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#she is frustrated because she cannot unlock her power
coffee-master · 4 months
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Ninjago Alternative Universe elemental change with Kai having Water and Nya having Fire powers:
Ok, so before you go hear me out.
#Sibling elemental change
I know it's hard to imagine Kai having water powers instead of fire. It probably would look as if didn't fit him. It's way easier to imagine Nya with Fire element I guess.
But I think it'd be interesting to see his character development with that power. The fact that his character wouldn't fit to his power and Especially adding to this Kai's fear of drowning and the fact that he hates water.
It'd be nice character development to see.
At the begining of the season it'd Kai who was kidnapped by skeletons.
Not because he was weaker than her or something. Kai would probably try to safe his sister and by coocidence got kidnapped instead of her. Just to make sure she was safe he prefered to sacrifice himself.
Nya would train why Master Wu and become a strong ninja of fire to rescue her brother. But also bonded with the other ninjas.
In the meantime she'd also think that Jay's flirting attempts are cute-
Later seasons would also have a big impact on Kai.
Kai was Nya's older brother. He practically raised her. So, the fact that she is a ninja fighting evil and risking her life every day would definitely made a big impact on him.
The fact that Nya is stronger than him, and he cannot protect or help her in any way, would cause frustration, anger, and above all, a sense of helplessness in him.
Kai would try to support the team in any way he could, but the helplessness would still make him feel down and be with him.
From time to time he'd act like a big brother.
He wouldn't like Jay's interest in Nya at first, but later would accept it, since she likes him so much.
There wouldn't be a phase of being a green ninja, because well he isn't a ninja.
Instead Nya would like to become one. Not because of the titel or anything, but becuase it'd mean to be better to improve. Nya wants perfection. She wants to be the best version of herself. So she works very hard to achieve that.
She wouldn't be annoying about becoming the green ninja like Kai- She would work hard to be the best.
In the meantime comes Lloyd.
Kai has way better relationship with him here compared to the cannon.
Suprisingly he isn't irritated by him, but just simply takes care with him. He plays kind of big role for young Lloyd.
Kai is patience with him and tries to teach him and be nice. Maybe it'd somehow remind him of rising his younger sister(?) Kai would spend time with him, shove comfort and some support that he needed and just act like a Big Brother towards him.
Their relationship would be pretty strong.
There would happen at slightly little drama between Kai, Nya & Lloyd. [BUT NOTHING TOO SERIOUS]
Nya would be probably a little annoyed why her brother is so nice towards him. She'd be irrited since Lloyd recently just acted like a brat. (He mostly made pranks like making Zane's costume pink and ect.-) And she doesn't understand Kai's indifference towards it.
But everything would resolve, when Nya safed Lloyd from vulcano and unlocked her true potential.
.
.
.
Bla bla.. to lazy to write next seasons.. But basically Kai would be a big support as a red Samurai, Lloyd's role model and he'd slowly come closer to the other teammates.
He wouldn't be just fire ninjas brother, but feel more like a part of the group.
Then the situation with the ghost would happen.
Sensei Wu would tell him about his Water Powers and that's were everything starts to break.
Kai has to learn how control water.
But the point is that Kai hates water.
Kai can't swim, is afraid of drowning and basicly is aquafobic-
This is the time where he has to overcome his fear to safe everyone.
This is the time when everything that he belived turned into a lie. That%'s the time when his life turned upside down and just everything is a mess.
He tries to deny it. He doesn't belive in it. He hates it.
He hates water.
But in the end he begins his training, because the life of the loved one's is WAY more important.
He starts training with master Wu. Nothing goes well, because of his character that is a completely opposite to this power.
Moreover he got a few panic attacts while being in the deep water that doesn't end well.
Kai hates this power. He doens't accept it as his. He doesn't accept it being part of him. He's basically forced to learn it because of the situation and persuading the master.
But in the end his able to overcome it.
By the talk with someone he's able to see the source of his fear. He finally sees the beauty of his power.
He takes a deep breath and immerses himself in the water, clearing his mind and he's calm.
He's part of the water and water is part of him.
Kai accepts this part of him and is able to control it.
.
.
.
Absolutely I hope that I've demonstrated the true potential of this idea, and how it could indeed turn into something really cool.
AND I HAVEN'T EVEN CAME TO THE SEABOUND PART-
But seriously I hope that someone will notice it. A nice fic could come from it.
I also really tired not to add and lavashipping ideas here, because it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it could have been here something.
I don't know if I will ever write this or not. It's really hard to tell.
But if anyone wants to write this or something simliar to it then go on. I don't see a problem. The more us the better!
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Dark and Twisted Threads of Fate | Series 5 - Mafia!ATEEZ x reader Part 6 NSFW (San x reader)
Masterlist
First chapter
Previous chapter (chapter 5)
A/N: Oh my lord. This is certainly my favourite chapter of this series I've written so far, it made me so so soft <3
Chapter word count: About 4k! :D
Warnings: A lot, starts off with dub con/non con (consensual before anything really happens) some dark themes here and there, knife play and some blood. Enjoy!
Tag list: @baekmond and those who were so kind as to like all previous parts before: @twilightwei @whyme11 Thank you for following the story so far! <3
If you would like to be tagged in future works of this series (or any other) please leave a comment or send me an ask!
Yunho boasted proudly about his adventures with you as soon as he came home. Wooyoung was whining on end about him having just sweet talked you into it, and about how it wasn't fair.
"If sweet talking had been her weakness, you would have been in her pants a long time ago already Wooyoung" Yunho scoffed, earning a chuckle from various other members.
"Tell us though, how was she? What does she taste like? Does she moan loudly- did you make her moan your name?" Wooyoung pried impatiently.
"Jeez Wooyoung slow down man." Mingi interjected. Yunho couldn't help but laugh at the two.
"You will just have to find that out for yourselves." Yunho spoke coyly, knowing that they wanted little more.
"Wait, but where did you take her to eat then Yunho? Because we didn't see you at the restaurant." Wooyoung asked more to the point this time.
"I took her to a nice calm Italian restaurant I know the owner of. What, are you disappointed you didn't get a show?"
"What, so you had planned beforehand to fuck her there? You greedy boy." Wooyoung tried to turn the tables around, pretending as if he wouldn't do the same himself any day.
"You're calling me the greedy one? You are the one complaining you didn't get to watch." The back and forth went on a little while discussing various inappropriate topics, until finally Seonghwa stepped in and sent the boys away to their own quarters.
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 "You slept with Yunho?  San asked. Well that news had spread quickly, so much for privacy, you thought. Your heartrate sped up at the thought of the evening you spent with Yunho.
 "Why would that be any of your business?" you asked in annoyance.
 "I thought I had made clear you belonged to me." San said, his gaze piercing. Your fingers had a mind of their own, tracing absentmindedly over the spot where San had left his mark on you, now faded. It did not go unnoticed by San, who had to suppress a grin. He had to play his part well if he wanted to fully wind you up in his spider web.
 You scoffed. "You can't just do whatever you want with me and assume I belong to you; I have a choice in this too you know" you were getting frustrated. Why would he be all whiny when he seemed to simply toy around you and then disappear for days without a word?
 "Did I not mark you well enough to remind you who you belonged to? Maybe I should refresh your memory." You remembered well how you had almost screamed into his hand as his jaws clamped harshly around the side of your neck. He took a step towards you, as you backed away towards your locked front door. Shit, you thought to yourself, I should have left it unlocked.
 "San! I am a person, not an object. You cannot just put a mark on me and claim me like that." You didn't like the way he had trapped you into a corner at all. Taking a daring step forwards seemed to pleasantly surprise the man. However, it was not enough to wipe the stupid smirk off his face.
 "You would like me to do so though, wouldn't you." San's eyelids lowered, sending you a heady gaze. Where you had finally felt like you held some power in the situation, his dark and heady gaze instantly had its effects on your knees.
 "Did he fuck you?" He asked scrutinising you intently as you stood nailed to the ground.
 "No its not like that," You stuttered, flustered. "We only- he only-" You were too embarrassed to finish the sentence, evading San's eyes. You wished you could convince yourself that the heart palpitations that you were feeling was only a result of your memories of the previous night flooding you. The way San was treating you, possessively and toxic, you thought to yourself was making your heart flutter unhealthily.
 "What did he do to you baby?" San was doing his best not to sound agitated, but in reality he was feeling more than pissed. He had almost lost his temper towards Yunho the night before, and had been on the verge of paying you a visit right then and there to clear things up. But, he knew, that in order to avoid chasing you away and into Yunho's arms, he had to play his cards more carefully. "Did you fuck?" He asked, a pause between every word to enunciate it.
 "No! No nothing like that, he only- He only fucked me with his fingers" You finally managed to splutter out, blushing violently.
 "Good." You looked up at san, puzzled. Suddenly his whole dark and oppressive air seemed to fade away from around him. Instead he smiled heartfully. But the light that practically shone off his perfect smile and innocent dimples, didn't reach his eyes. "Then I can still make you all mine." San was almost growling his words at this point, licking his lips like before desert. He didn't give you a chance to protest, his mouth was pressed harshly against yours. It was a kiss full of teeth and tongue, San's hands now roaming hungrily over your body. His mouth muffled the alarmed noises you were making at first, but they quickly faded into moans.
Who were you trying to fool? The fact that this young man was significantly more powerful both physically and in status turned you on tremendously. You had enjoyed Yunho's sweetness and care, but you didn't want to be treated like a porcelain doll. Your mind was sent spinning as San's fingers gripped into you so powerfully they were likely to show as bruises by the end of the day.
You enjoyed the power struggle between you two, lighting a fire in your chest of excitement. Just how far could you push this man before he would truly snap? You wanted to find out.
As the kiss grew increasingly heated you had the mind to fish your apartment keys back out of your pocket and hold them up. San didn't even need to disconnect his lips from yours once to understand your plans. He snatched the keys from you, jamming them into the lock almost sending you tumbling to the floor as the door swung open. Only when the door was slammed shut and he practically threw you onto the bed did he give you a chance to catch your breath. A cheeky grin spread over your face, evil plan forming.
 "And what if I don't want to be yours?" you asked San defiantly, despite how obviously he affected you. You sat there on your bed, hair a mess from San running his hands all through it and tugging on it roughly every so often. Your pupils were blown wide and breathing was as if you had just been jogging.
 On the inside San was absolutely infuriated, he knew that you ought to belong to him and him alone. But if you weren't going to work with him, you left him no choice. "In that case I'll just have to ruin you for anybody else. When I'm through with you, you'll be begging for my cock to wreck you."
Your heart froze when San pulled out a knife he must have hidden somewhere on him. He flourished the pretty shining blade around, admiring his own little trick. "Perhaps I can help change your mind?" You had wanted to provoke him and see how far you could push him, but now you were beginning to become frightened. You swallowed the brick in your throat, determined not to show signs of weakness.
You tried telling your racing heart that it was all just for show, that San wouldn't harm you. But you were really not all that certain at this point. He was skilfully twirling the blade around with his fingers, and when you mustered up the courage to take your eyes off the blade, you realised his dark eyes were staring straight into your soul. Even as he smiled, it only chilled the blood in your veins further.
San took one step and then another, until he was standing at the foot of your bed where you were sitting, unable to move. He brought the knife to your throat and you had to give it your all not to break down into tears right then and there. "Hmm, not so brave anymore now are we? What happened to my cocky little girl? Cat got your tongue? No worries, let me help you out with these dear." He trailed the blade of his knife down your throat to your collarbones. He changed his grip on the hilt before making a slashing motion, ripping your shirt clean in half.
You had held your breath as the cold blade touched your skin, gasping in shock at his sudden motion. "Do you think you can handle the rest yourself for me now angel?" You nodded back to him in shock. Your trembling fingers grasped the button of your jeans before sliding them down your legs. When San didn't take away the knife you hesitantly continued to undo your bra. The sight of your naked chest seemed to please San, a wide grin spreading on his face. "And now take off mine, angel." He tapped the tip of the blade against the metal button of his trousers. The eerie clinking sent goose bumps all over your skin. Your trembling didn't help in taking off his clothes any faster, but San didn't seem bothered by it. When he finally stood before you in only his boxers, he tentatively traced the tip of the blade over your bottom lip. You failed to suppress a squeal when you felt the blade nick you, the warmth of your fresh blood beginning to trickle down your chin. Using the knife to tip back your head, San kissed your lips once more. Your stomach churned as you could feel him suckling on your lip, specifically on the little wound he left there. When he was satisfied, he licked the drops of blood that had run onto your chin obscenely. When he pulled back, his grinning lips looked as if they were wearing lipstick.
 "Such a pretty angel, all for me. Don't worry, you won't be so much of an angel anymore when I'm done defiling you." At this point you were almost ready to simply give up. There was no chance for a way out, not when San was infinitely more powerful and skilled than you. Perhaps you really had no choice but to let this happen.
San guided the both of you further onto the bed, his free hand stroking and caressing your body wherever it could reach. "When I first saw you, I knew you were perfect for me. So feisty, never giving up the fight no matter what. What happened to you babe, where did all that daring go to?" It seemed San was the first person who made you give up. You had never feared gambling your life for a way out, but here? There was no chance for escape in the first place, there was no hope. Were you really ready to die?
Just when you didn't think your mind could take any darker turns, San pressed the hilt of his knife into the palm of your hand. He squeezed your fingers shut around it, and bringing the blade to his own throat. You were too stunned to think, let alone speak. "Don't be afraid darling, I know you like the power it holds." San pressed the blade in your hand into his own skin hard enough to draw a line of blood. "Wouldn't you like to give it a little taste?" Your body slowly thawed from under San's icy gaze, which was now suddenly warm and loving. Your eyes shot in a panic from his face to the lesion slowly dribbling blood. The fire of adrenaline kindled in your chest once more. You thought you were screwed, and maybe you were. But there you held a knife to San's throat, holding the power.
You rolled the two of you over, making you straddle his hips. Your chest was heaving at this point, brain rushing in overdrive. You had him under control, you could do anything you wanted. There was a little voice in the back of your head telling you that he only was allowing you to hold this kind of power over you, but you didn't care.
You let your eyes wander over his body, only now being able to appreciate how well built the man below you was. When your eyes returned to his face, you saw that he was grinning triumphantly. "Do you like what you see, angel?" San bit his lip, rolling his hips under yours. For a split second your eyes rolled back as you hissed, his cock managing to brush just the right spots. But you weren't about to get distracted here, you were in charge after all. So you daringly pressed the blade into his throat harder, now allowing a small stream of blood to seep out of the cut.
 "Don't get cocky with me now, boy." San's hands had to grip your sheets tightly in order to hold his composure and resist thrusting his hips once more. He seemed positively lovestruck as he gazed into your eyes, practically begging for more. You lifted your hips only to find his underwear soaked not only with your arousal, but also a growing stain of pre cum where his tip was visibly straining against the fabric. You dragged a nail, scratching down his chest leaving a red line in its wake. After teasing his cute little snail trail, you finally dipped your finger into the waistband of his boxers. You just couldn't help your curiosity for what this man's dick looked like. When you finally freed it, its tip landed against his stomach with a lewd wet smack.
 "Now that is the queen I love and admire." San said wistfully. You could almost not believe the turn of events, let alone how the most skilled fighter in the mafia was now writhing at your mercy. And he absolutely loved it.
 "Fuck." Was all you could let out, stunned at the turn of events. But beyond all, you had never been so turned on. Utterly and completely addicted to this feeling of power. And the way his dick looked with its veins straining desperately, tip already leaking once more didn't help your arousal either. You ground your hips down onto his cock, but it wasn't enough.
 "Are you ready for me baby?" He asked with a strained voice, clearly having to hold himself back with how badly he wanted to fuck you. Your nod was the only sign he needed, before thrusting his cock inside of you. The stretch was driving you insane, your knuckles turning white as you reflexively gripped onto the knife impossibly tighter. When you finally caught your breath and had adjusted to his size within you, you opened your eyes. Nothing could have prepared you for the glorious sight, San looking positively deranged, your knife still pressed right up against his throat as he fucked you without mercy. From all of the rocking and the knife being sharp, it wasn't all that surprising when you began seeing a second red line appear on his neck, gradually bleeding down his bulging muscles. San let his tongue loll out of his mouth, looking as if he had finally truly lost the last shred of his sanity. "Fuck baby" He almost more whined than grunted, never slowing his relentless pace. "You feel so- ah." A strangled moan left him as he felt you nick another slit on his neck. You could tell just by looking at him that he felt exactly that same high as you did. You were both addicted to the adrenaline, the feeling of risk and power. "You were made for me baby, just think of the things we could achieve together-" San rattled on, eventually you were certain that he was speaking gibberish. You didn't care however, because in that moment you knew you truly and fully belonged to him. Whatever he'd want to do with you, want to do to you, you would let him. It was a small price to pay for feeling your high like this.
"Just look at you, my pathetic little cry baby. First you say you don't want me, and now you're begging me to make you mine?" He jeered "Oh I'll make sure you'll be mine and mine alone, angel." You had been riding him for god knows how long, feeling absolutely overstimulated from the orgasms he continued to pull out of you without mercy. The strain in your legs had long numbed down to a dull sensation, all of your senses focused entirely on San.
 "Yes Sannie I- fuck. I belong to you Sannie, all yours." You blabbered out mindlessly, the pace of his cock hitting spots so deep inside of you driving you absolutely insane. You don't know when it had happened but apparently your knife had fallen from your fingers to the ground, but you couldn't care less.
 "I'm going to come inside of you so deep baby, gonna fill you up to the brim over and over again until you've gone all numb" San's husky voice was so close to you ear, his lips so close to your skin.
 "Fill me up Sannie, make me all yours. Please-" San's back was resting against the headboard, mouth leaving hickeys and bite marks all over your chest and neck, wherever he could reach.
 "Anything for you baby, anything for you. You are so tight, gonna milk me of all of my cum like such a good girl." You were so close to losing it, your legs hooked around his back desperately. The biggest wave of pleasure you had ever felt washed over you the moment you could feel the sticky warmth of his come being shot deeply inside of you, your walls squeezing his cock so desperately San had trouble pulling away from you before thrusting into you as deeply as possible again.
That was most certainly not the last time that night where he came, always buried deep inside of you. He made certain to mark his new territory all over you, and neither did you hold back doing the same. When you woke up tangled together in the morning feeling sore all over, all you could do was grin stupidly. You admired San's peaceful sleeping face, fascinated by how innocent he looked. Frankly, he looked rather adorable, as if he wasn't one of the most powerful mafia members of the century. As if he wasn't a ruthless killer, you thought to yourself. How could he look so happy, dreaming away? You had been tortured my nightmares all your life as a result of what other had done to you, and you to them. The sight of San sleeping like a baby not only made you feel safe in his strong yet loving arms, but also forget about the rest of your worries.
 "Good morning my angel" San rasped sleepily. His eyes were still shut as he licked and smacked his lips a couple of times in order to wet his dry mouth.
 "Good morning San" You softly replied. You were certain you looked much less like an angel in that moment, hair an unbelievable mess and hickeys, bite marks and bruises all over. But San, however messy, looked like a gift from heaven himself. The way his soft locks of hair fell over his forehead, or the way his lips were ever so slightly puckered just made him look unreal.
You would have liked to continue to drift in and out of sleep together with San for at least several more hours, but you were both rudely roused by the ringing of your doorbell.
 "Just leave it be." you groaned. But when you saw San had opened his eyes and the serious look on his face, you knew it was already too late. All you could do was smile sheepishly as you admired the muscled man climb his way out of bed and slipping into a pair of boxers and trousers. Before walking over to the door he hesitated, and quickly grabbed his shirt from the floor too before throwing it over to you. A blush spread over your face as you smelled his shirt shyly before putting it on. When you heard the door open you made your way out of your bed, fishing a fresh pair of underwear out of a drawer. When you peeked into the hallway curiously, you quickly froze. Standing in your front door was nobody less than Kim Hongjoong, the boss of the leading mafia of the nation. You gulped, feeling embarrassed. It was bad enough that he had to see you and a guy half dressed, covered in your marks nonetheless, obviously just woken up after a night of kinky sex. What made it infinitely worse, was that it was not some random guy he had found with you in your apartment, but San, one of his six most trusted men who coordinated the gang together with him.
If it bothered Hongjoong he didn't show it, briefly reintroducing himself to you. The news he came with however, was rather unexpected.
 "We just came by intel of the most urgent matter, so I came by to deliver the message personally." He looked incredibly serious. "One of our rival gangs has just made a trade with the small town gangs in your area, giving them an unreasonable amount of firepower and other weaponry. All for one piece of information." He said gravely, and only continued after a dramatic pause. "Your whereabouts. They know your address, phone numbers and even credit details. We fear they may even already be on the move here."
 Your eyes had grown wide in shock, looking over to San for stability hoping he could give you any guidance. San seemed to be more used to this kind of news however, and was simply listening intently without even the slightest hint of worry. Of course, you thought to yourself. What did you expect? He did this for a living, for who knows how long now. How exactly had you gotten yourself tangled in all of this again? You were beginning to feel small in comparison to all of these high and mighty characters that suddenly appeared into your life and put your world upside down. Technically they had saved you from misery and helping you learn how to stand up for yourself. "W-what do I do?" you asked stuttering still half in shock. "Do I need to run?" You didn't want to leave your home behind, not that you had a lot to begin with, but you certainly didn't feel like having to start all over from zero again.
 "You can stay with us." Hongjoong spoke. You would have asked him if he meant it if his face hadn't been absolutely serious. "I know you both probably have.. Talking to do" he side eyed the marks all over San's body and then yours. "but that is going to have to wait. They could be here within the hour." Shit. "Pack your most important possessions, then San can bring you to our base." San gave Hongjoong a curt nod. "I strongly advise you hurry." And with that, Hongjoong shut the door behind himself.
"Shit."
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A/N: Thank you so much for reading, nothing makes me happier than to interact with you guys, so please don’t hesitate to pop anything into the comments! Lots of love <3 Reblogs are very berry welcome too~ <3
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Next chapter (part 7)
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kc5rings · 1 year
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Devil May Cry FF14 AU.
Not where they are in that setting, but post DMC5 where they play together as a group.
Preliminary thoughts are
Dante: Dark Knight (duh)An incredibly competent tank who nevertheless occasionally jumpscares people with cleaves and semi regularly shirks onto his brother for fun. Can play any role fairly well and is a particularly good Sage since in his words it’s the only healer with style.
Vergil: Samurai (also duh) “parse is the only true measure of a warrior Dante, “greed” is a concept for those who cannot grasp true power” this is usually the point said cleave or shirk kills Vergil, more than one physical fight has broken out over this. Also is an omnicrafter but only makes his own gear and refuses to use the marketboard at all. Will absolutely steal every LB3.
Nero: Gunbreaker and Red Mage. Gunbreaker is a pretty obvious fit and he almost always off tanks for Dante, also a very competent tank but occasionally gets frustrated if Whig’s something or lets someone else get killed. Won’t shirk onto Vergil but will occasionally graze him with a cleave just to keep him on his toes. Enjoys the in and out gameplay of Red Mage, especially the melee burst. Is on a continuous search a good RDM weapon glam that looks passably like Red Queen.
Kyrie: White Mage and Reaper but has all 90’s. Along with Nico, she’s the one who got everyone else into playing the game. Both her and Nico have been playing for ages and started playing together after they met through Nero. Is a scary hood healer who will balance a tanks health on a knife edge while racing the DPS on damage. Nero is the tank she made him and they work extremely well together. When Reaper came out she took to it immediately and is an absolute terror, the amount of damage a near miss teleporting she does actually earns her Vergil’s respect. He thinks she can do better than Nero.
Nico: Machinist but truly an omincrafter main. Like Kyrie has been playing forever, since launch in her case. Is the kind of crafter main to have fully melded gear day one and has the static kitted out the day after that. Has done just about every bit of content there is to do and enjoys chasing down every side quest. Big in the modding community for making some of the best aesthetic stuff available.
Lady: Machinist/Black Mage. Wanted to start the game as machinist for the guns, picked black mage to use until she could unlock machinist but got caught up in the thirst for Big Explosions. Still likes machinist but always plays black mage for serious content, her rotation is down to a sweet science and she never gets tired of seeing Fire IV go off. Has threatened to shoot both of the Sparda brothers for standing in her leylines, has actually shot Dante for it.
Trish: Monk and Dancer, prefers classes where she can move freely and also help out a little here and there. Monk is her preference because she likes to get in close and mix things up, enjoys keeping the LB3 from Vergil. Glam game is always on point and has all 90’s to have access every piece of armor just in case there’s a look she likes.
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snailchimera · 3 months
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phone problems
It's not important and I did it to myself, but I want to whine anyway:
I wanted to unlock the bootloader on an older phone. It should have been easy. However, the bootloader tool said my phone was ineligible. At this point I already had a pretty good idea of what had happened. The phone was too old, and had been removed from the unlocker program. But being an idiot and a masochist I guess, I decided to try calling the company to ask if it really could not be unlocked. So I do. But I'm terrible at phone calls unless I have a script, and I did not take the time to write a fucking script. So I'm verbally flailing, failing to give important information, giving wrong information, trying to articulate that I knew it was carrier unlocked/wasn't associated with a specific carrier (phones locked to specific carriers can't have their bootloaders unlocked because if they could you could easily make them carrier-unlocked too) but sounding like enough of a clueless idiot that I don't blame the poor tech support person on the other end of the line for not believing me. Then they get another tech support person on the line, I flail at that person, that person says if the tool says it's not unlockable then it's not unlockable but she'll check it anyway and I'm too flustered to tell her not to bother, she does, then she gives a long and patient (and slightly wrong I’m pretty sure) explanation that amounts to me being right the first time when I figured it was old enough to be taken out of the unlocker program. And then she hung up very abruptly, unless that was my phone hanging up very abruptly for me because it is old and bad, so either she was out of time/patience and didn't want to bother with saying goodbye or letting me respond to her answer or she thinks I hung up on her and that I'm an asshole in addition to being incompetent. So I'm stressed out and mad and frustrated for no good reason because I already knew it was hopeless but I just had to check and waste everyone's time. The practical upshot of this is I have two old phones, neither of which work quite right and neither of which can be improved by flashing custom firmware. I cannot afford a newer phone, and if I bought another older phone that I could afford the most likely result is that I would be wasting a hefty chunk of cash to have three old phones that do not work quite right and cannot be improved by flashing custom firmware. More than anything I'm mad at these smartphone companies and also our capitalist hellscape world in general because it did not have to be like this. Phones could be made to last. Phones could be easy and relatively cheap to repair and upgrade. It would not be hard. Instead we live in a world where massive amounts of rare, difficult-to-obtain-or-manufacture materials, often obtained or produced in wildly exploitative ways, are used to produce incredibly sophisticated and powerful pocket computers, which are then intended to be disposable, replaced every one to three years if you have the cash for it and want to take advantage of incentives from your carrier or the manufacturer, or maybe an absolute max of ten if you're willing to take extraordinary, extremely nerdy measures (though no phone that old can be used in the US right now regardless because 3G was phased out and there's no! way! to! upgrade! old! phones! to 4 or 5G!).
...I want a fairphone because in theory it is a repairable, upgradable phone, designed to last, with minimal horrifying labor practices involved in its construction. But even if I could afford one, there's still the question of whether the fairphone company will still be there 5, 10, 15 years from now. Will replacement parts still be available? Will upgrades? Will the firmware still get regular security patches for that long? Will all of these things be available to US customers when currently they're only selling to the US through a for-profit "privacy-focused" offshoot of LineageOS whose approach to degoogling includes a possibly illegal app store?
None of this mess should be this hard.
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lananiscorner · 2 years
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Perhaps you're burnt out on 3H and that's to be expected. But have you ever done a meme or challenge run of the game beyond a speed run? I've done a few so to share some examples: CF magic/spell only (no physical weapons), VW no promotion (noble/commoner class only), SS infantry only/no canto, AM bow only, AM inverse (all physical units use magic only and vice versa). All had their own challenges. Some were actually not fun xD but I think it was a worthwhile experience in every example.
Thanks for your ask, anon.
I did actually do a few challenge runs! Off the top of my head:
Silver Snow Holy Knight Byleth solo, full recruitment: This was actually kind of fun and it helped me a lot in figuring out how to recruit everyone the fastest.
Silver Snow church characters only: This is the second-worst route for a church only run, topped only by Crimson Flower, for obvious reasons--cannot recommend.
Silver Snow Ashen Wolves only: This was actually kind of fun. Hapi tanks Rhea's attacks like nobody's business. I used Enlightened One Byleth with gauntlets in this run, and she really was the second coming of Sothis. Crits for days.
Crimson Flower non-hypocritical run (no saint statue bonuses, no crest users, no instructing, no unlocking hidden talents, no choir, no church battalions, no divine pulse): this was fun, but also occasionally frustrating when you start to realize just how much help from the Goddess/church is involved in a normal run and how badly "everybody rises and falls by their own merits" sucks. I ended up with only Wyvern Lords Petra and Caspar, Dancer Dorothea and Dark Bishop Hubert (thankfully WL Petra is a one woman army in her own right lol).
Crimson Flower minimal NG+ prep (no saint statues, no unlocking skills/battalions beyond what's needed to get Byleth and Edel into Wyvern Lord): This one came about because I eventually want to stream a NG+ Azure Moon 100% run, but I don't really want any of the NG+ bonuses except for Dimitri's alternate hairstyle (yes, I am that petty). So this was essentially a two character speedrun with minimal use of gameplay mechanics.
Verdant Wind all Bow Knight team (except for dancer Raphael): completely trivialized Shambala--I sniped everything and everyone from behind the walls. Bow Knight Lysithea with a Magic Bow is terrifying.
Azure Moon Bow Knight Dimitri solo: I got bored of making him a Holy Knight over and over, so I decided to go with Bow Knight instead. Absolute legend. Disgustingly strong.
Azure Moon 100% OTP duo run (Wyvern Lords Felix and Annette only): I had never made either of those two Wyvern Lords before, but I figured I needed high move classes, though as it turns out, most maps on AM are actually cavalry friendly, so it really wasn't required. I actually chronicled my experience with this run here on my blog.
Azure Moon 100% Maddening, no NG+, DimiMari Holy Knight power couple run: Exactly what it says on the tin. I did AM on new game, Maddening, using only Holy Knights Dimitri and Marianne. Which means Marianne had to solo chapter 6 (including the Death Knight). This run nearly made me quit several times (chapters 7, 12, 14, as well as the paralogues Dividing the World, Retribution and A Cursed Relic in particular can go and get fucked). This was the only time in all my playthroughs that I actively needed to plan out my combat arts, battalions and abilities to the finest detail or else I'd be fucked. I don't ever want to play Maddening again (the trick to surviving it are the "breaker" skills btw--the weapon triangle is actually important in Maddening, and especially swordbreaker on Dimitri in chapter 13 will save you sooooo much trouble). I chronicled my experiences with this run as well.
Aaaaand I think that's all my challenge runs. For my eventual Azure Moon stream, I am planning to use "Knight" master classes only, so Holy Knights Dimitri and Mercedes, Dark Knights Sylvain and Annette, Bow Knights Ashe and Felix, Great Knights Dedue and Gilbert, and Falcon Knights Ingrid and Byleth.
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ihopethisendswell · 2 years
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Random story idea I had.
It starts off with the typical princess in a tower scenario, except solely focusing on the princess and the tower.
The Tower is not just an ordinary tower. It's magical, filled with quizzes, monsters, winding mazes and pathways. All for the purpose of testing The Princess. Every year, in her birthday, the princess would be given one chance to escape the Tower. Prior to this she is "trained" , honing her observation skills, agility, her navigation, her reaction time- all for one day. And every year, on her birthday, she fails. She is sent back to her room, her door locked, and has to wait for the next year. Again and again and again.
Until her 18th birthday.
She was close. She was so so close. Everything the Tower threw at her, everything it did to get in her way she surpassed and she was going to get out of this god forsaken Tower- until she doesn't. Something grabs her ankle, and she's suddenly lunged back. Back to her room. Back to her cell. It even added chains this time. It knew she was close too. The Princess screamed and wailed, begging cursing the Tower to let her go, that she was so close, that she was fucking 18. No one answered. No one ever does. And the Princess had enough.
The one thing I glossed over was how did the Princess got close the bring free. Because truthfully, the Tower makes it incredibly difficult to do so, especially for a girl with no powers. Of course, she trained for this moment, and her skills cannot be dismissed, but she's up against monsters with no powers, no weapons, just her two feet for running and the occasionally hard kick( trust me, the Princess has some strong legs). How did she manage to get the closest she's been in years. Well besides her spite determination, and again, training for this her entire life, the Princess unlocked something that the Tower didn't except: magic. It was the final stretch. The only thing on her way was a large than life hole that she in no way she can jump. The Tower was crumbling ( she may or may not have caused one of the Towers dragons to fall over) and she needed out fast. If she stopped she would be stuck forever, if she jumped, she could die by stupidity. She rather die of stupidity. But the thing was, she was so sure she could make it. So she ran and ran and ran. And then she jumped. She felt the energy behind her as she jumps the highest she has ever jumped in her life. And so far that she crossed the hole with ease. Then she kept running. She was faster too. She felt stronger. And she was so close. Until she wasn't.
So now we're back in her room- cell. And the Princess is frustrated. She's fucking pissed. She pulls on her chains with that exit in mind and she pulls and pulls until soom she doesn't feel weight of them anymore. It took her a minute to realize she's running again, stronger and faster than she was before. She was going to get out. She was going to beat this Tower and laugh in it's stupid brick face. She was going to be free.
Obviously, the Tower did not appreciate this. It sender hoards of monsters at the Princess but she just ran past them. The chains around her wrist were good weapons, sure, but she didn't care about the monsters. She just wants to get out. And soon enough she was back to where she was. So close to that door. So close to freedom. She starts laughing-laughing! She hasn't laughed in years! Yes she started laughing! Freedom!
She reached the door, swings it open and encounters a bright light.
She opens her eyes. The room is cold and blue. She feels something- someone in her hands. She looks down to see a man in a white coat, hanging him by the color. She looks up to see more white coats, some slowly surrounding her. Some seems to have glowing hands? At the sight of that, the Princess begins to panic.
" Wha-" she breathes, her body suddenly shaking, eyes and head moving all over to get a grasp of her surroundings. "W-where....who-"
" I see the patient has woken up," a smooth velvety voice catches her ear. Cutting through the white coats is a tall woman, her eyes cold. She stares down at the Princess.
" Good to know that our efforts are not in vain, despite the mess you made. I am sure you are confused, but all will be explained," she says simply, only removing eye contact to look to the Princess' side, " And please let go of my scientists,". The Princess looks down at saud scientist, who staring at her as if she's some demon. She quickly drops him ,moving back before looking back at the mysterious woman. Said woman simply nods, expression unwavering. She turns her back towards to the Princess, and starts walking. The Princess stares as she does, confused, but quickly realize she's supposed to follow.
And so she does.
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annyllel · 3 years
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Something I noticed is that both Zelda and her father have a moment in which they clench their fists. 
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ladyartemesia · 3 years
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ঌ⊙ fic preview ⊙ঌ
Once Upon a Bracelet
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Pairing: Prince Jungkook x Sorceress Reader
(Featuring Platonic Jin x Reader Friendship)
Genre: Fantasy ��� Soulmates • Enemies to Lovers
Predicted Word Count: 7K (Teaser is 1K)
Rating: Explicit (18+) (Teaser is PG-13)
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Summary: You were born to nothing, but your powerful craft caught the eye of a charming prince.
However, his distinctly un-charming younger brother challenged your betrothal and is routinely challenging you.
Jeon Jungkook is (probably) a former necromancer and (definitely) the wrong prince...
But the bracelets tell a different story.
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⊙ঌ⊙థ⊙ঌ⊙థ⊙ঌ⊙ঌ⊙ঌ
Prologue: Blood Magic
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Blood magic was the oldest and most powerful of the ancient crafts.
The best and strongest blood crafters hailed from Dionysia, where the heart of all blood magic, the Sanguine Well, rose up from the earth. The people of Dionysia served as caretakers and protectors of the Well and, in time, reverence of the blood craft wove into the fabric of their souls.
Their culture thrived around it. Their beliefs embodied it.
Even love bowed before it.
Bonding bracelets were born of blood magic.
The ritual creation of a bonding bracelet pair marked the transition from childhood into maturity. When a man or woman reached their 20th birthday, they and their family traveled to the Sanguine Well.
Four cuts were made on the right hand. Six drops of blood offered to the water...
Then the Well would churn and rise with violence, swelling till the overflow swept over the youth who fed their blood to the currents.
When the water receded, the bracelet pair remained.
One bracelet for the man or woman who sought the well.
One for their soulmate.
Only the first of any soulmate pair (the first seeker) to perform the ritual received the bracelets. Many who traveled to the Sanguine Well left empty handed because their soulmate had offered blood first.
The first seeker’s bracelet formed fully clasped around their wrist. The second bracelet remained open and would only close for the first seeker’s destined mate.
When an unclaimed bracelet united with its true host, the open ends stretched and intertwined to form a rune.
From that moment on, the first seeker and their mate were blood bonded; their powers and abilities joined in a sacred union that was – to all known craft – unbreakable.
The strength of a blood bound pair could be quite formidable and, over the centuries, powerful soulmates rose to become great warriors, crafters, and leaders of their people…
For this reason, Dionysia did not take the gift of bonded soulmates lightly.
All proposed matches were registered and approved by the Ruling Council before an open bracelet could even be tried on by a potential partner. Both parties were required to present evidence of their commitment to one another. If the alliance was approved, the betrothed pair participated in a public ceremony where the first seeker’s intended mate would activate the bond by finally placing the open bracelet around their wrist.
The Royal Council believed this care and reverence honored the craft and the gods, thereby allowing the sacred tradition to continue.
In 900 years of recorded history, only five bonding ceremonies ended with a bracelet that did not close.
Now there were six…
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⊙ঌ⊙థ⊙ঌ⊙థ⊙ঌ⊙ঌ⊙ঌ
Once Upon a Time...
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“Jin!”
Your voice echoed dismally down the dusty corridor of Silent Truth Hall. “I’m sorry…I—”
Jin whirled on you, shaking his head vehemently.
“None of this is your fault.”
“There are many reasons why this could’ve happened,” you offered breathlessly.
“There’s only one reason why this happens.”
He sighed in defeat as you rubbed your temples in frustration.
“I don’t understand. The Council gave permission!”
The Ruling Council was a sovereign governing body of three kings and three queens, one monarch from each of Dionysia’s six royal bloodlines.
“The Council isn’t all knowing… ” Jin collapsed against a nearby wall. “This is a disaster,” he whispered.
And it was.
You had no family, but all of your friends from the Academy were there.
Jin was technically an orphan as well, but his adopted family, the Jeons, were there.
Jeon Alaya was high queen of the Ruling Council, so half the kingdom was there to see her (adopted) son bond with a craft prodigy from The Wastes.
Half the kingdom, but not her blood. Not her youngest son, you thought bitterly.
The two of you were silent for several moments while your minds struggled to process the shock.
“Do you think the rumors—what they say about me—is true?” you asked solemnly.
Jin’s head shot up in an instant.
“No,” he swore, “they’re absolutely not true.”
“But it didn’t close—”
“It didn’t close because we aren’t soulmates—not because you aren’t one of us.” His expression softened. “We were a good idea… just not the right one.”
Tears begin to burn at the corner of your eyes.
On some level you were not surprised. You cared for Jin but–
Yours was not an overly romantic attachment.
It was a strong friendship—one that spanned several years. When you decided to apply to the Royal Council for bonding, it seemed…
Logical.
Friendship was an excellent basis for blood bonding. More than one bonded pair applied as friends.
You believed in the wisdom of the Royal Council—everyone did. If you and Jin were not meant for each other, then surely the Council would see it. They would turn down the application. Someone would object…
Someone did object, your mind taunted.
But you were approved.
The date was set. Announcements made. Invitations sent out. The bracelet was placed on your wrist and…
Nothing.
Nothing happened.
Jin’s bracelet remained stubbornly un-closed.
And you had never felt so mortified, so exposed… so profoundly alone in your entire life.
It was a scandal of epic proportions, one which potentially called into question the judgement of the entire Ruling Council.
“Listen,” Jin said at last, “I need… I need to clear my head and think about the next steps. I know an expert on bonding bracelets. Maybe I can convince her to help. There might be another explanation.”
His hands slid up to grasp your shoulders in a familiar comforting gesture.
“Head to my house outside the city for a while. No one will bother you there, and I’ll be back tomorrow.” He gave your arms a brotherly squeeze. “We’ll work through this.”
You nodded, extremely grateful for the opportunity to be alone for a few hours.
Jin helped you slip out the back corridor to avoid the insanity still unfolding in the Hall (where the failed ceremony took place), then you parted with a final hug and quietly walked the few miles to his beautiful manor near the lake.
Technically, Golden Starlight House was one of many homes owned by the Jeon family. This one, however, Jin shared with his younger brother…
Jungkook
Jeon Jungkook was a sore subject for you. In fact, you preferred not to think about him at all if possible—and you certainly would never agree to hide at his house if you thought he would be there.
But Jungkook left weeks ago… right after the betrothal was announced.
“I cannot stand by and watch my brother make a mistake like this.”
His horrible words echoed in your mind as you unlocked the door, prepared to simply collapse fully clothed on the chaise when—
“Shouldn’t you be off playing bride-to-be literally anywhere else?”
You turned, already knowing who you would see.
“Jeon Jungkook. Of course.” A mirthless laugh bubbled up before you could stop it.
Just what I needed right now.
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Full story should be posting very soon! Please let me know what you thought of the teaser! 🥺I would really appreciate it and it really fuels my creative process! I promise I treasure every word!
Let me know in the comments if you would like to be tagged for this story!
Tagging: @lemonjoonah @xjoonchildx @ppersonna @hobi-gif @untaemedqueen @underthejoon because you ladies are my heart and I always want to show you what I did right away 🥺
Important Note: I previously published a version of this story for a different fandom (Star Wars). So if you see it elsewhere (though I have made considerable changes) I promise it’s me and I can prove it. Tagging @wwilloww because she read the original way back when 😂🤣
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mackeydoodledoo · 3 years
Text
The Fifth Lord: Chapter 4
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Pairing: Alcina Dimitrescu and (Fem!Dragon)Reader [non-romantic], Bela Dimitrescu x (Fem!Dragon)Reader
Summary: Your name is Y/n Dracul; The only ‘mutant’ that doesn’t have the Cadou Parasite. You already have some sort of power that impressed Mother Miranda; you were the first known Human-Dragon Hybrid. Although you have your own house, “House Dracul”. Your ‘house’ itself is basically an unused wing of Castle Dimitrescu.
Warnings: Heartbreak, sadness, game spoilers [I’m sure everyone has watched or played Village]
A/N: So like- The fly Bela left Y/n is all nice ‘n toasty (Y/n can produce body heat to keep it warm) when they’re outside of the castle. 
“Fairy Tail Main Theme - Slow Ver.” Yasaharu Takanashi [Play this when Cassandra says, “Y/n...”]
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You lost two of your favorite people in the world, one of them being the love of your life. however, that couldn’t be on your mind at the moment. You have a mission; protect Cassandra. You continue down the hall slowly, trying to inhale the air; attempting to pinpoint Cassandra’s location by scent. Once you reach the end, you’re met with the House Dimitrescu house crest on the door. You take Bela’s key and unlock the it. 
“Lady Cassandra?” You call out
No answer...
"Lady Cassandra!!" You call out to her
But no answer.
Damnit... Crying doesn’t help when you’re trying to track a scent... But, she must be in an area where she can't hear me... Or she’s thinking I’m Ethan... Or both.
You noticed how your crying stuffed your nose and blurred your vision ever so slightly. 
"Lady Cassandra!!" You scream, in an attempt for her to come to you
Again, no response.
She's close though.... God please be okay....
You take the doorway straight across from the entry hall from the hidden doorway. 
"Lady Cassandra?" You call out to her, opening the door
She wasn't anywhere to be seen in that room however, look under a fireplace and see a hole; big enough for someone to crawl through.
It's getting stronger...
Without even crawling, you maneuver into the hole and into the armory room.
"Lady Cassandra," you sigh in relief, running over to her
"My lord, what the hell are you doing here?" She asks, turning to you
"Ethan Winters- in our castle- he killed Bela and-and Daniela, he's coming here next," you say, “I must get you to a safe place...”
Before you could continue explaining, the door opens from the other room.
It's his scent... I have to get Lady Cassandra out of here.
"I have to get you out of here," you state, looking for a way out of the armory other than the one you came through
"Like hell I’m running away," Cassandra says, materializing into her fly swarm
"No! Lady Cassandra!" You say, “I have to get you to Alcina!”
But she didn’t listen to you. 
“I was worried my sisters have gotten to you first,” Cassandra laughs, taunting Ethan
“Cassandra!” You yell, “No!”
You try to hold her back and for the both of you to head for the exit. However, she elbows you in the gut and pushes you off of her. You’re knocked into a couple of armor sets.
“Cassandra!” You yell once more, “You must get out of here!”
“I told you already my lord I am going to finish what my sisters could not!” She growls at you
It’s not that Lady Cassandra... I can’t afford to lose you... My Lady cannot afford to lose you too...
However, what you notice is what Ethan is carrying in his hand. You forcibly move out from the fallen armor pieces and lunge at him.
“Cassandra!” You yell, “His hand! He has a pipe bomb!!” 
However, Winters throws the pipe bomb towards the crevice in the wall. At that point you tried to pick yourself back up to reach for Cassandra instead of Winters.
“Look out!” You scream, your arm outstretched to Cassandra
“What?” Cassandra asks you, confused 
However, just before you could reach her, the pipe bomb goes off, knocking the both of you away from each other. You get knocked into some barrels and you wheeze out for air. Cassandra’s screams of pain are muffled. 
“Lady.... Cassandra... We.. Have to... R-run...” You groan
“You’ve ruined the hunt!” Cassandra snarls at Ethan
Once you gained your bearings and your vision, you look up and notice Cassandra getting shot at. The screams and pained grunts had sent something up your spine and to your legs.
“Lady Cassandra!” You yell, forcing yourself up from the debris of wood
A bullet grazes your shoulder as you shield Cassandra from oncoming bullets. You let out a frustrated growl as you begin emitting body heat in an attempt to reverse the decreasing metabolism on Cassandra. However, you coil one arm around Cassandra as the both of you begin falling to the ground. 
“Get away from her!” You scream
However, your other arm throws a fireball at Ethan. He dodges but faints in the process.
“Come on heat,” You tell your own body, “Don’t let Cassandra die on me!”
“Y/n...” Cassandra says, hugging you, “Stop...”
“I’m not going to watch you die in front of me!” You scream, a fire emitting your entire body
“You’re... Warm...” Cassandra says weakly, “I don’t feel how painful the fire is...”
You let out a human scream as you continue to try and warm Cassandra with your dragon-like fire based abilities.
“Y/n.... It’s no use...” Cassandra says weakly once more, “Stop before you overwork yourself...”
“I cannot watch you die too!” You yell, confessing why you were so persistent on getting her out, “I watched Daniela die... I had come too late for Bela... I can’t let the same thing happen to you...”
“I. Y/n.. It’s okay. I Can’t turn back.. Anyway..” She groans
“We’ll figure something out but for now I have to get you out of here and to get you to-”
“I’ll be able to see my sisters... Won’t I?” She asks you, tears forming into her eyes
You pull away from her to look at her; she’s continuing to crystalize, “You will...”
You try to smile for her but it only turns into an ugly crying frown. You were still trying to emit enough body heat for her however the constant incoming cold air doesn’t help your case.
“It’s okay y/n,” She smiles at you
She smiles as she begins allowing her body to go limp.
“No no no no no no no...” You stutter, trying to figure out how to get her out of the armory
“Tell mother that I... I’m sorry...” She says before reaching out to your hand, “I’ll be seeing my idiot sisters soon...”
Before you could touch her hand she crumbles in your lap and in your arms. You pick the torso up from the pile. You let out strangled gasps as you begin sobbing once more, clutching the torso. 
Damnit damnit damnit.... Not Lady Cassandra too! DAMNIT ALL!!!!
Deja vu, you hear a gun cock behind you. You look up and slowly turn your head to Ethan; severely burned.
“Thanks to you, I’m never getting out of here!” He yells
“Thanks to you.... The family I’ve ever loved is gone...” You growl, smoke coming out of your mouth
He immediately puts his gun away at the sight of the combusting gas in your mouth. 
“You’re going to pay,” Your two voices coming out of your mouth
You were caught off guard when he was running towards the other side of the room. You were questioning him why he was reaching for an animal skull mount. You only watch him run out of the armory. Your own body goes limp when you look back at Cassandra’s crystal torso but still having your fingers firmly holding onto it for dear life. 
“I’m sorry too Lady Cassandra,” you choke on a sob, rocking the torso back and forth, “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you...”
You finally leave the armory and make your way to the bedchamber. You kick open the door, startling Alcina. She stands and begin turning her body to face you however, she stops when she hears your knees make impact with the ground. 
“I... Couldn’t save.. H-her...” You stutter over your words, “I-I tried all I could- I. I tried to get her out I really tried...”
Your voice trails off as Alcina walks up to you, taking the torso from your hands.
“’Tell Mother that I’m sorry’,” You say, “Those were Cassandra’s last words...”
You could easily tell that Alcina had been crying. She hides it well. But you? You were a crybaby. As soon as you smelled Bela’s remains, that was it for you. You haven’t recovered yet. You strongly believed you never will.
“Where is Winters now?” Alcina asks, gently but firmly
“I don’t know...” You sigh, hanging your head low, “I was still in shock... Cassandra and Daniela died in front of me... I found Bela too late...”
“I’ll go and find him,” Alcina says, walking past you, “You stay as long as you need dear. You’ve done all you could. Let me finish things here...”
You hear the door shut as you let your body fall onto the floor, seeing Daniela and Cassandra’s remains from across the room.
“Why does everyone I want to protect die in front of me?” You ask yourself, looking at Daniela and Cassandra
You didn’t realize how much time had passed until you jolt your head up when you hear roaring, faint roaring.
My Lady... She must have found Winters.... 
You exit the bedchambers and begin trudging through the halls, where the roars and gunshots were getting louder. You were exhausted; from crying for the last several hours. You just wanted everything to be over and for you to go back to the way things were. However, you could never go back to the way things were. Because, the people you cared about most in the world were non longer there with you. 
“Only The Lady is left...” You say to yourself, entering the hall, “I have to get to her...”
You run across the angel statue hall and push through the heavy doors.
Chapter 5
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fatefulfaerie · 3 years
Text
Pressure
A happy August birthday to @nayruprinze . I hope you like it!
“Drink.”
Urbosa’s voice was soft and commanding all at once, somehow both caring and cutthroat as she offered the glass of water to Zelda, cubes of ice clinking as she did.
“Ice is a hard commodity to come by around here,” Urbosa said, not relenting to Zelda’s obvious lack of attention. “It would be a shame to waste it.”
But Zelda continued to hug her knees on the bed she sat, her chin resting on her left knee and her gaze forward, dull, but forward.
Urbosa sighed as she placed the glass back down onto the small table next to the bed, almost exactly where the small ring of water had gathered previously. The drink was sweating like a Rito in Death Mountain, and Urbosa saw that Zelda was sweating as well, beads of sweat mussing her hair. 
Yet Urbosa wasn’t surprised.
The foolish girl had fled from the castle alone, had braved the desert without a thought for protection from the heat, protection form the Yiga. Urbosa would have erupted like a volcano telling her how stupid she was, how lucky she was to have not been attacked if not for the way Zelda sat now, almost mournful.
And dehydrated.
“Zelda, I…” Urbosa began. 
“I needed to get out of the castle,” Zelda said abruptly before Urbosa could finish her thought. “I needed get away from him.”
“From your father, or…from Link?”
Zelda didn’t answer at first, still staring ahead.
“Both,” Zelda finally said. “They can’t see me if I stay here. It’s against Gerudo law.”
Urbosa nodded in understanding.
“That is true,” she said. “They cannot see you if you stay in town. When either inevitably comes to find you, they will not be able to get through even the first archway, but…it is evident you still feel very seen by them. There is no place in Hyrule you can go where the pressure isn’t on you to succeed in unlocking your sealing power.”
Zelda knitted her brow. The truth was frustrating.
“Why can’t there be?” Zelda said, finally turning her head to Urbosa, the princess’ green eyes sharp and painful to Urbosa, like the bite of a snake.
Urbosa’s smile was apologetic and her green eyes in contrast were warm, like apple pie on a rainy day.
“You expected to come here for a break from the pressure of the castle,” Urbosa said. “But it feels exactly the same, doesn’t it?”
Zelda’s eyes stung as she nodded, but she refused to cry in front of a woman so fierce in battle, so strong and resolute, so impenetrable.
So she didn’t, and it took every ounce of her willpower.
“Who do you feel the most pressure from?” Urbosa asked Zelda.
Zelda thought for a second. No answer seemed absolutely correct, not her father, not the knight, not even the kingdom at large, but she went with her instincts nonetheless.
“The knight,” Zelda replied. “With the sword that seals the darkness.”
“The one that doesn’t talk?” Urbosa suggested. Zelda nodded, although she had no idea why Urbosa would need to clarify that. If there was another person who pulled the sword, Zelda wouldn’t have to deal with the stupid, short knight that follows her around like she needs protection, like she deserves protection.
“How does he pressure you?” Urbosa asked.
Zelda scoffed. Wasn’t it obvious?
“By existing!” Zelda exclaimed. “By parading that sword around!”
“Has he ever pressured you otherwise, verbally or physically?”
“He doesn’t need to,” Zelda said. “He knows exactly what he is doing.”
Urbosa nodded, standing up with the intention of leaving Zelda to herself for the night.
Yet first, the Gerudo chief tucked a stray strand of blonde hair behind Zelda’s pointed ear.
“I’m going to leave you to your rest,” Urbosa said. “But I want you to do me a favor.”
Zelda looked up with big green eyes. It was hard for Urbosa to not remember Zelda as a baby, innocent green eyes pleading for guidance and for love.
“I want you to consider the possibility that the reason why the pressure doesn’t fade while you are away from the castle is because the person who pressures you the most is actually you.”
Zelda froze at Urbosa’s strong yet softly-spoken words, yet Urbosa kissed the forehead of the girl she saw as a daughter nonetheless. 
“Goodnight, little bird.”
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A better world for us
I feel like a lot of people forget that the twins are teens so could you do a pietro x reader where during the events of AoU reader discovers she’s pregnant (teen pregnancy) and Pietro is the dad. Like I can imagine him being all worried about reader and Clint catching him talking to her belly while they’re waiting for help in the sky. Let’s say he lives in this version instead of dying. Please?--Anonymous
Request: Anonymous
Author's Note: I'm so sorry this took as long as it did! I genuinely have no excuse, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless worked super hard on it! Might be a tad different than what was requested! Thank you! Be warned there are mentions of abuse in the beginning!
(Y/N) never expected to be dragged into the world of Superheroes who fight for the peace of the Earth. That all changed when she was forcefully taken out of her home by an elite organization known as Hydra. They had experimented on her until she had the power to shapeshift into any animal whether they were extinct or not.
Through Hydra, she met a set of twins from a very young age. They grew close to each other, but it seemed that even (Y/N) couldn’t help herself from falling for the cocky runner. Wanda always made fun of her for even thinking that her brother was good looking let alone good enough to be an actual partner in a relationship.
It wasn’t until one night, Hydra had taken a beating to the poor teenager after she refused to perform in front of top-level clientele. They had broken her nose and busted up some of her ribs as punishment for her insubordination. She had been sobbing, trying to fix herself up enough that it wouldn’t worry Wanda or Pietro, but the door to her room opened.
“(Y/N), are you here?” The thick, deep accent spoke softly as she jolted from her place on the floor.
The jerk made her pull too hard on the stitching to pop out at a few places. She cursed softly as she squinted, trying to use the light of the moon in order to accomplish her goal. She looked up in time to see him staring down at her in shock.
“It’s not as bad as you think.” She assured quietly before suddenly her trembling hands slowly enveloped in his.
“Let me take care of it.” He whispered as she blinked back the tears of anger, hurt, and frustration. She nods gently before handing him the needle that she had been using as he looks around for the first aid. “No pain medicine?” He asked as she shook her head.
Pietro cursed softly before looking at her, running a hand over her sweat-soaked skin which made her offer a tight smile in return. His eyes were burning with anger, but the moment he looked down to her wounds that shifted to hurt. He slowly got to work as she grunted and dug her teeth into her lower lips scraping against the cut there in order to stop the sounds from escaping.
“I’m almost done.” He assured quietly, causing her to nod quickly. “I’m sorry.” He spoke finally after he cleaned up the dried blood from her body with a wet cloth.
“For… For what?” She slurred quietly.
“For not being there… For… For not helping sooner.” He whispered, looking conflicted as she swallowed softly.
It took everything in her not to reach forward and wipe the crease in his brow when she finally realized something. She wasn’t just crushing on him anymore… She was full-blown in love with the man before her as she opened her mouth. Yet, no words would escape her throat as it tightened from fear, or maybe it was because of how much pain she was in.
Pietro looked up to her, noticing the look in her eyes as his own irises dilated before he set down the bloody cloth. His hands slowly took her face into the palms, watching as she shivered from the warmth that flooded into her skin at the touch.
Everything felt tense for a moment, neither spoke in fear of breaking the bubble that had covered the two. It was Pietro who made the first move as he gently leaned forward, giving her time to back away if she wanted to. However, she didn’t move, she didn’t move because she didn’t want to and soon she felt his lips slowly brush over hers as she parted her mouth in shock.
Suddenly, they were kissing. It wasn’t the best kiss, mostly because neither one had any experience to help them guide the kiss. Nonetheless, the kiss in their minds was more than perfect enough.
The cut in her lip stung, but she couldn’t pull herself away from him before breathing became a necessity for them. They slowly pressed their foreheads together as warm breaths fanned across the other’s face while they just stared at each other.
“Pietro.” (Y/N) whispered pulling him into another kiss and soon clothing hit the floor as their night was lost in passion.
A few months had passed and not a lot had happened, it is true that the two began to date, but they were teenagers after all. They fumbled around in the shadows with heavy pettings that normally got them scolded by Wanda who was going to kill both of them if she saw her brother’s ass one more time.
Then the Ultron happened.
Wanda blindly trusted Ultron as did Pietro, but (Y/N) on the other hand, felt like something had been wrong. She didn’t understand what it was about him that made it difficult to like him, until Wanda unlocked his mind and saw what his true motive was.
Now, they were playing on the side that they believed to be the enemy. Pietro didn’t like it. He was a little angry to be honest, (Y/N) noticed it and pulled him to the side.
“Hey, talk to me.” She whispered softly, glancing to the Avengers who were making a plan to stop Ultron with Vision on their side.
“I don’t like this. I hate that Wanda just trusts this Vision so easily. First Strucker, then Ultron, are they next? Will we ever get to live a normal life?” He demanded as her eyes softened.
“We will, but we need to help stop Ultron first. He’s a bigger threat to this world then the Avengers are. Right now, they are our only ticket to having any sort of freedom. Listen, how about when this is all over, we go somewhere. Just you, me, and Wanda. Like we always planned to do. No more fighting, no more of this destruction.” She promised, cupping his face.
Pietro’s eyes fluttered as he leaned his head into her touch. His hand slowly slid up and took it into his own before placing a kiss onto her palm. He knew that what she was saying was the truth, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. His eyes fluttered open as their piercing gaze locked onto hers.
“Alright, let us get this over with. Then we are moving into the mountains or a state that is quiet.” He mumbles as a smile blooms across her mouth.
“That is my beloved.” She leans up and presses her lips against his own.
He immediately jerked her body flushed against his own before deepening the kiss. They slowly pull away, foreheads resting together. Pietro swallowed with a nod before pulling away as he looked towards the others who were still discussing plans to stop Ultron.
“We can do this, my love.” (Y/N) whispered to him as he nodded.
“Promise me, if things get bad… if they seem dire--I want you to get out of there. Do not worry about me. Just get out of there. You are more important to me.” He whispered, taking her hand as she shook her head.
“I’m sorry, I cannot promise you that. If things become dire, then we die together.” She spoke sternly as Pietro’s face twisted in slight anger before he huffs.
“Why can’t you just listen to me just this once?” He asked.
“Because, if I started doing that then we would both be screwed.” She smirks softly. “You and Wanda are my family, my only family. I cannot be without you.” She explains. “See it from my perspective. Would you do as I asked if I were to say the same thing?” She tilted her head.
“Alright, touché.” He mumbles.
“Okay, everyone, let’s rest. Tomorrow we are stopping Ultron.” Tony explains, clapping his hands together to get everyone’s attention.
Wanda stuck to Vision’s side like glue, so Pietro pulled (Y/N) off with him towards one of the spare bedrooms that Tony offered out to them. He laid her out onto the bed as (Y/N) smiled up to him, in the lighting of the moon, she looked absolutely gorgeous. He fell asleep to the soft sounds of her breathing against his neck.
A loud explosion knocked Pietro out of his daydreaming stupor.
He glanced up to see (Y/N) holding a huge piece of debris from him and Hawkeye. Her body had hardened like steel as she forced the piece of cement out of the way. She panted harshly, looking more exhausted for wear considering how long they have been battling.
Pietro started towards her, just in time as one of Ultron’s clones blasted the area she had just been. He noticed how her skin slowly drained itself of any color, causing him to curse softly before rushing her over to safety.
“(Y/N), what’s going on? Are you hurt?” He asked, looking over her body for some kind of bleeding wound. “Is it because of your powers? You haven’t used them in a while.” He explains.
“No, I--” She jerked forward before vomiting up whatever they had eaten last night, causing Pietro to move more out of shock than anything.
“Did you get hit in the stomach?” He asked worriedly before looking up to see Wanda rushing over to them.
“What’s going on?” She frowns, glancing at (Y/N) who was gagging heavily.
“She’s hurt, but I don’t know what happened.” Pietro explains when Wanda leans down and places her hands onto (Y/N)’s forehead. She looked inside to see what happened before she felt another energy pulling at her powers, causing her to gasp. “What! What’s wrong?” Pietro asked as Wanda’s wide eyes locked onto (Y/N)’s stomach.
“You--She is… She is carrying a child. I can feel it.” She whispered softly as Pietro and (Y/N) both looked up to Wanda in disbelief.
“Wha--What?” (Y/N) stuttered out, feeling like she was going to vomit now for a different reason.
“You are pregnant. When I looked into your head, I felt something pulling at me. I could feel the heat bloom from your stomach. It is a baby.” She explains, placing a hand onto her stomach as (Y/N) looked to Pietro.
“What--What do we do?” (Y/N) asked.
“Well you are definitely not fighting anymore. Wanda, stay with her. I have to end this now.” Pietro stood up before (Y/N) surged her hand out and took his own.
“Pietro, wait! Don’t go! I can’t--You can’t die!” She exclaims, looking distraught.
“I have to go, and I will not die… It sounds like I have three people I need to protect.” He offers his signature smirk before he was gone.
“Pietro!!” (Y/N) screams before Wanda pulls her back from the havoc that was outside the crumbling door. She buried her face into Wanda’s jacket before sobbing as she placed a hand onto her stomach. This was too much to handle at once.
It was finally over, (Y/N) had been taken by Hawkeye so Wanda could help fight the others. She held her breath since she hadn’t heard from either of them as they were boarding onto the Quinjet.
“Where is Pietro and Wanda?” (Y/N) demanded, storming over to Vision who looked to her.
“They are behind you.” Vision assures, gesturing behind her as she turned just in time to see Pietro and Wanda stepping onto the jet.
Tears flooded down (Y/N)’s face as she rushed over, hugging Wanda before turning her attention towards her lover. She held him tightly as he smiled, holding her back before he moved them so the others could get on board as well.
“Pietro Maximoff, if you do something so stupid again, I swear to every god that exists, you won’t be able to outrun my wrath.” She growled softly.
“Noted.” He chuckles before kissing her passionately before sitting down onto the floor. He pulled her into his lap, rubbing up and down her back. “You know, we should talk about this,” He places his hand onto her stomach. “I think this is rather important, but later. Right now, I am just thankful that we are all alive.” He whispered.
“I’m scared.” She whispered softly as he looked up to her with a confused face for a moment. “What if I’m not a good mom. I mean… Pietro, we’re practically kids.” She whispered with a wobbling lower lip.
“That may be true, my darling. However, I think we will do just fine. And we have Wanda to help us out. Whatever happens. I’m with you all the way.” He smiles before it falters for a moment. “Do you--Do you want to keep the baby?” He asked, scared she would say no, but knowing that this was her body, her choice.
“Of course I do, I’m just… really scared.” She whispered before laughing in tears. “We’re going to have a baby.” She gasps.
“We are.” He whispered before she laid down and fell asleep from exhaustion. Pietro watched her for a moment before running his fingers through her hair as his eyes slowly fell onto her stomach. “Hello my little gem. This is your daddy speaking, and I just wanted to let you know that I love you so much already. Even if you are this tiny little thing that doesn’t have a heartbeat yet.” He whispered. “I hope I can be a good dad for you.” He whispered softly.
“You will be.” A rough voice assured as Pietro’s eyes snapped up to see Hawkeye grinning down at him. “Because you’ve got us to help out when you need it.” He assures before Pietro looks down to (Y/N) once again before he smiles.
“It seems our family just got a little bigger.” He chuckles to (Y/N)’s stomach before pulling (Y/N) into his arms and his eyes fluttered shut. He was just glad that they were no longer being held captive by anyone, they were free to live their lives for the first time in what seemed like forever.
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pla-teau · 3 years
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WHATTHEFUCK WANDAVISION EPISODE 5
SPOILERS AHEAD, YOU’VE BEEN WARNED
GIFS AREN’T MINE
EPISODE 4 THOUGHTS
opening title | right off the bat, the paintbrush is surrounded by wanda’s powers. this adds to the assumption that wanda is the mastermind behind all that is happening with westview. could mean nothing but i just find that little detail interesting. also, in the recap, in the quick moment in episode 3, we see another variation of the scene when vision asks wanda where geraldine went. she says “she’s gone. she didn’t belong here.” i feel like in recaps to come, we’ll see slight variations of past scenes to indicate that the reality in westview is breaking or just to show the actual words exchanged during the altered scene. wanda is the one broadcasting and chooses what audiences can and cannot see so maybe this is the original cut of the scene that we nor SWORD saw in the broadcast.
agnes | first off, agnes breaks character for a second like an actress who screws up and so everyone has to do a retake. when she says to wanda that she wants her to hold the kids, wanda is even confused for a second. she looks to her like she’s the one in charge. i think she did this on purpose since vision went off script as well in not letting agnes hold the boys. even though there’s footage in the 90s episode that she’s also being controlled by wanda when vision pulls her out of the trance, i still think she’s working with the main bad guy to hurt wanda. she doesn’t seem to react when the boys age up twice in front of her, always making a witty and funny comment.
wanda’s a terrorist | the way hayward quickly labeled wanda as a terrorist makes me think that there’s ulterior motives with this dude. didn’t want to believe it but marvel has put me in a habit of assuming guys in suits have sinister agendas. while jimmy woo gives a brief rundown of wanda’s life, hayward is quick to focus on the negative aspect because she’s a criminal with the sokovia accords still in place. he seems to be the only one driving this idea forward just because he’s the acting director of SWORD. he even put a damn missile on the retro drone monica controlled to get inside the anomaly. as acting director, he would know that a missile is useless against an avenger with wanda’s powers. i believe that he knew that missile wouldn’t do anything to wanda and the sole purpose was to antagonize her to continue painting her as the sole mastermind behind westview. i think he’s just trying to shift the blame from SWORD to wanda now that she possesses the body that can be used to create more weapons etc. etc.
vision’s body | so that scene we saw in the sneak peek was indeed footage of wanda stealing vision’s body and that SWORD was in possession of it. with monica saying in the previous episode that SWORD doesn’t do creation and hayward saying they’re focusing on robotics etc., it makes SWORD also v hypocritical because the brief footage we see of him - he’s dismembered. it doesn’t take much to assume that SWORD was most likely using vision’s body towards their robotics, nanotech and AI projects.
lagos commercial | clearly this is in reference to wanda’s accidental killing of innocent lives after trying to protect steve from crossbones in civil war. the saying “for when you make a mess you didn’t mean to” at the end makes me disagree more on haydick hayward’s assumption that she’s a terrorist. i like how they used this as a paper towel commercial as after lagos, the sokovia accords were written. for me, the paper towel represents the actual accords since they’re drafted on paper, right? how do we clean up any mess in the real world? with laws and regulations being written and enforced aka a piece of paper.
norm’s moment of consciousness | norm is granted a moment of consciousness by vision and is quickly hysterical. his statements about how vision has to stop and get her out of his head has me split. on one hand, he could be talking about wanda since monica said the same thing in her recounting of the events in the anomaly. but i also think it’s agnes or someone else who’s just disguising themselves as wanda (her emotions, grief, etc) to get everyone to see wanda as the bad guy (again).
SWORD computer message | how was the westview reality able to see this message by SWORD? it didn’t have much detail and only the basic rundown of what was going on but it’s interesting to see that message be ‘intercepted’ by the hex. we didn’t see from the outside that they were trying to communicate with wanda or someone within the town. it was also weird how the whole staff read it together at once - very creepy and raises more questions than answers.
“you can fix the dead” | tommy’s comment to wanda when sparky passes away. clearly the only dead one is vision in wanda’s world even though he appears very much alive in westview. i don’t think even wanda knows the true extent of her powers if she is the main perpetrator in all of this. i’ve also seen people mention that maybe the death of sparky is meant to push wanda to unlock that power if she has the ability to bring back the dead.
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wanda and vision arguing | from the get go, we’re seeing vision going off script because he’s piecing things together. he notices how agnes always comes in to save the day or with something the couple needs. i like that we’re seeing the pair fight because they haven’t been on the same page arguably since episode 3 which was the last time we saw wanda edit an episode.
“you’ve never talked to me like this before” | wanda to vision. as i’ve said before, the show is really making vision seem more of the human one of the couple even being supposedly dead. what wanda says is true, we’ve never seen vision so much as raise his voice at wanda. in the past, before westview, vision always tread lightly around wanda and thought about how to word news of something she may not react well to. he’s always been calculating and thoughtful in his approach to wanda. even when she shoved him down however deep into the ground to leave the avengers facility in civil war, vision didn’t yell at her when they fought. it’s been nothing but love that vision has communicated to wanda. now with his clear frustration of the situation and evidence, it’s understandable that he’s yelling at her. it’s human to assume and jump to the worst conclusion about someone. he’s becoming more human in being upset and frustrated with someone he cares for that looks like the bad guy and victimizer of a whole town and seemingly controlling him and making decisions for him. i really hope he doesn’t get killed off at the end because i’m truly loving vision’s growth and range throughout the series.
“i can’t remember my life before westview” | this speaks to vision’s physical state. i think he’s not fully dead but because he doesn’t have the mind stone. every iteration we’ve seen of vision in the mcu has been with the stone since 2015. he doesn’t remember his creation or his death in 2018. the last 8 years are a blank for vision and understandably so, he’s upset and frustrated at the situation and at wanda. maybe it’s because he’s in the hex and maybe once outside, he’ll remember or somehow recount what’s happened? again, i hope he doesn’t just die once he gets out of the hex.
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pietro’s ‘recast’ | the most shocking part of this episode that made me choke on my water and feel 50 different emotions in a matter of seconds. anyways, i think wanda damn well knows that it isn’t the brother she lost. i think she pieces it together that he is pietro but just not her world’s pietro like she feels some sort of connection to this pietro (if that makes any sense)? love that this brings in the multiverse into the mcu. i am still was holding my breath for aaron taylor-johnson but seeing evan peters’ peter was a fun surprise. in rewatching, the episode sets this surprise cameo up with billy and tommy asking her about pietro and this reoccurring theme that ‘family is forever’. i think that either wanda doesn’t realize her powers and her life in westview is bringing in people from other universes or that whoever is behind all of this is giving wanda one more reason to stay in westview since vision is starting to go off script and can’t be controlled by wanda anymore.
long lost bro | the fact he says this makes me curious as to whether this truly is peter from the x-men universe or if whoever is orchestrating this is just using peter’s body to manipulate wanda and play along in her ‘show’. if it’s truly peter that’s been plucked from the x-men universe, maybe he’s given this knowledge or whoever is controlling him is planting that information in his brain so he can say that he’s wanda’s long lost brother which he technically is. there’s also been people pointing out that in the mirror behind wanda looks distorted when you look, you would be able to see peter and wanda’s in the reflection. it looks unreal and this could be a key to seeing the reality of what’s happening in westview, maybe hopefully this’ll be a key to opening wanda’s eyes that something clearly isn’t right.
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Do Better
Here is a Remus reader insert, very angsty a lot of fun to write. So the night before you went to tell Remus how you feel about him but he shoots you down telling you it won’t work. But after speaking to Lily and James you are convinced to go and speak to him. Please do send in a request if you have one! And enjoy :)
Word Count: 2190
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He’d done it; Remus had shot you down. Firm and strong he told you that the two of you would just never work. In the dying light of the day, he kept his distance only looking you in the eye for one moment before he said it. Too guilty to even whisper your name. Far too cold to be the Remus you knew. He failed to deny his feelings toward you and from the look in he eyes it was obvious how deeply it cut when he pushed you away. You just couldn’t understand why he would behave like this. The love between the two of you wasn’t something you felt to be fleeting. You felt a pull toward him, and it was obvious the way he felt was the same. He just didn’t want to let anyone in. He couldn’t let you get hurt by him. By what he was.
“He is just so frustrating!” You screech at Lily.
“They do tend to be.” She says in a soothing tone while handing you a cup of tea.
“I didn’t even ask him to say it back to me. All I went there to do was tell him how I felt Lils there was no need for him to act like such an ass.”
At this moment James enters the house planting a kiss on Lily’s head and patting yours. You signal to Lily that you didn’t want to discuss this with James in the house. He was a friend of yours but a better friend of Remus. Remus deserved to have this conversation with his friends, and you wanted to do the same.
“What’s all the shouting about then ladies?” He says dropping himself next to Lily. Lily looks between the two of you with her piercing green eyes. With a huff you fold and let her explain what had transpired between you and Remus the evening before.
“Honestly, men don’t make any sense.” James says snatching a biscuit from the plate on the coffee table letting it crumble down his shirt. Lily tuts at him brushing him down. “I’ll be frank with you he did already tell me and the boys, believe me we are on your side. He does care about you, so I don’t get why he doesn’t just let you in.”
“Thanks James, who knew that you would actually say the right thing.” You say sipping your tea. Lily bursts out into laughter at the pout that comes over James face.
“She’s got a point remember how you were in Hogwarts; this conversation would go very differently.” She adds.
“Well, you ladies are cruel but I’m glad I was some help.” He pulls Lily’s legs into his lap and looks at her with adoration, “I just want Remus to have someone to look after him. Like Lily and I look after each other.” He declares.
“Boo! That was too sweet get a room.”
“We do have a room! You are in our house you idiot.” Lily retorts. “Look maybe you should try and talk to him about it today, if he’s been talking to the guys about it, he’s obviously not sure if he made the right decision. If he still doesn’t want anything to happen that’s fine but you have to talk to him about it.” She looks at you with that look that says do the right thing for you a look she tended to break out regularly with you these days.
“Okay fine, where do you think he’ll be?” You ask James.
“Probably still in his flat, when we left him, he was breaking out a bottle of fire whiskey so he might not be in the best state when you find him.” James adds with a hint of worry.
“Alright I’ll bring him a coffee.” You say pushing yourself off the sofa mentally preparing yourself for the interaction you are about to have.
The walk to Remus’ is long, you take your time letting the summer sun warm you skin. You make it longer doing some shopping in the bookstore and the second-hand shops. Finally making your way into the local coffee shop and order Remus’ usual a toasted cheese sandwich and a large white americano with a brown sugar.
You stand in his doorway inspecting the wooden front door. Maybe if you stood here long enough the past would change. Perhaps if you studied the cracks in the paint work something would be altered, a detail you never noticed before. All you hoped for was a shift in the universe. Was that too much to ask? Just a small adjustment to the way things were going. For a single moment to go the way they were intended. For the two of you to be together without any of the background noise. But standing at a closed door examining the woodwork would never have the power to change things, neither would wishing them that way. The only thing capable of changing the path you and Remus seemed to be on was knocking on this door. So that is what you did. You knocked a short rhythm and waited for him to answer. In the frosted window you saw Remus approach the closed door at a slow pace. You saw him stand there watching you from the other side. Probably wishing you away.
A deep breath in and you close your eyes attempting to banish the feeling of dread that built a house around your chest. Remus rests his forehead against the window, something inside you urges you to do the same. You resist instead you ring the doorbell. Lifting his head off the glass he finally unlocks the door. He still avoids saying your name.
“I brought you some lunch.” You say holding out the takeaway cup and bag filled with food.
“Thank you. Did you want something?” He replies taking your offering but still blocking the entryway.
“Yes, actually I did, can I come in Remus?” You ask crossing your arms.
A weak look in his eyes battle with his intentions of keeping you away. Taking a sip of his coffee he opens the door wide enough and signals you into his flat. Its stuffy inside and you didn’t require James’ warning you about Remus’ current state his living room was proof enough. An empty bottle of fire whiskey left scattered on the side table and a blanket tossed from the sofa. The reek of alcohol clinging to the furniture and a record stuck in a loop. When you look back to Remus, he’s taking a bite out of the sandwich attempting to look away without addressing the state of the room.
“Can I get you some water or something?” he asks.
“No but would you mind if I opened a window?” he nods in response with an air of awkwardness. You offer him a tight smile and walk to the window breathing deeply when it’s finally opened. You feel his eyes follow you and you allow them to stay there for a moment.
“So, what did you want?” Remus asks sighing with pain. You turn to him and his eyes flit away to floor as you do. “I don’t mean to sound harsh but there isn’t anything I have to say to you.”
“Good because I don’t want to listen to you right now Remus I really don’t. All I’m asking is that you listen to me. Don’t even try to tell me last night you were listening to me because you weren’t. You had no intention of ever listening to what I had to say on the topic.” Your heat beat quickens as you speak.
“Please that’s not fair.” He interjects with a strained voice.
“It is more than fair, and you know it. The way you spoke to me last night that was unfair. I just want to say my peace on the topic Rem because you stopped me before I even had the chance. I care for you so deeply Rem I would never do anything with the intention to hurt you. All I have ever wanted was to be there for you. I think it’s fair to say I have been there for you whenever I could, and you have done the same for me. We have grown into each other and honestly the idea of you avoiding me because of last night hurts me because I don’t need you to feel the same way for me. I wasn’t looking for you to declare your love for me Rem. All I wanted was to declare mine to you. That is all, because it has been suffocating me. Watching you doubt yourself at every step. I love you Remus. I love all of you.” You declare you voice shaky from the tears now rolling down your cheeks.
“Do better. Aim higher than loving someone like me.” Remus exclaims with anger lacing his words.
This leaves you speechless. Mouth open and eyes blinking quickly. Remus looks you in the eyes finally, all that’s left in them is anguish. He cries silent tears which he wipes away with the back of his hand.
“Did you hear anything I just said.” You cry.
“Yes, but you’ve got the wrong man.” Only then does he say your name in a whisper. “Believe me I don’t deserve to be loved by you.”
You walk towards him taking his hand as he tries to turn away from you. He squeezes his eyes shut letting out a sob. You touch his face gently and he cannot stop himself from bending into it. He leans his head down so when he opens his eyes, he is looking at you with warmth. You rub your thumb along the ghost of a scar that runs along his cheek bone.
“Not thinking you’re good for me is a terrible excuse.” You state. Remus takes your hand away from his face placing a kiss to your knuckles as he did. He brought your hand down between you before letting it go.
“You deserve-
“- You don’t get to tell me what I deserve. I’m telling you what I want Remus and I want you.”
“It’s not as simple as that?”
“Why not?” You edge closer to him, so your noses are touching, “Tell me you don’t want me. Tell me you don’t love me, and I’ll go. Tell me you don’t feel the same and I won’t ever bring it up again.” You dare him. Your eyes scanning his face. His grow hungry having you this close to him and he cannot stop himself kissing you. Strong and passionate. Clinging to your body his hands gripping you and yours making your way to the nape of his neck and tugging at his hair. You pull away from each other panting and just barely louder than a whisper he says.
“I do want you. But.” He starts but he doesn’t finish.
“Why wouldn’t you be enough for me?”
“Because I am a monster.”
“You may be frustrating Remus, but you are no monster. Let me show you that.” You kiss a fresh scar next to his lip. Pulling away only slightly you add, “Let me show you all the ways in which you are wrong.” You kiss him again with a desperation that he too feels.
The two of you don’t break apart sharing the same air and revelling in the small shock waves each other’s touch set off igniting a much deeper fire within one another. You stay together this way and in other ways until the sun sets once again. In a tangle of limbs and swollen lips you hold each other through the night. Running each other’s hands along the bare skin. Remus dances a finger along you collar bone and kisses your neck. You trace the lines of his scars, of every scar. Leaving each one with a kiss and a quote you remember him sharing with you.
I’ll take care of you
It’s rotten work
Not to me not if it’s you
In the early hours of the morning the sun finds it way to your entangled bodies illuminating his hair in an angelic way. Golden the two of you together naked with no intention of leaving the room. He gently brushes a hair away from your face with the back of his hand that he trails along your cheek and following its way down your neck to you hand. Intertwined once more he hums with happiness. Bringing it to his lips once more.
“I’m sorry.” He says planting a kiss on your cheek, “I love you.” he says between another closer to your lips this time, “I was wrong.” Finally kissing your lips.
This time you whisper promises to him, “I will spend every moment showing you all the ways I will only ever want you.” and “I love you too.” And finally, “let’s look after each other my love.”
Remus then utters you name in such a way that spreads warmth through your bare skin, “I want nothing more than that.” Once again allowing himself to say your name foreheads resting together.
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thealexchen · 3 years
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One Year On: Life is Strange 2 Critique
December 3rd, 2020 marks a year since Life is Strange 2 ended. I was inspired by @smitethepatriarchy‘s text posts (here, but there are several other answered asks worth reading) and @suhaplays’s text post (here) criticizing Life is Strange 2 to write a critique about how Life is Strange 2 handled certain themes and social issues.
(tw: gun violence, police brutality, animal death, incarceration, racism. In this essay, I use the word “queer” in a reclaimed sense, as a queer person myself. Of course, spoiler warning for all five episodes of Life is Strange 1 and 2).
A year on, my feelings about this game have soured... a lot. When the game was first announced, I was overjoyed that our new protagonists would be two Latino boys. Finally, we would have a culturally meaningful, groundbreaking video game with people of color and their experiences at the forefront! 
Then the game was met with immediate backlash and I utterly exhausted myself defending it for weeks on Reddit and Tumblr. Throughout 2019, as the episodes came out I became increasingly disillusioned, frustrated, and disappointed with where the story was going. I couldn’t figure out why I felt so damn miserable while playing this game.
Then in the summer of 2020, when Tell Me Why began rolling out pre-release material, I noticed that they posted a Q&A about transphobia, gave content warnings, and discussed at length about their collaboration with GLAAD, Checkpoint, and the Huna Heritage Foundation to make the game with sensitivity and proper research. I cannot speak for trans and gender non-conforming people on whether Dontnod succeeded at doing so with Tell Me Why. But Life is Strange 2 did… none of that.
Essentially, I realized that the reason why I was so frustrated with LiS2 is because it focuses way too heavily on a trauma narrative. This comes off as insensitive to players of color without any content warnings or extensive research.
Sean didn’t have to get kidnapped, kicked in the face, and called a racial slur by a gas station owner. Daniel did not need to watch his puppy get mauled by a mountain lion for the sake of a “difficult choice.” Sean didn’t have to lose his eye for the sake of heightened drama. Sean didn’t need to get called a racial slur and humiliated by his native language/beaten in the desert for refusing to sing. Daniel didn’t need to get shot— twice. Hell, all of “Faith” probably could’ve been cut— how is a church cult that brainwashes Daniel and beats Sean half to death relevant at all to the story?
Even if not all of the game’s violence was racially motivated, the consistent trauma that Sean and Daniel endure does not make for positive representation— or even good characterization. There is a difference between sympathetic characters and well-written characters, and trauma does not make Sean and Daniel any more complex or likable-- just more fucking traumatized.
LiS2 is more grounded in reality, but that also makes plot holes that much harder to excuse (Daniel’s powers being spotted, most of the Parting Ways ending, Sean’s prison sentence). But most of all, it grounds all of Sean and Daniel’s pain and trauma in reality. 
There is no magicking away a town-destroying storm with time travel. Sean can’t keep his dad alive by ripping up a Polaroid. After Max unlocked her powers, she was still a Blackwell student, reconnecting with Chloe, taking photos, saving lives, and uncovering a murder mystery. After Daniel unlocked his powers, the Diaz brothers lost everything. 
The game never lets you forget that Sean and Daniel are homeless, wanted, constantly in danger, and that they are never getting their old lives back. It permeates the entire game, and for players of color, just reinforces a sad, miserable, grim reality about living in the United States. It is, as @smitethepatriarchy said, potentially triggering for players of color, and it is certainly not something I needed to be reminded of.
And the representation of POC? It feels shallow and ill-researched. It would only take a Google search to find out that Dia de Muertos (a holiday to honor the dead, no less) was from October 31 to November 2 in 2016, the year the game takes place, but Daniel only talks about Halloween in episode 1. Sean and Daniel never discuss any Mexican customs, foods, or holidays. Sean doesn’t speak Spanish with his immigrant father, only during a scene when he’s traumatized (again!) by two racists, and again when talking to Mexican immigrants— in jail. Daniel doesn’t speak Spanish at all. Most of their allies throughout the game are white, including Finn and Cassidy, who appropriate Black culture with their dreadlocks.
So what’s left? Sean and Daniel’s existence as people of color is, at worst, just a narrative prop to justify everything that happens to them. They are people of color on the surface only. In a meta-sense, the game only considers the color of their skin and their last names as what is narratively important… yikes.
I don’t have anything against people who genuinely loved the game and were moved by its messages and story. But I can’t help but feel bitter that white players have the luxury of only thinking of this game as a work of fiction and not feeling any personal reliability to Sean and Daniel’s racialized trauma.
I don’t regret playing LiS2, but I do regret all the time and energy I spent defending it in the beginning. I understand now that I shouldn’t let people’s opinions get to me, nor should I feel obligated to like or defend a game for its attempts at representation. But now, I think I understand how queer fans must have felt in late 2015 when Polarized released. After following the game for 10 months, to see that Chloe’s ultimate destiny was to die and Pricefield is another ship plagued by the Bury Your Gays trope (in the ending that the devs clearly put more work into) must have been just as disillusioning and infuriating. I understand why some fans were so quick to unfollow LiS or develop mixed feelings about the series, because that’s how I feel too after following LiS2’s development from September 2018 to December 2019.
Before I end, I will admit that Life is Strange 2 arrived at a time when I needed it. I still stand by my belief that DN did a great job characterizing Sean, Daniel, and Chris without toxic masculinity, which is the best thing they could’ve done for a male-focused follow-up to a game about queer women. I love that Sean is still a canonically bisexual man of color in a major video game and that DN didn’t forget their queer audience. I love the world and characters that DN built, but I still prefer AU fanfictions of their normal lives, without all that trauma. 
So, I will continue to treasure Lyla and her 10 minutes of screentime (aka the only shred of Asian American representation I can get from this series). I still reblog LiS2 fanart to support the artists. I still support Dontnod, because as Tell Me Why has shown, they are capable of researching and writing stories with more sensitivity. And let’s be honest-- I’m still gonna be hella excited if Life is Strange 3 is announced.
But so many aspects of Life is Strange 2 were bungled that it came off as a remarkably average and forgettable experience. A year on, I don’t hate Life is Strange 2, but I am writing this to move on from it.
Thank you for reading.
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Faith, Trust and a Little Bit of Pixie Dust
Title:  Faith, Trust and a Little Bit of Pixie Dust
Summary: It’s cold in the cellar, but then if it isn’t cold it’d defeat the whole purpose of a cellar. This coldness had been fine at first, but the longer Logan and his little brother Virgil stay, the more it worsens. Logan just hopes his mother’s temper wears off soon or else the cold could get fatal. 
The last thing Logan expects is for his father, who he hasn’t seen in years, to show up through golden portal (a magic portal, which should be impossible!) to save the day as if he hadn’t abandoned them to this fate by leaving all those years ago.
Pairings: Brotherly Analogical, Parental Loceit
Word-Count: 3.3k
Warnings: Magic, Child Abuse, Physical & Emotional Abuse, Unhealthy Romantic Relationship, Hypothermia, Alcohol, Death Mention, Morally Grey Janus, Crying, Angst With a Happy Ending
This fic was at times both frustrating and fun to write. I have no plans to continue this fic, but you can ask me questions regarding the ‘verse and I’ll answer them. Janus has good intentions in this fic he’s just bad at expressing them and we’re also seeing this from Logan’s pov.
--
It was cold in the cellar. Then again, it would be rather alarming were it the opposite case. Cellars were historically used to store perishable items such as vegetables and meats in a time before refrigerators existed. Still prolonged exposure to such an absence of heat wasn’t good for any human being. Not without proper clothing or heating methods. Something both Logan and his young brother unfortunately lacked. 
At first with just a t-shirt and jeans it’d been fine. A bit chilly but fine. What Logan hadn’t accounted for was a cold front to settle in unexpectedly. Within an hour, it dropped by forty degrees. His little brother Virgil wasn’t fond of physical touch. Yet the young child clung to Logan for warmth. It wasn’t enough. His skinny frame still trembled, his lips turning blue. Logan himself felt the effects of his body trying uselessly to warm the cold environment around them. Still his bit his lips from shivering, desperate to attempt staying strong for Virgil.
“I-I-I’m s-s-scared.” Virgil cried, digging his head into Logan’s shirt.
I...I know.” Logan said, stroking his brother’s hair gently, “Things are...things will be alright.”
Logan had repeated this statement many times already to Virgil. Each time he grew less sure of it. However, he knew he had to remain strong for his brother’s sake. Ever since his brother was a baby, Logan had to grow up faster. Much faster than even before. Sometimes he resented this fact, but never for long. It was simply the way things were.
“C-c-c-can you tell me a story?” Virgil asked, and of course Logan obliged. For he knew the unspoken words in that request: I’m still scared. Can you make it less scary? 
A story, for both the listener and teller, would be a beneficial distraction. Even though Logan was not a good storyteller. Once he did a short story assignment in middle school and received a C. His heart metaphorically sank at the sight of it and he dreaded going home that day. Virgil always seemed to appreciate his stories. Although praise from a kindergartener wasn’t worth much in the literary world.
Through frozen lips, he told a meandering story to his little brother. Sometimes his brother would ask questions or offer suggestions, abruptly changing the direction of the story. Logan himself barely remembered what it was about. It was as if someone else spoke through him as his mind drifted to other ideas.
It’d been dark for a long, long while. Usually his mother would’ve unlocked the door by now. She’d insist he’d make dinner while complaining of a terrible headache.
 It was an unending cycle. His mother would do her best to stay sober and function as an adult for a few weeks. Then her mood would increasingly sour, little things piling up into an avalanche. It was hard to tell at times what would be the trigger. The one thing that made her slam open the alcohol cabinet and drown a whole bottle of vodka. 
She wasn’t a nice person when drunk; hence the whole being-locked-in-the-cellar. Eventually after a few days of heavy drinking, his mother would come to her senses. She’d lock the alcohol cabinet and claim she’d never drink again. A lie nobody believed but herself.
Perhaps the lie was done in good intentions. His mother always insisted she cared for her children, in ways their father never could. 
“He’s a snake, Logan,” She hissed once, banging her beer heavily onto a coaster, “A dirty, no-good deceiving snake.”
Logan said nothing. He had only a few memories of the man. Once, when Logan was nine years old, he showed up on their doorstep. He held a bouquet of roses for Mother and a much belated birthday present for Logan. It’d been one of the happiest he’d seen Mother. He stayed with them for a few days. He listened to Logan, complimenting him on his extensive knowledge about dinosaurs. The three of them went to a carnival together. For a fleeting moment, Logan had what the others kids at his school had; a family. 
Then it ended with tears, arguing, door slams. Mother yanking him by the arm and leaving everything behind. Nine months later, Virgil was born. His father wasn’t there. Nor did he ever show his face again. A bitter, festering part of Logan despised him for that.
Mother acted like she cared at times. She’d purchase Virgil and Logan expensive gifts. Things she couldn’t afford without a credit card. She treated them to ice cream and insisted on giving them hugs. She never understood that Virgil found tactical touch without permission distressing. She’d brush it off, making remarks he simply needed to get used to it. 
At times Logan allowed himself to pretend these niceties would last. He pretended his mother was a flawed human being who mostly did good by her children. He pretended the slapping and hair-pulling didn’t exist, that the cellar was just a cellar and not a place to fear. It was hard to pretend these things were true, when the reality became increasingly harder to ignore.
Virgil fell asleep in the midst of this. Logan hadn’t realized this at first. His tired mind plunged on, continuing the nonsensical story.
“Then Batsy the Bat escaped the Witch’s dungeon. He flew as fast he could, to warn his friends...ah. Virgil what do you think their names should be?” Logan squinted, the dim light making it hard to see if his brother’s eyes were closed or not, “Virgil?”
His brother slumped against him, his breaths long and labored. Logan frowned, shaking his shoulder, “Virgil?!”
Virgil made a grumbling noise, “What?”
“You need to stay awake. You--you can’t fall asleep right now.”
“I’m tireeeed,” Virgil complained.
“I--I know, but please. It--it isn’t good to sleep right now.”
“Why?”
Logan’s throat constricted, “Be--because well. I haven’t finished the story yet.”
It was a lie. The truth was that sleeping could be a dangerous thing for a hypothermia victim. Sleeping could lead to death. He couldn’t tell his brother that. He refused to let Virgil experience more fright than he already had in his short life.
“Okaaay.” Virgil said.
Logan continued with the story, pulling all his concentration into it. Yet it wasn’t enough to keep Virgil awake. He kept drifting off, unable to keep his eyes open. At one point his brother down crying.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” He sobbed, repeating the words over and over.
“It’s alright, you’re okay, everything is gonna be--gonna be,” Logan stammered, struggling to force the word out, “okay.”
It was then that Logan knew they couldn’t remain in the cellar any longer. He’d have to overcome his one true fear for the sake of their safety and survival. What he feared even more than his mother, was losing Virgil. Logan was smart. He knew the odds of a kindergartener and a high school sophomore staying together in the foster system was slim.
He had been selfish to allow his mother to continue tormenting Virgil. It was wrong. Now both him and his brother were paying for it.
Logan could fix this. He just had to pull out his phone and call emergency services. He had to call and resist his foolish fears of his mother and separation from his brother. With one arm still tucked around his brother, he pulled the phone out of his pocket. A battered, beaten thing he’d purchased with his first paycheck. His mother was completely unaware of its existence. 
He pressed the power button on as he gathered up the courage to call. Except the screen remained completely blank. He pressed it again, this time harder, hoping it’d been a fluke. It wasn’t. Again and again, he kept pressing the button, irrationally hoping for a different result. 
“No,” Logan swallowed heavily, “no, no, no this cannot be happening--” “Logey?” Virgil hiccuped, his big glassy eyes staring up as his older brother with concern.
“It’s okay, Virgil,” Logan murmured, “It’s okay, It’ll be okay--”
He couldn’t say the words any longer. Not when a sob wracked his throat, his vision turning hazy with tears. He couldn’t be strong any longer. He was weak. His heart beat faster, the chasm in his stomach deepening. His little brother said something, but he couldn’t hear it. All he heard was his mind mocking his failure. Shrill and scorching like his mother.
StUpID DiD yOU ThINK ThAT wAS GOING TO WORK?
You and your little brother are going to die and it’s all yOUR FAuLt
UsEleSS
Not EVEn YoUR OwN FATHER WAntED YOU--
“Hello? Whoever is contacting me at this hour better not have a good reason.”
Logan’s thoughts jolted to a halt. What? He glanced down at his phone, but it was still battered and dead. Virgil looked just as confused and lost as he felt. He hid his face in Logan’s shirt, whimpering softly.
“Who...are you?” Logan croaked, doing a poor disguise of covering up his breakdown moments before.
“I think that is perhaps a question I should be asking you.” The strange voice replied. It was definitely emanating from the phone, but how Logan had no clue. It made no logical sense.
“I--I don’t know.”
“You don’t know your name?”
“No! I mean of course I know my name! I mean, you can’t be real--I must be hallucinating.”
“Oh?” The voice responded with a touch of some unidentifiable emotion, “this must be your first time then.”
“First time what?” Logan snapped, a headache starting to take form. He regretted raising his voice when Virgil let out a cry. He murmured a soft apology to him, attempting to ignore how cold his brother felt.
“Is there someone else with you?” 
“No,” Logan said, before hesitating, “I mean perhaps.”
“Perhaps?”
“You still haven’t responded to my question from before.”
“Let me broker a deal then. I’ll answer your question, if you tell me who you and your companion are.”
“Okay,” Logan shakes his head, wanting to laugh hysterically. What in Newton’s three laws of gravity was going on? Surely, he died. He died and this was some last minutes of brain activity occurring. Scientists after all, know very little what happens in one’s last moments of life. Nothing could quite prepare him for the answer the voice gave him, however.
“Well then, to quote a popular misguided piece of media, ‘you’re a wizard, Harry!’” The voice said, the verbal jazz hands evident in the voice’s dripping, dry wit. Something about it was painfully familiar.
“What.”
“You asked, I answered,” The voice chuckled, “now it’s your turn.”
“My--my name is Logan,” He said, blinking rapidly, “and my little brother..ahhh...oh! Vi-Virgil is here with me.”
“Logan, that’s your name? You’re sure?”
Logan frowned at that. Of course he was sure. Or was he? It was getting rather harder to focus. Or to breathe even. The crisp cold air hurt his lungs. Virgil slumped heavily against him, complete dead weight in his unconsciousness. Oh. That was bad. He knew that was bad. 
“Logan?!” The voice yelled. Hmm, it sounded like they’ve been yelling at him for awhile now. He should acknowledge them. He nodded before pausing. Wait. He needed to respond verbally.
“Y-yes?” 
“Finally. You seem like you’re doing absolutely fantastic,” The voice told him. 
“Do I?” Logan asked, “I do not think I’m doing ‘fantastic’.”
“Where are you?”
Logan rattled off the address. Then he very casually added, “We’re locked in the cellar.”
“WHAT?!”
“It’s-s-s-s a punishment,” Logan shivered, his eyelids drooping against his will, “it’sssokay.”
“Yes, because all parenting books recommend disciplining your children by locking them in a cellar.” Maybe it was just Logan, but he got the impression the voice was being sarcastic. 
“I need to cut the invocation call. I’ll be there soon.”
“Wh--how-hy?” Logan said, trying to speak three words at once. The voice didn’t respond. He tried shaking his battered phone as if that would do anything. It did not do anything.
The air frizzled in front of Logan. A golden spark appeared, expanding until it was one big golden shimmery oval. Logan stared at it, blinking rapidly. This was absurd. He most definitely had to be hallucinating. The golden oval ripples as a black fedora emerged from it, followed by a face and then a whole body.
“F--father?” Logan managed.
The man before him was older and dressed in strange clothing. Slivers of silver hair poked out from his hat, nestled among the chestnut hair. An unfamiliar gruesome scar ran alongside the left side of his face. But he recognized those hazel eyes anywhere. He stared at them at the mirror every morning.
He didn’t respond to Logan. He took a few steps before collapsing beside the huddled forms of Logan and Virgil. His gloved hands reached out, but he did not touch them. His mouth opened, but no sound came out of him. Then his gloves covered his face as he inhaled deeply. He removed them from his face, his expression carefully blank.
“I’m here.” He told Logan, extending a hand towards him, “and I won’t leave you or your brother this time.”
Logan stared at the yellow gloved hand before sluggishly panning his gaze up at his father. He didn’t know if he could trust him, let alone if he could trust that this was reality. But god, he wanted it to be real. 
So cradling Virgil close to his chest with one arm, he took hold of his father’s hand. And then, with a bright flash of light, the cellar was empty.
-
Logan felt warm. A drizzling, dribbling, dripping like maple syrup down a fresh stack of buttermilk pancakes type of warmth. He should be alarmed by this for some reason, but he couldn’t find it in himself to be. Instead he made a contented noise, shifting closer to it. Someone chuckled, running a calloused hand through his hair. Logan stilled at the touch, the warmth evaporating from his veins. He waited for the fingers to grow taunt around a tuft of hair. For the harsh cacophony of his mother’s voice to rain down on him like hail. Nothing.
“Are you asleep, Little Tesla?” 
The air in his lungs evaporated. Only one person had called him that and it certainly wasn’t his mother. As much as she expected him to receive good grades, she hadn’t been one to nurture his interests in 20th century scientists.
“Father?” Logan whispered.
“I’m here, I didn’t leave, just like I said I would.”
He opened his eyes to find his father was indeed there. Sitting on a wooden chair with sunken eyes as if he’d been awake for hours. Logan laid on a bed with silky sheets and an impossibly warm comforter. He had just barely enough to cover him--most of the blankets had been stolen by another small figure. Virgil. His little baby brother was with him, asleep and curled up in a small ball.
“Wha--” Logan started to say, until everything hit him. The cellar. The strange bodiless voice. The gleaming gold portal. Father. Darkness.
“Yes, yes, I know it’s not at all a lot to take in, but you have magic. And you found me again, just like I’d hope you would.”
“Found you?” Logan asked, a hardness to his tone, “Assuming this isn’t a hallucination, you left me with h-her, you never came back and suddenly because I possess magic, I’m what? Worth something?”
“Yes, no!” His father cried out with a frustrated growl, “Listen, Logan. My relationship with your mother was extremely healthy, as I’m sure you can agree. Not unhealthy in the slightest. When it ended, your mother left a lovely parting gift.”
Here, he rubs a hand against the facial scar almost absent-mindedly, “I wanted to find you, I searched everywhere, but your mother is smart and covers her tracks well. I’m...sorry I couldn’t find you or your brother sooner. You’re important to me, magic or no magic.”
“How can I trust you?” Logan asked, “How can I trust that you’re not anything like her?”
He expected his father to be upset by the accusation, but instead he just smirked.
“You’re good to be suspicious. It’s a good trait, don’t ever lose it,” He said, adjusting his gloves, “I can tell you, that I will not harm you or your brother. I can say I will teach you magic, if you desire. I can let you know that I will let you walk out the door with your brother, and you won’t ever have to see me or your mother again. But you have no true way of trusting a man that has, from what you know, abandoned you completely until just now. 
“You have two options. Either accept you cannot completely trust what I say is true and proceed with caution, or you can leave with your brother, find a way to support the two of you. You’re smart, Logan. I trust you could figure it out.”
Logan swallowed. He was indeed smart--or knowledgeable enough to know there was little choice in the matter. He was just fifteen. He can’t support Virgil and him--not legally anyway. It’d be difficult to cover it up. Child Protection Services would be on them in a matter of weeks, if not days. 
Good case scenario, they stayed together in the foster system. Bad case scenario, they ended up separated. Worst case scenario? They ended up back at their mother’s, because they don’t believe either of Logan’s or Virgil’s claims and the cycle continues without end.
So, his father. He was the only option, and he knew it. As much bitterness as Logan held for the man, there’s also yearning in equal spades. He used to spend nights crying for him with his mother yelling at him to shut up. Sometimes she’d beat him for it, telling him his father was never coming back. Then he’d snap back that she was wrong and he’d prove Logan right by coming back. Until little by little, he stopped. 
He couldn’t trust his father, the man even admitted it. He just had to hope it’d be better, even though apparently the man believed in magic. Logan was doing his best at the moment to deny it existed. It couldn’t exist, last night had to be a fluke of some sort and even if it wasn’t, it was too much for him to focus on at the moment. 
“As long as I have your word that you won’t intentionally hurt Virgil and I, we will stay with you.” Logan says, before offering his hand towards his father.
Father took a look at the extended hand, eyes softening, before clasping it, “You have my word, Logan, that I will not harm you or Virgil as long as you remain in my care.”
They shook on it. Logan let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in and then--and then, his vision blurred. A sob and then another erupted until he clenched his teeth, holding the rest back. For the second time within twenty-four hours he had shown weakness. First to his brother and now, now to his father who above all he should show no signs to. But like that creative writing assignment in the 8th grade, he completely failed.
Somehow halfway the handshake got turned into an embrace. His father hugged him, a calloused hand softly carding through his hair once more. 
“Shh, Logan, you’ve been so strong, stronger than most. You won’t have to be strong alone any longer. Let it all out.”
Logan didn’t know what to think of his father’s words. It wasn’t like a set of logical propositions or a step-by-step formula for science. He couldn’t know for certain if they were genuine. But in this moment, he was but a little boy with his father back. So he dug his head into his father’s chest and finally cried. His father, in turn, did not berate or beat him for it. Instead, he held onto his son as he whispered reassurances all the while.
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c-is-for-circinate · 3 years
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omg i'm so excited for you to play hades, it's so fun! i will say that you might get frustrated if you expect the lore to match the myths exactly - for example they very much shied away from some of the Bad Stuff (rape/incest/cannibalism). also, as a tip - when you unlock fishing, a bell will ring when you clear a room with a fishing spot
Oh my god I can GO FISHING IN THIS GAME?????
(Look, of the six entire video games I have played in my whole life before this one, FOUR of them have involved fishing mechanics.  I am not saying fishing is an important sign of a superior game, but I’m not not saying that.)
And yeah, I’ve been wondering how much they’re going to edge around the Unfortunate Implications of some of the myths--like, look, it matters to the story of Persephone that it was Zeus who declared the pomegranate seeds sufficient to condemn her, trying to split the difference between his brother and his sister--and I”m not surprised that they decided to go a little softer with it.  Hades is very clearly being built up to be a complicated, occasionally sympathetic though still toxic sort of villain here, and involving the dimension of, “yeah, that mom of yours who ran off, she’s technically your dad’s niece who he kidnapped and forced into marriage that one time” really derails that for the modern audience.  I’m really curious to see how they tread that line, what they skimmed over, what they kept.
(I’m also really curious, because Zagreus is constantly powering up by eating pomegranates and collecting more and more and more darkness.  Is this going to end up with him getting to the surface and realizing that he can’t live up there because the thing he needed to become in order to get there is now too tied to the underworld to bear the daylight? DO NOT TELL ME, NOBODY SPOILER THIS FOR ME, I CANNOT WAIT TO FIND OUT.)
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