Sometimes he will suddenly stare at you then say nothing. When you meet his eyes, you can pretend to be calm but in your heart you are still very concerned.

After you finished eating, you heard Scopper and Crocus chatting some more, while Roger kept drinking and playing around with Buggy and Shanks. The singing you heard downstairs was so beautiful you couldn’t help but listen.

You can see many people dancing and singing in the center. You really want to try dancing, but don’t have a partner or anyone to guide you. You will definitely be embarrassed if find random people to dance with.

"Miss Y/N, would you like to be my partner and dance with me?" Someone next to you stretched out his hand to invite you to dance.

"Wow..." is Rayleigh inviting you to dance.

You start to think wildly, fearing that your poor dancing will lead to embarrassment. But now Rayleigh invited you, you were no longer afraid in an instant, because he would accompany you.

"Are you willing?" He came closer to you, didn't put his hand away because he was waiting for your reply.

"I do." You held his hand happily.

The End.

#one piece fanfiction #one piece #one piece x female reader #one piece x y/n #one piece x you #one piece x reader #one piece smut #one piece fanfic #rayleigh one piece #one piece rayleigh #silvers rayleigh #rayleigh x female reader #rayleigh x y/n #rayleigh op #rayleigh x reader #dark king rayleigh #Rayleigh #op Rayleigh #gol d. roger #buggy the clown #akagami no shanks #crocus #scopper gaban #op x reader #op x you #op x y/n #roger pirates #monkey d garp #op fanfic #one piece dark king

[yourlegacysnotyourstosee]

I took notes on my thoughts while watching Nerdy Prudes Must Die because I did the same for Black Friday

DAMN Jon said “I am a TENOR”

I literally can’t get over how good he sounds

AHHHHHH LAUREN!!!!!

Bro these songs SLAP

Damn Mariahs hair is so long

Pete is such a mood

I’m literally terrified of being pantsed so bad

BRUH NOT MICRO-PETER

Omg hey Kim

When Cory enthusiastically agrees I’m dying

Omg Max likes Grace???????

Wait that’s so cute

Wait why’s he kinda fine

“His name is Jesus Christ” HELP 💀💀💀💀💀

It’s giving Apex Predator (from Mean Girls)

Damn these HARMONIES THO

My jaw is on the floor the way Cory is talking to her

“How am I supposed to study without listening to Spotify?” ME LMFAO

I KNOW HE DID NOT JUST MAKE AN ISSAC NEWTON JOKE

The way hes like “this is about thermodynamics” me me me. I hate when people make jokes about the things we’re not even talking about.

“NANI” NO WAY HE SAID THAT HELP💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀I LITERALLY CANNOT BREATHE 💀💀💀💀💀💀

Study date????????

Joey Richter my beloved ❤️❤️❤️

When Max enters and the crowd cheers

“Rondevuch”

Max literally has a God complex

Why is Kim everyones mom?

“Walen place”?????

“Mom will you pass the butt stuff????” HELP SHES BEEN CORRUPTED

NO WAY SHES FANTASIZING ABOUT MAX JAGERMAN

LITERALLY WHAT

Awwww Grace is experiencing Catholic Guilt™ ❤️❤️❤️

Girl wdym “he’s gotta go”???

Laurens character is bisexual???????

“WAIFU MATERIAL”?????? I literally can’t get over Jons character

Wait Grace is a little fucked up actually

Wait since the Waylons built hatchetfield high and the starlight theater, could they have cursed the town somehow? Like I know about the evil brothers or whatever, but I’m not super familiar with the lore

Wait I kind of love Grace now

Mariah slays

“Am I reading as Ghost, or Lin Manuel Miranda?” AWWWWWW❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

“Your fucking useless Pete.” Tgwdlm???? In MY npmd???? It’s more likely than you think

I’m very suspicious about how fast they seemed to put the plan together…

I know the plan wont work and Im so nervous I’m getting secondhand embarrassment so bad rn

“Skele-ens”

I need Max Jagerman actually

Awwww Max is a Theater Kid ❤️❤️❤️

AW FUCK HE DIED

HOLY FUCK HE DIED

GIRL WTF IS WRONG WITH GRACE

I love how upbeat this song is

WHYD SHE CUT HIS NIPPLES OFF WTF

Omg Dan and Donna!

Slay Mayor Lauter

His reaction to being asked to the game is giving- “she asked me for the time” “no way” “way :D”

THE NIGHTHAWKS MASCOT 💀💀💀💀

FUCK CLIVESDALE

DAMN THEYRE IN THE SPLITS GOOD FOR THEM

I like that the football team has only 2 players

I love when actors walk through the audience, but ESPECIALLY here when hes stalking Richie bro looks so good

Listen I know he’s about to kill Richie but HES SO FINE HELP

Im literally so Gay bro

THE SMOKE CLUB!!!!!!

THE NIGHTMARE TIME THEME

When she says hes not hot anymore girl speak for yoursef

Please let Grace swear

Oh fuck they’re giving themselves away

Grace Chastity said “acab”

Cory needs more songs

MAN IN A HURRY RETURNS!!!!!

Damn who is this girl in a trenchcoat 😍😍😍

GERALD OH MY GOD

Random side note but what happened to Robert? I was just thinking about how I wish we could see Hidgens again but is Robert still a part of Starkid anymore? Is he on to Bigger and Better things? Does anyone know what those are? I’d love to continue to support him.

Edit: NVM NVM I TAKE IT BACK I DO NOT WANT TO SUPPORT ROBERT MANION NO NO NO SIR

The invisible bird. Literally high school theater

“Heahs the thang about ah bahbecue”

“Ah wawna remember who ah ayum”

Ruth is so real for not know when to do the lights bc the cue lines were wrong

Ugh Laurens voice is so good and I know ive said that about pretty much everyone but it’s true

I know shes about to die rn

The red lighting gave it away

THE WAY HE LOOKS INTO CAMERA AFTER HE KILLS HER I NEED HIM SO BAD

Why did Kim scream like that

Awww Grace has religious trauma now ❤️❤️❤️

THE COPS THEME

OH MY GOD PAUL AND EMMA!!!!!!!!!

He gave her his number❤️❤️❤️

Hot chocolate boy!!!!!!!! I knew Peter was the hot chocolate boy but still

This duet is EVERYTHING

Obsessed with the fact he called MARIAH ROSE FAITH a MEAN GIRL

“Axe wielding maniacs?”

The Waylons did not dig that shit very deep…

OH FUCK THEY HAVE TO SUMMIN THE LORDS IN BLACK

I KNEW THE WAYLONS BUILT LAKESIDE MALL

im so sorry Zombie Max is So Fine

WIGGLY

THEY HAVE HUMAN FORMS??????

“Let me check my Christmas list”

“What do you want steph?” MORE tgwdlm? In MY npmd?

I feel bad for not knowing all their names

Max says bitch a lot

Damn this show is long

Omg this is so sad im tearing up a lil

Max is so fucking funny

Damn Grace is seducing Max this is hilarious

Fuck Grace Chastity or kill some nerds? One of the many difficult decisions in life

He decides to fuck Grace Chastity

OH MY GOD THATS SO SMART

Thats some fuckin Macbeth level shit

Kims teacher character is so cute awwwww

Paul and Bill dance Chaperones??????

Oh nvm that’s Jason

I don’t think I ever mentioned it but the dancing is really good

It’s very clean and crisp

In the last 2 hours I very quickly developed a massive crush on Will Branner

OH FUCK

WHATS GOING ON

WHAT

#also idk how to spell most of their names #so forgive me #nerdy prudes must die #peter spankoffski #starkid #max jagerman #npmd spoilers #nerdy prudes spoilers

[hey-haven]

Hot take, not a serious one but still. I see Vil as more like a stubborn yet caring older sibling to Epel than any kind of parental figure. Idk how to describe it other than Lilo and Nani. Like similar dynamic, different fonts. Some sense of caregiving is there but ultimately it’s more like a sibling dynamic.

#idk I think it’s weird how people treat Vil like an adult #I mean like ADULT adult when he’s still only 18 and in high school #idk this isn’t a serious post so I won’t go into it #haven rambles #twisted wonderland #twst #epel felmier #vil schoenheit

[kyojurismo]

i really don't know how to format this..

tag: 1k celebration(congrats :D🎉🎉)

character: shinazugawa sanemi

prompt: 25. back hugs

(this is how to request it right....?😭)

🪼 1K CELEBRATION EVENT

— sanemi shinazugawa x gn!reader

— soft, sanemi is super sweet in this alright, not proofread as always we die like tanjiro’s family ( 😳 ) .

— hi nani !! thank you for sending this in. i like writing for sanemi ^_^ i hope you’ll like it <3

you were preparing a bento for sanemi, you cooked all his favourite food. you knew he was usually pretty careless about his health and all, so you wanted to make sure he would have a proper meal before reaching the village he was assigned to.

suddenly you felt two strong arms circle your body and pulling you into a hug, as sanemi rested his head on your shoulder. “oi,” his gruff voice filled your ears, making you shiver.

your back rested against his warm torso, sanemi kissed your neck as his hands caressed your hips slowly.

“i’m almost done,” you said, pointing at the bento in front of you. “hm, i don’t care about the food now,” he murmured and kept holding you close to his body. “well, you should. if you don’t eat i’ll stab you,” you threatened in a serious tone. sanemi chuckled and playfully bit your shoulder. “gonna stab me, huh?”

“i won’t kiss you goodbye if you don’t promise to take care of yourself,” you then added, trying to make a point. sanemi pouted and snuggled even closer to you, his scarred arms closing more tightly around you as if he was scared you would run away any moment.

“you would never,” he muttered, hoping he was right. he knew how much you actually cared about him, so it wouldn’t be much impossible. “try me, shinazugawa,” you held back a giggle as you felt him tense up.

“you’re so hot while you take care of me, y’know?” he changed subject and made you turn around, not letting you go. “don’t do it,” you rolled your eyes before looking at his face. “i just want you to take care, it’s not so hard,” you spoke in a softer tone, cupping his cheeks.

“alright, now kiss me,” he grabbed your chin gently and leaned over to kiss your lips, making you roll your eyes again before you gave into the kiss. you circled his neck with your arms and held him there for a couple of moments, knowing that you would miss him a lot.

— thank you so much for taking your time to read my work. have a good day / night and remember that you are loved !! ♡

🪼 CHECK THE MASTERPOST OF THE EVENT

#🪼 — 1k celebration !! #📂 — writing !! #sanemi shinazugawa x reader #sanemi shinazugawa x you #sanemi shinazugawa x y/n #sanemi shinazugawa blurb #sanemi shinazugawa drabble #sanemi shinazugawa imagine #kny sanemi #kimetsu no yaiba #kimetsu no yaiba fanfic #demon slayer #demon slayer fanfic

[torahoes]

(IDOLiSH7) FIRE - ZOOL [English Translation]

Link to my Twitter post with the color-coded lyrics

EDIT: The official lyrics are out so I've corrected and updated some parts of the lyrics and my translation accordingly. (01/02/24)

Lyrics:

Woah... woah...

Woah... woah...

ONE STEP 踏み込む一歩先

ONE STEP fumikomu ippo saki

ONE STEP, taking a step forward

足宛くほどに鈍く光った

Mogaku hodo ni nibuku hikatta

The more I struggled, the dimmer it glowed

TOO HOT 煮えたぎるような言葉 音に乗せて

TOO HOT nietagiru you na kotoba oto ni nosete

T0O HOT, words as if they’re boiling over, carried on by the sound

願いは SLEEPLESS 研ぎ澄ませたまま

Negai wa SLEEPLESS togisumaseta mama

My desire is SLEEPLESS, still sharp as ever

深く胸に突き刺す誓いは

Fukaku mune ni tsukisasu chikai wa

The vow piercing deep into my chest is,

FOR DREAM 誰のためじゃない

FOR DREAMS dare no tame janai

FOR DREAMS, not for anyone else

空に轟かす SHOUT OUT 激情

Sora ni todorokasu SHOUT OUT gekijou

It roars in the sky, SHOUT OUT your fury

淀む EYES が映し出す閃光へ

Yodomu EYES ga utsushi dasu senkou e

Towards the flash reflected in the faltering EYES

共に向かえば奮い立つ前哨戦

Tomo ni mukaeba furui tatsu zenshousen

If we face it together, it’s an exhilarating prelude

故に当然隙なんて無いぜ

Yue ni touzen suki nante nai ze

So, naturally, there are no openings

おざなりな言葉は必要無い

Ozanari na kotoba wa iranai

I don’t need any half-hearted words

I WANNA BREAK THE BARREN GAME

SOMEBODY ELSE のヤワな匙じゃ測れやしないスケール SCALE

SOMEBODY ELSE no yawa na saji ja hakare yashinai SCALE

SOMEBODY ELSE's feeble spoon can't measure the SCALE

答えは無くとも JUST KEEP TRYING

Kotae wa naku tomo JUST KEEP TRYING

Even if there's no answer, JUST KEEP TRYING

千切れた  (WAKE UP!)

Chigireta (WAKE UP!)

With a torn heart, (WAKE UP!)

心で叫べ (SHOUT OUT!)

Kokoro de sakebe (SHOUT OUT!)

Shout out loud (SHOUT OUT!)

溢れて抑えた感情さえ

Afurete osaeta kanjou sae

Even the overflowing emotions that were suppressed

全て混ぜ込んで

Subete maze konde

Mix them all together

撃ち抜こう (BREAK DOWN!)

Uchinukou (BREAK DOWN!)

Let's shoot through (BREAK DOWN!)

未完成の FUTURE (BRING OUT!)

Mikansei no FUTURE (BRING OUT!)

The incomplete FUTURE (BRING OUT!)

掴み取れ シケた心に

Tsukami tore shiketa kokoro ni

Seize it, and within that weary heart

この手で火を灯して

Kono te de hi wo tomoshite

Ignite the fire with these hands

Oi! Oi!

火を灯して

Hi wo tomoshite

Ignite the fire

Oi! Oi!

決して奪わせはしない PLACE

Kesshite ubawase wa shinai PLACE

I'll never let this PLACE be taken away

Oi! Oi!

Oi! Oi!

至って普通じゃないかもな

Itatte futsuu janai kamo na

It may not be completely normal,

綺麗事じゃ上手く笑えない

Kirei goto ja umaku waraenai

Empty words alone can't make me smile easily

そうさ 歪なピースが重なり合うだけ

Sou sa ibitsu na PIECE ga kasanari au dake

That's right, the warped PIECES just keep piling up

BY MYSELF きっと満たされるほどに

BY MYSELF kitto mita sareru hodo ni

BY MYSELF, surely, the more I feel satisfied,

やけに虚しくなっていくのは

Yake ni munashiku natte iku no wa

The reason I feel even emptier is

まだ進みたがってる

Mada susumita gatte iru

Because my heart that still wants to move forward

俺の心が乾いていくから

Ore no kokoro ga kawaite iku kara

Is gradually drying up

手に寄せるなら今すぐ CALLIN'

Te ni yoseru nara ima sugu CALLIN'

If you can get a hold of it, it's CALLIN' right now

24/7幅利かす裏通り

24/7 haba kikasu uradoori

24/7, dominating the backstreets

敵持てぬまま錆び付くな刀身

Teki motenu mama sabitsuku na toushin

Don't let the blade rust without facing any enemies

淀む EYES が映し出す閃光へ

Yodomu EYES ga utsushi dasu senkou e

Towards the flash reflected in the faltering EYES

共に向かえば奮い立つ前哨戦

Tomo ni mukaeba furui tatsu zenshousen

If we face it together, it’s an exhilarating prelude

故に当然譲る気は毛頭無え

Yue ni touzen yuzuru ki wa moutou nee

So, naturally, I have no intention of yielding in the slightest

縋るものなど何も無くても

Sugaru mono nado nani mo nakute mo

Even without anything to cling on to

誰にも (WAKE UP!)

Dare ni mo (WAKE UP!)

No matter who it is (WAKE UP!)

邪魔はさせないさ (SHOUT OUT!)

Jama wa sasenai sa (SHOUT OUT!)

I won’t let anyone interfere (SHOUT OUT!)

不確かな世界に呑まれたって

Futashika na sekai ni nomare tatte

Even if you’re swallowed by an uncertain world

現実を生き 抜くなら

Ima wo ikinuku nara

If you want to live in the reality

断ち切ろう (BREAK DOWN!)

Tachikirou (BREAK DOWN!)

Let's cut it off (BREAK DOWN!)

不透明な ANSWER (BRING OUT!)

Futoumei na ANSWER (BRING OUT!)

The unclear ANSWER (BRING OUT!)

捨て切れなかった想いが

Sutekire nakatta omoi ga

The feelings that couldn't be discarded

今熱を帯びてゆく

Ima netsu wo obite yuku

Are now heating up

Woah... woah...

揺れる光がまた

Yureru hikari ga mata

The swaying light brings back

あの日の景色を連れてくる

Ano hi no keshiki wo tsurete kuru

The scenery of that day once again

(重ねていく)

(Kasanate yuku)

(One after the other)

いつか いつの日にか

Itsuka itsu no hi ni ka

Dreaming of the day that I reach

届く日を夢見て

Todoku hi wo yume mite

At some point, someday

千切れた (WAKE UP!)

Chigireta (WAKE UP!)

With a torn heart, (WAKE UP!)

心で叫べ (SHOUT OUT!)

Kokoro de sakebe (SHOUT OUT!)

Shout out loud (SHOUT OUT!)

溢れて抑えた感情さえ

Afurete osaeta kanjou sae

Even the overflowing emotions that were suppressed

全て混ぜ込んで

Subete maze konde

Mix them all together

撃ち抜こう (BREAK DOWN!)

Uchinukou (BREAK DOWN!)

Let's shoot through (BREAK DOWN!)

未完成の FUTURE (BRING OUT!)

Mikansei no FUTURE (BRING OUT!)

The incomplete FUTURE (BRING OUT!)

掴み取れしけた心に

Tsukami tore shiketa kokoro ni

Seize it, and within that weary heart

この手で火を灯して

Kono te de hi wo tomoshite

Ignite the fire with these hands

Woah... woah...

傷だらけでも胸を焦がして

Kizu darake demo mune wo kogashite

No matter if it’s covered in scars, let your heart burn

Woah... woah...

#idolish7 #idolish7 translation #zool #ainana #i7 #id7 #haruka isumi #touma inumaru #minami natsume #torao mido

[dear-mrs-otome]

Jude Jazza - Fake Lovers Event + Sweet End

(AKA Villainous Love That Unfolds on a Moonless Night but fuck that title it's too long)

I make no guarantees on accuracy. I make no guarantees on seriousness. This is, on multiple occasions, a shitpost in summary form - but I hope you enjoy it anyways.

~~~~~~~~

Our story opens on Kate - her lips hot, her heart pounding - telling Jude that she never wants to be the ‘lover’ of someone like him, ever again.

Jude thanks her sarcastically, before telling her it should have been him turning down someone like her to begin with…and Kate’s in total disbelief, wtf is wrong with me style, at the fact that his cruel smile is kinda doing it for her right now.

Absolutely fucking not, she’s telling herself. IX-NAY, FULL STOP, BAD OVARIES DOWN GIRL.

~~~Rewinddddd~~~

After she’d become the fairy tale writer, Victor had come up with an idea to help Kate get to know the boyos better, her first task. To pick one of the members of the Crown and spend the day as their ‘lover’. She’s like, nani the fuck?? How am I supposed to pick someone for that? But Victor’s clearly evil accounted for this, because he’s got the solution - if she can’t decide, he’ll decide for her. With DARTS.

Already prepared for this, Victor hucks a dart at a target and then immediately turns to her all soberfaced and apologizing. Not feeling that apologetic though because the next moment he’s smiling as he says she might be in for a bumpy road. He leads her to the lounge and goes right up to JUDE, of all people, which has Kate utterly dismayed. He literally managed to pick the WORST person possible, didn’t he?!

Jude is far from pleased at being interrupted, looking up from his paper with bitchface as Victor explains his proposal, and his answer is clear. A flat nope.

Just because she’s a woman, he’s supposed to have her pose as his lover? He doesn’t think she’s got the stomach for it in the first place.

Victor cheerfully tells him he’ll bump up how much money Jude’s getting next month, and Jude’s still far from pleased at the idea but money clearly talks, and with a patented-Jude ‘tch’ and a sneer he turns to Kate. 

Jude: Once we’re outta here, I don’t wanna hear whining anythin’ like ‘I wanna go back’ or ‘I hate this’ or whatever. Promise that and we’re on.

She’s thinking fine fine, she’s come this far already may as well give it a go. She’s gotta take this first task and do it well  so that she can be trusted as a fairytale writer and get out of this castle.

Kate: Yes! I promise!

Jude lets out a sigh like he can’t believe she just said that so enthusiastically, and Roger chimes in looking totally gobsmacked. He warns her that she’s just earned herself a rough go of it, making a promise to Jude - Jude’s deadly serious about keeping promises he’s made, but he expects the same of anyone else, and he’ll exact cruel ruthless revenge on anyone who breaks their word. 

Kate’s all kinds of nervous hearing that now, and when she echoes it she glances over to find Jude with a cruel smile on his face, as if enjoying her fear.

Jude: Don't make promises so easily, Princess. I’m gonna spend the rest of the day teachin' you that.

~~~~~~~~

It takes her only a few minutes to regret her life choices, wishing for nothing more than to go back home already.

Jude and Ellis had told her they were going to work, so she tagged along with them, and it had taken only a brief while before Jude had ducked into an alley off the road and there been accosted by a man with a knife. He jumps out, yelling about how he can’t forgive (a thoroughly unimpressed) Jude for wanting to make the man lose his mansion, his property, everything he has. No matter how much he works he’ll never pay off his debts, the man shouts. His family will be ruined! It’s ALL Jude’s fault!

Jude merely says Ellis’ name, and in a blink Ellis has the man pinned to the ground, disarmed.

Leaving Kate shocked by how fast he moved and how deftly he handled that. 

Jude reminds the man it was HE who broke his contract - if he wants to starve to death paying for a lawsuit he can’t win, go right on ahead. Tossing those words at him all casually as he simply walks by, leaving the man wailing on the ground. 

The dude seems pretty defeated, so Ellis lets go of him and gets up to follow Jude…but Kate is conflicted. Obviously she doesn’t have any clue what sort of deal the guy had with Jude, or how he broke it, but he seems pretty busted up and too pathetic to just leave him lying there in the dirt like this. Feeling bad, she takes out her handkerchief and hands it to the man - but all that ends up doing is enraging him, feeling like he’s being pitied by a girl like her. 

He grabs her leg rather than the kerchief, causing her to squeal and tell the man to let go of her, but he shouts at her for mouthing off to him. 

Just as she’s frozen in fear…a well-polished shoe smashes the man’s face. 

Jude: Don’t just touch something of mine.

Kate’s aghast as she follows the leg attached to the heel still grinding into the man’s face and finds Jude standing there, looking down at the dude and looking pissed. The man manages a few grunts, but that just causes Jude to grin and say how much he’s relishing the man’s miserable expression. Laughing at the sight of the blood running from the agonized man’s nose before turning away.

Kate forces herself to follow Jude, leaving the broken man behind, but she still carefully leaves her handkerchief beside him before she goes.

~~~~~~~~

Though the method might leave something to be desired, she’s gotta admit to herself that Jude protected her, and so she thanks him when they get back out to the street. But Jude just scoffs that she’s a sheltered princess, and tells her he didn’t do it for her. It’s because right now she’s supposed to to be ‘his woman’, and if he lets someone doing something to her slide to her it’ll only cause problems for him - AKA he’s gotta keep up appearances.

She thinks to herself that she’d rather he just accepted her thanks, since he did help her, but she gets why he was so vicious about it at least. And she broaches the subject of the guy, asking what the deal was with him, but all Jude says on the matter is that the guy made promises he couldn’t keep, and now he’s paying for them. 

Jude: Pretty sad, pathetic, and hilarious, innit?

She’s trying to figure out how Jude’s so chill about a dude hating him enough to want to kill him - actually, scratch calm, he looks almost like he’s enjoying the whole thing. Like he’s having fun. And she thinks back to the write-up she’d seen on Jude:

‘Curse: The 13th Fairy. Ruthless, arrogant, and vindictive.’

Sounds spot on, she’s thinking. 

Jude reminds her to watch herself, lest she end up like that dude, because he knows she was just thinking how she wanted to go back home and how she hated all this. (AKA about to break her promise too)

Kate: I might have thought it, but I didn’t SAY it.

Jude: A shame. I went into that alley and put you in danger and everythin'.

Cue Kate like…whaaa? She asks incredulously if he's saying he tried to get her attacked on purpose to make her break her promise?!?

Jude smirks and implies she managed to guess right, which only enrages Kate.

Kate: You’re the worst!

Jude (100% unrepentant and grinning): Why thank you. I’m lookin' forward to finding out just 'ow long that sassy attitude of yours lasts.

~~~~~~~~

She’d assumed saying they were going to work meant an office or something, but instead they bring her to the dockyards. Makes sense though she guesses, when you own a trading company. 

Jude sends Ellis off to prepare for some unspecified ‘thing’ that might happen tonight, and Ellis seems to get what he’s alluding to, bidding Kate a cheerful farewell and leaving her wondering just what they’re talking about and where Ellis is going. Pondering that she follows along after Jude as he moves about the dockyards, giving instructions here and there. He speaks with dock workers and the foreman and she finds herself a seat between crates to watch him as he does. Taking in the way everyone looks at him with a mixture of fear, nervousness, and sometimes hostility - tempered with respect.

He finishes up the conversation, and a friendly young man comes rushing up to Jude, who pulls a face at how loud the man, Jack, is. Jack is delighted that Jude remembers his name, and Kate’s a little surprised to see that someone out there is a Jude fan. 

That’s about when Jack notices her there, and asks who she is.

Jude: Oh, my woman.

Jack’s about to losing his mind over this revelation - holy what?? Bossman’s girlfriend?? And he’s practically shouting, so loud that Kate’s cringing as a sea of eyes turn her way. It freaks her out and she wonders if it’s all in her imagination that she feels like people are all jinxing her.

Jude scowls and says what of it? What if he does have a girlfriend? Jack’s left trying to make excuses and apologize for making a spectacle, until Jude just long-suffering sighs and tells him to get back to work

Felling hella uncomfortable, Kate’s scrunching herself down between the crates and such trying to stay out of sight as much as possible, when she senses Jude’s amusement and looks up.

Jude: Yeah, good, stay small like that. There’s plenty of people who’d kill you just for bein’ my woman.

She asks if he’s meaning to say she might be attacked again like she was before, getting nervous all over again remembering that guy who’d grabbed her leg.

Jude asks if she’s scared, and she starts to say OF COURSE but she stops herself, trying to decide if he’d consider it a complaint if she did. (AKA a violation of her promise)

He snorts at that and steps closer and says of course she’d be terrified - a sheltered, defenseless princess like her? It’ll be a miracle for her to make it home unscathed after all the things that’ll happen to her. 

Only when he finishes does she realize he’s backed her up against the crates, with nowhere else to run - a fact he gleefully points out. He wraps his fingers around her throat and squeezes, not enough to hurt or cut her air off, but tight enough to make her blood run cold. 

Kate: Sto-!

She keeps herself from finishing that too, not willing to tell him to stop and risk breaking her promise. But being unable to resist like that only amps up her fear more.

Jude: If I put just a bit more strength into this hand, you’re never going back to the castle. Alright?

Kate’s thinking NO ACTUALLY THIS IS FAR FROM OKAY?! But she can’t protest so she does the next best thing - glares at him furiously.

Jude lets out a little laugh and says he likes that face, it’s the cutest thing he’s seen all day. He almost feels bad for her, because she clearly wants to go home but can’t say it. If she breaks her promise, he’ll do terrible things to her, no?

He seems amused, clearly seeing right through her fears and conflict, and she wonders if THIS is what he meant when he’d threatened to show her that she shouldn't make promises so easily. But that’s just what she does.

Pissed off now, Kate finds her voice, and furiously she tells him it’s not because she’s afraid of his vengeance that she doesn’t protest. It’s simply because she doesn’t want to give up on earning their trust and earning her freedom.

Jude looks taken aback, as she finishes by telling him that’s why she will keep the promise she made to him.

He clicks his tongue and lets go of her, and the sudden rush of blood to her head makes her dizzy. She staggers and starts to fall, but he grabs her by the upper arm and hauls her roughly back to steady on her feet.

Jude: Can’t have my woman just falling down can I?

She’s fuming to herself about how he’s still quite literally The Worst, when he tells her he’s going to be taking care of some business so she’s on her own for awhile here, and with that he just unceremoniously leaves. And stays gone, for hours…long enough for Kate to be left wishing for home once more as she’s freezing her ass off once night begins to fall. 

The young man from earlier, Jack, approaches her, and she recognizes him. Jack tells her that Jude’s sent for her, and she’s fuming internally at him leaving her along for friggin ever and then summoning her whenever he damn well feels like it…but she forces herself to smile and accepts Jack’s offer to take her to him.

He takes her through the streets to a business warehouse, and inside she sees an unfamiliar man dressed in black with a bowler hat on, and guards surrounding him. 

Bowler Hat Man: Are you Jude Jazza’s girl?

A wary Kate tries to back out, but she’s grabbed by Jack. Appalled, she asks Jack if he’s stabbing Jude in the back, but Jack tells her it’s not betrayal - it was just contracted work, and he’s found a better-paying job. Who wouldn’t take it?

Jack hands her over to the Bowler Hat Man, who evil chuckles over how he figured Kate would make a worthwhile hostage so he’d had her brought in - that man bringing a woman along is something that never happens. Kate asks if by ‘that man’ he means Jude, and the Bowler Hat Man agrees. He tells her how Jude killed a dude who tried sending a woman to seduce Jude for his own gain, and that Jude seems to surprisingly give a shit about ladies. 

Kate’s like uhhh are you sure you’ve got the right person here?? This amuses the Bowler Hat Man a ton, but he says basically that Jude’s got some dirt on him, and he’s going to leverage Kate’s safety in exchange for negotiating.

She asks what’ll happen if Jude refuses, and the Bowler Hat Man simply says too bad so sad, that’ll mean she dies. THAT scares the shit out of her, because she knows there’s no freaking way Jude’s going to negotiate for her. She’s gonna have to figure out how to somehow get out of this all on her own.

Kate tries to tell the guy that she just tagged along with Jude to work today, but Bowler Hat says nah girl you were spotted getting all flirty at the docks today.

Kate: Did that seriously look like we were flirting? He was strangling me!?

Bowler Hat Man says hey, some people are into that kinda thing, and Kate’s about ready to choke at that.  She starts vehemently protesting that she really truly doesn’t have anything to do with that man (Jude), this is all just a huge misunderstanding!

Jude’s voice: What a terrible thing to say about your lover…I’m wounded.

She turns around at the sound of his voice and the thump of something heavy falling to the ground, and sees Jude there walking in past an unconscious guard, tossing out a snarky greeting and an apology for interrupting.

SWEET END

The man in the bowler hat recognizes Jude, and he grabs Kate, wrapping an arm around her tightly and pressing something up against her forehead that she realizes, to her horror, is a pistol.

Jude: Ha, that’s a great look, Kate.

She’s bracing herself for the inevitable moment where Jude says she’s not his lover and he refuses to negotiate, at which point…she’ll be killed. Just the thought has her shaking like a leaf with fear - and Jude seems to be genuinely enjoying the sight of her in terror as he laughs and says how much he likes the frightened look in her eyes. 

He asks if she wants his help, and she’s thinking NO SHIT ISN’T THAT OBVIOUS?

She’s nodding YES desperately, only to be left more and more of a nervous wreck as Jude strings her along, until the Bowler Hat Man is like, so much for a sweet reunion between lovers?

Jude’s a little disappointed he’s got to stop enjoying the sight of Kate in distress and pay attention to the man, but he switches his focus from her to Bowler Hat and states that it seems the guy is using Jude’s warehouse for business other than they’d agreed on. Jude doesn’t give a shit if he wants to use it to sell guns or whatever other nastiness - BUT. They had a contract that specifically said no buying or selling of PEOPLE didn’t they?

Kate’s thinking, holy crap they’re trading in people?

Bowler Hat wants Jude to overlook all that though - after all, he says, even poor people can fetch a good price when sold. It’ll line Jude’s pockets and help clean the filth from London’s shithole excuse for a port.

Jude’s just silent at that, and the guy keeps wheedling - Jude loves other people’s misery, and money, so of course he’d let something like this slide, right?? If Jude agrees to it, he’ll give Kate back unharmed.

She’s summing this all up in her head, that obviously what’s going on here is the guy broke his contract with Jude to use a warehouse he’d rented from him to engage in human trafficking. And now he’s trying to threaten Jude into letting it continue.

The whole thing makes her sick to her stomach, and while she doesn’t WANT to die she can’t wrap her head around sparing herself at the expense of ignoring the awful shit this guy’s up to. 

She could never, ever, do such a horrible thing.

So, biting her lip to hold back her fear, she looks squarely at Jude and puts all her effort into keeping her voice from trembling when she speaks. 

Kate: Jude…that nod earlier? I take it back.

He startles at that before he answers.

Jude: You’re seriously hopeless, you know that?

But her heart skips a beat at the smile he’s wearing when he says it - pitying and dumbfounded, but somehow still gentle. She’s honestly having a hard time believing what she’s seeing.

Slightly warm fuzzy moment all gone though when the smile falls from his face and he says he doesn’t need to be told what to do by her, so quiet down. His eyes are cold when he turns back to Bowler Hat and says there’s a few things the man seems to have misunderstood about him that he’s going to clear up. 

First - that Jude loves other people’s misery and money. What he loves is eating the rich, basically. He loves the despair when the high and mighty, like Bowler Hat, fall from their comfy lap of luxury. 

Bowler Hat has only a moment to be like, wtf? Before the air in the warehouse is torn apart by gunshots and screams, as the guards surrounding Bowler Hat all collapse. He’s so dumbfounded that Jude easily darts in and takes advantage of the distraction to twist his gun arm back. 

Secondly, Jude tells him, is that no matter what kind of leverage someone tries to use against him he’ll never let anyone get away with breaking a contract.

Jude: Third…

He rips Kate away from the man and into his own arms on a sneer.

Jude: Whatever my answer is, I’m gonna be sure to get her back without a scratch.

He drives a knee hard into Bowler Hat’s stomach at that, and the man falls over on the spot. Kate’s still trying to catch up to the fact that Jude’s helped her again…and trying to tell her pounding heart to chill out. It’s most definitely NOT racing over Jude saving her bacon, or because he’s holding her. Absolutely not. Clearly it’s just because she’s scared.

Clearly.

She knows she’s telling herself lies nobody would believe, and in the meantime Jude aims the pistol he stole from Bowler Hat at him and tells him not to worry - he’s not going to turn him over to the police. In return for that, he just asks the man to be the subject for some dangerous research. Jude takes perverse delight in the idea of Bowler Hat experiencing the ‘joys’ of physical labor for the first time.

When the agonized man finally passes out, Jude calls out for Ellis to carry the guy off, and Ellis materializes out of the shadows with his own gun in hand. He observes on a smile that Jude seems pretty pleased right now, which only leads Jude to pull a face and tell Ellis to go get his eyes checked if that’s what he sees, after dropping this dude off at the lab.

Ellis seems a little disappointed, but he does as asked and disappears with Bowler Hat.

Kate asks if the man is going to be killed, and Jude tells her that he accepted this mission on the condition that if he could destroy the human trafficking ring, he alone got to decide whether the target lived or died.

Jude: I don’t see why I should let condescending bastards, living comfy and cushy lives while they exploit others, get off with something as easy as dying. It’s the way of the world that what goes around comes around, and it wouldn’t be fair for them to die before suffering through the same hell, right?

Kate’s still reeling from the revelation that this was all a mission though, and says as much aloud. Jude grimaces at her screeching and says what the heck else would it be?

Kate: So you didn’t come to my rescue because I was kidnapped by accident…

Jude tells her he knew they’d try anything to get him to negotiate with them, so she’d make a natural target if she was seen out and about with him. Kate’s like, wait you KNEW THAT and you left me alone?!

They devolve into arguing, Jude exasperated that she’s gotta pester him with so many obvious questions and Kate still furious that hello?? She might have been KILLED?!

Jude, scoffing: I’d never do anything to get my bait killed.

Kate’s just seeing red over having been used as bait, and she tells Jude, once again, that he is The Worst. Jude’s practically rolling his eyes as he tells her she already used that line earlier, doesn’t she have any new ones? Lighting up a smoke, he walks out of the warehouse - pausing on the way to land a hard parting kick on Jack, who is lying on the ground with the rest of the defeated guards.

~~~~~~~~

Back out at the docks, Kate questions Jude as to the nature of this ‘dangerous research’ he’s going to use that man as a subject for, but he tells her it’ll never have anything to do with her. 

If it’s so dangerous, it seems like it might have serious and permanent effects, and she’s wondering whether Bowler Hat will come seeking revenge on Jude if he survives it. Also remembering with a shudder the hatred in the man’s eyes who threatened Jude with a knife in the alley. She could never stomach living with people constantly hating you and wanting to see you dead.

Kate: The more you torment people, the more they'll just hate you…why do you have to torture them?

Jude just smirks and tells her it’s the price of a delightful hobby, and she asks if it’s really fun enough to risk his life over. He stops at that and turns back towards her, causing Kate to almost crash into him, leaving them almost nose to nose. 

Jude: Can I torment you until you hate me so much you wanna kill me, just to be sure?

Only for him to immediately break out laughing when Kate gasps, and say he’s just fucking with her. Quite pleased with himself at having her at a loss.

He tells her that a sheltered princess would never get it, and she thinks that she doesn’t understand and she doesn’t WANT to understand. 

This man’s a cold-hearted, arrogant, ruthless sadist…but…when he put her in danger today, it was Jude who freed her and kept her safe. If he’d really made that promise to her with ill intent, she’d not have made it through the day unscathed. 

That moment where Jude had promised to spend the day showing her the folly of making promises so lightly comes back to mind again…and she realizes he’d done exactly what he’d said he would and taught her the rules of this dark world she’s stepped into. Maybe because he knows the importance of a promise. 

That doesn’t make showing appreciation any easier to swallow though, leaving her to force herself to thank him for today. 

Jude asks what’s with the surly attitude saying it, would it kill her to smile more? Aaaand Kate’s back to exasperated with this man, but she tells him she learned a lot about the dangers of making promises and that she’ll be more careful next time, all on a smile this time.

Jude snarkily praises that…then grabs her chin with a cold smile, setting her flailing and asking what he’s doing.

Jude: You’ve done a good job of keeping your agreement with Victor and your promise to me…but I saved your life two times today. You owe me twice.

Kate’s in disbelief, even as ruthless amethyst eyes glint at her bewitchingly. Like a cunning predator, toying with its prey. Then Jude smirks and wonders aloud…what exactly should he get in return for saving his ‘sweetheart’?

FIN

(The little scene we get at the start of the story is from the epilogue)

~~~~~~~~

<< Bitter End | Epilogue >> (TBC)

~~~~~~~~

@violettduchess @just-simping-over-genshin

#ikemen villains #ikevil #ikevil jude #spoiler #spoilers #ikemen villains spoilers #ikevil spoilers #mrs o's translations of dubious quality

[awigglycultist]

NPMD thoughts

Omg Richie's screams

Poor Richie my beloved

He's dead <3

Oh wait Ruth's headgear is missing in this song

Grace covering her mouth!

STEPH! PETE! <3

WHAT A START

Sycamore! We really need to know more about them

Rip Peter

I love the running in Literal Monster

Out first Max saying Bitch incident!

Get him up! Get this fucker up!!

I love being able to properly see everyone's facial expressions

I hate Solomon so much

Steph is very stupid for putting her hand above her phone as it's about to me smashed but also I'd probably do the same

"this projects on thermodynamics, what the fuck are you talking about?"

I literally love Ruth's, Pete's and Richie's friendship so much

"What was I like when she touched your arm? Did you cum!?"

"Pete silence your phone in the library!" you guys have been screaming this whole time but ok

NANI?

Ugh Pete you are cooler than you think you are!

Love Max finishing the "woah oh oh oh"

"Had to sell your bowtie to feed your fuckin family?"

Omg Pete's breathing and whining while Max is monologuing <3

"now say your fucking prayers bitch!" "-amen!" is still such a good transition

"mom will you pass the buttstuff?" "I just want some head and butter" "bread and buttstuff" still get me

"I love... Jesus <3 :)"

Dirty Girl should not be so good

"WHO ON OCCASION GETS DIRTY!"

Me trying to watch this and imagine watching with my dad to figure out the appropriateness and if gonna have to skip past parts

Ugh Pete <3

Ugh Steph caring about Pete so much despite knowing him for one day <3

Hatchettown notfi!

#pottypants let's get it trending

IT'S BULLY THE BULLY TIME!!!

Love hoe you can see Steph slowly getting into it

Beans cool? Excellent!

Pete's and Richie's finger fun moment!

"who was that?" "my boyfriend!" "sounded like a telemarketer" "okay my ex boyfriend"

Love the screams after "you kinda look like that homeless man from downtown"

"fucking useless Pete!"

"no he thinks the ghost is real he's just really fucking brave"

"I am Jägerman! I am God! Go Nighthawks!"

Skele'on

The little bit of info that Max's dad would call him a cuck and the fact that his bullying likely comes from a lot more trauma with his dad

It's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for him :(

Rip the glow in the dark skeleton costume

"this is Hatchetfield, people go missing everyday!"

Love Kyle and Brenda, what a supportive couple

"this is really your C+" "oh, Steph, you can keep it :)"

"with consent of cour cause we care!"

FUCK YOU CLIVESDALE!!!

Zeke the fighting Nighthawk like Ezekiel from Perky's Buds! Did Ekekiel name himself after Hatchetfield's mascot?

Love the audience cheering after "fuck Clivesdale fuck em straight to hell!"

Richie struggling with costume is so good

"I love being alive!"

God the costume and makeup up close! So good!!!

Smoke club!

Richie's fall is so good!!!

Jon's singing is seriously so good in npmd

And god Will is incredible

Yup Mark & Karen were just so wild at 18

"you don't say, you don't say. I'm be down there in a jiffy" "what'd they did dad?" "they didn't say"

Jeff voice over cameo!

Davis!

Love that Grace calls the cops pigs

Davis and Virginia!

Ziggy! Barry! Charlie!

Bryce's solo <3

Gerlad!

Love the cameos so much (but also rip Jerry, least it's preserved in the album

The bbq monologues bit is so stupid and so good and funny

Me Barbecue!

I love Trevor I hope we see him again

"I'm my dreams, it's my barbecue!"

Just For Once is so silly and so emotional love it it's underrated

"it fucking worked I'm fucking here he's fucking her!"

Lauren is so good!!

"take a bow, bitch"

"Every citizen of Clivesdale is guilty until proven innocent"

Shapiro saying she found the wwjd bracelet in the principal's office really got me the first time

"it's God plan! And now he's leaving me out to dry! Do something you son of a bitch!"

PAUL & EMMA!!!!

The knowledge of what card Jon hands Lauren makes this scene better

"I have been waiting for what feels like 5 fucking years and I still haven't gotten my hot chocolate!"

Emma spitting in the coffee!

Rip "women shoe"

AHHH IF I LOVED YOU!!!

"Leave room for Jesus!"

"she's bisexual and dead where else would she be!"

Rip Angela's fall

"get your hands out of your pocket! Put your hands down! He's going for a gun!"

The scream!

Also the audience screaming during this entire scene from Paul's & Emma's entrance to Emma screaming, so valid and great

"don't comfort her she's fucking weird"

I hate him but we absolutely need to know more about Solomon, how do the Mayor's learn so much

The black book! The nightmare time theme!

And another reason we need to know more about Solomon, why tf did he have the black book and what did he do with it

Max's one liners are so great

"on the ground bitch I'm a cop!"

"are you a women of faith?" "catholic" "I'll take that as a no"

"there's something deeply wrong with this whole town" yeah there sure is

Pete saying he has no idea what he's doing when he checks for Shapiro's pulse is such a great way of keeping it unknown if she's alive or dead

AAAHHHH THE SUMMONING

"t'noy karaxis" particularly scratches my brain

AHHH THE LORDS IN BLACK

I am a bit sad you can't see all the dance moves at the same time and you so you can't really see them changing dances with each other but also the close ups are so cool and very fitting for the scene!

Jon putting his fingers together so it's reminiscent of the doll only having three is such a cool choice

GOD FUCKING DAMMIT JOEY RICHTER WHY DO YOUR EMOTIONAL PERFORMANCES HAVE TO BE SO GOOD

I WAS RIGHT I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR CAITIA REPRISE

They both do a great job during this and I NOT OKAY

Max's fucking beat boxing

"so you do know the bible!"

This is scene is seriously so crazy

Graces entrance afterwards with the cigarette is so great and Max's entrances afterward laying on the bench is so great

The spin!

The lighting!!!

Homecoming time!

Someone remind me to add Joey in best of you to the air guitar thread

And that's it. That's where ends :)

Grace is so crazy and I love her

#starkid #hatchetfield #npmd spoilers #npmd #nerdy prudes must die #nerdy prudes must die spoilers

[little-cereal-draws]

ok hear me out: Nimona!Lilo and Stich au

think about it

Balister is Nani, Ambrosius is David, and Nimona is simultaneously Lilo and Stitch. The aliens (Jumba, Pleakley, Captain Gantu, and the Grand Councilwoman) are the institute (the Director, Todd, and the queen maybe?)

I'm not quite sure how Nimona and Balister would have ended up together in this situation but now they're a broken family. I have a few ideas abt this but the one i like the best is the institute was doing (very unethical) experiments on infants they took from impoverished families and Nimona was one of them. The program got shut down by the queen and all the kids had to be given back. They didn't keep records of where they came from tho so they adopted them out to anyone who wanted them. Balister's family got Nimona but then their parents died. "Stitch" in this au would be the shadowy monster version of her created by the experiments. She escapes and is trying to reconnect with Nimona so they can be whole again. Nimona was too young to remember and Balister doesn't know bc it was kept super secret from the public. At the end, they rejoin and Nimona is finally her full self.

It's not quite the plot of Lilo and Stitch but it would work so well. Imagine Nimona looking a social worker in the eye with a bunch of spoons in a pickle jar and deadpanning, "My friends need to be punished." Imagine Balister going through an increasingly frustrating but hilarious montage of trying to get a job while trying (and failing) to keep track of Nimona. Imagine Ambrosius trying to support Bal anyway he can even when he knows he doesn't have to. The institute destroying their house in a game of bomb-hot-potato. Nimona getting laughed at for telling the other kids she pretends that a bug laid eggs in her doll's ear. Balister yelling "You can't take her away! I'm the only one who understands her!" And ofc this wonderful scene:

Ambrosius: Listen, I was wondering, if you're not doing anything this- Balister: Ambrosius, I told you, I can't. I- Balister: *looks at Nimona* Nimona: Balister: I got a lot to deal with right now. Ambrosius: I know. I just figured you might need some time o- Balister: Look, I gotta go. Maybe some other time ok? *leaves* Ambrosius: Nimona: Don't worry. He likes your butt and fancy hair. I know. I read his diary. Ambrosius: He thinks it's fancy?

#there are still a few bumps to work out but i think this would be so cool #everything i love gets a lilo and stich au lol #the found family of it all #i love it #nimona #balister boldheart #ambrosius goldenloin #lilo and stitch

[olivetreehugger]

IT’S HERE!!!!! Finally, goddamn this chapter took me forever to finish. I can’t tell you how many times I scrapped it and rewrote the dang thing. But it’s here, and that’s what matters.

above is a very cute screen grab of the character I’ve adopted and named Nani, who is the main character of this story. She’s so darn cute!!!! Would she not just be perfect for Bolin? I think so! Anyway, please see below for chapter two of Dispatches From Republic City!

Chapter Two: Reputation

Chapter Two: Reputation

It was early morning when Nani entered the Tea Market, her stomach growling impatiently for breakfast.

Located near the Four Nation’s Hall, the Tea Market was an outdoor bazaar/hodgepodge of food and beverage vendors. They offered everything from typical comfort meals to rare finds like pickled narwhal and sea prune paste (Water Tribe), thousand-year eggs and fish stew (Earth Nation) and boiled silkworms (Fire Nation).  The Market saw a wide range of customers; everyone from important businessmen and politicians to triad members and hobos crossed its threshold.

It was rare that Nani had free time to visit, but ever since she was fired from Mama Chen’s, she found herself coming here more often. And after having such a restless night, she was both tired and ravenous.

The delectable scent of fried duck and congee tickled her senses from a few stalls away. Nani inhaled deeply and sighed, her eyes closing with a sad nostalgia. That particular meal brought back happier memories of her childhood, when she had a roof over her head and people who cared for her.

For a moment, she wondered what life would have been like had she stayed. Maybe she wouldn’t be starving now, standing in the middle of the Tea Market with two yuans to her name, with the image of Nuktuk begging for money on the street the only thing keeping her going.

Nani opened her eyes. That familiar feeling of failure began rising in her chest, hot and prickly, but as it reached her throat, she swallowed it back down and shoved it back where it couldn’t see the light of day. There, she mentally turned the locks and ignored its pounding on the door, pretending it was never there.

Gripping her purse, the brunette made her way to the stall. She placed her order and the vendor turned to the iron pot where the meat was being fried. As she waited, Nani turned her head to look at the surrounding stalls. Almost immediately, she saw something that made her do a double take.

Two men were walking in her direction. They were speaking to each other. It didn’t take her long to recognize them both.  

One was dressed in a policeman’s uniform, black hair tidy and combed to the side, hands in his pockets. The detective from last night, she realized.

It took her a second longer to recognize the second man. He was just a bit shorter, dressed in a relaxed suit, his hair styled with gel. He was much more animated than his counterpart, arms emoting furiously as he talked.

“Something something, Mako, something something something!”

Nani’s eyes flew open as her mind flashed back a few years. Mako…as in…Mako and Bolin? The Fire Ferrets…the Bending Brothers—THAT Mako and Bolin? Oh, shit.

The pair drew closer as Nani awkwardly turned back to the vendor. She handed one yuan over in exchange for her meal. The heat of the cardboard holding the congee emanated through her fingertips and into her blood stream, warming her from the inside out.

It would’ve been nice to simply focus on the delicious food in her hands, but her mind was concentrated on the pair walking behind her.

“Are you sure about this, Bo?” The detective, Mako, asked. He sounded concerned.

“Yes, I’m sure!” His counterpart expressed. “This is gonna be huge for my career!”

Nani’s ears perked up with curiosity. She listened for their footsteps to clear and turned her head, watching their frames disappear into the crowd.

Not wanting to lose them, the brunette lunged forward, skittering across the dirty street to catch up. She held her food close to her chest, trying not to spill it all over herself as she moved. Eventually, she was close enough to eavesdrop, but hopefully far away enough to remain hidden.

“I’m not questioning your interviewing skills, bro,” Mako retorted. “But this sounds like a big deal--.”

Bolin grabbed his brother’s shoulder and exclaimed, “Uh, yeah! This is a big deal; it’s Cherry Wong!”

Nani’s hands suddenly went weak and her food slipped from her hands. Thankfully, she righted herself and caught the cardboard receptacle before a single morsel could be lost.

Did…he just say Cherry Wong?

“Exactly! This is the real deal. She’s coming out of retirement, so they’ll want some juicy information and dialogue,” Mako stated matter-of-factly. “Not some funny sound effects and jokes!”

 A gasp of disbelief left Bolin’s mouth. “How dare you say that?! I am a reporter for the people and by the people! And guess what? I’ve already got a list of questions I’m gonna ask her.”

The older sibling was quiet for a moment before a defeated sigh left his lips. “Bolin, you’re not gonna ask her if she can touch her nose with her tongue, are you?”

An embarrassed scoff, “Tssshhht, no! Of course not….unless, no, no. Heh, definitely not.”

More silence, and Nani felt the secondhand embarrassment seep into her bones as Bolin’s shoulders sagged in defeat.

The earth bender muttered, “Okay fine, I’ll cross that off my list.”

Mako patted Bolin’s back and replied, “Look, the key to any good interview is good research. I do my homework before I interview a perp, and it helps me stay on track. I suggest you do the same.”

“Huh,” Bolin responded. “I guess that’s a pretty good idea. Although touching your nose with your tongue is also pretty dang impressive, I guess it would be helpful to know more about her as a person. Well…I’ve got a few months to figure it out!”

Mediocre and stupid…Shiro really knows how to pick ’em, Nani mused.

The brunette watched the brothers walk out of the market in disbelief.  Her heart was doing somersaults in her chest and her nerves felt like they were buzzing.

When Nani was barely hitting puberty, Cherry Wong announced her sudden retirement on air, citing a severe chronic illness as the reason.

The world was not prepared for this unexpected departure, and Nani, her number one fan, was crushed. She used to pray for Miss Wong’s return, begging the spirits to listen. Maybe after all these years, they finally heard her.

With a smile on her face, Nani turned back to the market and scooped some congee into her mouth. The savory porridge combined with the fatty duck, spicy peppers and scallions instantly took her back. There she was, tucked between the other kids, the radio humming with Miss Wong’s velvety voice as she serenaded them to sleep like a surrogate mother.

The memory made her eyes burn, but she told herself it was the peppers. The news of Cherry Wong coming back to Republic City was incredibly stimulating, but knowing that Mr. Hot-Shot-Radio-Host would get an opportunity to not only meet her, but interview her….well, Nani couldn’t blame the hot feeling in her face on the peppers anymore.

Hastily, she finished her meal and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. She looked over at the horizon, where the antennas of the radio station were just barely visible.

A few months, huh?  She mused internally, a grin forming on her face. I better start preparing.

___000___

The clouds had made their departure from the bright blue sky as Nani paced behind the radio station. She’d been practicing her introduction for several minutes now, and was growing frustrated.

Now, Nani was a damn good liar. It was a skill sharpened by years of living off the street, deceiving and swindling for a loaf of bread or a place to sleep. It was just something she had to do to survive—this was no different.

That audition could have transformed her life if she had been give the chance, but Bolin took that away from her so he could tell cheesy jokes into a microphone. He already had everything he needed in life. Why couldn’t he just go back to pro-bending? Why couldn’t he continue starring in those stupid movers? What did he get from this?

Prior to this morning, Nani didn’t plan on doing anything drastic. She figured she’d “bump” into him outside the station, pluck his wallet in the confusion, and go about her day. It would’ve ruined his week, but it wouldn’t have caused any significant damage to either of their lives.

But it was deeply personal now. Bolin was going to work with her all time hero, and he was likely going to fuck it up. He didn’t need her help to do so, that’s for sure. However, this was likely her only opportunity to meet the woman she’d looked up to her whole life, and she wasn’t going to pass it up.

If she could only figure out a convincing cover story to get her inside.

“Hello, my name is Tanana, I work with the Tribune—” No…

“Hi, I’m Tanana, I’m president of the Cherry Wong fan club—” No, no, coming off too strong…

“My name’s Tanana, I just finished secretary school—” Who are you trying to fool? You can’t even type!

She groaned in defeat, leaning her head against the brick wall next to her.

“Fuck….I can’t believe this is my life,” she murmured to herself.

“You said it, sweets,” a female voice replied dryly.

Startled, Nani twisted her head back to see a woman standing outside the back door.

She was beautiful, her bronze complexion complimented by her piercing blue eyes and long, wavy black hair. She wore feather earrings and a long lilac coat. Between her two fingers was a lit cigarette, its end burning a deep rust color.

Nani blanched. How long had she been standing there?

The stranger took a drag and laughed, the air whistling through the gap between her front teeth.

“I know that feeling. You look like you could use a smoke,” the woman said, offering Nani the cigarette.

The brunette took it cautiously. She hadn’t smoked one of these in ages.

She took a puff and coughed a couple of times. The familiar nicotine buzz came over her quickly, and she felt her nerves start to calm.

She coughed again and gave it back. “Thanks,” she said.

“Don’t mention it,” the woman replied. “’Name’s Koko! Nice to meetcha.”

Nani shook Koko’s hand. “I’m Tanana. You can call me Nani, though.”

Blue eyes widened with excitement.

“Oooh, so you’re a Water Tribe gal, too? Shoulda known, you’re way too pretty to be anything else.”

Nani frowned, responding curtly, “No, I’m from the city. Born and raised.”

Koko pursed her lips and shrugged.  Blowing out a final cloud of smoke, she flicked the cigarette onto the ground and crushed it with her foot.

“If you say so, sweetie,” she responded. “So, what do you do? Oh, wait, let me guess: reporter, president of the Cherry Wong Fan Club, and a secretary? That’s an impressive resume.”

Nani’s cheeks bloomed with red heat. “So, you heard all that, huh?” She asked, wishing she could crawl into a dumpster and die.

A windchime-like laugh left Koko’s mouth, exposing a silver capped tooth. “I stepped out for a smoke and I heard ya rambling like a hobo on dope—figured I’d stick around and make sure you were okay,” she admitted.

Nani cleared her throat. “I take it you work here?” She pointed behind Koko to the station.

“You betcha,” the blue-eyed woman replied. “And I take it you want a job here?”

Her stomach nearly leapt into her chest as Nani responded, “You could say that.”

Koko looked her up and down, sighing, “A word of advice, sweets: if you wanna get a job, especially at a joint like this, you’re gonna need to look a little more put together. You’re also gonna need some experience in the entertainment industry; and something tells me you ain’t got it.”

Nani looked at the ground in shame. Koko was right; she hadn’t bathed in a few days, her hair felt like a rat’s nest, her face was bare and swollen from lack of sleep, her oversized wool dress was stolen from a neglected clothing line near by….she definitely did not look “put-together”.

But.

“I have experience,” she argued. “I used to sing in clubs.”

“Used to, ‘eh?” Koko asked, raising a thin eyebrow at her. “Let me guess, your pimp tried to share you with his partners so you made a break for it?”

Nani’s hand instinctively flew to her hair as she tugged and twirled at it. Tahno didn’t exactly like sharing his toys. And he also didn’t like it when his toys got more attention than he did.

“Not exactly,” she muttered.

Koko looked her up and down again, this time her expression softening. She took a few steps towards Nani, reaching for her but not quite touching her.

“My mom fell on hard times, too. I know it’s rough,” she started.

Nani frowned and looked away. She didn’t want pity, she wanted a job….but it felt nice to be seen.

Koko offered her a smile. “Tell you what; we’ve been looking for a backup singer to help jingles and stuff. I sing on ‘em too, so you wouldn’t be alone. If you can impress Shiro, he’ll hire you for commission. Whaddya think?”

Relieved, the brunette replied, “That sounds great, thank you.”

“Ah ah ah,” Koko responded, blocking the door. “Before we continue, you gotta show me what you got. No offense, but I’m not just bringing any broad in front of Shiro.”

Nani nodded, her heart suddenly thumping in her chest. Thankfully, she wasn't being held against her will in a brothel. She parted her lips and began singing one of her favorites,

“My man walked out, now you know that ain’t right,

Well, he better watch out, if I meet him tonight,

I said when I get low,

Ohhhh, I get hiiiigh,

All this hard luck in this town has found me,

Nobody knows ‘bout troubles all ‘round and ‘round me,

Oh, I’m all alone, with no one to pet me,

That old rocking chair ain’t never gonna get me,

‘Cause when I get low,

Ohhhh, I get hiiiigh,”

Her voice was a little nasally and raspy at first, but she quickly fell into her own rhythm, her voice growing more powerful with each verse. She finished on a high note, belting the last “high” with her whole chest.

Nani finished with a smile, looking nervously at Koko for some sort of response. She worried that she might’ve gone a bit overboard. Fortunately, the look on Koko’s face said quite the opposite.

___000___

Slender brown hands wrapped the satin scarf around Nani’s head and tucked in her stray curls.

“There, that oughta do it!” Koko exclaimed, turning the brunette towards the mirror.

Nani stared at her reflection, impressed by what Koko had done using only a bar of soap, a charcoal pencil, some rouge and a borrowed scarf.

She touched her face and smiled, feeling refreshed. She looked up at Koko’s reflection and said, “Thanks, I owe you.”

Waving a hand, the blue-eyed woman replied, “Don’t worry about it, sweets. C’mon, let’s go find Shiro.”

Nani followed Koko through the station as she gave her a glorified tour of the space. She hummed as she looked around. People, machines, papers, and noise filled the air. It was much busier than the last time she was here. She didn’t realize it took so many people to run a place like this.

“So…is your job singing?” She asked.

Koko shook her head, “Well, not really. I’ve written and recorded a few jingles for the show, but that’s a side gig. My real job is broadcasting—I work directly with the producers and talent to make sure everything goes smoothly before, during and after the show. I basically run this joint.”

Nani nodded in understanding. She wondered if she knew about the Cherry Wong situation.

The blue-eyed woman gestured for Nani to follow her upstairs, chatting vibrantly the whole time. Nani listened whole-heartedly, amused by Koko’s knowledge of office gossip. It was also kind of nice to experience real, personal interaction that went beyond the usual unpleasantries exchanged at her old job.

Also, Koko was pretty funny. The Water Tribe native had explained all the segments and shows they put on, what time slots they had, and how interesting they were on a scale of “yawnsville” to “better than sex”.

Apparently, she also worked on ‘Dispatches from Republic City’, which she had dubbed, “Almost as good as sex.”

With the mention of her self-proclaimed nemesis, Nani inhaled sharply.

“What’s it like working with Bolin, anyway?” She asked, expecting her to complain about how dim-witted and selfish he was.

Except, she didn’t. Koko came to a door that read “STUDIO” and swung it open. Smirking, she said, “See for yourself.”

Amplifiers, speakers, soundboards and monitoring panels lined the walls. The sound of rolling tapes clicked in the background. A man sat at a desk with a microphone and a panel of buttons and switches in front of him.

He clicked a bright red button on the base of the microphone. “That was perfect, Bolin.  Let’s take a quick ten and then all we’ve got are the sign offs,” he said.

“Sounds good!” An amplified voice responded from the speakers.

The man at the desk got up, nodding at the women as he left. Seconds later, the recording room door opened and a young man stepped out.

Whatever “it” was that celebrities had, whatever made them so magnetic, Bolin certainly had it. Seeing him out in the market was like seeing an old acquaintance you hoped to avoid, but seeing him here? It evoked a starstruck feeling that made Nani’s insides stir when their eyes met.

His smile was charming, charismatic even. His eyes, lush and green, never once left her face.

“Hey, Koko!” The man came closer, acknowledging them with a wave. “Who’s your friend?”

Looping her arm into the brunette’s, Koko replied, “This is Tanana! She goes by Nani!”

The earthbender’s smile widened. “I’m Bolin!” He stated, extending his hand.

Nani glared at it for a moment, then looked up at him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she greeted, her tone frosty. She allowed the handshake, but didn’t like how it summoned butterflies in her core.

Koko added, “She’s here to audition for the backup spot!”

Bolin’s eyes widened, “Wow! So, you’re a singer, huh?”

Nani felt her cheeks warm up, “Well, sort of.”

“Oh, don’t be shy!” Koko exclaimed, elbowing the brunette in the stomach. “She’s a singer alright! And a pretty damn good one!”

The earth bender walked over to the console table near the door and picked up a small white box. He popped it open, revealing several moon cakes decorated with different glazes and syrups.

“I brought these for the studio. Take one, as a token of good luck,” he said.

Nani eyed the moon cakes keenly. The duck and congee from this morning had already made its way out of her stomach, leaving a familiar emptiness.

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry,” she stated firmly, unwilling to compromise.

Her stomach growled viciously in protest, betraying her.

Bolin chuckled, “Well, it sounds like you are. Just take one!”

Koko quickly jutted between them and clasped her hands together. “Oh, thanks Bo Bo! You know I love these!” She squealed.

Nani watched the girl pluck two cakes from the box. As she proceeded to take several bites from each one, Bolin yanked the box away from her.

“Hey! Don’t be greedy! Nani hasn’t had one yet!” He chided.

“C’mon,” Bolin turned back to her, holding out the box. “Pick your favorite!”

Between her stomach exuding whale mating calls and Koko’s ecstatic chewing noises, Nani caved in and reached for a small yellow cake that was drizzled with raspberry syrup. She brought it to her lips and took a careful bite.

Sugary sweet goodness danced across her tastebuds.

“Wow,” was all she said, running her tongue over her lower lip to catch a stray dab of syrup. She popped the rest of the pastry into her mouth unceremoniously.

“Super good, right? I got them from this new bakery called ‘Oolong’ on Main Street,” the earthbender rambled. “They were so busy! The line stretched out the door and all the way round the corner, but it was worth it!”

Koko sighed, “Good ‘ol Bolin, always feedin’ us. What would we do without ya?”

Bolin smiled again, winking at Nani.  “Hey, can’t leave my friends hanging! Today’s a long recording day—we gotta get through it somehow.”

It was that “it” factor again. Normally, the brunette was good at picking up on subtleties, so she was annoyed with herself for finding him so pleasant when just hours ago he was rambling like a senseless baboon. She glared at him. How were they even the same person?

His face was still round and youthful, but there was a sharpness to his features that she didn’t remember being there before. And yet, his expression retained a boyish charm.

He’s too good, she thought. How does he do that?

Bolin was also taller than she remembered, though she’d only ever seen him huddled in a booth at Narook’s. She was a little surprised to have to look up at him. 

Even his build was robust, his muscular shoulders, arms and chest making their presence well known under his clothes. He personified his element well, and Nani figured if she tried to punch him it would feel like punching a brick wall.

Not that she wanted to punch him (ok maybe a little).

“Hey,” Bolin said, tilting his head sideways like a polar bear dog. “I know this might sound weird, but I feel like we’ve met before.”

Nani glanced at him in surprise. She didn’t expect him to remember her.

She cleared her throat nervously, “It’s a big city, I doubt it.”

Shaking his head vigorously, Bolin retorted, “No, no! I know I’ve seen you around before. Where do you live? Little Water Tribe? Harmony Park?”

“Neither,” she answered. She could feel her underarms growing damp.

Rubbing his chin, Bolin studied her for an agonizing amount of time before sighing, bowing his head in defeat.

“I got nothin’,” he finally said.

Nani exhaled in relief.

“But!” The young man exclaimed, startling her. “You can bet I’m gonna figure it out!!”

“I won’t hold my breath,” Nani scoffed.

Koko licked her fingers loudly. “Have you seen Shiro, by chance?” She asked the earthbender.

Bolin rubbed his chin again, stating, “Hm, you might wanna try his office. He’s been drowning in paperwork since…well, y’know.”

“Gooootcchhaa,” the blue-eyed woman replied, offering him a wink. “Well, we’re gonna go find him, now. See ya, Bo Bo!”

As the women turned to leave, Bolin waved at Nani and hollered, “Good luck!”

Nani didn’t respond.

Walking behind Koko, the brunette asked curiously, “So, what did he mean when he said Shiro’s been drowning in paperwork?”

A look of discomfort crossed over Koko’s face. “Well, it’s not my business to say but….Shiro’s going through some stuff with the missus,” she confessed.

Nani nodded knowingly, but she felt a pit forming in her stomach. If the famous broadcaster was dealing with an irate wife and stress from work, who was to say he would even give her a chance?

Once they approached Shiro’s office, Koko flashed Nani a confident grin before rapping her knuckles against the frame.

“Who is it?” Came a muffled, but familiar voice.

“It’s your favorite Water Tribe gal with a present!” Koko replied in a sing-song tone.

The sound of shuffling came from behind the door before it opened to reveal a rather tired-looking Shiro.

Nani had never actually seen Shiro Shinobi, but she never expected he’d look like this. His eyes were bleary and red, his cheeks were sunken in, and he reeked of cigarette smoke. A five o’clock shadow peppered his lower jaw.

When his gaze settled on Nani, he nodded. “I see. Come in, come in.”

The pair followed Shiro inside. Nani nearly gasped at the state of disarray.  Paper cups half full of cold tea, crumpled up newspaper, stray napkins, and broken picture frames of an older woman littered the room.

She felt a twinge of pity for him.

“Shiro,” Koko declared. “This is Tanana. She’s here for the backup position.”

The older man offered her a half-hearted wave and plopped back into his chair. “Hello, Tanana. I take it you can sing, eh?”

Nani looked to Koko for encouragement. The Water Tribe native tilted her head to the side and darted her eyes towards the radio legend.

Taking the cue, Nani cleared her throat and replied with Koko’s pre-planned address , “Yes, sir. I’ve had several years of informal training as a child before I began singing jazz at the clubs. I’ve never been signed or anything, but I believe I can—”

“Alright, alright, you don’t have to tell me your life story, kid. Just show me what you can do,” he responded sardonically.

Although his answer was jarring, Nani decided to let his sourness roll off her skin and took a deep breath.

She flashed him a smile and opened her mouth.

____000____

“Alright people, I’ve got a jasmine, a Ceylon with sugar, one mint, a chai with sheep-cow milk, and two darjeelings,” Nani announced, pushing into the packed conference room for afternoon tea time. She set the serving tray down onto the table.

Bolin hopped up from his chair exuberantly, shouting, “Oh yeah! Nani, you are savin’ my life right now!”

He immediately dove to the tray and grabbed his drink, the Ceylon with sugar.

“Man, I really need this, I’m fading like an antique rug,” he sighed, bringing the cup to his lips.

“Careful, it’s still hot-” Nani warned, but she was too late--Bolin was holding back tears as he struggled to not spit out the scalding liquid.

She ignored him and walked the chai over to where Shiro sat, placing it in front of him with a smile. His tired eyes lit up.

“Thanks, kiddo.”

Shiro blew carefully onto the steaming cup a few times before taking a sip.

He closed his eyes and sighed, “Tanana, you might be the best tea maker I’ve ever met, and I’ve been to the Jasmine Dragon!”

The sound of affirmations and agreements filled the room as everyone eagerly enjoyed their teas.

Nani grinned. She’d been at Studio 54 for three weeks and already she had cemented herself as a necessary part of everyone’s day. Afternoon Team Time was a mandatory occurrence at the station (at Shiro’s behest), so she was tasked with the tea orders.

Originally, she was hired to record jingles for the currently airing shows. Koko warned her that the work would be sparse and dull since she was only a backup, and there were days she may not even be needed. Plus, the pay wouldn’t be all that great.

However, Nani was a resourceful woman. She knew how to make herself indispensable. The first day, she knocked on Shiro’s door and asked if he needed anything. At first, he only waved her away, but she persisted.

Soon, she was tidying up his desk and rearranging his candle collection. After that, she was writing memos and answering phones. Then she took responsibility of Afternoon Tea Time. She made herself Shiro Shinobi’s personal assistant and she took her role seriously.

She would be lying if she said she didn’t scour his office for evidence of this upcoming interview, but she never found anything substantial besides a frayed letter of correspondence between Shiro and Miss Wong’s agent, which didn’t have anything interesting in it that would benefit Nani’s cause. Disappointing was one way to put it, but Nani decided the gig was too good to just give up now. She was sure the topic would come up when the time was right. In any case, Shiro was barely in a state to be talked to right now.

The man was a bit grumpy and pathetic, but he was going through a nasty divorce and still had to run a very popular radio station. Nani couldn’t fault him for an occasional temper tantrum, especially since it was usually targeted at someone else.

The pay was quite a nice incentive, too. She was making eight yuans a day, which was more than she could’ve ever dreamed of. She saved every bit of her money, hoping to eventually find a small apartment so she wouldn’t have to keep sleeping on Koko’s mother’s couch. It was an incredibly kind gesture, but Nani knew from experience that kindness had an expiration date.

Which was why Bolin, of all people, perplexed her.

She didn’t buy his “boy-next-door” routine. A guy like that couldn’t bag a princess, a mover star, and a Beifong in the same lifetime. He was a haughty charmer, and an idiot, too—but he couldn’t possibly be that kind.

Ever since she started working at the studio, Nani took notice of how the earthbender always brought food for his colleagues, went out of his way to help them with tasks, and how patient he was when something didn’t go his way.

Just the other day, Nani accidentally spilled hot tea all over his notes for an upcoming segment.

“Gah!” He’d yelled, jumping back to avoid being burned.

As the ink blurred with the steaming liquid and dripped down the side of the desk, the brunette reflexively dropped to her knees and started cleaning, apologizing profusely. She expected him to strike, to yell, to at least throw something. Y’know, how angry men do.

Weirdly though, he instead got down to her eye level and asked, “Shit, Nani, are you okay?”

Nani nearly went into shock. She immediately stood, stone-faced.

“I’m fine.”

It was because she was Shiro’s personal assistant, of course. He had a reputation to keep, so that had to be why he was always so nice. On the inside, he was just as rotten as the rest of them.

At least, that’s what Nani told herself.

What really bothered her about all of this was how he and Koko interacted. Even now, the pair were chit-chatting and laughing about spirits-know-what during their meeting with Shiro.

Nani stood in the corner of the conference room, serving tray tucked under her arm, with an expression that could sour a lemon.

She couldn’t understand why Koko, someone so sharp and witty, was so chummy with this guy. Of course, Koko was friendly with everyone—sometimes even a bit flirty. But Bolin? Could she not see how fake he was?

Later that night, as the two young woman set the table for dinner, Nani decided to ask.

“What’s with you and Bolin?” She questioned.

The blue-eyed woman folded a napkin and placed it down before looking at her with a confused look. “Whaddya mean?”

Nani pursed her lips. “I mean, why do you hang out with him?”

Koko furrowed her brows together and stared at Nani. “Um, because I like him?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, the brunette scoffed, “You mean to tell me that you think that overgrown toddler is attractive?”

A chuckle left Koko’s lips. “Spirits, no! Bolin’s a cutie but he ain’t tan enough or hairy enough for me. I prefer tribe men,” she replied, thoroughly amused by Nani’s inquiries.

Nani uncrossed her arms and returned to arranging the cutlery. “I just don’t understand why you like him,” she admitted with a sigh.

Pouting, the blue-eyed woman replied, “Because he’s my friend and he’s nice.”

“That’s just it—he’s too nice,” Nani retorted. “Like, aggravatingly so. No one is that nice. Plus, he’s annoying, and peppy, and just so stu-“

The sound of the front door opening cut into her rant.

A resonant, raspy voice called out, “I’m home!”

“Hey, mom!” Koko called back.

Kalla walked in carrying two large take out bags from Narook’s and set them on the counter with a heavy “ooh!”.

The dark haired, older woman peeled her coat off and placed it onto a chair. She then turned to Koko and kissed her cheek. “How was work?”

“It was fine, Mom. The usual, y’know?”

Kalla nodded and turned to Nani with a smile. “And how are you, sweets?” She asked.

The brunette returned the smile shyly, replying, “I’m good. Thank you for dinner.”

Gesturing to the food, the elder Water Tribe woman said, “Dig in, girls. Before it gets cold.”

Nani gratefully helped herself to a heap of seaweed noodles, eyes rolling back as the familiar savory taste coated her tongue. It’d been a long time since she enjoyed Narook’s noodles. She gulped them down quickly, barely even chewing.

It took several minutes of silence, laced only with her own slurping noises, for Nani to notice Kalla and Koko were watching her.

“You must love Narook’s,” the younger woman remarked.

“Slow down, sweets,” Kalla uttered sternly. “You don’t want your cause of death to be ‘gagged on seaweed’, do you?”

Embarrassed, Nani set down her chop sticks.

“I-I’m sorry,” she muttered, not meeting their gazes.

Kalla smirked knowingly. “I remember when I first got off the streets. I inhaled every meal like it would be my last,” she explained. “I used to hide food, too, because I was afraid people would steal it from me.”

She covered her face with one hand and shook her head, laughing. “I remember your father would find rotting kale and mushrooms in the closet and say, ‘honey, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re not in the South Pole anymore!��”

Koko and her mother began cackling, and Nani chuckled along with them.

It was easy being around them, she decided. Both women were fierce and determined, but also carefree and forgiving. When Koko brought her to the apartment, Kalla, a divorced single mother, took Nani in without hesitation and refused a single yuan in return.

“Yue knows I’ve been there,” she’d said. “Save your money so you can buy yourself a castle one day.”

Nani would never forget that.

For the rest of dinner, she listened to Kalla and Koko chat about this-and-that, only participating to nod or laugh. When she finished, Nani began clearing her plate, but Koko reached out to stop her.

“I got it,” the brunette affirmed, swatting her hand away playfully.

Maybe she wasn’t allowed to pay for board, but she was sure as hell going to pull her weight in chores.

“So, Miss Tanana,” Kalla spoke, placing heavy weight on her name. “Who taught you to sing? Koko here was trained at Lady Tuya’s Academy. Their tuition was sky high but Tuya owed me from our days cleaning latrine’s together.”

Nani shrugged, stacking dirty plates into the sink. “No one taught me,” she responded honestly. “One day I was listening to the radio and I just started singing along.”

Leaning back in her chair, Kalla patted her stomach and hiccupped, “Huh. Well, I suppose practice does make perfect!”

“Don’t be modest,” Koko added, teasingly bending a squirt of sudsy water at the brunette. “Weren’t you in the Cherry Wong fan club?”

“President of the Cherry Wong fan club, thank you very much!” Nani quipped, spraying her back.

While the girls giggled and splashed around, Kalla admonished them from her seat, “Hey, hey! I swear to La, if I see the water bill go up even one yuan, I’m throwing you both out on the streets!”

Nani immediately froze and quietly went back to scrubbing the dishes while Koko rinsed them.

“She doesn’t mean it,” The older girl assured Nani, bumping her hip jokingly.

“Did you hear about this Cherry Wong coming back from retirement?” Kalla asked.

Ears prickling, Nani snapped her head back. She feigned ignorance. “Really?” She asked.

Koko nodded with excitement. “Yeah! In fact, she’s coming to our studio to do an interview with Bolin in a few months! But it’s all hush-hush for now, no one else in the station is supposed to know—only me, Bo, and Shiro.”

She hesitated, then looked apologetically at Nani.

“Well, and you, I guess,” she added.

Makes sense why no one’s brought it up at all the last few weeks, Nani contemplated. She was a little annoyed that being Shiro Shinobi’s assistant hadn’t given her the “in” to the studio’s secrets.

Kalla cogitated aloud, “Speaking of Bolin—how is that sweet boy doing?”

Koko moved to the stove and began boiling water in a blue pot. “He’s as good as can be expected,” she replied. “It’s only been six months.”

“Breakups are tough,” the older woman sighed. “He and that Beifong girl were too cute. But that’s what happens when you love a bird too hard…they fly away.”

Nani listened keenly, pretending to focus on the soapy water in front of her.

“Sometimes people drift apart,” Koko commented somberly. She reached into an overhead cabinet and scooped a handful of loose leaf tea into the pot as it came to a boil. “Poor guy didn’t see it coming. He was heartbroken.”

Bolin? Heartbroken? Nani scoffed internally. Sure, and I’m Avatar Aang. Please.

Unable to keep in her contempt, the brunette quietly muttered, “I’m sure he’ll move on to another chick soon. Men don’t dwell on these things for long.”

Koko didn’t respond, but Nani could feel her icy blue eyes on her. She pretended not to notice and started gathering the tea cups.

“Well, I hope he finds a good girl he can keep grounded,” Kalla said, pausing for everyone to notice her joke.

After a painfully long moment, Koko huffed, “Mom, that was terrible.”

Nani couldn’t help but laugh, and Kalla laughed with her.

“See, at least someone thinks I’m funny!” She exclaimed.

Her laughter filled every crevasse of the kitchen, along with the earthy, rich aroma of Ceylon tea.  

#legend of korra #bolin #lok #bolin x reader #lok bolin #bolin fluff #bolin headcanons #bolin x y/n #bolin x you

[chawarin-panich]

The 25th hour and the kindness Boston unwittingly pays forward to Sand

The 25th hour is such a neat yet complex concept. The fact that Sand's episode is called 'The Extra Hour' and that this extremely rigid, disciplined man's 25th hour is Ray is at once heartwarming and gut wrenching. I've seen multiple people discuss what the 25th hour is and most interpretations were to my surprise very positive! In fact, when I think back to my reaction to the start of the episode I thought it was delightful! What a delightfully irrational way for Sand to think of Ray's role in his life, for a delightfully irrational man who really needs a little bit of magic and fairy tale in his life. And yet by the end no matter how you slice it, the only thing about the 25th hour that stays absolute till the end is that it's not real. There's no such thing as a 25th hour. Whatever was happening between them was happening entirely within the 24 hours of their lives and neither were able admit to it. There is a separate meta to be written about how there are elements of healing in their relationship - definitely for Ray and maybe even for Sand who benefits from being near someone who prescribes to whatever the opposite of his 'The Grind and Hustle' lifestyle is. But there are two sides to every coin and the side that Sand had completely blinded himself to even thought it was all right there - long before Boston showed up - is that Ray is an addict. And the way Ray chases the pleasure impulse of Sand's company is - more than just a little mildly concerning. Both times that they engage in anything sexual is Sand giving and Ray receiving, but more importantly Ray talking Sand into it - not in any way that is even remotely close to coercive but doesn't it niggle at the back of your head a little - just how good Ray is at getting Sand to do things for him? I could let the list run from protecting him, cooking for him, driving him, putting on his helmet for him, dressing him, taking him to concerts all such wonderful beautiful, heartwarming, wounded inner child healing things and yet...there are patterns. 'Thank you for saving my life' once is beautiful, sexy, gut wrenchingly vulnerable. But twice?

The guy did have a bottle so it could have been dangerous and his target could have been Ray's head but he also could have smashed it on a table to scare him, on his back, heck he could have been going for Sand too. Doesn't Ray have a tendency to slightly embellish situations to make himself more sympathetic?

My boy Sand has literally been on the receiving end of it adjfkldshjf. Further, when Sand is aiming to bash the guy's head in turn Ray makes zero moves to stop him. Sand could get into a lot of trouble for intervening here and injuring a random customer while he's not bar security and P'Yo and her boyfriend are the only ones actually concerned about Sand here.

Ray is so turned on by his man going all psycho to protect him (understandable) that his only thought is to fuck him (also very very understandable) but he's just gotten so good at asking for it

Incredibly, incredibly good

And he knows how much Sand eats it up

He knows it turns Sand on, uses it repeatedly in the context of sex. In fact it's the only way we've watched him initiate sex this episode

And worst of all, in the times that Sand doesn't quite take the bait Ray knows how to frame it so that it somehow still becomes Sand's idea, Sand's initiative:

And this scene is so mind bogglingly sexy that I was legit SCREAMING because Ray is being SO sneaky and he's an addict and you can see it from a mile away and imagine being Sand and horny and turned on by how much people need you and then having the cutest puppy of a man constantly wagging his tail at you and needing you and being so generous about how much he appreciates you and constantly telling you how big and strong you are and how you're such a great protector like help this man he is so entirely caught in the web that Ray is spinning. I was so into it but I was also like alarm bells ringing like 'Fire! Fire! Fire!' Sand this is exactly the fire that you were once conscious of playing with but he's totally been blinded to it - how could he not be??? Ray is an addict but he's also a creature made entirely of love, what defenses can Sand possibly have against Ray's innocence and sincerity? This has already gotten so long that I need to stop here or my mind will explode but there's more to be said here about how that scene where Boston outs Ray's crush plays out and Ray's complete inability to reach out and comfort Sand. What I can end this part with is that - Sand really, really needed to hear it. Boston's whole 'Sand deserves to know' thing might have been the shittiest cover to his real motivations of just totally fucking up Ray's life but he's not wrong about this. Boston is not wrong about the farce of Sand and Ray's relationship that he so mercilessly calls out. The 25th hour isn't real and Sand knows it. The show is very heavy handed about it and it fits so goddamn well with my Sand and Mew don't exist on the same paradigm of Ray's life idea that I have been peddling since Ep2

#ofts meta #sandray meta #only friends the series #ofts #sandray #nani's hot takes #god i have more meta inside me than i have time #i might write some of them anyway #but also feel free to ask about things too if you're curious

[voidsteffy]

Hey, could you rank every SSR movie from Absolutely Goated to Still good but worth watch again, and please provide reasons as to why you've ranked them as they are please? Pretty please 🥺👉👈

Ooo, what a task (I'm going to get beat up I'm afraid!)

but here goes, putting my life at risk: SS Rajamouli's movies (not in chronological order) with my ranking

Absolutely GOAT

Eega - Before he was Shyam Singha Roy in the body of Vasu, Nani was Nani in the body of a housefly and I find cinematic poetry in that. + The graphics, the music, the exaggerated comedy... Sudeep knows exactly what he's doing with his lines

Magadheera - (he really has it out for reincarnation stories doesn't he?) Charan's first real role (I hate Chirutha) The grandeur of the sets, the background here and there... Also the mass CGI with the gladiator audience was the new hot toy that SSR introduced. Anaganaganaga crawled so Ettara Jenda could run. (You know i'm right)

RRR - Just for Bheem's intro, it deserves an oscar. I'm one of the people who think Naatu Naatu was good, but not THAT good as they made it out to be. Also, RRR gave me the first himbo couple I could ship openly. My grandma agrees because the only dispute she had with RRR is that Ram had to pee and poop in that cell. No disagreement against RamBheem being the Tollywood IT couple

Chatrapathi - it gave teluguvallu fantastic inside jokes like: a. Tala tintada mondema? (will the shark eat his head or body first?) b. Suridu? YADUNDAVAYYA? SURIDUUU (Suridu, kaha ho? Suridooo) c. OKA ADDUGUUUU☝🏽👣 (one step, I want one step) d. Violin champakura babu (chatrapathi and simhadri kill our brain cells with the violin music in the climax emo moments, i always want to pull my hair out) - but also, Chatrapathi had a good bgs, worked fantastically for hero-uplifting moments like the interval and okka adugu scene

Bahubali: The Beginning - Only and only for the interval scene and the architecture of Mahishmati. TOP TIER. The loopholes and characterization of Avantika could have been way better. Pacha Bottesina was totally unnecessary

Good, Can Watch Again

6. Vikramarkudu - Chintata chita chita chintata TA! (teluguvallu can translate this into literally anything) 7. Yamadonga - just for the RAMBA, OORVASI, MENAKA moment I take away 5 points from the 10 points it earned. Tarak and Priyamani was a pairing I didn't know I needed 8. Maryada Ramanna - Sunil anna I love you anna but this wasn't your movie. This is the cycle's story, and that one song in the train. the screenplay is a cart wheel without the cart. It's funny in some places but Brahmaji dies FOR NO REASON. JUSTICE FOR BRAHMAJI 9. Simhadri - I didn't really feel for the characters. BUT. BUT BUT. I have to say this because it's been stewing in me for so long: Simhadri's interval scene ran so Bahubali 1's ending twist could fly. I said what I said y'all know it's the same vibe we all catching.

Eh, One Time Watch

10. Sye - it doesn't seem like an SSR movie, but it's not that good. Young Adult revenges were in trend when this was made and it fit well with its counterparts. Sometimes I even forget that Genelia and Nithiin did indeed work with Rajamouli 11. Student No. 1 - not that special, honestly early-career Tarak's movies just blend in my head: SN1, Aadhi, Samba... but hey at least SN1 started a long lasting kinship 12. Bahubali: The Conclusion - THAT IS NOT SIVAGAMI! HOW DARE YOU! this is beyond ooc, it's not a character at all. At one point I thought they'd bring out a tantrik doing black magic to change Sivagami... And Devasena is not the best written character in SSR's filmography. This movie makes me want to scratch my eyeballs out. If only my mom had the audacity and hardheadedness to talk to grandma like this. Also... Avantika's leader, who is killed by Bhalla in the seige, IS DEVASENA'S BROTHER. and she just LOOKS as he's getting the life choked out of him? oo don't make me start about this movie I can rant for a loooong time

and so.... *flaps hands* that was it ig? thanks for the ask babu!

#ss rajamouli #rrr #magadheera #bahubali #ravi teja #eega #manu answers #asks

[churipu]

loverrr!! this is not a request but more of like a thought but feel free to ignore this okay? no pressure!

I don’t know if you knew chel from el dorado (it’s a disney movie) and she’s so freakishly hot😩😩 all that thick thighs, wide hips, tan skin and long ass black hair like UGHHH she’s my cartoon crush since forever!! (aside from nani from lilo and stitch) and i cant help but ask u, which jjk men would u think that would go for those type of gals??

OHHH MYYYY GOOOSHHHH, ANON. I SAW YOUR ASK LIKE WHAT A DAY AGO? and i was deadass brainstorming, like as in my brain was braining for this ask.

EVERY TIME I THINK ABT YOUR ASK, I CAN ONLY SEE GOJO, TOJI, AND YUUJI??? OKAY, LISTEN, LISTEN. THESE ARE MY OPINIONS (i would write a 10 page essay for this) a lil suggestive but 😈

GOJO -> omg omg omg omg. i feel like he's that guy who wouldn't be able to take his eyes off of that kind of girls, like HE WILL STARE AND MAKE IT OBVIOUS. BECAUSE??? yes. AND DURING A RELATIONSHIP??? gojo, oh my god. i feel like he's so touchy, gripping her hips (i feel like he LOVES hips) and all, jsisjsksnsk 🦋 i'm gonna go feral byeeee.

MOVING ON.

TOJI -> NGL BUT I CAN SEE HIM just going for these type of girls. EXOTIC GIRLS. i feel like he's touchy and clingy in private BYEEEEE I'VE ALWAYS HAVE THIS THOUGHT THAT HE'S JUST RLLY CLINGY IF HE'S ALONE WITH HIS SIGNIFICANT OTHER. thighs. thighs. thighs. will put his head in between thighs, leaning back, letting her legs dangle off his shoulders when they're both chilling, for example when watching a movie?? he's sitting on the floor and his partner's on the couch, both legs dangling off his shoulders, head in between her thighs. LOVES THE THIGHSSSS on and off bed 🤝

NEXTTTT.

YUUJI -> (NO SUGGESTIVENESS FOR MY PRECIOUS BOY >:p) i can also see him going for these types of girls. omg??? I FEEL LIKE YUUJI DOESN'T JUDGE PEOPLE BY THE WAY THEY LOOK, like i feel like people would actually be safe around him (the kind of safe where you feel sleepy around him so you're not afraid to be yourself). he loves everything about this, oh em gee. in a relationship, yuuji's verrrrryyyy clingy and he will not be subtle about it. clinging to his partner. burying his face in her chest, tummy, everything. he loves EVERYTHING about his partner, adores her every day, takes pictures of her both candid and where she actually poses. puts her as his wallpaper and will show her off to literally everyone??? stop.

#ipin'sask! #jUST A RHOUGHT OMG #im abt to go feral

[lollytea]

what's a thing you love and don't talk too much about it as you would like?

Agsvdjnk I think I talk a lot about everything I love

Lets see, stuff I love but don't talk about every single day?

I love tigers!! They're one of my favourite animals I think they are so gorgeous. I also just love cats in general, they make me so happy.

I really really really love the late 90s Disney channel cartoon Recess. It's so well written and underrated and the characters are so much fun and well rounded. And it's sweet and down to earth and funny and AA!! I think more people should rewatch.

I have a long running special interest in Peter Pan. At least the idea of Peter Pan. There's plenty of elements of the adaptions that I am very fond of but I've spent my life on the hunt for a twist on the story that scratches my brain in a very specific way, like the 2003 version did. And one day I'll either find it or I'll make it myself.

Fairycore/fairytale/princess vibes stuff makes me very happy.

Anne With An E gave me intense brain termites it's so good!!! I've never read the original green gables books, but I'm really really attached to this show and their own take on the story. The bonds that are formed between the characters are the main draw for me, especially the friendships and found family.

I've seen Malcolm and the Middle so many times that its bascially just brain sedatives for me. I am so attached to that chaotic idiotic asshole family.

The Six of Crows duology!!!! Those books are SO good, I recommend to everybody who wants a series that will put their heart in a headlock. (There are more books in the series but personally I like to end the story with the duology. I've seen enough.)

It's not for everyone but I also love the Folk of the Air series. Just cuz I love toxic unhealthy insane dynamics, and also biblically accurate faeries.

Bojack Horseman is another comfort show, like Malcolm, except the vibe is wildly different. I love shows with an almost whiplashy balance between silliness and raw bleeding devastation.

Cardcaptor Sakura but everybody already knows that

FRUITS BASKET!!!! BRAINROT BAIT IF YOURE NOT NORMAL ABOUT CHARACTERS 🗣🗣🗣

Craig of the Creek!!!! Cutest cartoon I've ever seen, I love it so much :D!!!

There's this one show called A Man Who Defies the World of BL that I think is so so funny and I've watched it many times. It's about a guy who has discovered he's a background character in a yaoi manga universe and he's fighting for his life not to become a main character. Dodging hot men's advances left, right and center.

Lilo and Stitch is one of my favourite movies of all time!!! Especially Lilo and Nani!!!

[bleakbluejay]

top five women

the hardest ask i've ever gotten as a lesbian. "all of them" is a funny answer but i will try to pick 5.

hmmmmm.

in no particular order:

Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series

She's smart, she's strong, she's witty, and she's hot. What else is there? I loved the Tomb Raider games as a kid. I used to make her do flips and swan dives and play around with her outfits (most relevant in Anniversary and Legend). She was so so cool. I'm not as big a fan of the reboot Lara, other than they made her queer, but :)

Anna the Huntress from Dead by Daylight

My wife. The game lore did her kinda dirty, but that's what headcanon is for. She's a big strong tall Russian lady who lives in the woods and hunts people. She kidnaps little girls from villages so she can take care of them in her little cabin and give them toys. She kills nazis. She sings. I'm so, so in love with her.

Ellen Ripley from the Alien series

Sigourney Weaver in general... but Ripley in particular. Brave, adaptable, intelligent. A girlboss if there ever was one. She's one of my favorite Final Girls (topped only by Nancy from the original Nightmare on Elm Street). Everything Ripley ever says is 100% correct and for some reason nobody wants to listen to her.

Leia Organa from Star Wars

A princess. A general. A rebel leader. And a badass bitch. Leia was one of the earliest examples of a good, strong-willed and fearless female character I had as a kid. Even if she needs rescue from time to time, she does plenty of rescuing others herself. She takes no guff from scoundrels like Han Solo or fascists like Grand Moff Tarkin. Her parents would be so, so proud of her.

Nani Pelekai from Lilo and Stitch

The relationship between Nani and her little sister Lilo reminded me a lot of my mom and me. And it takes a lot to raise a little kid on your own (especially one that is a little special needs like me and Lilo both were), working a crappy job, having no time for a social life, and having to fight against Child Protective Services. Being poor + indigenous + a broken family fucking sucks. But Nani held it together, just like my mom did. I can't forget a character like that.

#eli answers #eli talks #there's infinite honorable mentions i could make #i love women in a lesbian way sure #but i also love women in a “wow they are so cool and strong” way too #some honorable mentions include: #olenna tyrell “queen of thorns” from the song of ice and fire #inej ghafa from the six of crows (though i wouldnt call a 16yo a woman really) #nina zenik also from six of crows (also only 17) #asha greyjoy from a song of ice and fire #samantha carter from stargate sg 1 #dana scully from the x files #dr. mrs. the monarch from venture bros #tara maclay from buffy the vampire slayer #kimiko from the boys (show) #susan ashworth from the cat lady #i love you women