#the chimera ants are gross looking me no like at all

[animebw]

Short Reflection: Spring 2022 Anime

It is truly astonishing how good anime has been lately. Every season, I go in thinking, “well, there’s no way this is gonna live up to the incredibly high bar last season yet.” And every time, I’m proven wrong. Spring 2022 was a smorgasbord of excellent shows from start to finish, and even better, it was a smorgasbord of diverse excellence. No matter what kind of anime you most prefer, whether action, adventure, romance, drama, comedy, or even sports, this season gave you at least one show to really look forward to every week. And if you’re someone like me who pretty much likes anything as long as it’s done well? Then lord, I hope you’re ready to kiss your free time goodbye, because there’s a metric ass-ton of worthwhile anime from this season you need to catch up on. Don’t worry, summer’s looking pretty thin, you’ll have plenty of free time. So sit back, relax, and let me guide you through the good, the bad, and the truly brilliant that was anime in spring 2022.

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2: 2.5/10

Listen, it not like I was expecting this to be any good. Shield Hero has always been an absolute garbage fire of an anime, and the only reason I’m still keeping up with it is morbid curiosity at just how bad it’s gonna get. But I don’t think anyone, fans or haters alike, were really expecting just how lazy season 2 ended up being. Huge chunks of content have clearly been compressed into far too short a timespan, things happen with no rhyme or reason, huge events are glossed over or skipped entirely, and almost nothing that happens here feels connected to what was happening before. I guess maybe it was trying to pull a Hunter x Hunter Chimera Ant Arc where the story takes a diversion and spends the next significant stretch of time in a mostly self-contained one-off adventure, but it does such a terrible job justifying its existence that the entire thing comes of as a giant waste of time. Not that the main story was any good to begin with, but at least it felt like it had a reason to exist. A terrible, shitty, incel-pandering reason, but a reason nonetheless. Which makes it even more bizarre how this season actually tries to reign its more toxic aspects in, almost like the author finally realized that having the relatable protagonist be a literal slave owner might be a bad look and tried to course-correct midstream. Not that it succeeded all that well but, you know, an attempt was made. I dunno, man, this was just crap. But at least it was crap in a more interesting way than I was expecting, and with a show like Shield Hero, you really can’t ask for more than that.

In the Heart of Kunoichi Tsubaki: 3.5/10

Those of you who’ve been reading my blog for any stretch of time probably know that Teasing Master Takagi-san is one of my favorite rom-coms of recent years. It’s so goddamn adorable I feel like my cheeks are going to fall off whenever I watch it. Unfortunately, that same charm is nowhere to be found in this adaptation of a manga from the same author. The whole premise of a village of ninja girls who’ve never seen a man and yet one starts getting romantic feelings towards them rests on this weird assumption that once a girl hits puberty, she’s just inherently going to conform to heterosexual capitalist standards for how one should view love and desire. The protagonist literally has no frame of reference for the opposite sex and yet she gets all gushy over them like she burns through ten shoujo romance manga a week. And don’t get me started on how this show doesn’t seem to realize that gay and aro/ace people exist. Girls falling for guys is just treated as innate to everyone (and yet there’s weirdly a lot of yuribaiting as well? Not sure how that makes sense). Add to that the incredibly skimpy outfits on a cast of girls who are all, like, ten years old, and the whole thing comes off just as gross as Akebi’s Sailor Uniform last season. God, Cloverworks really needs to put its talents to better use.

Love After World Domination: 4.5/10

I honestly feel bad for Love After World Domination. It’s a unique enough twist on a rom-com- the hero of a super sentai team starts a relationship with the bad guys’ smoking hot second in command and they date on the down-low- and despite my fears that the premise could only sustain a few episode at most, it remained fresh throughout its run. In any ordinary season of anime, I think I would’ve been way more positive towards this show. But this was no ordinary season of anime. This was a season stuffed to the gills with stellar rom-coms, rom-coms that blow literally everything about Love After World Domination out of the water. It’s not as well animated as Kaguya-sama, not as consistently funny as Demon Girl Next Door, and nowhere near as adorable as Komi-san. And compared against those titans, its charms become harder to appreciate, while its flaws- the main couple isn’t really interesting outside of being a couple, there are too many eye-rolling fetish characters- become much more apparent. Perhaps in another timeline this show could’ve been able to work its magic, but as is, it sadly must settle for being the least interesting rom-com in a season bursting with them.

Deaimon: Recipe for Happiness: 4.5/10

So, remember Barakamon? Remember how that show’s premise was an idiot failson moving away from the big city to rediscover his passion while unexpectedly becoming a surrogate dad figure to a young girl? Well, Deaimon feels like it’s trying to recapture that same magic, albeit as a much more low-key tempo. This isn’t the boisterous, lively countryside that defined Barakamon; this is a chilled-out, pleasantly sedate depiction of life at a family-run bakery in the middle of Kyoto. It’s a show you watch not for the plot, but for a weekly dose of mellow vibe and interesting facts about wagashi, the art of traditional Japanese sweets. And I’m hypothetically down for that; unfortunately, Deaimon has a few too many imperfections to really hit the mood it’s going for. Too much time is spent getting to know characters that don’t really matter, too little time is spent on what should be the central relationship between Nagomu and Itsuka, and the show has an awkward understanding of how people talk to each other, resulting in a few scenes that dip into the uncanny valley of human communication. It’s too weightless to be unpleasant, but it’s too unfocused to really leave any sort of impact. Just re-watch Barakamon if you’re in the mood for this kind of show.

Heroines Run the Show: 5/10

God, what a fucking disappointment this turned out to be. Five episodes in, I was fully prepared to call Heroines Run the Show the hidden gem of the season. A wholesome shoujo-adjacent male idol anime that managed to make me cry at the climax of its first arc? With a protagonist voiced by Inori Minase and a cast of lovable characters? I should’ve been able to tell you all this was a feel-good delight that you shouldn’t let slip under your radar. But then the middle of the show gets a little shaky as it tries to explore the pressure put on girls to be cute and almost ends up glorifying it? Except it ends on a good note that avoids the arc’s more worrying aspects, so it seemed like we were still sailing smoothly. But then the final arc tries to tackle overly obsessed idol fans, and it shits the bed so hard it retroactively makes the entire show worse. It has been a long time since I’ve seen an anime self-destruct as badly as Heroines Run the Show, and all the good feelings I used to have about it are now curdled into frustration and anger. As good as that first half was, I can’t in good conscience recommend it anymore thanks to how disgustingly it all turns out. What a fucking waste.

A Couple of Cuckoos (1st Half): 5/10

Sound the alarm, folks: I’m enjoying a harem anime! Sort of. Kinda. Okay, look, it’s probably telling that all the worst parts of A Couple of Cuckoos are the parts intrinsically tied to being a harem anime in the first place. The forced excuses for fanservice, the eye-rolling notion that multiple girls would fall in love with the same potato loser, the fact that the prospective romantic partners include the protagonist’s stepsister god dammit anime why do you keep doing this. Suffice to say, this show is victim to most of its genre’s inherent flaws, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. You know what else it has, though? Snappy dialogue, surprisingly fun characters, believable and diverse chemistry between the entire main cast, and even some decent drama around the central conceit of blood families vs. adopted families and how different people fit into that paradigm. Take away the harem aspect, and this would be a damn entertaining little high school comedy with enough charm and genuine heart to stick with you. But, well, it is a harem, so all that good stuff has to come packaged with a heaping helping of Anime Bullshit (derogatory). I’ll stick it out to see if the second half picks up at all, but for now, you’re better off waiting to see how it all shakes out before giving this one a shot.

Healer Girl: 5/10

As a longtime theater nerd, I’ve often dreamed of the day we finally got a broadway-style musical anime. Not just an idol show where the songs are all performed in-universe (or idol-adjacent shows like Symphogear or Revue Starlight), but a show where the characters break into full-on song and dance at the drop of a hat to express what they’re feeling. Well, the wait is finally over. Here, at last, is an anime where any conversation can break out into singing and any scene can become a rousing three-part harmony. The musical anime of my dreams has arrived, and its name is Healer Girl. Eeeeeeexcept half of its songs are still performed in-universe anyway, while the songs that do follow the broadway formula are mostly just inconsequential fluff about random moments that don’t really matter. And the show built around those songs doesn’t really have much to offer on its own besides pleasant vibes and a very on-point face game. I dunno, maybe I set my expectations too high since the director of FMA Brotherhood was in charge, but Healer Girl just ends up feeling like a half measure all around. It’s charming enough that I can’t really dislike it, but it’s too insubstantial and unambitious to leave any sort of impact.

Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie: 5.5/10

So I went on a bit of a roller-coaster ride with this show. Before I watched it, I assumed it would just be another bland seasonal waifu show about selling a marketable girl to the lowest common denominator. Then I started watching it, and I was shocked by how invested I became. Izumi and his princely girlfriend Shikimori had the kind of meaningful chemistry that so few of these “start when the couple is already dating” anime have, and the fun supporting cast had me hyped for a pleasant rom-com delight. But then as I kept watching, it sort of became exactly the show I was afraid it was going to be. Episode after episode suffered from bland characterization and lowest-effort-imaginable scenario building, to the point that it became hard to remember what had happened in any given episode even minutes after I finished watching it. But then the show’s second half starting picking things right back up, and by the time we reached the final episode, it was probably the best version of itself it had ever been. Suffice to say, Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie is a weirdly complicated show to talk about for how simple it is. All I can say for sure is that when it is on, it damn well holds its own in a very stacked rom-com season, and perhaps that’s enough to be worth giving it a look.

Aharen-san wa Hakarenai: 6.5/10

I think it’s safe to call Aharen-san wa Hakarenai (Loosely translated, it means “Aharen is hard to understand”) the sleeper hit of spring 2022. In a season absolutely lousy with high-profile, high-effort rom-coms, this low-key lark about two weird kids bringing out the best in each other could’ve easily slipped through the cracks. But even without gorgeous production values, a riveting story, or truly outrageous comedy, Aharen-san proved to have real staying power. And I can see why, because while it can’t hold a candle to the likes of Kaguya-sama and Komi-san, this silly little show really struck a chord with me. Most of its humor comes from its deadpan co-protagonists as they bumble through ridiculous scenario after ridiculous scenario without so much as raising an eyebrow, and it hits far more often than it misses. But moreso than its understated goofiness, this show’s secret weapon is its casual, heartwarming acceptance of, well, difference. The titular Aharen reads pretty heavily as on the spectrum, her little brother like to cross-dress with her clothing, there’s a handful of pretty explicitly queer side characters, and the show treats them all with affirmation and kindness. It’s really damn wholesome, and as long as you’re not burned out from rom-coms this season, it’s well worth checking out.

Requiem of the Rose King (2nd Half): 7/10

It’s a damn shame it took Requiem of the Rose King so long to find its footing. The first half, as much as I liked it, was so cramped and inconsistent that it lost most of its audience before it really hit its stride. Well, let me tell you now: if you dropped this show? Pick it back up. Give it another shot. Because once it reaches its second half and timeskips to start re-imagining the events of the Richard III play itself, Requiem of the Rose King becomes really goddamn good. The story has more room to breathe, the machinations of the royal court work better with the show’s limited animation than the battle-heavy first half, and watching all these characters drawn inexorably towards their fate makes for the kind of gripping tragedy you rarely see these days. All of which culminates in a final episode that may well end up being one of the best finales in all of anime this year. Just be aware that this show comes with, like, all the content warnings, as it contains depictions of homophobia, transphobia, sexual assault, and arguably suicidal ideation. If you can stomach a story that tackles such difficult subject matter (not always perfectly, but better than most), then I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Bubble: 7/10

Bubble is the kind of project that was just inevitably going to be awesome from the moment it was conceived. A Weathering With You-inspired supernatural blockbuster romance with Tetsuro Araki in the director’s chair, Gen Urobuchi working on the script, and Hiroyuki Sawano providing the soundtrack? I’m pretty sure the laws of physics make it literally impossible for something like that to turn out anything less than cool as shit. And Bubble certainly is cool at shit, a film of staggering beauty that puts Araki’s trademark hyper-kinetic visual eye to fantastic use. From the gorgeous landscapes to the pulse-pounding midair parkour sequences that define this movie’s action, from the highly expressive character animation to the bonkers spectacle of the final act, Bubble is a feast for the senses in the way that only masters of their craft can truly pull off. The story, sadly, is nothing to write home about; it’s a pretty generic and cliched affair, even if it pulls all those cliches off reasonably well. But that audiovisual splendor still makes it well worth a watch. Turns out you can get away with an uninspired script when the spectacle that script brings to life is this damn good.

Ao Ashi (1st Half): 7.5/10

Do you miss Haikyuu? I miss Haikyuu. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve spent the years since season 4 searching desperately for a sports anime that scratches the same itch, only to come up heartbreakingly short every time. Well, suffer no longer, folks, because Ao Ashi is everything you’ve been waiting for. Okay, it doesn’t look as good as Haikyuu; its workmanlike production doesn’t allow for the kind of orgasmic sakuga heights that made Haikyuu such a breathtaking spectacle. But otherwise? This is everything I’ve been missing about my good volleyball boys. An expansive cast of characters who we get to know naturally over the course of time! An obvious deep knowledge and love for the sport being portrayed (soccer, in this case) and how its mechanics affect the story’s thematic trajectory! A hothead protagonist who must learn to broaden his horizons to achieve his full potential! A soaring soundtrack that would make Haikyuu composer Yuuki Hayashi proud! It’s even got a decent female supporting cast; Hana Ichijou is my precious daughter and I would die for her. Time will tell if the series’ second cours can push it to true greatness, but for now, if you’ve been looking to fill the Haikyuu-shaped hole in your heart, I cannot recommend Ao Ashi enough.

The Executioner and Her Way of Life: 7.5/10

It finally happened, folks. We finally have another genuinely great isekai. After so many piles of crap and utterly unmemorable pieces of cardboard, this genre turned out something awesome. And all it had to do was literally murder the self-insert male MC in the first episode so it could transform into a rip-roaring yuri action/adventure edgefest. To be clear, though, that kind of subversive brilliance isn’t the only reason I fell for The Executioner and Her Way of Life (but seriously, holy shit was that a great way to kick the usual isekai tropes to the curb). No, what makes this show work is because it has what basically every other isekai lacks: a good goddamn story. The setting is fully realized with its own unique culture, it incorporates the concept of being an isekai world into its worldbuilding in some truly fascinating ways, and the plot perfectly captures the Re:Zero appeal of wild twists cascading on top of each other in rapid succession as they recontextualize what you’ve already seen to fantastic effect. Not that this show is quite as good as Re:Zero- as much as I love Akari and Menou, their story so far hasn’t even neared the heights of Subaru’s journey toward self-actualization- but with how fucking wretched this genre usually is, I’m not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. Bottom line, Executioner kicks ass, and if we can somehow get four seasons of that fugly skeleton show, then we have no excuse not to keep this one rolling for at least a few seasons more.

Ya Boy Kongming: 7.5/10

Generally speaking, when you get a show with a premise as bonkers as “Legendary Chinese strategist from the Three Kingdoms era gets reincarnated in modern Japan and becomes the manager of an aspiring pop idol,” there’s one of two possibilities. The first possibility is that the creators are just throwing weird shit at the wall for a cheap, cynical attempt at quirky brand recognition. The second possibility, however strange it might seem, is that they actually know what they’re doing. And I’m thrilled to say that Ya Boi Kongming is firmly in the latter camp. It’s a hilarious, heartfelt celebration of the power of music, chasing your dreams, and what it taking to become your best self, full of lovable characters, spectacular song performances, and just the right amount of batshit insanity to compliment such a wacky premise. It honestly makes me feel bad for Zombieland Saga; as much as I’ve enjoyed both seasons of that show, Ya Boi Kongming feels like the fully actualized version of what Zombieland could never quite achieve. I hope PA Works keeps this adaptation going, because these are the kind of good vibes I want to carry with me for many years to come.

Birdie Wing Season 1: 7.5/10

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. How the hell could an anime about golf- the most boring sport to ever exist- be in any way interesting? Well, I could try and explain it. I could explain how beautifully, confidently ridiculous it is at every turn. I could explain how it hits that pitch-perfect sweet spot of camp where it takes itself completely seriously despite running on the most batshit insane logic imaginable. I could explain how it mines incredible comedy just by using such a dull game as the high-stakes currency of cutthroat underground mafia schemes with enough bonkers future technology to make Seto Kaiba blush. I could even explain how it’s Actually Gay and that automatically makes it a must-watch. But really, no words can do justice to the magic of Birdie Wing. This is a show that must be seen to be believed. So instead, I’ll just ask you to watch this clip from the first episode:

This is maybe the twentieth most over-the-top thing that happens in Birdie Wing.

Got it? Good. Now go watch this damn thing already.

Dance Dance Danseur: 7.5/10

At first glance, Dance Dance Danseur feels like Mappa's attempt to recapture the Yuri on Ice magic of gorgeously animated bodies in motion. And it certainly accomplishes that: from the animation to the direction to the sound design, the way this show brings the art of classical ballet to life is absolutely stunning. But make no mistake, Dance Dance Danseur is a very different beast than its most obvious comparison. This is a show full of flawed people, immature teenagers who make immature mistakes against a backdrop far more vicious and honest about the world’s evils than I expected going in. It’s a story that dives headfirst into bullying, toxic masculinity, parental abuse, the systemic rot of the ballet world itself, and ways that artists striving for greatness, especially young artists, suffer and hurt each other in pursuit of finding what drives them forward. Does it pull it off perfectly? Fuck no. At times, the choices the characters make are so frustrating you want to reach through the screen and punch them. But as difficult as this show can be to sit through, it makes for some of the most realistic and compelling drama you’re likely to watch all year, drama only heightened by just how god damn gorgeous it all looks. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s well worth a look for anyone who can appreciate a story this jagged-edged.

The Demon Girl Next Door Season 2: 8/10

Ganbare, Shamiko! God, I’m so happy this show is back. The Demon Girl Next Door is one of the most underrated anime of the past decade, a gag comedy about a modern-day demon girl who accidentally seduces befriends the magical girl she’s supposed to be mortal enemies with and sets out to try and solve the issues that have left them both in dire straits. What makes this show great, beyond its incredibly fast-moving jokes that take great advantage of the anime’s limited resources, is just how damn good it is as building real emotional meaning into the story those jokes underlie. Few shows are this good at building compelling drama out of people trying to help each other, and while it never grows so heavy that it stops being a comedy first and foremost, that empathetic undercurrent gives this goofy little gag anime a way of really sinking its claws into you. If there’s one big flaw I can criticize it for, this second season makes it pretty clear just how much less compelling the supporting cast is than the two leads. Sure, they’ve all got their own charms, but every plotline that doesn’t involve Shamiko and Momo trying to out-gay each other is a plotline that would really be better spent on Shamiko and Momo trying to out-gay each other. Regardless, I had a blast with season 2, and I hope we haven’t seen the last of these adorable idiots yet.

Spy x Family: 8/10

Was there ever any doubt that Spy x Family was going to be a blockbuster hit? One of the most popular manga of the modern era, adapted by two of the most high-quality anime studios in the business (at least when they’re not destroying themselves with overwork)? You couldn’t get a more surefire success if you tried. And yes, surprising no one, I fell in love with Spy x Family just as much as everyone else. A master spy, a legendary assassin, and a telepathic orphan must forge a fake family for the sake of the spy’s mission, each one hiding their true identity from each other and doing their best to blend in to “normal” society, despite the fact that none of them have a damn clue what being normal actually entails. It’s a fantastic premise executed to near perfection, and the only real negative thing I can say against it (well, aside from the one creepy siscon character) is that this first season has left me unbearably impatient for it to get even better than it already is. This is a show that’s going to end up an all-time classic, and if you somehow haven’t checked it out already, consider this your call to give it a shot. It may not end up on your favorites list, but it’s basically impossible not to fall the slightest bit in love with.

Vampire in the Garden: 8.5/10

I’ll admit, I may be biased on this one. The concept of a post-apocalyptic lesbian vampire frostpunk road trip is so stupidly up my alley, I’d be shocked if I didn’t fall head over heels for it. But fuck it, this is my list, I make the rules. And even putting my personal preferences aside, Vampire in the Garden is fucking spectacular. It’s every bit the gorgeous, tragic melodrama you could ask for, telling the story of a human girl and a vampire queen who flee their warring species together in search of a paradise where they can all live as one people. The action is riveting, the worldbuilding is enthralling, and the bond that forms between Momo and Fine as they travel- and the fascinating way their arcs parallel each other in reverse- sucked me in and broke my heart in a thousand beautiful ways. It’s a fucking crime this OVA only had 5 episodes to tell its story; with a full cours to flesh out the actual journey and explore more interesting pockets of the world, this could’ve been right up there with Wolf’s Rain in the pantheon of anime’s post-apocalyptic masterworks. But even these 5 episodes are more than incredible enough for me to demand all of you to check it out. Studio Wit just does not miss, people.

Kaguya-sama Season 3: 8.5/10

Recently, I’ve come to the conclusion that if I had to choose between compelling protagonists or a compelling supporting cast, I would take the compelling protagonists. Sure, ideally one shouldn’t have to choose, but if the characters at the core of the story are fantastic enough to earn my investment, then I’ll likely gravitate to that story more than if the supporting cast outshines them. And that probably explains why Kaguya-Sama, as incredible a show as it’s become, isn’t going to end up on my favorites list anytime soon. To be clear, Kaguya and Shirogane aren’t bad protagonists by any stretch, and by the climax of season 3′s well-earned romantic buildup, I can finally say I’m invested in them as a couple as well. But I don’t come to this show for the romance at its core. I come for Chika’s batshit insane antics. I come for Ishigami’s shockingly compelling struggle to re-invent himself as a decent human being. I come for Hayasaka flexing on everyone, everywhere, all at once. And, of course, I come for the gonzo visual experimentation that’s quickly making this show second only to Nichijou in the pantheon of anime comedies that use incredible animation to wring maximum hilarity out of every joke. There are endless things to love about Kaguya-Sama; it’s just that Kaguya-Sama herself is probably the least of them. And that’s why, as good as season 3 is, there’s another rom-com that ended up snatching my Anime of the Season trophy right from under its nose...

Komi-san Can’t Communicate Season 2: 9/10

Alright, look: is this show’s supporting cast astronomically weaker than Kaguya-sama’s? Yes. Does it suffer from cast bloat that makes it hard to develop many of its characters beyond one-note jokes? Absolutely. Is Yamai Ren one of the worst... things to happen to anime since Mineta? Boy, you fucking know it. And yet none of that changes the fact that every time I put on an episode of Komi-san Can’t Communicate and see Komi and Tadano adorkably flailing their way through social interaction, my blood sugar levels spike hard enough to put me into cardiac arrest. God, I fucking love these two. I love how this show portrays their journey through self-betterment and self-acceptance. And watching Komi truly start to find her voice in season 2, literally and figuratively, was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. At its best, this show is a celebration of the ways that people come together, how we cross the seemingly impossible barriers of social interaction and forge companionship in a million different ways. It’s an achingly sweet, achingly sincere love letter to everyone who’s ever felt a little bit different, a promise that some day, with a little hard work, everyone is sure to find the place where they belong. And for all of its unevenness, that earnestness never fails to make Komi-san Can’t Communicate one of the most delightful watching experiences anime’s ever given us. Now bring on season 3, because if we don’t get to see these goobers actually start dating I will riot.

#anime #the anime binge-watcher #tabw #spring 2022 #spring 2022 sr #komi-san can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #kaguya-sama: love is war #kaguya-sama #birdie wing #spy x family #aoashi #the demon girl next door #machikado mazoku #shield hero #vampire in the garden #in the heart of kunoichi tsubaki #paripi koumei #ya boi kongming #dance dance danseur #aharen-san wa hakarenai #love after world domination #deaimon #heroines run the show #healer girl #requiem of the rose king #the executioner and her way of life #shokei shoujo no virgin road #shikimori's not just a cutie #a couple of cuckoos

[beachnet]

this arc is so long omg and the creatures are still gross to me after being on screen for so long

#the chimera ants are gross looking me no like at all #this whole arc is giving jurassic park its Bizarre #also nobody hmu abt kite literally nobody #jj watches hxh #hxh

[blueeyeswhitegarden]

My Hero Academia, Hunter x Hunter.

My Hero Academia:

haven’t heard of it | absolutely never watching| might watch | currently watching| dropped| hated it | meh| a positive okay| liked it| liked it a lot!| loved it| a favorite

don’t watch period| drop if not interested within 2-3 episodes| give it a go, could be your thing| 5 star recommendation

fav characters: I really like Midoriya. He’s just so likable, endearing and sympathetic. I really like Todoroki’s character development. Iida has had some really cool moments too. Uraraka is just so sweet and upbeat. Eri is a new favorite as well.

least fav characters: It might be a cliche at this point, but that would easily be Mineta. He is indeed the worst and the only good thing about him is that he gets little screentime to do the whole gross pervert gag. I’m not a huge fan of Kaminari either since he tends to hang around Mineta, but at least he can be funny and got a good chance to shine during the Provisional License Exam arc.

fav relationship: I really love Midoriya’s student-mentor relationship with All Might. They truly care about each other and I love seeing All Might basically go from this idealized hero to a friend and father figure for Midoriya. I also like Midoriya’s friendships with Todoroki and Iidya. He was able to help both of them through difficult situations and it was nice to see them become closer with each other over the course of the series. Bakugo and Kirishima’s friendship became much more endearing than I expected as well, especially when I initially thought it was going to be one-sided.

fav moment: There are a lot of great moments, but a new favorite moment for me is Eri choosing to be saved. Honestly, episode seventy-six is easily one of the best episodes of the series to date. The insert song was beautiful, I loved how determined Midoriya was to save Eri and Midoriya vs. Overhaul was terrific. But I started crying the moment Eri broke through Overhaul’s emotional manipulation to grab Togeta’s cape. She is a traumatized child, been treated like a monster her whole life because of her Quirk, has been abused both physically and mentally by Overhaul and thought that the only way to stop people from dying around her was to stay with Overhaul. Seeing Midoriya chase after them and then Togeta’s cape gave her the courage to break through years of trauma enough to realize that she needed to let them save her. It was a beautiful moment that made me instantly love Eri.

I also really love the lunchroom scene with Midoriya, Iida and Todoroki. It was a short scene, but it really showed off their friendship so well and how they all support each other. I also loved that Iida said the same lines that Midoriya did before they left for their internship. He saw that Midoriya was bottling up his feelings just like he was before and wanted to at least offer some reassurance.

headcanons/theories: I don’t really have any theories or headcanons for this series.

unpopular opinion: I’m still not a huge fan of the Midoriya and Bakugo pairing. Their relationship has improved, but their dynamic for the first couple of seasons bothered me too much. Season one Bakugo reminded me way too much of bullies I had to deal with, so that stung a bit.

how’d you find it: I didn’t watch it until it started airing on Toonami. I watched the first season there, binged watched season two and the bulk of the third season within a week and I’m currently watching season four on Funimation’s website.

random thoughts: My Hero Academia is one of the few shows that lives up to the hype for me. It is a shonen series to its core, but it’s shonen done extremely well in my book and I look forward to pretty much every episode. It’s a solid series that is worth at least checking out.

Hunter x Hunter:

haven’t heard of it | absolutely never watching| might watch | currently watching| dropped| hated it | meh| a positive okay| liked it| liked it a lot!| loved it| a favorite

don’t watch period| drop if not interested within 2-3 episodes| give it a go, could be your thing| 5 star recommendation

fav characters: I really like Gon and Killua. They work so well together, but they’re also really good characters individually. Leorio turned out to be more likable than I thought he would, although I think he needed more screentime. Meruem is easily the most interesting villain in the series. Biscuit is such a fun character and easily the best female character in the cast.

least fav characters: I don’t really like Hisoka. He’s strong and intimidating, but I find him too creepy for my tastes, especially during his fight with Gon in the Heavens Arena arc.

fav relationship: Gon and Killua’s friendship is the heart of the series. It provides so much growth for Killua in particular and I honestly don’t know how the series functions without having the two of them traveling together. Mereum and Komugi’s relationship turned out to be sweeter than I expected. Meruem found a genuine connection with another person, which gave him more humanity than he initially thought he had. It was also strange for me to become a fan of their pairing in the same episode where they both die.

fav moment: I really like Gon’s emotional breakdown over Kite’s death. While the anime not including Kite prior to the Chimera Ant arc weakened the impact to a degree, it still worked because Gon’s main focus throughout the bulk of the arc was to save Kite. He was so sure that Kite was alive and they just needed Pitou to heal him. But then he was hit with the reality that Kite was long dead and it crushed him. The emotions were so raw and intense with Gon going back and forth between anger and sadness. The way he defeated Pitou was so harsh and brutal, but matched with those emotions. It didn’t feel cheap either since Gon nearly died from using that much power and as far as I’m aware, still can’t use Nen in the manga. It was an intense moment that really felt like a natural progression for Gon’s character during the arc.

I also love Leorio punching Ging right in face. Even with knowing that Ging allowed Leorio to do that, it was still immensely satisfying and made up for Leorio’s minimal screentime.

headcanons/theories: I don’t really have too many theories or headcanons for this series either.

unpopular opinion: I still think it was a massive mistake to bring Kite back to life. He still is technically a different person and just has the original Kite’s memories, but it felt like a cop out way for Gon to not really have to deal with Kite’s death. Maybe it will be better depending on whatever role Kite has in later arcs, but I think it would have been better if he hadn’t been reborn as a Chimera Ant. I’m not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but I have no idea why Colt had so much screentime during the first half of the Chimera Ant arc if he wasn’t going to be involved in the second half. I’m still disappointed that he doesn’t get to be reunited with his sister or his birth mother, so that could have been resolved if the last Chimera Ant was Colt’s human sister reborn like I initially thought it was going to be instead of somehow Kite.

how’d you find it: I watched the dub on Toonami. I could have gone through the series faster with the subs, which might have helped with the pacing a bit, but I like the dub voices, so I was okay with that.

random thoughts: Hunter x Hunter is a really good series. It has really solid battles, the powers are unique and the expansions on Nen feel pretty natural. I also think that it tackles training arcs really well. We get to see enough of Gon and Killua’s progress to where their increased powers feel believable and earned, but they don’t feel like they’re dragging this out either. It might be more intense or violent than people would expect from a shonen series, but it’s worth checking out at least.

Thank you for asking. ^_^

#Asks #My Hero Academia #Hunter x Hunter

[joyandeggs]

2, 4, 6, 8, 19, and 23 for the anime ask!

Thank you so much for sending an ask, as always! ❤ And a warning for all of my rambling paragraphs below. vvvvv

2. First anime crush

This question is so funny to me...because I had quite a bit of firsts. ;;;;; I grew up on solely Pokemon ever since I was born. I really loved Lieutenant Surge. Like... 💞💞💞 Just thinking back on it, I know where my type in men came from. I also grew up on Sailor Moon, and Tuxedo Mask I always liked. I still do to this day. ❤

4. Least favorite anime character

It's funny you picked this one to ask since I'm always taking about my faves and never the least favorites! I try to be more positive than negative though.

For One Punch Man, it's really difficult, but I would say Tatsumaki. She's just so mean! I like her sometimes, but she's just way too mean. She reminds me of Amai Mask and his horrible attitude. I'm also not a big fan of him, nor Metal Knight. Metal Knight gives me a bad vibe.

I really wasn't a big fan of any of the antagonistic characters in Hunter x Hunter. A lot of characters were just bland to me? I feel so mean when I say that! 😥 I didn't like the Phantom Troupe too much. I don't like any of the bad Chimera Ants at all. And I really don't like Ging.

And in Dragon Ball...I cannot stand Master Roshi. Only because he's just plain gross. I don't enjoy the perverted characters at all in anime.

I actually feel bad for writing all of this since these characters are cherished by quite a lot of fans

6. Popular anime you didn't like

I'm honestly not the biggest fan of Seven Deadly Sins. I thought I liked it at first, but...the whole "main character is perverted and that's all there is to them" thing really eats me up. I adore Ban, but the series as a whole I'm not the biggest fan of like I thought I was when I first watched it.

With the Dragon Ball series...I have my negatives with it. Some things that happen throughout the series, especially at the end of Z just...urgh that's how they wanted to do it, so I shouldn't complain.

And I absolutely love Hunter x Hunter...a series that I am incredibly attached to. I have a love-dislike relationship with it, but that's because of the Chimera Ant Arc. More love than dislike though. Ahhh I should stop I sound so mean

8. Anime character you are most like

Shoot McMahon. Without a doubt. I always say how alike I am to him and how awfully relatable he is, but it is definitely true. Shoot and I are both closed off inside of a cage, not wanting to hurt others nor ourselves. Among so many other things Shoot and I have in common. (Honestly, aspoonofsugar's analysis on Shoot helped me understand even more how much we're alike. It's always difficult to figure out who you are as a person, but to see someone like Shoot or others speaking of Shoot really helped me a lot.)

My sweet babe.

Another character alike to Shoot is Serizawa from Mob Psycho. Everything about how he is and what he has went through...is a lot like how I'm going through life. He is extremely relatable.

I also find myself in delinquent characters like Tenga, Metal Bat, and Knuckle. I've got quite a temper, and I always look grouchy. I'm just exhausted all the time is all.

And this one is a little more of a joke, but Chaiotzu from Dragon Ball. I adore Chiaotzu. We're both small, anxious, quiet...bad at math. We also both tend to keep to one specific person. He has Tien, and I have Corin.

19. Favorite anime ships

As far as canon goes, I still love Kenshiro and Yuria from Fist of the North Star. What a pair. Oh, and there's Goku and ChiChi! Gohan and Videl are great, too. I can't think of any others off the top of my head though, I know I've seen and heard so many good ones!

Ships that are not canon though... I love a good Genosai. And I am always a sucker for some Nashuu. ❤

23. Unpopular character you love

Hanzo from Hunter x Hunter!!! 💓💓💓 I absolutely LOVE Hanzo!! He is crazy cute, I love him so so so much. Even though I would wish to see more of him anywhere, I still love how he was there from the beginning of the series with Gon and the others. 💓 Too underrated.

There's also Yamcha and Tien. Both are very underrated. I will never understand why so many people just hate Yamcha for no reason other than to meme and just be rude. These two are fantastic, and I still adore them.

And there are a lot of One Punch Man characters who are not that popular sadly. I feel like Watchdog Man, Child Emperor, Pig God, and Puri Puri aren't as popular as other heroes, but they really should be! They're very good characters. I also really like Stinger, Glasses, Lightening Max, Snek... My number one faves in lower hero ranks are Captain Mizuki, Green, and Needle Star! 💓💓💓 And Iaian!! Oh my goodness I love him. And Sekingar. There are just way too many for me to list, maybe another time I'll gush about all of them.

#thank you so much for the ask! ❤ #m3v3 #askbox #joy #it's crazy to think that I grew up on sailor moon and pokemon since I was born #now I hold one punch man and hunter x hunter so deep in my heart #but I am really picky with anime I seriously only like ten series and nothing else

[decembercamiecherries]

hi sorry to bother you but i somehow came across starry x eyed and i just wanted to let you know that i love it????? if you ever decide to write the whole fic i will definitely be here

Oh, you’re not a bother at all! I find it really flattering, actually, that someone found starry x eyed and liked it enough to send me this ask, so thank you! ^-^

I’m not sure if I’ll ever finish this, the idea’s been done before and I have a hard time continuing it….but here’s what I have so far, as a thank you (I wrote this back in 2016 and totally unedited so be warned lol):

“Leave me! Now!”

Kite’s warning comestoo late. There’s a flash, and blood flies through the air in a wide arc. Gon’seyes widen and his mouth opens in a silent scream, but he’s too slow, too slow,too slow. Kite’s arm lands with athud behind them before Gon can do so much as blink.

The thing is curledin a hunch between them and Kite. Blocking their path. Gon feels a fury boilover inside him and his hands turn into white knuckled fists. He’s ready totake this creature on, to reach Kite, to fight-

Then it looks overits shoulder. A pulse ripples through the air as its gaze fixates on them.

Gon’s blood turns toice at the hungry interest in its eyes. It takes half a second for him torealize that desire is not directed at him. It’s not even directed at Kite.

It’s Killua. Thecreature wants Killua.

“Why,” the chimera antpurrs as it slides into a standing position. “-don’t you have some pretty eyes.Like gems. Would you mind if I took them from you?”

Killua is a statuebesides him and Gon’s paralyzing fear turns into burning anger in half asecond. He doesn’t care what that thing wants; it can’t have Killua. He shifts his weight so he can defend hisbest friend, sees Kite crouch low to the ground-

Pain explodes in hisskull. Everything goes black.

-

When Gon wakes up,he’s lying on a bed somewhere he doesn’t recognize. The sunlight is bright butthe sheets feel cold. It takes a heartbeat to realize what’s missing, whathappened before he passed out.

He throws himselfforward, heart jumping to his throat. His blood is roaring in his ears and hishands are shaking. Where is Killua? He looks frantically around the room. Where is Killua?!

His gaze lands onKite, who sits in a chair across the room. There are bandages wrapped aroundthe arm that was injured by that- that creature, but he’s alive. And Gon isgrateful, really, but it doesn’t stop the churning anxiety in the pit of hisstomach.

He says hoarsely,“Kite.”

The man glances up andhis stare is heavy in the worst way. Kite doesn’t speak. He’s scared to ask,but he needs to know. Gon swallowsthickly. “Kite. What happened? Where’s Killua?”

Kite pins him downwith flat blue eyes. He says quietly, “I’m sorry, Gon.”

Gon just looks atKite, uncomprehending.

“I couldn’t save him.The Chimera Ant wanted him, took him before I could do anything. I wasn’t fast orpowerful enough to stop it.”

There’s a dull roarin the back of Gon’s mind. It’s blocking out everything Kite’s saying. It can’tbe true. It just can’t. Kite is the strongest Hunter they’ve met, if hecouldn’t get to Killua, then- then-

No. Killua is- Killuais the most incredible people Gon’s ever seen. He wouldn’t just let himself getcaught like that.

“What are you saying,Kite?” Gon asks.

Kite regards him withsomething that must be similar pity but Gon doesn’t understand why. Killua isalive. He can’t be gone. It’s not possible. Without Killua, Gon is. Is.

“The Chimera Ant tookKillua, Gon. At this point, he’s most likely dea-”

Gon is suddenly screaming,“DON’T SAY THAT! DON’T YOU DARE!!”

Kite’s mouth shutswith a click. Gon’s breathing is erratic and he can’t stop the way his chest isheaving. He didn’t mean to shout. But it’s wrong for Kite to go saying lieslike that. It’s insulting. Killua can’t die.

It takes five minutesfor him to calm down enough to speak again.

“I’m sorry,” hemanages to say finally.

“It’s alright.”

“But Killua- he’s notgone. Even though the Chimera Ant took him, it doesn’t matter, you know? I’mgonna get him back.”

Kite closes his book,one handed. “You’re going to have to be a lot stronger if you’re going to fightthe Ants.”

Gon nodded,determined. “That’s okay. It doesn’t matter how hard I have to train. Me andKillua are best friends, I won’t ever leave him behind. I’ll get stronger andfind him. No matter what! And then we’re going to finish finding Ging together.I know we will.”

Gon’s eyes areshining and he can feel himself beaming. He can’t help it. Killua is his firstand dearest friend. Gon wouldn’t have gotten this far without him and they’dgrown and accomplished so much together!

Don’tworry, Killua, Gonthinks as he clenches his hands into white-knuckled fists. Nen dances acrosshis skin and shrouds him in white-hot aura. I’llget you out of there in no time, so just hang on until I’m powerful enough tofind you!

Off to the side, Kitestudies him with an unreadable expression but says nothing.

-

Killua doesn’t wakeup in a bed, or even in a room.

When he finallycracks his eyes open, he finds himself in a dark cave. Or, it looks like a cavein a way that it has dark walls and a rock-hard ground. It doesn’t feel like one though; the air pulses,heavy with humidity, and the smell of rotting bodies is almost enough to makehim gag. Even worse than that is overwhelming presence of…something. Something bad, really bad. Something that’s worse thananything he’s ever faced before.

“Oh, you’re awake?”

The question makesKillua freeze.

He knows that voice.It spoke to him, just him, back when he was with Kite and Gon-

Gon.

He jerks up into asitting position. “Gon- ngh.”

He slaps a hand tohis forehead, barely holding back a hiss of pain. A stabbing headache attackshis brain. Its relentless in its fury, making it nearly impossible toconcentrate. Through the haze, he realizes his whole body hurts, not just hishead. He can see cuts and scrapes dotting the pale skin of his hand and he canfeel their sting under his clothes.

His mouth goes dry.What had that creature done to him?!

He raises his eyes tosee the cat-like Chimera Ant that had sliced Kite’s arm off. It stood a gooddistance off, its head tilted to one side as it watched him, fixated.

Killua fights down ashudder. He refuses to show weakness to this- this thing.

“What-” He bites hislip to stop himself from crying out. The headache is getting worse with eachword he speaks.

He starts again,“What do- ungh- you want with me?”

“Who says I wantanything from you?” it asks.

Killua grits histeeth. “You wouldn’t take me for no reason. I’m nowhere near as strong as Kite;if you wanted someone more powerful than me, you could’ve had him. So you musthave a specific reason for choosing me instead.”

The creature smilesand Killua can’t help himself from staring: rows of sharp, knife-like teethglitter in the low light.

“Pretty and smart,” it purrs. “You really arethe whole package. But can your abilities back you up?”

Killua’s head feelslike it’s being sliced open. The cave sways slightly as he says, “Wha-”

The Ant is in is facebefore he can blink. There’s a sharp sting across his face and then he’s flyingthrough space, suddenly airborne. He has a split second to think- I have to stop moving- when his backcollides into a boulder.

All air leaves hislungs and stars explode across his vision. He collapses in a heap, coughing sohard he tastes the tang of iron on his tongue.

“Hm. Not as fast as Iwould have hoped, but I suppose there’s always room for improvement.”

Killua spats out amouthful of blood. It splatters on the ground. More dribbles from his lips.Disgusting. Blood was never anything but that: ugly, gross and morbid.

A flash of nostalgiahits him and he’s five years old again, staring down at his first murder. Theman was triple his age but weak in body and mind. It had been easy to kill him.He had died on the floor of his own kitchen as blood pooled around his feet.Killua had thought the sight was gross then, too.

The only differencenow, is that its Killua’s blood onthe ground, and not some random-ass stranger he’d been paid to kill.

Killua clenches hishands so tightly his knuckles turn white. Blood rushes under his skin. Aftereverything he’s been through, after meeting Gon,there is no way in hell he is going to die the same way as the weak strangerthat had been his first kill.

He slowly raises his headand glares at the Ant with eyes as hard as ice. The creature towers over himnow, hands on hips, its tail swishing back and forth.

It grins, pupilsdilating, and says, “C’mon. Let’s have some fun.”

-

Pitou doesn’tnecessarily like using Doctor Brythe.She can’t use any other nen with it in practice, which leaves her with astrange vulnerable sensation, and she’s forced to stay in her given locationfor however long its activated. All and all, it’s a complicated but boringtechnique, one that makes her back stiff from staying in a single place toolong and her claws twitch with impatience.

So she opts forwatching the white-haired boy laid out in front of her to pass the time.

She comments off-handedly,“This is the fifth time you’ve broken that arm. Do you have a preference forthat specific limb? Or do you just like having your bones snapped in half likethat?”

The boy’s lips pressinto a thin line but he doesn’t open those gorgeous blue eyes of his. Sometimesshe wants to tear them out and put them in a jar someplace just so she canalways look at them…

“No, I don’t,” hegrounds out, distracting her. “No one likesgetting hurt. You’d have to be stupid, or insane, to think like that.”

“Yet, you stillsomehow find a way.”

He snaps, “That’sonly because you’re making me! As if I’d ever try to take on ten Chimera Antsquadron leaders in a row!”

He has a point there.She cups her chin in one hand as she regards him thoughtfully. If he wasn’t beingforced to test squadron leader abilities, what would he be doing right now? Sheknew next to nothing about this boy she captured. The only thing she caredabout at the time was his beauty, and his strength.

She won’t lie; thestrength part had been a little disappointing at first. He was gifted, yes, butalso painfully underdeveloped and inexperienced. She had purposefully submittedhim to these one-on-one battles with the hope he would improve exponentially.

And that he had.

She plops down on theground beside him and folds her legs.

“What was that thingyou did with Rammont a few days ago? I’m just dying to know. You’ve nearlytripled your speed and skill abilities since then

#answered #dc writes #killugon #hunterxhunter #killua zoldyck #gon freecss #kite #pitou #canon divergence au #canon divergence #it made me really happy to get this ask #thank you anon <3 #wips #starry x eyed

[jflashandclash]

Traitors of Olympus IV: Fall of the Sun

Fourteen: Ajax

I Set Up a Play Date in Exchange for a Canadian

             As soon as Thanatos vanished with Reyna and Calex in his comforting, Slenderman, trust-me-this-isn’t-the-first-time-I’ve-abducted-children-way, Pax searched around their makeshift racetrack and the Roman’s body-collection tent. Pax had to wonder if Slenderman could shadow travel—what he assumed Thanatos had done. You know that situations are desperate when taking a creepy stranger’s hand and getting into his metaphoric car is the best options.

           It was a good thing Pax’s apples worked. Having the damnation of Calex’s soul and his not-death on Pax’s consciousness would have probably been added to Pax’s Daily List of Traumatizing Experiences. He wondered if the death counter on the Silver-Tongued Helm would have gone up if the plan had failed, or if Eris and Phobetor would have popped up with a fireworks display to celebrate the failure.

           “An errand, Ajax?” Alabaster asked as soon as Thanatos, Reyna, and Calex melted away. “What are you planning?”

           “Planning? I never plan. I just get ideas.” Pax stepped in a sweeping circle, glancing around. His brain chattered in broken sentences, the way he imagined Ares would if Axel ever got his hands on him again. Had to be here. Too good a show not to watch. “Ideas that involve me being in a place of potential ruin, where I’m about to make a likely dumb decision that could result in a lot of mischief.”  

           “This sounds like a shitty idea,” Alabaster grumbled.

           A hand touched his shoulder.

           Pax yipped before he realized it was Kally. She gave him a worried smile. “Ajax, what is going on?” she asked, holding one hand out like Pax was the wild, cute baby panda he was.

           Why did he always tell his lovers his weakness? That he had a hard time speaking indirectly when they called him by his first name and looked at him like he wasn’t just comic relief? That and bullets, but he figured his weakness to celestial bullets was pretty general knowledge.

           “With Jason, Thalia, Leo, Axel, and now Reyna off doing hero things, we’re missing five heavy hitters—Calex doesn’t count. What happens if they don’t make it back in time for the party?” As Pax spoke, he ruffled his hair. He hoped the sweat and grossness of a hero’s shower schedule and constant pain would act as Hair Gel de Natural. “We need as many fighters as we can get, since Percy is—ha ha—benched and Annabeth is spreading the kissing disease to the table with how much she’s napping. Plus… I want leverage if the Romans decide to take vengeance on the Triple A Chimera. It’s always good to have a little blackmail.”

           Important father-to-son life lessons.

           “Leverage?” Alabaster asked, his glare softening.

           Kally took a careful step towards Pax. Amazing to think that the one time she wanted to hold his hand again, he would have to shriek and run from her if she did. “A lot is going on. I—Axel wouldn’t want me to let you do something…”

           “Stupid?” Alabaster supplied.

           “Rash.”

           As if that was the magical summoning word, Pax saw Atë.

           He puffed up his cheeks and popped them.

           A chill went down his spine as the smoke twisted up off her clothing. She lay, stomach down, on the ground, kicking her legs behind her. A black tarp—an empty body bag?—acted as her picnic blanket. Points for unnerving creativity. Pax just hoped there wasn’t an annoyed ghost in the tent, wondering where its deadtime blankets went.

           Her white T-shirt’s sleeves hung off her shoulders. That and the cloth’s looseness let her shirt collar hang away from her skin and rest on the ground. Several chain necklaces encircled her neck and dangled against the ground atop the material, except one cord that clung tightly to her skin, running taunt down her chest, like a divider for her black and red, very noticeable, bra. That chain must have been attached to her belt. Her shorts were black and white checkered. Fishnets ran down to her muddy, bare feet.

           As per Atë mode, her skin was smudged with dirt. Her jagged, black hair had streaks of red, magenta, and white. In one hand, she held Frank’s stick, pressing it against her lower, crimson lip, so the lip jutted to one side.

           Pax swallowed. Amazing how he could forget that his super hot sister wanted to seduce him.

           Like the best cockblocking knights from a heroic tale (or, from what Pax had heard, like teachers at a school dance), Alabaster and Kally stepped between where Pax was standing and Atë lay.

           “Ajax…” Atë cooed, leaning to see around where Kally had withdrawn her Argonaut statue.

           “Don’t call him that,” Alabaster snarled as he withdrew the deck of cards from his back pocket.

           “You’re fraying around every edge,” Atë said.

           “You’re not wanted here, Atë,” Kally snapped.

           “I don’t want you to unravel,” Atë continued, those lifeless, red eyes giving their most expressive I told you not to come back to camp look that lifeless eyes could manage. Under Lapis’ command, she had warned Pax, not to come back, but there was no way for Pax to know it was to prevent some good ol’ fratricide.

           Pax swallowed again. He forgot a pivotal point in his plan: his ability to talk with words and sentences. That, and his ability to speak to her without his cockblocking knights preventing him from a potentially terrible decision.

           Hoping Atë could do some cool god thing to fix this, Pax summoned the best devilish smirk that he could, sidestepped more into Atë‘s view, winked, and nodded towards the death tent. Perfect romantic location.

           Pax cleared his throat. “I found Calex’s potentially suicidal ultimatum with his godly stalker inspirational.”

           Pax liked to think Kally and Alabaster both made sounds of disapproval: Alabaster’s hopefully sounding like a stuffy, old British gentleman. That’s how Pax would write Alabaster if he could write fanfiction.

           The sounds came out muffled.

           During one breath, smoke twisted in front of him, icy fingers touched his hand, then he was sitting down in a dimmer place. The sun warmed the tent walls like God decided to catch some humans with a Styrofoam cup the way a child might catch an ant or a tiny leprechaun. Pax stayed firm: if centaurs existed, then so did tiny men with golden pots that shot marshmallows. Kouta could never lie to him otherwise: that the marshmallow thing was an ad campaign for a cereal company. That was just what the leprechauns wanted you to think.

           The tent flap was shut, cutting off the view of the outside. The sunlight that glowed through the fabric felt smothered. A few real rays shined through the poles of the tent.

           Pax couldn’t decide what was worse: that Atë chose an occupied bodybag as a picnic bench or that she’d smoked into existence, sitting close enough for their knees to be touching.

           If Atë could just teleport, Pax wondered why she bothered with any of this fighting stuff since she could relocate all of her enemies into far away cruise ships or convenient wood chippers. Pax shouldn’t ask that though, since that might give her idea—

           “Why don’t you magic all your enemies into romantic hovels?” he asked.

            Atë kicked her feet against the dirt. She stared at the two corpses in front of them. Leave it to a child of Eris to pick the center of the room, so they could be surrounded, from both sides and below, by corpses. Now Pax was waiting for Thanatos to deposit one from the ceiling for good symmetry.

           Outside, he could hear the muffled voices of Alabaster and Kally as they panicked.

           “I can’t. It’s easier with you, because you wanted to come in here and you’re more god than mortal,” Atë explained.

           “Yep, that totally checks out in my book of not-lazy godly physics.”

           Atë leaned back, so she could put one hand behind Pax. With the other, she tapped Frank’s stick against her off-sleeve shirt.  “You’re asking me to trade Frank’s stick… for a date with you,” she said, those glassy eyes boring into him.

           “I’m touched by how easily you read me,” Pax said. He tried to think of how he would treat this if Atë were Kally or Alabaster, but the scenery was a little distracting. “A playdate. Yes.”

           “What kind of date?” she asked. Pax couldn’t tell if she was playing coy. He supposed it fit the “mischief” part of her moniker.

           Pax puffed up his cheeks and popped them. He had decided this was it: his moment for inspirational character development, where he took control of his life, where he stopped being protected and became a protector. He didn’t have Axel’s strength or courage, but he was skilled. He’d earned the name Silver-Tongued Snake for a reason, and it wasn’t just because of that paint-eating incident in Alabaster’s laboratory.[1]

           He just wished it happened somewhere sunnier with… cuter surroundings.

           Only one thing had to happen before he acted on his epiphany.

           “Off the corpse,” Pax said. He slipped one arm under Atë’s and slipped the other under her knees. Repressing a shudder at the chill of her legs and back, Pax carried her a few feet away from the bodies, sat down on the ground, and kept his arms around her. He whined at the pain in his right hand.

           Atë blushed and stared at him with those unblinking eyes. Either that or she’d smudged some blood on her cheeks. Probably the latter, from puppy corgis? As Pax watched, her typically blank face cracked into a small smile. He remembered how much fun he had with her when they searched Rome’s files to discover the identity of Mount Othrys’ spy. She said that he was always nice to her. In her thousands of years, had Atë never been romantically carried by someone before?

           “Your dad and our mom used to flirt a lot while seated on corpses,” she giggled.

           “Atë, you know that little voice inside your head that tells you stories like that don’t need to be said out loud?” Pax said.

           “I don’t have one and you don’t either,” she said, then repeated, “What kind of date?”

           Ideas for how he’d treat Kally or Alabaster raced through his mind. “We can start by playing some video games. We’d go get ice cream, of course.”

           Atë cocked her head to the side. Chains rattled against her neck.

           Right. Child of Strife. Goddess of Mischief and Ruin. He didn’t need to pretend.

           “We can dress up as monsters and scare kids walking home from school,” he said.

           Atë rocked in his arms with a laugh. “We can recruit the weasels to help us wreak havoc.”

           Pax sat up in excitement. “We could ride Hunnie into battle and Baller could—wait—no—I mean, yes to weasel recruitment. But, let’s leave specific weasel anarchy idealization until later.”

           “What happens after destroying children on their way home from school?” she asked.

           Pax chose to ignore her choice of verb. “Afterwards, we could find some local church picnics and pass out pamphlets on the good word of Discordia.”

“In wizarding robes,” she said.

“Pointed hats and brooms included. And lastly…” Pax wasn’t great at doing that whole think before you speak thing, but this next part needed to be worded carefully. “I’ll take you back to my place and we can watch Deadpool, use the hot tub… get to know each other a little better.”

Atë stopped laughing. Her expression went blank again. “The Paxmobile doesn’t have a hot tub and Axel would never leave us alone.”

           The sound of Alabaster and Kally’s voices were getting closer.

           “Holy Kronos—we should install a hot tub in the—right, sorry!” Pax struggled to keep focus. The idea of a mobile hot tub complete with trick telekhines was distracting. Percy could do water tap-dancing for Alabaster’s entertainment. “I meant my place my place. Not the Paxmobile.”

           Atë didn’t respond. He had hoped she’d dramatically repeat his line in confusion, but Pax guessed he’d have to continue explaining without theatrical prompting.

“The temple/club/house/building that the Pax boys are about to inherit from our Dad’s will. You know… once we get Axel’s name cleared up with the police for that whole ‘kidnapping me’ thing. You and I would have to follow house rules for the date, since that’s what we’d be using, like don’t run by the hot tubs.”

           Pax remembered how hard Lapis worked to be able to go out with… would it have been Sapphire? It happened right before he and Axel ran away the second time. Pax felt nauseous about moving back there, to his room with a blank, bare corner, designed so Dad wouldn’t get blood everywhere when he beat and whipped Pax for acting out.

           At least his father had been considerate to the cleaning staff.

           “But yea, it has a fancy hot tub, lots of private rooms, and a labyrinth of back passages that would leave Axel’s head spinning for hours. We could make it into a game. How many places we can…” Pax tightened his grip on Atë’s legs and dug his nails into her back as best he could with the ruined tendons. He leaned his forehead against hers. The musk of dried blood was—surprise—not a cure for his nausea. “Do stuff without Axel being able to catch us.”

One of Atë’s hands clutched his neck, where she’d bit him. Despite the rapid healing from his extra godly blood, and Kally’s attempts with her Apollo magic, the discoloration remained. Perks or curses of fooling around with a goddess: eternal hickies. Pax wondered what Ares’ neck looked like after a good Aphrodite fondle and vice versa.

           It was like a mark of ownership, like how the tattoo on Pax’s hip made him feel like—even in death—his Dad still owned the part of Pax that could have been happy.

           Pax felt his eyes watering. Focus, he snarled at himself. He had to make sure Atë felt the sunshine and rainbows, or, in her case, bunnies with chainsaws. He tried to think of how giddy he would be to hold Kally like this—albeit gentler—or be held by Alabaster.[2] The hand on his neck and the cold, red eyes made it hard to imagine Kally’s caring, shy smile and touch or the glint of knowing humor behind Alabaster’s expression and caress. Either one perfecting the balanced look of adoration with simultaneous annoyance in their green eyes.

           With Atë’s other hand, she pressed Frank’s stick into his chest. Pax felt compelled to remind her that he wasn’t a vampire and there were, in fact, easier ways to kill him. Maybe his vulnerability to celestial bullets was less well known than he thought.

           “Do you swear on the River Styx to all the terms listed above?” Pax asked.

           Thinking about the others brought on an icy flash of Flynn. How he held her like this when she was sobbing over Jack’s chopped up corpse, about how she wished she could have seen Jack one more time to say goodbye.

           Pax swallowed the memory. His mouth moved without his mind, saying what he knew he should be saying, since his brain was preoccupied with the whole trauma thing. “I’ll even give you a private tour of my room. Only Kally’s gotten that.”

           He winked, giving Atë a devilish smile. Tiny Baby-Panda Pax marveled at how his body didn’t feel like his own, the smooth confidence of his exterior belonging to some other, darker, older Ajax.

           Atë rubbed her fingers along his neck. “We could always make a tent in there and turn it into an exclusive slumber party.”

           “Shake on it, and we’ll make it binding. All that and all you need to do is give me Frank’s stick as a forward payment,” he said, releasing her legs to offer his hand.

           Atë pouted, an expression uncomfortably similar to something he’d practiced in the mirror to adorable perfection. “Kiss on it,” she said, biting her lower lip.

           Pax puffed up his cheeks and popped them.

           He felt cold and numb, watching a movie reel that some other person had already acted. Internally, he wondered exactly what consent Atë thought kissing gave, since she seemed to think a hug consented to making out. Externally, Pax tilted his chin down, pressing his mouth against hers.

           Atë went still. For a horrifying moment, he feared she’d poofed away and put one of the corpses in her place as a practical joke. Ha-ha! Made you kiss a dead person! Then she sat up with a soft noise, so she could lean more into him. Atë dropped Frank’s stick.

           This was opposite how he expected her to react after how aggressive she’d been the night she tricked him into a romantic prelude to decapitation the night before. Her words fluttered through his head, You’re always nice to me and you’re fun. Most people are really mean when I’m around.      

           No one had been nice to her. No one had made her feel special. Maybe, she only knew to mimic the way their mom flirted with his dad, like making out near corpses and sending cards that pre-apologized for future abuse.

           Sympathizing with a tiny psychopath like Atë was dangerous. But, for a few dizzying seconds, Pax softened his touch to make the kisser proper to what he thought a kiss should be, instead of what he assumed Atë wanted.

           When the panic mounted to the point where he wanted to ask Atë if she’d eaten nuts before their kiss, he firmly removed Atë’s mouth from his own.  

           “Atë,” he said and slipped Frank’s stick into his pocket, “Big Sis. You know how children of Strife always hurt those we love the most, especially the more we’re around them? And you know the definition of ‘cruel irony?’”

           Atë’s small smile flattened. “What?”

           Pax stood up and gently set his half-sister down. Relief made him add a dance to his step as he backed towards the exit. “I should have warned you, my dad had a lot of rules. Like, no messing around in the house. No one was allowed to touch a Pax kid without Santiago’s direct permission, and he’s dead now, so that’s a little difficult, huh? You’d have to ask the next head of the house, Kouta—oh no.” Pax tilted his head pensively to the side, crossed his arms, and tapped his chin. “He won’t do—oh! I guess that would be Axel. According to the terms of our agreement, we’d have to get direct permission from Axel to do anything physical or too romantic. Shucks.”

           Pax snapped his fingers, like he was disappointed.

           Atë opened and closed her mouth. “You tricked me.”

           “Yes and no.” Pax shrugged. “I’m still really excited to have a play date with my half-sister where I get to wreak havoc and get to know her better and spend time with her as a friend.”

           He gave her a gentle smile. Pax knew what it was like to feel like the whole world was a cruel place. If Axel and his other siblings hadn’t been there to show him protection and kindness, Pax would have probably turned out a lot less fluffy. “Just because I’m the first person to be nice to you, doesn’t mean I’ll be the last. And you don’t need to express appreciation of that through possession or forceful cuddles. We’re siblings. And yea, we’re children of Strife so, we’re pretty fucked up, but I think we can work together to have a healthy, fun friendship.”[3]

           Atë didn’t seem to know how to react.

           Pax nodded at the sentient. “But seriously, you touch me sexually once and the date is over.”

           Pax pivoted to push open the tent flap, only to slam into Alabaster. Alabaster’s Stygian staff was drawn, and he was prepping spells under his breath. He grabbed Pax’s arm, like he feared Pax would dematerialize again.

           “Pax!” Kally shouted in relief behind him. She fingered her Argonaut statue. “We thought Atë kidnapped you.”

           “Aw, it would have been much more dramatic and movie-like had you showed up when Atë and I were making out,” Pax said. All that water that he’d stored in his eyes glistened to the surface. Seeing these two made him want to collapse in a puddle on the ground, Phobetor conscilepsy style. But, Pax reminded himself, he was Strong Pax. In-Control Pax. Pax that Waits Ten Minutes to Start Crying Pax.

           Pax snuffled back a few tears.

           When Atë stepped out of the tent after him, he almost screamed. Instead, he held Frank’s stick aloft. “We need to go shove this in the face of the others, so we can tell them that we have blackmail on Frank.”

           “You mean that the concussed Canadian can fight in the battle tonight?” Kally asked warily. She pulled both boys further from the death collection tent, towards Percy’s fancy light up sign and throne.

           “That’s what I said,” Pax said, like Atë had just vanished as she should have in his internal plans.

           “Mom was going to use that stick to light the Big House on fire. Something about using the fires of life to start the wave of death?” Atë said, stepping with them towards the ping-pong table.

           After Pax had his whole family-time-happy-speech, he didn’t feel right telling Atë to get lost, but she was kind of on the wrong side of their fight. “Very poetic,” he admitted.

           “We thought so too. Frank would have probably been the first casualty.”

           “Pax,” Kally whispered, taking the hand not holding Frank’s stick. Her touch made Pax feel all gooey inside, encouraging those tears that he kept trying to repress to come to the surface. “What did you do?”

           “And why is she still here?” Alabaster growled.

           As they got closer to the ping-pong table, Pax could see it was mostly empty. The other campers must have been tending to defenses. Annabeth napped on a pillow beside Percy. He held her hand on the table, glaring at the sand timer. Piper sat a few feet away from him.

           “Uh—guys?” Pax could just hear Percy say with some panic in his voice. He held up the sand timer.

           “Atë, you can go back to Mom,” Pax said, knowing it would be much simpler if he only had to manage two-sort-of-not-ex-lovers.

           Atë put her hands in her black and white checkered pockets, tilting her head back to look at the sky. “Mom never left. Why do you think everyone has been so unproductive and argumentative?”

           Alabaster rolled his eyes. He focused on whatever was happening at the ping-pong table. “I thought Eris was best for inspiring people to productivity,” he said sarcastically.

           The sarcasm seemed to miss Atë. She removed her fingers and flexed them. A tire iron appeared in one hand and a baseball bat with nails appeared in the other. “Jealousy, spite and strife are excellent motivators. But the productivity doesn’t matter anymore. You’re out of time.”

           Pax blinked. His stomach twisted as he felt some sort of shockwave ripple through the air. “Uh, no,” Pax said, “Mom told Percy she’d be back when the sun comes down.”

           “And it’s noon now,” Kally said.

           Children of Apollo: better than any clock.

           A buzzer sounded.

           Party poppers popped.

           The neon sign above Percy’s head flashed wildly like the ball drop on New Year’s Eve. A digital timer went to zero in the colorful mix.

           Hiro’s mirror still floated beside Percy. From what Pax could see, Hiro ran to the edge of the mirror, pressed his face against it, and looked up in excitement.

           Clouds darkened the sunlight.

           Kally screamed and, in the distance, Pax could hear a chorus of children of Apollo joining in the cacophony.

           When Pax glanced up to stare directly at the sun—something Axel had tried to stop him from doing dozens of times—he didn’t find himself blinded. Apollo’s sun chariot was too close, easily observed by the fact that everyone could see his Sun Chariot. The image blurred between a Lamborghini Diablo and a cart drawn by four horses. From what Pax gathered from science books and mythology, Apollo was supposed to have a fairly set path.

           He had altered it.

           Pax choked.

           A wave of darkness descended from the east. The rapid approach gave Pax vertigo as it engulfed the landscape like an apocalyptic cloud.

           Despite Apollo’s attempts to either step on the accelerator or spur his horses on, the blackness was gaining.

           When Pax squinted, he could see what it was: a woman. A terrifying woman with her own chariot and horses. She was so void of color and substance, Pax would have thought her a churning swirl of ash and smoke. Her chariot seemed to suck the light from around it. Her indigo wings and whirls of black locks trailed madly behind her, twisting into coils of blackness that cast the net of her cloak. That blackness asphyxiating the landscape was her cloak.

           Terror shook Pax. A deep sense of wrongness made him want to hide in the Paxmobile and refuse to come out.

           Nothing would have changed though. None of their heroes would return in time: Jason, Leo, and Sadie wouldn’t have had time to fight Lapis yet, Calex and Reyna would have just met up with Axel and Thalia in Tartarus, and Merry had likely just gotten to Hiro and Percy’s little sister. That meant Percy also wouldn’t be able to fight. Annabeth could barely lift her head off the table.

           It was just them, a concussed Canadian, a recently plague-ridden daughter of Aphrodite, and a daughter of Pluto that was probably frantically trying to keep her unconscious brother out of the shadow realm.  

           The primordial goddess of night’s chariot intercepted Apollo’s.

           The sun fell out of the sky.

           They were enveloped in darkness.    

           As Pax’s eyes adjusted to the sudden blackness in the middle of the day, he panted with panic. He almost laugh-cried when Alabaster set a hand on his shoulder, until he realized it wasn’t Alabaster.

           “Oh, my little Terror Muffin,” Eris whispered sweetly into his ear. “It’s beautiful isn’t it? How much a mother will do for one of her favorites when that favorite is threatened with annihilation by execration or Kronos’ staff?”

           That joker-like hysterical laughter filled the air.

           “Now that Nyx has taken care of the sun…” A light flickered beside Pax. He could see his mother toss a lit Molotov Cocktail up and down, “Let the festivities begin!”  

  Sorry for the delay, guys! I hope you enjoyed the Pax family madness :D They could probably benefit from some family counseling. May your Fall festivities be as mischievous as Pax’s, but, you know, without the trauma.

Tune in next week to Axel: If you’re tired of being electrocuted, clap your hands! (or: On the Shore of Two Underworlds).

Footnotes:

[1] Alabaster said we had to put a warning label out here: do not eat paint. You are not Pax (unless you are Pax) and you will not survive an acrylic slurpee (and even if you are Pax, stop trying to eat paint. Alabaster is tired of cleaning your throw up).

[2] Though not frequently the other way around. Pax has done everything in his power to pretend he’s physically weaker than Alabaster, including frequently fainting into his arms when they were younger. One problem with this: Alabaster opted out of catching him.

[3]Public service announcement where Pax and I differ: if you have a family member that is acting sexually aggressive to you, tell someone and take action to prevent anything further from happening to you or to others. If the person you tell doesn’t believe you, keep telling people until you find someone who will listen. Whether or not you know the aggressor, even if they’re a family member, you owe them nothing. You definitely don’t owe them silence. But, you DO owe yourself and you DO deserve a safe, healthy environment. And, you owe open communication to others in to the aggressor’s path to assure that the aggressor won’t hurt anyone else.  

And, regardless of what anyone else might tell you, including other family members, you don’t need to keep talking to the aggressor, as Pax decides to do. Blood-related doesn’t mean indebted. It doesn’t mean an annulment of wrongs. It means you’re supposed to keep each other safe and healthy, and taking advantage of someone’s trust isn’t safe or healthy.

Now, if you’ll excuse me for this bout of seriousness, I have a baby panda to catch to tell him to talk more openly with his friends. *chases after Pax*

#Heroes of Olympus #Percy Jackson and the Olympians #PJO #HOO #Fanfiction #Traitors of Olympus #Pax #Ate #Kally #Alabaster #Eris #SHIT GET REAL!!!!! #*cries* I have no time to write this week T.T

[hxh-secretsanta-2017]

Waiting x On x You

To: @mattressdemon

from: @patch-of-shore

I hope you enjoy it! I know it starts off kinda scary and sad and gory but I promise there’s fluff and laughter to come :3 This is my first time writing these two so I hope I did them justice in your eyes :)

So this is it, huh?

Birds had already started devouring Kortopi’s head in front of Shalnark but there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t move and Kortopi was already dead anyway.

It was a gruesome sight and Shalnark knew he’d be next. He closed his eyes one last time and let go.

Sorry, boss.

*** (This is probably as good a place as any to put a read more)

“How long ya gonna leave me waitin’ for you to wake up, huh?”

What? Who could he “leave waiting?” Shalnark knew he had died just now. Who was this demanding things of him. He was dead, couldn’t they leave him alone?

“Come on, sleepin’ beauty. Do I gotta wake you up with a kiss or somethin’?”

Shalnark forced his eyes open.

“Uvo?”

“Expectin’ somebody else?” Uvo asked.

“No, I guess not. So I’m really dead then, huh?”

“Yeah. The chain user?”

Shalnark frowned. “No, Hisoka. Turns out he wasn’t even a real spider! He was just there to find a chance to fight the boss.”

“That guy got a tattoo just to fight the boss?” Uvo sounded like he didn’t buy it.

“Nah, that was fake too just like every other part of him. Texture Surprise,” Shalnark said.

“Guess his tits are the only real part of him, huh?” Uvo joked with a deep laugh.

“I dunno,” Shalnark said, feigning a serious tone. “Do you even think those were real?”

After a short pause, both Shalnark and Uvo laughed.

“Yeah, that Hisoka was a fake ass bastard, sure didn’t miss him!” laughed Uvo.

“He left the spiders not too long after…well, after you disappeared.”

“So the chain user got Paku and me and Hisoka got you, eh?”

“Well, he killed Kortopi first. Actually, he died before me, shouldn’t he be here? Have you seen him?” Shalnark asked.

“You really thought that kid was gonna get sent to Hell with the rest of us?” Uvo responded.

”No, you’re right,” Shalnark said, casting his gaze down. “He wouldn’t have.”

He couldn’t help but feel disappointed. The last image of Kortopi that Shalnark had in his mind was not a pleasant memory. It would have been nice to have something to overwrite it with.

Uvo watched Shalnark for a minute with a serious face and then broke it into a huge grin. “Ha! I’m just kiddin’! He’s right here!” Uvo leaned to the side to reveal Kortopi hiding behind his back. “He beat ya here!”

“Kortopi!” Shalnark said with joy, kneeling to hold Kortopi as he came in for a hug.

“You know, this doesn’t really seem like Hell,” Shalnark commented, letting Kortopi go. “We aren’t in Hell, are we?”

Uvo shrugged, “Dunno. Except that I’m bored as shit, doesn’t seem like it. Paku thought we were in between or somethin’. Limbo?”

Shalnark nodded thoughtfully. “Sounds about right. This seems to about match common descriptions of ‘Limbo’ so it’s not a bad guess. It doesn’t seem like you’re hiding her though. Where is she?”

“Dunno. She left pretty soon after she got here and didn’t come back.”

“Well if we’re in Limbo then maybe she crossed over?” Shalnark suggested.

He considered the idea for a moment and then looked up at Uvo, “Wait, you’ve been here even longer than Paku. Why are you still here?”

“Been waitin’ on you.”

“Gross! I don’t need your love, so just give me money instead!” Shalnark said in feigned disgust.

“Hah? Still that line? Nobody’s got money here, Shal,” Uvo said. “One of the worst parts of bein’ dead: nothin’ to steal.”

“Then I guess your love will have to do,” Shalnark said, getting to his feet and kissing the still sitting Uvo.

“More receptive of it now then, eh?” Uvo said. “Lucky me!”

Uvo stood and scooped up Shalnark effortlessly. He held him close as he covered Shalnark’s face and neck with kisses as they both laughed.

“Okay, okay! Enough! Put me down! Kortopi is watching!” Shalnark laughed. He was enjoying himself but Uvo was a full throttle lover just like he was everything else and it was hard to even try to keep up with.

Back on the ground, Shal gave a quick huff and stretched. “You still hug too hard, Uvo!” he said, giving Uvo a playful punch.

Uvo laughed unapologetically. “Maybe you’re just too weak and skinny to handle it!”

Kortopi laughed and Shalnark scoffed.

“So have you figured out how to haunt people yet?” Shalnark asked, changing the topic as they all sat back down.

“Ya can’t,” Uvo said, shrugging and shaking his head in disappointment. “The only place you can go from here is crossin’ over looks like.”

“Aww, seriously? I always thought it’d be fun after I was dead to haunt-”

Uvo joined in and they said at once, “Phinks!”

“Oh, man, that would be classic shit!” Uvo laughed.

“Imagine his face!” Shal joined in the laughter. “And how tight he’d cling onto the boss!”

“And then he’d pretend it never happened like we don’t already all know!”

“You think he’s the only one who doesn’t realize we’re all pretty much gay and there’s no need to hide it?”

“Dunno but it’s a lot funnier this way!” Uvo said.

“Right?” Shalnark agreed as they both dissolved into laughter again.

After much laughing and fun-poking at Phinks’s expense, Shalnark and Kortopi filled Uvo in on what had happened since he had died. About the boss losing and regaining his Nen, about the Chimera ants, Hisoka and the boss fighting in Heaven’s Arena.

“And that’s when Hisoka got us,” Shalnark concluded.

“That bastard had no honor, never did!” Uvo grumbled. “Fuckin’ shameless. He wouldn’t fight fair if you paid him.”

“Since when are we about fighting fair?” Shalnark teased.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Uvo grabbed Shalnark and pulled him into a bear hug. Shal struggled and protested like their usual routine until he realized Uvo was shaking slightly. He stilled and went quiet and waited for Uvo to speak.

“I missed you, Shal,” Uvo said, quietly for himself. He squeezed Shalnark to a point that was starting to get painful as he then growled, “But I still wish I could go back and rip that son of a bitch to pieces for killin’ you.”

Shalnark sighed a little and did his best to return the hug as he said, “I know, Uvo.”

Uvo let Shalnark go before he had to really object to being held so tightly. Shalnark thought to himself how much Uvo managed to look like a giant kicked puppy. Shal got up and went to Uvo. He touched Uvo’s cheek with one hand and kissed him lovingly.

“At least we’re together again,” said Shalnark.

“Yeah.”

“And it seems like we don’t have to cross over right away. We can spend some time together now, just you and me.”

“And the kid,” Uvo pointed out, referencing Kortopi.

“I think I’m going to cross over, actually,” Kortopi said. “There’s nothing left for me. No need to hang around.”

Both Shal and Uvo gave Kortopi a final hug and he walked away and slowly faded from sight as he crossed over.

“Just us now, huh?” said Uvo.

Shal cocked an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting something?” he asked, playing coy. “What if someone shows up? People die all the time.”

“Then let ‘em watch,” Uvo said with a growl. He pounced on Shalnark and the two kissed.

Shalnark smiled into the kisses. “I missed you, Uvo,” he said, wrapping his arms up and around the back of Uvo’s neck.

“Don’t gotta anymore! I’m right here! And I ain’t goin’ nowhere without ya!”

“Good.”

#hxh #hunter x hunter #uvogin #shalnark #fanfic #submission

[akiharashizuka]

Cardfight Vanguard G: Z turn 10 thoughts

The Man's Finishing Hold

It’s been so long since I last heard Kamui say “Finish hold”...except that he doesn’t say it. It’s only in the title, as a reminder, probably. Kamui has grown up, so I don’t mind him not yelling the catchphrase.

“Finishing Hold” is also a term used in professional wrestling. Early Nova Grappler had quite a few references to that. 

For a moment I was worried that Kamui’s being sassy would make things worse. But that wasn’t the case since Gredora got some interest in him.

Probably Darkface is cringing in the background, somewhere.

We get to see some more new Megacolony stuff, as well as Nova Grapplers from the upcoming Star Gate set. Those chibi mechas with huge heads look so weird though xD But the name Victhead is appropriate.

Hmm, Megacolony prevents Units from standing at the beginning of the opponent’s turn, but Nova Grappler specializes in restanding Units during the battle phase. That’s quite a match-up.

Also, Arata and Makoto regain consciousness just in time. 

*claps* Misaki roasting Darkface was so satisfying xD Well done!

I liked how they chose to animate this part xD It was so funny watching that ant looking around confused, until realizing that he is the one to be retreated xD

Thank you Kamui for pointing out that her children will perish if Gyze is revived. This also lead to her revealing her goal. I understand the part of living in a new better world (compared to where Megacolony resides now), but the world domination part is a bit meh.

I like that she’s realistic when it comes to the other Apostles. She uses them as pawns, but also is aware that they do the same. And she doesn’t care as long as she fulfills her goal.

Ok...I thought Gredora became interested in Kamui, but not in that way. My reaction at first was just like Arata and Makoto’s xD Though, Darkface was hilarious. I gotta agree with Misaki on Kamui attracting the weird ones. Imagine if Nagisa was around...

But, back to what Misaki said, this is a different kind of weirdness. because, apparently, in order to give birth to children, Gredora was to devour her spouse. that’s...gross. But Megacolony is a group of insects, so no wonder about that. Black widows are  a species of spiders known for eating their mate...Also mantises. Hmm, now that I think about it, Gredora might be based on a black widow. Or, based on the color scheme, on Nephila, another species of spiders which...do the same thing as black widows.

This reminds me so much of the Chimera Ant arc in Hunter x Hunter. And it also made me think of the current arc in One Piece, except there aren’t any insects involved. Or husband-eating (hopefully).

I’d rather end this morbid topic here. 

Yep, Perfect Guards are, indeed, the way to go against Zoa. Plus some extra cards to help guard the rest of the attacks.

Darkface’s reaction was the best though xD

The G Zone is out of picture now, but Gredora still resists. I kinda wished Kamui didn’t manage to finish her off, just to see how is she going to construct her offence without striding. Hope they do something like this in the future.

I didn’t think this would happen so soon. We just got to know Gredora and she’s already leaving...Hmm, I don’t know if this scene was supposed do be emotional, but I don’t really feel it. Mostly because of Darkface being Darkface xD

Anyway, I appreciate how she took the loss. She even admitted that the fight was entertaining foe her. Also, it’s not like she doesn’t leave anything to look forward to. First off is the “duty” she has already fulfilled. Something tells me that it’s not about chasing Chaos Breaker away. Early info on Z also mentioned that she has her own plan of reviving Gyze. The other thing is Darkface becoming the holder of Zoa. I’m hoping this will make him more of a threat. Also, some character development wouldn’t hurt.

I noticed that Z is quite fast paced, compared to Next. Considering that the next booster sets comes out at the end of February and it contains the remaining 2 Zeroth Dragons, plus Gyze himself, I guess it will end in spring...

It seems like Gredora’s host is in better shape than Saori. Maybe she’ll show up more in the future. They were nice enough to reveal her name (Gaily Kurt), plus some other trivia in an extra material. Actually, this applies to all the Apostles (Arte Hibino is Gastille’s host, Ruuga Kaizu is Valeos’). I’m fine with the romanizations proposed by the wiki, so I’m going to use them, until further notice. The Weekly Bites also mentioned that Gaily is in high school and she lives in Hong Kong. So, she must be 16-18.

It would be funny if she also developed a crush on Kamui xD However, I would prefer if it doesn’t happen, mainly because the Nagisa-Kamui-Emi shenanigans are enough.

I liked how Noa didn’t give in Chaos Breaker’s taunts and stays positive. Normally, I would say it’s cliche, but this simple, easy-going attitude just fits him. 

Next episode it looks like there will be a Christmas party at Card Capital 2. Hmm, it would be more fitting if it happened in episode 12, which airs exactly on Christmas Eve. Oh well. I’m guessing the anime will be on break on the 31st. But let’s get back to the preview. Gastille finally makes a move. Ibuki vs Gastille will be something to look forward to. And Chrono seems to get electrocuted when touching Chronojet’s card. This must be Relics’ effect, plus Gyze (almost) fully possessing him.

#cardfight vanguard g z #cardfight vanguard g z spoilers #cfvgz #cfvgz spoilers #Akihara's random opinion thing

[lovethyfanperson]

All the Greek god asks?

Uhh, Okay!Zeus: What’s your name or nickname?Reese! It's not my birth name, but it's the name I go by on TumblrHera: Where are you from?America!Athena: How old are you?I am 16 going on 17Hephaestus: When is your birthday?November 6thAphrodite: What’s your relationship status?I am taken, and have been for a year and three monthsPoseidon: What are your pronouns?I use all pronouns except for the term "it", I find it degradingzDionysus: Are you and extrovert or an introvert?IntrovertDemeter: Do you have any pets?I wishApollo: What kind of music are you into?I don't really have a music type... i like songs from all genres and artists. Artemis: What do you first notice about new people?Eyes and hairHades: What’s a big fear of yours? Being left alone and forgottenAres: What’s a big pet peeve of yours?People throwing an arm around my shoulder. There are few people who are the exception.Hestia: Where do you consider home? The TheatrePegasus: Last movie you watched?Kingsman: The Golden Circle Mermaid: Last tv show you finished?Finished? Uh... Teen WolfCentaur: Last book you read?Read or finished? Read, it's "The Fever Code". Finished, it's "The Yellow Brick War"Siren: Last song you listened to?Don't Go Away (Remastered) by OasisGorgon: Last thing you ate?A watermelon Blow PopCyclops: Last time you cried?Uh, yesterdayMinotaur: Last time you were truly happy?Monday when I saw a movie alone with my bfSphynx: Last text you sent?An "ok" to my dadChimera: Last call you made?To my mom yesterday to tell her rehearsal was overGriffin: Last thing you did before going to sleep last night?Texted my boyfriend goodnight because I do that every night.Nymph: Last dream you remember?I was at this really demented version of Disney land. I'll tell y'all the dream later if you'd like, it would make for one hell of a story!Satyr: Last time you couldn’t stop laughing?I was laying with my boyfriend cuddling and I just started laughing and couldn't stop. He's used to this by now.Heracles: Have you ever had a dream come true?Well I used to dream about my crush kissing me and that happened so yeahTheseus: What is your worst regret?Not joining Theatre Freshmen yearPerseus: Have you ever been arrested? NopeCadmus: Have you ever had your heart broken?Yes. I don't really like to talk about it, but I'll just say I had a crush on a good friend who found out.Achilles: Have you ever had to be hospitalized?Yeah, two summers ago I had a bad UTIActaeon: Tell about a memory you wish to forget.My boyfriend having to kiss another girl for the school playBellerophon: Have you ever passed out?Yeah. Right in front of my fsmily. We have a hallway that connects to the kitchen, and one of the walls is this giant closet with sliding doors (and the doors are mirrors). I was walking down the hall to get to the table for dinner (we have dinner together every night) and I passed out in the middle pf the hall and hit my head on the mirror. My dad yelled "WHAT THE FUCK"Agamemnon: What is an achievement you’re proud of?Being in almost all the productions I have auditioned for (with the exception of the first one I ever tried out for)Oedipus: Have you ever been in love?YesJason: Have you ever travelled abroad? Where?Nope. I wishAtlanta: Have you ever stood up for someone else?Every day sweetheartHippolytus: Tell an experience you will never forget.I got to help create an original play with the help of other theatre students my age, act in it, and perform it for not only my family, but my boyfriend's family, and my theatre teacher. And a whole bunch of other people.Trident: Who are your favorite people?My boyfriend Laurens, my parents, and my best friend.Lightning Bolt: What are your top three favorite movies?Grosse Point Blanke, Ant-Man, KingsmanSun Chariot: What is your favorite mythological creature?OOOOOO, I really like Cerberus, Valkyrie, Sirens, and my social life.Lyre: What are your top three favorite songs?Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, Brighter by Patent Pending, Breaking the Habbit by Linkin ParkCaduceus: What is your favorite color?Maroon at the momentAegis: What is your favorite book or series?Either Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Dorothy Must DieScythe: What is your favorite tv show?Teen WolfBident: What is your favorite way to spend free time?Writing, or snuggling my boyfriendHarpe: What are your top 3 favorite places?Home, the Theater, anywhere w/ my boyfriendCornucopia: What is your favorite place to eat?A place called Britos they have some HELLA good friesWinged Sandals: What is your favorite thing to do when you hangout with your friends?Play games, watch videos, or see plays/musicalsGolden Fleece: What is your favorite animal?PenguinOlympus: Describe your dream job.Simple - novelist. Or a baker.Tartarus: What’s a short term goal you hope to achieve?Uh... Finish five chapters for my book before the end of the semester.Underworld: Describe your dream vacation.Disney World with enough money to get a few things for myself and my friends, and where my best friend or my boyfriend (or both!) are with me to enjoy the experience.Styx: How would you like your life to look like in 10 years?Finished my first book, in a healthy relationship, financially stable (one can dream)Athuna: If you could live anywhere in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?I would live in/close to New York so I can see shows on BroadwaySparta: Do you have a bucket list? If so, what’s on it?Act in a professional musical/play, write a book or two, meet Matt Smith, meet all three broadway Ben's, meet Jeremy Jordan.Elysium: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?ConfidenceOgygia: Describe your dream husband/wife/life partner?Troja: What is the craziest thing you wanna do before you die?Eat a cookie, and then... eat another cookieThe Labyrinth: Have you ever died and came back to life as a vampire? Shit, how'd u know?Delphi: Are you currently doing anything to pursue your dreams?Writing an original story that is not yet titled, but is saved in my google docs as "My parents are Dead", in which I use musical character names as place fillers for my characters so I can name them later.

[shalnarkonice]

A gift for @geeky-afakasi with help from @beamthechao who inspired this fantastic chinera ant au💖💖

The sound of designer heels, an expensive pair that was most likely studded in rivers of diamonds and hugged by velvet and gold, clicks against the marble floors. It was amazing how a sound so mundane, so everyday, could be the cause of such chaos in a professional, well known, multi million dollar company.

Now it wasn’t rare to hear a pair of heels bang against smooth tile (seeing how most of the women and few men preferred the footwear), but it was sharp tack tack tack, followed by the smell of roses that alerted most of the employees that the queen had made her appearance.

The Queen, better known as the CEO of chimera communications and technology, rarely visited head office. The queen was a figure head. An older woman with warm brown skin and large oval eyes, her locks lay hidden by a dark red hijab that covered silver hair which would give away her age. She was someone who made her way across the world with her hand picked team, cutting deals, and sometimes cutting throats when it came to hard business (all for a good cause, however).

There was no one in the world who could rival the empire she has built after the death of her late spouse, a cruel man who had given her nothing more than the one son who shared his facial characteristics, and had instantly become the woman’s pride and joy.

Being a single mother running a huge corporation had not been easy, but her employees were treated like family and as the company grew so did the bond between them

To the Queen’s right was Colt, walking in pace but always a step behind. He was one of the first men to be hired to work for the chimeras, his fierce ambition and sense of loyalty making him one of three executives in the entire company. With dark hair and sharp eyes, he always dressed professionally, his suit bearing tiny wings on the cufflinks as his one name brand element. He had coined the line himself, but always kept the chimera business dear to his heart, even as he travelled overseas with the queen to meet with other potential companies that they could overtake.

“There are exactly fifty four hours and twenty seven minutes before our plane to yorknew is due to leave.” Colt says with a firmness that would be appalling to most, but to the queen, it was a tone bearing utmost respect. “Once we land from our detour in NGL we will be greeted by the head of the Zodiac corporation. Netero will be providing our rooms and dinner reservations, as per agreement.”

“Make a note of it to have my things sent over from NGL to yorknew via private blimp.” She says swiftly, eyes running over the doors of offices where employees had pressed their faces against the glass in hopes of getting a view of the woman who had started it all.

“I will make a note of it and send the message directly later today.” Colt hums, his leather briefcase brushing against his thigh before someone darted into the hallway from seemingly nowhere, their blond hair flowing around them before being followed by a long silky black scarf and a whirlwind of glitter.

Glancing back at Pouf, the head of the financial division and the backbone of this locations funds (as well as a full time stick in the mud), Colt wasn’t surprised to see the man flustered. Colt had spent many months training with the blond, sometimes their ideas conflicting, until the rare moment where they made a earth shaking breakthrough together. When the queen had asked who would join her overseas, and who would manage head office (because it was only Pouf and Colt who she felt confident in placing this responsibility on), Pouf had been the one to lose the opportunity to be at her side, and was left behind.

Later Colt had learned Pouf had given up the chance so Colt could take it.

Although Colt didn’t exactly get along with the man, they had learned to accept and trust the other, but it amused Colt greatly at how flustered Pouf always seemed to be.

Pouf, with a clipboard and pen in hand, could not fathom the possibility of having overlooked this moment. Having Colt walk in suddenly would have been nothing to fret over. All Pouf needed to do was show some case files of their work stats and offer the man some black tea. But seeing the queen was often a blessing and a curse, as any employer would be.

Hearing chatter break out in the hallways they passed, Pouf could only hope to smother this tension over and lead the guests to his own office as he informed the buildings head of the affairs taking place.

“Madam president, your arrival is earlier than noted. I didn’t have time to prepare the paperwork or speak to the other department heads or even-” Pouf is cut off as the woman smiles at him.

“What did I say about you calling me madam president? I may be in my fifties but I’m not that old. Please, feel free to call me something less formal. Mother perhaps?” She chuckles as Pouf latches to her side, following her through the main lobby, “now, what are the numbers for this quadrant?” she asks, her tone shifting to one more appropriate for business.

“Twelve percent with an estimated point three gross over the next four months.” Pouf says proudly, his sharp eyes darting around the room in a panic, knowing what kind of insolent staff the building had and how lenient this divisions boss was. He wasn’t sure (or more like, he was very sure how afraid he was) of how the queen was going to react.

“And how is the department running, Pouf?” he jumps the the question he automatically dreaded, “has everything been going smoothly?” the woman prompts.

“Of course!” Pouf blurts out, lying being his first thought, “business is booming and the clients are all happy!”

“Fantastic, and what of the staff?”

Pouf winces a moment and shivers when Colts eyes focus on him, before glancing down at the butterfly wing charm on poufs collar, a product from Colts “wing” line.

“Absolutely amazing. The security is talented and have stopped all issues before they have time to unfold, especially from outside sources. Our scientists are busily working away on new creative, and very, very safe products for our consumers to buy into for the purpose of better communications. Our HR lead is one of the most positive and uplifting, provide amazing customer service and helping our staff with their personal qualms. Our head receptionist holds this family together, always working hard to keep everything in order. Ah, and the sales staff we have are not only respectful, but positively professional. We have three experts for our Public relations team who focus directly on branding our image with the goal of not only creating public events but also placing an emphasis on community. Our building manager is very active in taking care of any safety issues, as well as tending to the many plants we have in place to make a more positive environment. Our financial lead is like a caring father, who also manages to keep all the books updated weekly with our numbers. And of course, the department head and future CEO of the company has been the best, most supportive of leaders. We have no complaints about his ability.”

The Queen pauses and turns places a hand on Poufs arm, smiling in that ever so sweet way she did, reassuring him that his words were taken for face value and that she did not, even for a second, doubt him. It was that look that gave pouf severe guilt, because he knew. oh hell did he know that every word was just as far from the truth as it could be.

“With a staff like this im sure all has been going well,” she says firmly, turning around and continuing deeper into the building towards the cubicles in the open work space.

D A N G E R. The word flashes through Poufs mind, and Colt picks up on the sudden tension.

In seconds a large man with a suit as dark as his hair approaches, a finger to his ear as he starts speaking, his name tag reading Youpi, along with chief of security.

“Take the suspect to the west wing for investigation under clause 330 B, subsection c for trespassing.” Youpi says into his ear piece, before looking to Pouf who was trying yo subtly tell him to shut up. “It appears that NGL representatives have been protesting our use of technology again and this is the third break in this week at ground level. Bloster has apprehended the men and is now-”

“This is a situation we can easily deal with!” Pouf grimaces as he speaks as the queen continues to walk, listening to Youpi give his report as they enter what could only be a mess hall.

Passing the front desk for HR, sitting with his feet up talking away was Welfin, a tall, slender man with sharp eyes who had on a headset. Pouf could only hope the man was being civil.

“You think that’s a problem? Hell, you dont even know what a real trauma is. Seeing someone fight isn’t worthy of a sick leave, the hell.” Welfin barks up, leaning back in his chair, “you should see what I have to deal with here. One word, Zazan! I should be getting a four day weekend for putting up with her shit! Oh hell, Pouf!” Welfin hangs up and tosses the headset aside as he stands, following the group, not sure who the woman or the stiff were, but not caring in the slightest. “So that vacation I asked for, ya know the time off for next week, seeing how I’ve dealt with-”

Pouf feels his eyes roll back into his head as he resists grabbing Welfin and choking the man, all while youpi is still rambling about broken codes.

“I assure you we have the best staff,” Pouf raises his voice, gawking as Leol, Flutter, and Hina appear with huge posters and rave lights. Leol, tall and bulky in a band t-shirt, raises a hand at Pouf. Flutter, with his head of wiry hair, glances over Hina’s head, the petite woman jumping up excitably as the three rush over. Leol, as head of marketing, would often place up ads on buildings while Flutter would focus on anything skyward like blimps and billboards, while Hina dealt with television and radio ads.

“Pouf, bud!” Leol grins, the three joining the group, “we got everything we need for the sponsor party. Even sick music by Morel the euro god-”

“Great snacks and lots of booze!” Hina chimes in while raising a bottle of champagne as well as a few glow sticks.

“The entertainment will be showing up in a few hours,” Flutter buzzes, “we brought in quality chefs as well. The zodiacs have received their invites.

Trying to catch his breath, Pouf begs for it to stop. “We do not hold parties. We are professionals!”

“We decided to hire the dancers too,” Leol continues.

“I’m thinking two weeks is a little short, and I’ve been feeling under the weather so maybe three would suffice,” Welfin strokes his chin

“There has also been twelve incidents regarding broken office supplies that we are still in the process of replacing after last years incident,” Youpi rambles.

The group come across the secretary’s desk near the back of the large room, where the curly haired Zazan sits painting her nails, looking annoyed as a smirking, energetic man talks at her.

Spotting Pouf, Zazan grabs her nail filer and points it at him, “I do not get paid enough to deal with cheetu so you better get him the hell out of my face or so help me I’ll file for harassment!” she snarls, joining the group and listing everything Cheetu had done to annoy her.

“Our secretary is a loving, and respectable human being.” Pouf grits out, feeling Colts eyes bore into his back.

Cheetu, with zeal, heads to the front of the group, walking backwards with a grin as he waves for Poufs attention. The blond pales and his nails dig into his clipboard, his head shaking as in no, Cheetu, shut your damn mouth.

“Okay great! Listen up to my new pitch!” Cheetu clears his throat, his salesperson representative self coming out, “Tired? Tired of technology running slow? Don’t you wish you could talk faster? Don’t you wish you could talk so fast that you would be abletotalktoeveryoneallthe-” Cheetus rambling becomes too quick and excited to understand and pouf is dying.

The queen makes it into the science sector and slowly Pouf whispers oh no as the sound of an explosion occurs, before a slight smoke makes its way out of the door. No one is phased as a woman with white curly hair throws herself out of the room her white medical lab coat a little singed.

“That was a rush hell yea!” she coughs and notices the group, and leaps at pouf, “the new coolant adhesive is almost done! We’re making it less flammable but hell does it have a kick! It’s amazing! I’ve never seen subject 2I9H 3000 react so fiverantly, there have only been four explosions this week!”

Youpi taps his earpiece, “Pitou again. Send men to clean up. Extinguishers needed.”

“The vacation will help me relax and be a better HR lead! Come on, Pouf!”

“These explosions are horrible for my headaches, especially when dealing with idiots!” Zazan whines

“Ya know if the budget was increased we could totally bring in a sick bartender, like the phantom troupe are an A-class party must have, right Flutter?”

“Talk all the time with chimera communications! never stop! Never stop talking just keep taking always-”

“Ya know, with this experiment almost done, if i reversed the polarity I could probably make the adhesive into a bomb-”

“Dont!” Pouf yells over the chatter, “absolutely do not! Remove the thought from your mind!”

Pitou sulks as a new voice enters the fray, a short, bulky man with wise eyes and a beak nose. In his hands were slips of gray paper, and on his chest was a name tag reading Peggy, finance. Around his neck was a lanyard that held every nerdy button the man could get his hands on. Some like “checkmate for the king,” or “like a good friend chimera com is there,” and “edgar allen poe before hoes.”

“I’m glad you’re all here, because it’s pay day!” Peggy grunts out, and cheers amble around as the man hands out slips, watching them get tucked into pockets and shirts, or ripped open fiercely. “Now for this next trimester we need to cut back on some staff funds, and unfortunately that’s the amount of coffee we are buying each week.”

Zazan gawks as she stares at the man, “you monster!”

“Peggy are you insane? We all practically live off coffee,” Welfin shoves past Leol and Flutter, grabbing onto Peggy in disgust. “If I’m not able to make a coffee every two hours, I’ll die. Straight up. I might as well go on sick leave because I won’t be able to function.”

Cheetu nods his head vigorously, “how do you think i get to be the way I am? You think I’m always energetic! Nah! we need our espressos!”

Youpi side eyes the man and mutters under his breath, “he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near caffeine”

“You’re not the boss of me!” Cheetu yelps, puffing out his chest.

Pouf steps between them and lifts the clipboard in front of cheetus face, “under a general consensus you will be provided only with decaf and you will accept it without complaint! We don’t need anymore incidents like last year-” Pouf gawks as the words slip out

Colt narrows his eyes as he places a hand on Poufs shoulder, “please elaborate.”

A collective breath moves through the group, almost as if there was the presence of a monster amongst them. Pouf could only cower, hoping someone else would step in so he wouldn’t have to.

“Rammot,” Zazan swirls the name in her mouth and grimaces, “that was the worst month, thank god he gone.”

“He was a menace,” Youpi murmurs, “theft, blackmail, slander, assault…”

“And a rude, ugly man to boot.” Hina murmurs, shaking a glow stick vigorously. “And the things he would wear around the office should have been enough of a crime to get him arrested!”

Leol rubs his chin, “I heard he went to jail for killing a man.”

Cheetu nods, “That doesn’t surprise me! What a creep! He punched me once!”

“He spit in my coffee,” Welfin bares his teeth.

Pitou cracks a knuckle, “I was tempted to kill him one time. Try experiment 541 on him.”

The Queen blinks back her surprise as a yell breaks the chatter of the group from the other side of the hall. A balky man with pierced eyebrows and long hair runs towards the group, almost at a gallop. Some could say that the man was horse like in his demeanor; although he lacked any grace and came off as a beast (who was into some questionable kinks, the other employees had unfortunately come to learn). Zazan and Cheetu grimace and step against the walls, knowing that the man with the snake tongue, Yunju, was bound to make a messy entrance.

In his hands he carried a large box, his two assistants (both thin and lean, sticking to Yunju as if they were mosquitoes) carried their own boxes.

Now Pouf wasn’t sure what Yunju did. He was…usually just there, with his vulgar mouth and that damn split tongue, which was pierced seeing how it made a clink as it touched his teeth as he spoke.

Part of Pouf wanted to say that Yunju had been hired to be a health rep, although it seemed like hell of a mistake on their hiring department if they did that. Perhaps Yunju was the hiring department. What a nightmare.

“Nyaa, the chief of privacy,” Pitou whines, looking at Youpi, who technically was the chief of security but never used the title, meaning he and Yunji should have been partners at least. It never happened.

Pouf pales, shocked that he had forgotten that this monster of a man was responsible for all their personal issues and privacy, especially from having their identities safe from being revealed online. Anti technology protesters had been getting more violent with each year

“Got the stuff!” Yunju smirks, spotting Colt, a new face in the crowd, “and a catch.”

Colt gives him a piercing glare, not interested in the man’s advances. Leol and Hina hoot and holler as they leap towards the box, only to have Youpi intervene.

Only now did it come to everyone’s realization that they had been chatting and yelling in front of a large oak door, the only in a long hallway. No one could remember when the tile floors had become carpet, or when the lights had become tinted red, or that it was silent in this sector. Candles and roses sit on their perches, and a glass wall sits opposite to the door, delicate but deadly looking fish filling the space.

Standing on a stool, with their back turned to the crowd, is Kite. Short, lanky, silent at most times, quietly feed the fish. Feeling eyes on their back; they which was covered in long white hair which he occasionally dyed red, he peers over to the crowd.

Despite taking up the role of gardener, and in charge of health and safety, kite was also the third executive of the company.

“Mother,” Kite says lowly, stepping down from the stool. Pouf had almost forgotten Kite was the Queens adopted child.

Behind the large oak doors would be the future CEO of the company, the lead of the entire building. A man who was young, yet notable in his early 20s. He had been a child genius, and eager to learn all from his many tutors. The future ceo was a terrifying and gifted man.

As the doors were thrown open, everyone in the hallway held their breath as Meruem appeared, silent, somber, his dark hair covering his forehead, his eyes looking sharp with pointed eyeliner and his purple contacts.

“What is the meaning of this noise?” Meruem asks, voice soft and yet almost sultry

Pouf hesitates and tries to work up the courage to offer an explanation, a reason, something to ease the heavy, smoggy tension.

“We….They…The Queen-” Pouf almost curses himself as tears spring to his eyes. How could he explain the motive behind the horrible staff. Everyone had left their posts! All they did was argue! Or fight! Or try to blow things up! Godawful, good for nothing trouble makers! Everyone here, and the queen had watched it all.

Meruem shifts his glance to the queen instead, slightly shocked.”Mother, Pouf did not inform me of your attendance.”

Pouf pales at the mention of his name, positive he was going to lose his damn job.

“I am sure you know why I came,” the woman says lowly, stepping forward to tower over the short man. “To see how you have run my company. To see your employees and their capabilities. To see if you are willing to inherit the CEO title when you turn 25…and to wish you a happy twenty third birthday.” she smiles, breaking from her facade.

Party poppers explode and balloons escape from the box Yunju was carrying. Ikalgo and Melodeon, two delivery boys, ran in with champagne, and cheering radiated through the hallway. Pouf, very quickly realized, this whole thing has been a set up.

“Lighten up pouf! It was fun wasn’t it!” Pitou hoots as glasses are passed around as a cake is brought into meruems office.

“Happy birthday!” is yelled out, and meruem feels his face flush as he beams at the gesture.

To be so loved by his family and company was a true blessing, Meruem realized, lost in a sea of voices. Despite being thankful, meruem knew that one day he would have that special someone here with him, to meet his mother and coworkers. But for now, Meruem would enjoy the impromptu party.

And pouf? Pouf would be fine

Well, after he stopped crying tears of relief that is

#hxh #meruem #pouf #chimera ants

[segaphantom]

Taggu

Tagged by @lingthing !

RULES: Always post the rules. Answer the questions asked, then write 11 new ones. Tag 11 people to answer your questions, as well as the person who tagged you.

thanksthanks~! Really long under the cut lol

1. How were you first introduced to Fullmetal Alchemist?

Pictures of blonde red-cloak boy and giant armor warrior + the nina/alexander chimera jokes while surfing through the internet :V (I was in my ultra-Sonic-fanatic phase back then and was searching for fanart)

So when that scene came up the animes/manga, I was already de-sensitized to it through jokes long ago sadfzgfdhgjf

I finally got the basis to what it was about when my favorite Sonic fanartists started to make posts and analysis of it. I firmly remember the discourse of whether the ending of Conqueror of Shamballa was terrible or not, and me not understanding anything lol

 Still wasn’t an entire FMA fan at that time

2. Tell us all about your child your favorite character and why you love them to pieces!

BOY OH BOY, where have you been? *Points to Icon* That guy, over there (Does Greedling as an entity count)

Okay for real, so my first actual fave was actually Greed himself. I was looking at the FMA wiki and reading up on all the characters, and he caught my attention. So I was thinking, “Wow, this guy is part of the bad guys? But he’s not? And he’s actually nice!? What an interesting character! But he looked kinda like a villain beating up Ed...” 

Then he jump-started my motivation to continue watching the 03 anime and I cried over him and how he didn’t deserve to die ;v;.

Several days later, I remember there being some ~Asian Aesthetics~ In the brotherhood version after looking at a tumblr post (You know, that one where it compares Xing to IRL China). 

Went to the wiki again, and read up on all the Xing characters.

>sees Ling’s description (Greed? What??? Greed is my fav, why does he look different??)

>Stop and stares at personality

“That guy is also gonna be my fav I just know it.” And truth to behold, he is! There’s something about Comic Relief characters that are also secretly badasses that just gets to me ngh 

AnD THEN WHEN GREEDLING HAPPENED OH MAN I WASN’T PREPARED FOR IT

THEY LITERALLY..JUST... COMBINED BOTH OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS INTO ONE JEKYLL AND HYDE THING OH MY GOD??

AND I LOVED IT SO MUCH UNTIL THEY GOT SEPERATED.....//cries

3. What are some funny FMA moments that get you every time?

>”OHOHOH WE’RE GOING TO CENTRAL?! HOW EXICITING!”

>Crocodile face Ed and sharp claws Roy

>Every single moment Ling gets kicked out of the room

>Whenever Ed makes an exaggerated face

>Major Armstrong

4. What is your favorite fight scene from the series? 

fight sceneS* You mean B)?

>Roy Vs. Lust (If you could even consider that a fight scene)

>Greed Vs. Wrath (Again, don’t really know if it could count as an actual fight scene, poor guy didn’t even get a chance to attack)

>Ling Vs. Wrath (It just shows the full extent of his badassery!)

>Ed Vs. Greedling (Pretty interesting to see Ling fight badly compared to before  because of Greed being shitty on the offense lmao)

>Briggs Army Vs. Sloth (THEY JUST... USED AN ENTIRE TANK...)

>Lanfan + Ling Vs. Gluttony (nyoom, asian warrior skills)

>Greedling + Fu Vs. Wrath (Damn, the emotions)

I feel like I pretty much listed 99% of the scenes that exists haha

5. If you could make an FMA OVA, what would it be about?

*SLAMS TABLE* FMA FROM THE POV OF LING, 

THE TALES OF WHAT-THE-HELL-HAPPENED WITH GREED+CHIMERAS AND ED DURING THE TIMESKIP, 

OR THOSE XING JOURNEY WITH AL AFTER THE SERIES EVENTS

6. Do you have any of your own FMA headcanons? Tell us about them!

>Ling can feel 100% everything that Greed feels and vice-versa in the backseat    ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) (So having his arm sliced off... he felt that)

When Greed gets tired, He gets tired

When Greed gets hungry, He gets hungry Etc. They feel everything with the same intensity. 

>Greed picked up minor Xingese during his body-share, but it’s really shitty broken sentences. He tries speaking it to girls in order to impress them. Ling cringes every time and disapproves of it. So when ling comes back to visit amestris for Emperor duties, he’s known as that guy with the broken language by some of the public :)

“WOAH KUH YEE SHOU XING-WIN HWAH. NI HI YOW TING WOAH SHOU DONGSHI MA?”

“Greed no”

“NI SHIAN CHU CHII MA?” 

“Greed sTOP”

(Bonus points if you managed to decipher the gibberish)

7. Who is your favorite homunculus and why?

Greed, Greed, and Greedle!! THIS POOR GUY JUST BEEN THROUGH A LOT OKAY. 

Oh? He’s different from the rest of us? LETS SPITE HIM

Oh look, we found him! LETS KILL ALL OF HIS FRIENDS! Also, lets supress his memories maybe he’ll accidentally kill of the last of his friends lmao

Plus he’s like....the most docile out of all of the homunculi, everyone else goes “PEH. Hoomans. look at these ants. Its pretty fun squishing them”

meanwhile Greed is the only one out of all of them that goes “Meh. I think they’re pretty okay. oH SHIT THIS ONE IS GONNA GET THEMSELVES KILLED!”

He’s gr8

8. Do you have a favorite FMAau? If not, what’s an au you’d like to see or have come up with?

Greed survives with ling AU hands down

I just want him to have extended happiness ;A;

9. If you could live anywhere in the FMA-verse, where would you live?

Post-series Xing! I bet the food would taste so goood *q*

Also, a lot less assassins later lol

10. Which FMA character do you identify with the most?

Ed! cause 1. Im short. 2. I get really pissy easily and yell a lot when i am 

(Other than that, there isn’t any super-relatable characters in FMA for me. I could never be cool as any of them-)

11. Why do you love Fullmetal Alchemist? What does it mean to you? Tell me everything! Go nuts! 

>Nobody is 100% evil! They all have their motive and own sets of morals/POV! Well, maybe except for Kimblee. Gross cockroach

>making *mystical Alchemy* into something that’s weaponized and a common theme in the series, + managing to apply it to a 1920s timeline instead of something medieval

>the characters oh man i love the characters

>Majority of female characters are badasses instead of being so meek! 

>Historical contexts mm

>The cultural contrast between the east and the west regarding alchemy and other things

>Wow, no fan service? I’ve never seen that from Anime besides myazaki films!

>THE ENTIRE BRIGGS ARMY

>The subtle aging of the characters 

Just having an anime with all of these is a blessing aaaaaaaa

I can’t believe I didn’t watch it when the nina jokes were floating everywhere

#fma