#village of scoundrels

[drchucktingle]

Mr Chuck, wizard of gay romance, I consult ye. Without knowing a damn thing about the plot of the book I'm writing other than it is gay and has themes of hunger, consumption, joy in spite of suffering, and the fleeting nature of life, how should my story end?

well to create we need to consume, this is how we produce energy and multiply and build. since beginning of time from frothing volcanos to tiny microbes CREATION and CONSUMPTION are linked. in addition an act of creation is an act of love, it is filling the empty void with SOMETHING and that is as powerful and important as it gets

i think what confuses MANY buckaroos is they get caught up by the consumption part. they see this equation i have laid out and say 'well if consuming leads to creation and creation is to point then we must consume everything as a moral imperative.' i mean HECK that is capitalism in a dang nutshell right there. if you trot this path it says the bigger fish should eat the little one, and that war and power are sort of innate. you see a lot of goofball conservative philosophers with melted brains stop here and set up shop to peddle their sad wares

THE PROBLEM IS consuming everything that you can DOES NOT ACTUALLY LEAD TO MORE CREATION IN PRACTICE. maybe sometimes in the very short term, but at the end of the dang trot it leads to destruction on a massive scale. if the biggest fish eats ALL the little fish then it is not just the little fish who dies it is BOTH of them. if you seek power through TAKING AND CONSUMING all that you can you will do more harm than good. you may puff up your chest for a little while but eventually you will go beyond your means and crumble.

consuming yields the best results when you do it in sustainable way, when you share with your neighbor, when you build a community. this is because LOVE is the best fuel and love thrives when buds work together to create a greater whole than themselves. even if you use example of TAKING through violence, ten little cave buckaroos as a team will always take down one big cave buckaroo. COMMUNITY PROVES LOVE. TEAMWORK PROVES LOVE. CONNECTION PROVES LOVE.

fortunately, as much as scoundrels want to convince us that fighting and violence and TAKING is the best way to grow as a dang species, it is not. humans thrived not because of some primal hierarchy (as goofball conservatives say) but because we started villages and societies and systems of working together. the buds who put their chips behind the BIGGEST FISH are only seeing one part of the picture. YES sometimes in the animal kingdom the biggest beast will win the fight, but that is why THEY ARE BEASTS AND WE ARE PEOPLE. we evolved to greater heights as we grew bigger brains for sharing and empathy and love and complexity. WE STARTED COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE WITHIN COMMUNITY CREATION AND LOVE THRIVE. THE 'REAL' BIGGEST FISH IS KINDNESS.

so hunger and consuming are ACTUALLY an important part of creation. they are part of bringing joy to this timeline, so long as you are not endlessly hungry even after you are full, and so long as you are not consuming what could be better shared with a bud.

hope that helps with your story buckaroo

#love is real #buckaroo lifestyle #art theory

[almost-blondee]

Shit Disturber

Thorfinn x Reader

Reader is Askeladds daughter

Fluff, mentions of the deed, SFW

word count: 1.2k

i might turn this into multiple little stories because i like the idea. Just like different scenarios regarding Thorfinn, Reader, and Askeladd.

If there is grammar mistakes or spelling errors please ignore them, i tried my best to find them all, thank you!

——————————————

Being on so many treacherous journeys just comes with the lifestyle. Having to go on endless marches day in and day out like it’s another walk in the park. Travelling with Askeladd and his group wasn’t exactly the ideal situation but you didn’t really have a choice. Being Askeladds only daughter, he was generally very protective of you and didn’t feel safe leaving you with your mother. You were a product of a one nightstand. Askeladd finding out he had a daughter was an odd thing for him, Although never pursuing a further relationship with your mother, he felt inclined to take up his fathering duty’s and keep you safe. Usually when your father would leave for a trip, you would stay with your mom, in Wales. Unfortunately, in your later teenage years your mother had gotten caught up with dangerous people and creating a not so safe environment for you. When Askeladd heard about this he wasn’t pleased, so he took it upon himself to bring you with him and teach you how to defend yourself. He thought you were old enough to be with him on his travels. What he didn’t expect though, was for you to catch feelings for the only other teenager in his crew. Thorfinn. You not having known what your Dad has done to the poor kid, couldn’t help but develop feelings for the boy. You guys didn’t talk much, if you did it was a quick couple words. Thorfinn doesn’t talk much in the first place so it is hard to engage in a conversation with him. However, you will talk to him any chance you get. He’s injured, perfect you can tend to his wounds. He’s leaving to eat by himself, you make sure he has enough food and water. Since Thorfinn is usually straight faced at all times, you can never tell if he appreciates the gestures or not. He never tells you to stop or tells you off, so you just assume he doesn’t mind.

Thorfinn definitely doesn’t mind the gestures, if anything he enjoys them but is to proud to say anything. Having known you’re Askeladds daughter, at first he was incredibly upset with your existence. But it was not long before he came to the realization that you had nothing to do with what your father had done to him. He still doesn’t recognize his feelings for you, but he knows he feels something and Askeladd was not having it.

He couldn’t believe that his only daughter had fallen for that scoundrel. He admits Thorfinn had been very useful to him and he’s somewhat thankful, but no way in hell he’s going to let him get with his precious daughter. Askeladd did everything in his power to keep you guys separated, but you were too stubborn, always clinging to Thorfinns side. As much as he could see Thorfinn pretending to dislike it, Askeladd knew he was secretly enjoying it

In one particular incident, you had gone to visit Thorfinn while he was eating alone when you guys had stopped in a little village. You had been sat beside him talking his ear off, not that he said anything back. It was getting later than you could realize and you ended up falling asleep on his shoulder. At first he was taken aback, his immediate reaction being to push you off of him. But when he looked a your, oh so beautiful face he couldn’t bring him self to disrupt your peace. As Thorfinn was admiring your face looking at every wrinkle and stray hair that had fallen in front of your face. Askeladd rounded the corner catching the boy tucking your hair behind your ear and caressing it further. Askeladd was enraged that he had the guts to preform such an intimate act on you.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Askeladd spat at Thorfinn in a harsh tone. Thorfinn jumped at the stern voice, he had thought no one would find them out here. The one time he was bold enough to admire you he had been caught, and by the worst person, your dad.

“uhh…. i was just… relaxing?” That was the only thing Thorfinn could muster up. “Relaxing.” Askeladd said in a flat tone. “Relaxing my ass, you were trying to cop a feel.” Thorfinn immediately denied any intention of touching you in any other way, than how he just had. It went silent. Thorfinn had begun glaring at Askeladd for ruining the moment, and Askeladd glaring back at him for touching his daughter. “Take your hands off of her” Askeladd finally spoke up. Thorfinn was confused for a second, his hands weren’t on you anymore. Then he realized that his arm had absentmindedly wrapped its self around you to support your body. Thorfinn rolled his eyes and sighed “No, it’ll wake her, you wouldn’t want to wake your precious daughter would you, old man?” Thorfinn said, his voice dripping in sarcasm.

“oh you little brat!” Askeladd replied, now angrier than before. “i don’t care if it wakes her, get away from her or i’ll rip your arm off”

“jeez okay old man. Don’t get your panties in a twist.” Thorfinn slowly shook you trying to wake you in the most gentle way possible just to make Askeladd more mad. “Hey, (y/n). Wake up, i’ll bring you to a proper bed” He whispered, but made sure it was loud enough for your dad to hear. Askeladd just rolled his eyes trying not to rip Thorfinns head off.

“huh, oh…Thorfinn.” was the first thing you said when you woke up. You looked so pleased to be woken up by him, it made Askeladd sick. “sorry i must have fallen asleep” you apologized. “don’t worry about it, just go find a bed to sleep in.” Thorfinn replied. As you stretched you pushed your head further into Thorfinns neck, keeping it there. Thorfinn could feel your hot breath on his neck, it made his hair stand up. Now this was extra awkward. Thorfinn realized that you hadn’t noticed your dad standing about 2 metres away from you guys.

“ahem…..” Askeladd cleared his throat to make him self noticeable to you. As soon as you heard him you jumped up, looked at your dad and got up from beside Thorfinn. “ohhh, Haha… Dad i didn’t know you were there….” you said in an embarrassed tone. Askeladd hated how you were so smitten with the boy sitting on the ground. Enough to cuddle up to him unprovoked. “we are leaving, you can sleep in my room tonight. If i hear you get up you’re dead.” your dad said in a harsh tone. Meanwhile, Thorfinn was enjoying how angry Askeladd was getting over something so trivial, it’s not like he caught you guys doing the deed. Although that probably would have been funnier, Thorfinn thought. The boy sat on the ground with a smirk waiting for Askeladds next move. Askeladd began to walk away with you tailing, when Thorfinn spoke up and said

“(y/n), you should come sleep with me more often.” purposefully making it sound more lewd then it actually was, in order to make Askeladd more mad. You turned red with embarrassment and looked at your dad, who was fuming. You then looked at Thorfinn and whispered an “okay”.

“ YOU’RE GETTING IT NOW BOY!” Askeladd had snapped, shouting at the boy for who knows how long as Thorfinn sat there trying not to laugh. Once Askeladd was done, he pulled you to his room. You gave Thorfinn a quick wave, and he just nodded. As you retreated you were wondering what you had gotten yourself into…

#thorfinn x reader #askeladd #thorfinn #vinland saga x reader #vinland saga #peakland saga #fanfic

[ozzgin]

WORST Characters x Reader

Featuring Tsukishima Hana, Kawachi Tesshou, Hisashi Amachi, the Muroto Brothers, Tsukimoto Mitsumasa and a reader in her senior year of high school.

If you’re not familiar with the characters and want to give it a try: it’s high school delinquents, the leader of a biker gang and a pair of hired thugs that got out of juvie. (Once again I’m begging y’all to read the manga so I can share my delinquent daydreams with other people ;-;)

Tsukishima Hana

Hana is such a sweet and honest boyfriend. At first he can’t even tell he’s in love with you. He really enjoys spending time with you, just like he does with his other friends, like Sakota, Renji, Tora, Takumi…Which can only mean you’re also part of the group. Right? It takes a whole intervention for him to understand it’s an entirely different feeling. The rest of the Umehoshi household members are gathered around the table and offer him examples to make it clear: he wouldn’t hold Sakota’s hand and Tora would probably be dead if he tried to kiss him on the cheek (not that he’d ever want to, anyways). So no, whatever he has with poor (Y/N) is not just friendship. It finally clicks.

He will be very shy initially. He’s barely interacted with girls before and has no idea how to handle you. Before he would just treat you like any of his friends, but as a girlfriend? He’s a fumbling mess. Once he becomes comfortable with the idea, he’s extremely affectionate. He’ll insist on holding your hand everywhere and loudly introduce you as his girlfriend to everyone. Often he’ll get an incredulous reaction of “How the hell did you pull someone like her?” and he’ll scratch the back of his head, goofy and proud. He has no idea either.

Hana can’t wait to introduce you to his grandma. You know once things get serious he’ll insist on bringing you to his village in the middle of nowhere. Unlike the time Tora accompanied him, though, he’ll be hovering all over you making sure you’re not tired or uncomfortable. The moment your breathing becomes audible from the effort he’ll pick you up and carry you the remaining way. He lives to serve you.

Kawachi Tesshou

Similar to Hana, Tesshou is incredibly awkward and wary of you at first. He’s head over heels the instant he meets you, but the idea of dating you is just too ridiculous to him. He might be the leader of a fearsome biker gang, but when it comes to you he feels like a scoundrel that has no business being around a pretty girl. So there’s two possibilities: either the other members will eventually let him know he’s an idiot and should just ask you out already, or you’ll have to confess first. He’ll stare at you in disbelief and ask you to repeat yourself several times, wondering if you’re joking or just teasing him, his blush gradually turning into a deep red.

Let us assume that no tragedy happens in this scenario. Tesshou is extra careful on his bike and he frequently takes you on rides, so he can’t afford any accidents. Now that you’re dating, he might as well be a cool boyfriend for you, eh? He likes to wait for you outside the school or part time job, resting against his motorcycle as people pass by whispering and glancing over. He wants everyone to know you’re his.

Naturally you’re now a package deal, so you often hang out with him at the junkyard belonging to TFOA. If you sneeze or mention it’s getting cold, he’ll instantly rip his jacket off and carefully place it over your shoulders. He’s thought of getting you your own custom leather jacket, but if he’s being honest, he just loves having you wear his instead. It emphasizes your small frame compared to his, and afterwards it will smell just like you. The other guys may or may not be planning his assassination, having to deal with his constant cocky grin and offhanded comments about having a cute girlfriend. Sometimes they will tease him by approaching you with “Hey (Y/N), if Tesshou’s ever being an asshole, you can always date me instead.”

Hisashi Amachi

In a way, Amachi acts a lot like a spoiled child. Things must go his way and rejection only challenges him to press further. So if he sets his eyes on you, in his mind, you either accept it now or after some convincing, but at the end of the day it will be a yes. He has money and authority, what else could you possibly want? So his initial approach will be rather cocky, mainly focusing on impressing you with his plans of ruling the city. Once his army crumbles and he loses to Hana, he finally begins to accept that you’re not with him for money or influence. He will be terribly frustrated and ashamed for losing, although this motivates him to try harder for your sake. He’s not like his father. You’re his reason to continue living no matter what.

I feel like he has the biggest potential as a yandere. He probably has significant trauma around abandonment and would immediately cling to you once in love, but in a not so obvious way. He doesn’t want you to see him as weak or needy, so instead he’ll act jealous and possessive towards anyone that could pose a threat. Hell, he might even doubt his own subordinates. He needs the occasional reassurance and secretly adores being praised by you. He wants to be the kind of man you trust with your life.

Amachi is more of a stoic boyfriend and prefers to listen to you talking, quietly going along with whatever you’re doing. While he has dropped his arrogant act, he still has some leftover tendencies, mostly in the shape of gift giving. Every now and then he’ll show up with some ridiculously expensive item he thought you’d like. Old habits die hard. Especially when they involve spoiling his Princess. I suspect he might be into slightly kinky jewelry, like dainty necklaces that need a key to be opened. He enjoys the visible, tangible proof of owning you.

Muroto Zenmei & Koumei

Now, the Arson brothers were paid for a very specific task. That doesn’t mean, however, they can’t take their time and have some fun while at it. The town has plenty of cute girls, but you really caught their attention. And they’re not very fond of sharing, but they can always figure it out as they go. What’s certain is that they won’t give up easily in their almost predatory pursuit.

Koumei is the more reserved sibling. He’s a bit cautious about parading you around, because he doesn’t want to put you in any danger. He has a lot of enemies and he worries about you becoming a potential target. That’s not to say he wouldn’t be able to protect you, he does have quite the reputation after all. He’s a bit clumsy when it comes to romance, but he does his best to spoil you. He’s always been preoccupied with fighting, so he hasn’t really considered the scenario of having a girlfriend. If he’s completely honest, he didn’t even expect you to actually accept his confession given he’s…well…the worst of the worst. Worry not, you won’t regret it. He’ll prove to you no other guy compares.

Zenmei is the cockier sibling. If he had patience or self-control, he wouldn’t have landed in juvie. He wants you and he won’t make it a secret. In fact, he’s a big fan of PDA and loves letting everyone know you’re his. Your designated seat whenever you’re with him is his lap. He’s not too worried about others harming you because either him or his twin lackeys will always have you under their watch. Additionally, who would be mad enough to mess with the girlfriend of Muroto Zenmei? Most small fries will cross to the other side of the street if they see you. And you can’t blame them, really. Zenmei can be very territorial and dominant. He can’t help it. You’re his pretty little thing.

Tsukimoto Mitsumasa

Mitsumasa has two younger sisters, so he’s probably the most relaxed when it comes to approaching you. He can be very charismatic if he wants to, and what better motivation than the girl of his dreams? I also feel like he’d be so easygoing in general. He’s one of the strongest students in Housen, yet one wouldn’t know it when he’s with you. He’s all smiles as you brush and braid his hair, occasionally blushing at your compliments. God forbid anyone messes with you, though.

His biggest hurdle are his brothers. It’s an inside joke that in terms of looks, he’s the least threatening. They didn’t expect the statement to come bite them in the ass once the blonde brings you home for dinner, introducing you as his girlfriend. His mom is over the moon and immediately begins to call you “daughter in law” (to Mitsumasa’s great embarrassment), occasionally asking you if her son didn’t somehow coerce you to date him. You reassure her awkwardly while simultaneously avoiding the burning stare of the other boys. “This bastard, landing a cute girlfriend out of nowhere” is the unified inner monologue at the table. You don’t know it yet, but poor Mitsumasa will be harshly interrogated after your departure.

Bonus points if you like playing video games or have nerdy interests. Mitsumasa spends most of his time playing, so he would absolutely love to share this hobby with you. Then he could spend his lazy days with you in his arms as he finishes quests or levels up, and you could do your own thing, whether reading, watching something or also playing a video game. As long as you’re cuddling him. He’ll be giddy all day in anticipation and can’t wait to hang out with you. Even better, he gets to brag about it the next day. He’ll yawn dramatically and apologize with a cheeky grin: “Sorry guys, I was up all night with (Y/N). Time sure flies when you’re having fun, you know~?”

#crows x worst #worst #takahashi hiroshi #ワースト #クローズ #高橋 ヒロシ #worst x reader #delinquent x reader #delinquent #yankii #yanki #bosozoku #japanese delinquent #manga #manga x reader #tsukishima hana #amachi hisashi #tsukimoto mitsumasa #muroto zenmei #muroto koumei #kawachi tesshou

[lectern-fullcauldron]

bdubs and keralis are such a funny pair. theyre both so silly and their exclamations of choice are 'judas priest' and 'stiff nipples batman' which I have never heard anyone else on the planet say. the deranged energy of their season six shared base was iconic. two little scoundrels building the most beautiful medieval village the world has ever seen. iconic. nobody was doing it like them

#good to reblog #hermitcraft #bdoubleo100 #Keralis

[generalhumancloudalmond]

Instincts

Platonic!Yandere!Tighnari x Child!Fem!Reader

Tighnari was collecting medicinal herbs nearby when he heard footsteps and talking in the distance, then he decided to check. And for good reason. In front of his eyes was a group of treasure hoarders consisting of five people and... A little kid of his kind?! Tighnari was shocked. Of course he knew he wasn't the only one, but he'd never met anyone like himself. And his heart sank. You're a little fox with someone like treasure hoarders... It shouldn't be like this. It's just wrong.

"Hey, look! We have a guest here!"

You looked at him in surprise.

"Is there are any problems?"

"Treasure hoarders don't belong in the Avidya Forest, so I'm going to ask you to leave."

"How harsh... But okay, we'll cross the border tomorrow and go to Liyue, there's no need to be so angry."

Tignari was to some extent pleased with the pliability of treasure hoarders, although he understood that most likely they were leaving so easily because they had already made a fool of themselves and had already completed all their dishonest deeds. But there was still something else.

"I would also like you to leave this child here."

"What?"

"That kid with the fox ears. I'm willing to bet it's not yours."

"And that's where you're wrong, she's a full-fledged member of our team. She has a nose for treasures! Am I right, Y/n?"

"Yes!"

You proudly declared, approaching the leader. Tighnari looked at you and his instinct with the desire to protect and nurture you only became stronger. Especially it provoked the fact that you communicate with the real bandits. Joined a bad company, but it's okay now. He can fix it...

At night, when everyone in your camp was already asleep, you felt a delicious and unfamiliar smell that drove away your drowsiness completely. Immediately jumping up, you went to the smell. On the ground you saw the source of the smell. It was dried meat, you've heard of it, but you've never tasted it. And... God, it was just unforgettable for you, any doubts faded into the background before greed and the desire to eat more.

Continuing to follow the trail, you put another piece in your mouth when you noticed a village nearby and only then did you realize how far you had gone. The smell continued deep into the village, but you didn't want to go there anymore. Turning around, you wanted to leave, but found the forest ranger you saw in the morning. He wouldn't let you pass.

"Was it delicious?"

You silently try to get around him, but he stops it.

"Treasure hoarders aren't the best company."

You, keeping calm, try to run around him, but he is faster.

"I forbid you to communicate with them."

"Sir, could you please step back?"

You see how he crosses his arms and shakes his head negatively. Actually, Tignari is glad that you decided to talk to him, but it's hard to understand from his appearance.

"No. I know that you will go to those scoundrels again, even though I forbid you to communicate with them. But I'll give you more dried meat if you come with me to the village, Y/n."

"No."

Tighnari sighs heavily, and then abruptly grabs and lifts you up. You start to panic and break out, of course forest ranger doesn't like it and at first he honestly tries to calm you down, but after that he just grabs you by the scruff of the neck and you instantly stop moving, your body goes numb, and your ears are pressed to your head. You're paralyzed.

"And why you should be so stubborn... Shh... Don't cry, I understand, you just got involved with a bad company. But don't worry, I'll take care of everything and be sure to take care of you."

#reader #yandere #platonic #platonic yandere #platonic genshin impact #yandere genshin #genshin x reader #tighnari #platonic tighnari #yandere Tighnari #platonic yandere Tighnari #child reader

[flowerandblood]

oh my god, the fragment of your short story is very cool and your illustration looks beautiful😍😍😍. I'm always extremely happy when I see Slavic mythology somewhere (I'm from Slovakia). I keep my fingers crossed for your work, it will definitely be amazing

ps: I wish you a early recovery

Beloved Husband

Especially for you, the entire story is translated below

[ warnings: character death, violence, progressive madness, depression, mourning ]

Although it had been two springs since her beloved closed his eyes forever, it seemed to her that just a moment ago she was standing at his side in front of the altar in a small wooden church. She was clad that day in her new linen chemise and kaftan, under which stretched her skirt sewn from long, colourful strips, embroidered by her own hands over many nights.

That morning, her mother herself had collected fresh flowers in the field, from which she later wove a beautiful garland of daisies and forget-me-nots for her. The smell of baking cake spread throughout the room as her sisters helped her dress and prepare to leave her family home.

All her belongings, which consisted of several linen shirts and woollen skirts, two kaftans, one winter coat, two pairs of shoes − one for colder days, the other festive, only for church − hair pins, a set of bedding and a holy picture she had received as a gift from her godparents, fit easily into a small wooden chest decorated with painterly ornaments.

Her beloved was beautiful, joyful and kind, his lips curving into a lazy smile at the sight of her, for he had loved her ever since she could remember. He called out to her when she returned from the fair, when she left church with her parents, he made her laugh by looking at her over the fence as she fed her geese, by telling her made-up tales and legends.

He would come to her parents with gifts, wishing them to look upon him with a more favourable eye, as he was poorer than they were − she was the daughter of a respectable farmer, while he was the son of a simple serf peasant apprenticed to a blacksmith.

Although her guardians at first regarded him with disapproval and reserve, they eventually recognised his industriousness, which also brought him a tangible income. He spent days and nights in the forge, creating things that were not only useful and durable, but also beautiful, appreciated by the villagers and the heirs of the manor houses.

Without delay, he came to the aid of his future parents-in-law when the hinges of their doors and shutters began to loosen and fall off. He forged new ones for them, beautifully fitted, with indentations and swirls, which they later showed off to their neighbours. She watched it all from afar, daring to offer him only her warm, happy smile and a gratitude that filled his heart with fervent hope.

− Wait for me, pretty dove. − He called out to her then, and she laughed, not even thinking of marrying another.

His approach full of patience and understanding eventually won the hearts of her parents. Her father decided, after some thought, that it was good to have such a swift, hard-working son-in-law, who, in addition, was cordial to the women.

He believed that he would certainly be a good and gentle husband, who would not hit or shout at his daughter, and who would also gladly drink vodka with his father-in-law, and would conduct a conversation well, as his mind was sharp and enlightened.

She knew that she had caught God by the feet when they finally agreed to give him her hand, and she did not hide her joy. She thanked her Lord during every evening prayer for the fact that she did not have to marry a drunkard, a scoundrel, but a kind, handsome, hard-working young man, at the sight of whom she felt warmth melt through her heart.

Not even one spring of their marital happiness had passed when her beloved fainted, having returned from the forge all hot and fiery. He coughed terribly and babbled, only making it home with the help of their neighbour. They laid him on the bed together, wondering what to do. Fear then overtook her and she immediately sent for an herbalist who lived a few huts away.

The woman arrived in the evening and, without saying anything or demanding payment, prepared water over the cooker by throwing dried leaves and herbs into it, muttering something at the same time. After these mysterious procedures, she gave her decoction to her husband, ordering him to drink.

She rejoiced, for the colours returned to his countenance, for life returned to his members, for he recognised her, calling her his pretty dove.

Her heart was filled anew with hope. Lying by his side at night, she prayed fervently, thanking God for his grace.

Only in the morning, when the first rays of the sun woke her up, wanting to attend to her daily chores and prepare his morning meal, did she feel that the body lying next to her was cold and stiff.

She was afraid to look at him, and when she finally did, she saw his face, pale and blue, his lips parted slightly, as if he were in fact still asleep. She tried to wake him, at first with a whisper, then with cries and wails, clamping her fingers over his body, but his eyelids never opened again.

She couldn't name what was happening to her. It seemed to her as if her speech had been completely taken away. Her body was left without strength, her mind became blank, dulled. She lay next to him, looking at his face, holding his cold hand in hers, unable to let go of the thought that the only thing left of him was his body.

She didn't understand what her mother was saying, stroking her cheeks and shoulders as they stood over his grave on the day of his funeral. She stared at the simple wooden cross stuck into the fresh, damp earth, listening to the women wailing and crying raucously around the coffin, chanting mournful hymns that only increased her despondency.

It seemed to her that her mind was foggy and sluggish. She drank, she ate, she did her chores, but she did not feel or experience anything. Her body was as if in a state of prolonged shock. In her mind there was still the conviction that her husband would cross the threshold of their home as he did every evening, that he would take her in his arms, speaking of his longing, that they would sit down to supper together, recounting what the day had brought them.

Her parents, seeing the impact of her bereavement and such a sudden loss, ordered her to return to the family home, which she did. From then on, she helped them with their daily chores, as she had done when she was still a maiden.

She would speak to them and be in their company, but her mind seemed to be out of her body, the emptiness that filled her began to be slowly replaced by a progressive rage and irritation, as she noticed that everyone had begun to forget about him. They laughed and smiled, got drunk and danced as he lay there, deep underground, alone.

Shrill thoughts flashed through her head as she lay alone at night under her quilt. Her heart squeezed with pain at the notion that perhaps the gravedigger had not buried him deep enough and his body would be desecrated by wolves or stray dogs or, God forbid, her poor beloved would wake up in his wooden grave and be unable to get out, driving his nails helplessly into the wooden lid.

She would cry aloud then, burying her face in her hands, holding her thoughts and pains deep inside her, feeling that no one else would understand her suffering, that only he, her dearest, if he were still alive, could comfort her.

It was then that she heard him for the first time since the day he closed his eyes forever: the loud, clear rustling of the grass and the quiet cracking of the branches beneath his feet.

She rose quickly, feeling the aggressive, chest-shattering pounding of her heart. A cold sweat ran down her back as she leaned out uncertainly to look out of the window.

There was no one in the courtyard.

She sat still for a moment, feeling a tightness in her throat at the thought that there was a graveyard beyond the woods overlooking her small room.

The next day she lay down to sleep faster than usual, excusing herself to her family for being unwell, feeling a pleasant tingling in her fingers and excitement at the thought that perhaps her beloved would visit her again, give her some sign, tell her what he needed. No one came, however, and salty tears of regret and disappointment ran down her cheeks as she lay, facing the window, watching the first rays of the sun.

She wandered off to the cemetery in the morning, explaining to her relatives that she wished to place fresh flowers on her late husband's grave. However, when she arrived at the site, she found to her disbelief and dismay that although grass should have grown on the grave long ago, the sand on it was still wet and fresh, as if he had been buried only the day before.

Walking back home along the dirt road, wrapping herself in a warm woollen shawl, she thought of her grandmother's stories. Of how people who had died, called wraiths, rose from their graves to haunt their families, peering down on their children and placing cold, corpse-like kisses on the lips of their wives and husbands.

At this thought she felt heat in her lower abdomen, a pleasant tickling sensation engulfed her fingertips and lips, and she imagined that her beloved had come to her then, that night, wanting to prove to her that he remembered her, that he loved her and could not leave without her.

The realisation that he could wander still in the world without knowing a holy rest both frightened and delighted her at the same time, that their love could be stronger than death, that his desire to stay with her was more important to him than the will of God himself, who had called him to join him.

She stopped and trembled as she heard a loud rustling in the depths of a field filled all around with tall, golden wheat. She lifted herself up on tiptoe, feeling the rumbling of her yearning heart, looking around carefully. Her breathing became raspy and loud, full of excitement.

− My love? − She heard her own trembling, warm voice, sounding as if a mother was calling her child, wanting to give him courage.

However, she saw nothing, nor did she hear any reply.

Nevertheless, the conviction that her husband was still prowling the earth and watching her was growing stronger within her. Candles would suddenly burn out in the rooms she was in, although no one passed by them, doors would open with a loud creak of old wood even though no one was standing behind them. She was awakened at night by a quiet tapping on the windowpanes that kept her awake. She had the impression that she heard someone's footsteps even when there was no one in the room but her.

She whispered to him each time, asking him to appear to her. She would convince him that his cadaverous, pale face would certainly not scare her away, that he still remained her beloved, her only one.

He did not answer.

It seemed to her that she was slowly losing her mind. She was getting thinner and thinner, her face becoming pale, bruises from dozens of sleepless nights surrounding her lifeless eyes. Her parents, worried about her behaviour and the fact that the slightest sound or movement made her flinch as she looked around the rooms, suggested that perhaps it was time to find her a new husband.

− You will have your children, and he too will comfort you with a kind word and a strong embrace of his arms. − Her mother said. She looked at her dully, feeling that her pale lips trembled parted in disbelief. Cold sweat trickled down her neck, her fingers clenched tightly on the material of her skirt.

That night, she cried aloud with her face pressed into her pillow, calling for her beloved, her kindest, cursing him and begging him to relieve her suffering, to prevent her from being given away to any other man, because they had promised each other that they would be together, now and for eternity.

It was then that she heard him again − the quiet crackling and rustling outside her window, someone's footsteps so clear that her heart leapt into her throat. She pulled herself up from her bed and looked out of the window, pressing her palms against the glass. A pitiful, low sob escaped from her throat as she spotted a male figure disappearing deep into the dark woods.

She got up quickly, putting a warm blanket over herself, and slipped out of her family home in only her nightgown, moving after the mysterious silhouette, wanting to shout for him to stop, fearing, however, that she would startle him. Seeing only the full moon and stars above her, she trudged through the tall shrubs, the needles of the pines and the sharp stones beneath her feet hurting her skin.

She knew that in order to reach the cemetery she had to walk straight ahead, and despite her fear, her heart was filled with courage, because for him, for her beloved, she was willing to do anything.

A loud sigh of relief left her lungs when she finally stood at the border of the forest, seeing clearly the outlines of wooden and iron crosses. She froze completely when she noticed a male figure leaning deeply into one of the grave pits. A broad smile appeared on her face for the first time since fate had separated them.

− My beloved! − She shouted with joy, with hope, with relief, drenched in tears, running towards him with confidence, thinking only of throwing herself into his arms again, of speaking to him again, of hearing his voice again.

My pretty dove.

She stopped halfway, feeling her heart freeze, shivers ran along her spine as the man she was running towards jumped out of the pit like a burned man.

She saw his terrified eyes, he was panting heavily as if he was some wild animal, raising his hands high in the air. She found to her horror that she did not recognise either his face or his figure, looking at him in the moonlight. He was older and taller than her husband, dressed in dark, dirty trousers and coat, his large hands black from the ground.

Only after a moment did she notice a long shovel lying next to his feet, a sack lay immediately next to it, she swallowed with difficulty recognising in its contents something that resembled shimmering gold jewellery in the moonlight.

The stranger moved suddenly towards her, grabbing earlier a shovel lying on the ground. She screamed loudly, throwing herself into flight, understanding her mistake, her stupidity, her naivety. She stumbled several times over tombstones and tree roots, her sore feet seeming to scream with every step she took.

Her voice stuck in her throat when suddenly something dull and hard hit her heavily on the back of her head, then again and again; she fell to the ground, panting heavily. Everything around her seemed to spin, she no longer recognised shapes or where she was, warm liquid ran down her forehead, the metallic taste of blood that had flooded her face melted between her lips.

She wanted to scream for rescue to her beloved, to her parents, but she was unable to get the words out. She cried out loudly and drew in a loud breath, bursting out crying when she felt his large, rough hands clamp down on her bare calves, pulling her back on the ground. Her fingers impulsively dug into the sand and grass, fruitlessly trying to resist him, something akin to a grunt escaped her throat.

My God, have mercy.

She was already completely limp when he threw her into the middle of the grave. No sound left her lips as the heavy, cold sand began to fall on her body. Her empty gaze, from which the life was slowly escaping, was fixed on the bright moon disc spreading over her head.

Before the last breath left her lungs, a thought flashed through her dying mind, from which she smiled gratefully at the stranger who stood high above her like death itself.

I will see him again.

_____

Illustrations and text are created by me. Do not repost.

#slavic mythology #slavic folklore #slavic culture #poland culture #polish folklore #slavic fanfiction #slavic tale #slavic legends #slavic fanfic #slavic demonology #slavic #slavic book #polish art #polish illustration #slavic illustration #fanfiction #fanfic #illustration #legends #tales #my tales #folklore #polish folk costume #polish tumblr #polish literature #polish culture #polish language #slavic literature #slavic art #demons

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

💜 Queer Book Releases Coming Out September 2023

🦇 Trying to read queer all year? Make sure to check out these queer September releases!

❤️ Forget I Told You This by Hilary Zaid 🧡 The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans 💛 The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan 💚 Every Star That Falls by Michael Thomas Ford 💙 Fly With Me by Andie Burke 💜 Wound by Oksana Vasyakina 🖤 Into the Bright Open by Cherie Dimaline ❤️ A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee 🧡 Straight Expectations by Callum McSwiggan 💛 Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson 💚 Deephaven by Ethan M. Aldridge 💙 The Mossheart’s Promise by Rebecca Mix

💜 Those Pink Mountain Nights by Jen Ferguson 🖤 The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars ❤️ Ryan and Avery by David Levithan 🧡 What Stalks Among Us by Sarah Hollowell 💛 Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass 💚 The Meadows by Stephanie Oakes 💙 A Hundred Vicious Turns by Lee Paige O’Brien 💜 Monstrous by Jessica Lewis 🖤 OKPsyche by Anya Johanna DeNiro ❤️ Cursebreakers by Madeleine Nakamura 🧡 The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu 💛 Thank You for Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz

💚 You, Again by Kate Goldbeck 💙 Godkiller by Hannah Kaner 💜 The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven 🖤 Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo ❤️ A Market of Dreams and Destiny by Trip Galey 🧡 A Crown So Cursed by L.L. McKinney 💛 In the Ring by Sierra Isley 💚 How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok 💙 This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin 💜 The Free People’s Village by Sim Kern 🖤 Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas ❤️ Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in NYC by Elyssa Maxx Goodman

🧡 Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner 💛 Mall Goth by Kate Leth 💚 The Siren, the Song, and the Spy by Maggie Tokuda Hall 💙 This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson 💜 A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles 🖤 The Problem with Gravity by Michelle Mohrweis ❤️ Alex Wise vs. the End of the World by Terry J. Benton-Walker

#books #reading #book releases #book blog #booklr #batty about books #battyaboutbooks #queer book recs #queer fiction #queer books #queer #queer community #read queer all year

[unhonestlymirror]

Sometimes people ask, why don't pro-Ukrainian people leave the occupation?

I have two recent cases that happened to my acquaintances and from their experience, and I will anonymously tell you why the way to leave is closed for them.

After February 24, 2022, they posted several pro-Ukrainian posts on their Facebook page. access to the page was lost, and there is no way to restore it because there is no Ukrainian mobile connection. At the "border" the russians turned them away for "discrediting the entire Russian Federation," and then they took them to the "Ministry of Internal Affairs" for several days. fortunately, alive, whole, at home.

the second - not the last woman in the village, to the full scale - a lady with a managerial position. She managed to clean the page, managed to cross it with "I'm going to my relatives and I'll be back", but they found a post from 2015 with a photo of the Ukrainian military. returned home, taken to "SIZO", now at home.

The russians force people in the occupied territory of Ukraine, in particular, in my Luhansk region, to make russian passports. and there really aren't that many people who haven't done them yet. the occupiers are skilled manipulators, and if even here in Kyiv, I often hear "nothing will change, imagine how often people under occupation hear this.

People for whom the russians are building a separate information system in which they are already the winners, in which it is impossible to break through the line of defense, in which Ukraine will not return, because russia is already laying asphalt and building a school, which means that the territory will not be given away. and what a shame that the asphalt was laid in 2021, and the repair of the school was completed before the start of the full scale.

In the occupation, it is morally difficult to exist. i urge everyone not to judge the people who are there. they don't need morals and teachings, but our help. of course, it's worth reminding them to evacuate. but please be humane with those who live among the scoundrels.

#stop russian aggression #support ukraine #genocide of ukrainians #russia is a terrorist state

[geekyule]

In the alternate world of Teyvat, where you begin your journey to find your loved ones by becoming a weapon of war in the Fatui

CW: violence, mention of blood, angst & fluff Thoughts: Excuse my first attempt at writing. There will be several parts coming soon. Semi-proofread

Part 1 - First Encounter

The snow fell thicker. Today marked your third day on the assignment on the outskirts of Morepesok, a seaside fishing village. Despite it being the third day, you hadn’t yet located all the hiding treasure hoarders. Anxiety was creeping in. The chilling winds blowing in from the sea and the night descending made your entire body tense with vigilance. Those scoundrels had meticulously planned their siege on the village to kidnap its inhabitants. Every entrance to the village required passing through this dark forest. They would target those traveling along the forest path; perhaps you would have to disguise yourself as bait to...

“Sister!”

You jolted into a defensive stance, turning towards the voice. A frantic girl ran towards you, carrying a smaller child on her back. One of the girl’s hands held a basket of herbs, while the other tightly gripped the sleeping child behind her. The treasure hoarders don’t raise children to deceive others like this, do they? - You silently pondered as the girl reached you. The girl looked up at you, panting, trying to appear tough but her voice trembling.

“Have you been waiting long, sister?”

“...?”

The blue eyes of the girl pleaded with you, before quickly glancing behind her, indicating that someone was following them. She shifted the child on her back and spoke louder.

“Teucer fell so we're late. I’m sorry. Let’s go home together, sister!”

If it weren’t for the sincere apology and the tears brimming in the girl’s eyes, you might have dismissed her. You believed the children trembled in fear whenever they caught a glimpse of your piercing gaze and eerie silence, avoiding you at all costs, just as you avoided them. Being around someone like you was dangerous enough for them, but now you realized you had to protect the two children and return them to their parents before any harm came to them.

“Let me carry Teucer. Mom will scold me until morning!”

“I'm sorry.” - The girl's face relaxed when she saw you played along. She hesitated a bit when handing her little brother over to you, but she was surely exhausted after running in fear. Her limbs trembled, tears started rolling down her rosy, cold cheeks.

“It's okay.” - You smiled gently - “I'm here now.”

With one arm holding the little brother, you used the other to pull the girl close to your side, patting her gently. You led the girl slowly back towards the village. The danger was definitely not over yet; these two children had ventured deep into the forest, with still a considerable distance to reach the safe area of Morepesok.

“Hold onto my coat if you know the treehouse." - You whispered, leaning down to the girl's head. She opened her eyes wide and immediately grabbed onto your coat. A clever child - you thought and smiled reassuringly at her. The little girl knew the home was too far to return to safety, they needed a shelter while the adults were around to help.

“There are 3 people chasing us…” - The girl whispered nervously.

“You and Teucer go to the treehouse and stay quiet, do not come out until I give the signal. I will protect both of you.”

As they headed towards the treehouse, you silently sensed the movement around, pinpointing the pursuers. Besides the three the children unfortunately faced, there were others gathering and chasing. The treehouse you mentioned was actually a landmark where the village hunters often stayed during long deer hunts. Luckily, you had learned from the villagers in the past few days, and the Archons had not disappointed the children as the treehouse was still sturdy even though it wasn't hunting season. You handed the little brother to the girl, urging her into the hideout and securely closing the door. Then you walked a distance away from the hideout.

“Now, let's greet each other properly.”

Three bandits stepped out from the shadows. There are two archers at 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock behind - You reminded yourself and pulled out a stick from your belt pouch. The treasure hoarder gang laughed loudly. One, seeming to be the leader, shrugged with the others, then smirked.

“Little girl, don't play childish games. We're just here to help you get to safety.”

Twirling the stick in hand, you advanced towards the group of bandits. With a flick, the stick unexpectedly split open at both ends and extended into a silver battle staff. A golden light encircled the threatening staff. The treasure hoarders, now intrigued, cautiously approached. You smirked provocatively.

“I'm also looking for a few people here.”

“You…” - The leader's face changed.

Slamming the staff into the ground, you sent golden geo energy lines snaking through the frontline bandits, deep into the darkness of the forest. Along the way, the lines carved the ground full of snow, terrifying the bandits. From the shadows, the ground trembled, followed by cries of pain, then silence. The bandits turned back to see their archer comrades.

“Don't worry about them. You’ll be reunited in "a safe place" soon."

You swung the staff forcefully, knocking the bandits off balance. With the archers out of the combat, dealing with the close-range fighters became easier. The bandits were not prepared to face a warrior with a Vision. You weaved through the bandits, calculating each move while manipulating the ground to gain the upper hand in battle. Despite your defensive techniques, years of weapon training and your petite stature provided you with a speed advantage in attack. Not to mention that the opponents couldn't assess your true abilities. The bandits fell one by one. You then created a stone wall to trap the treasure hoarder group, finally completing the mission.

“So, are you behaving now?”

You retracted the staff and carefully walked back to the hideout where the two children were when a light "swoosh" sounded. Before you could react, a blue arrow stabbed straight into your left arm, causing you to fall. Luckily I managed to twist lightly, this archer aimed for the heart - You reopened the staff to summon a stone wall in the direction of the attack just as two more arrows flew in. Blue arrows from the same person, this man moves fast and light, much more skilled than the bandits - You tensed up - If a master was sent, who are these two children? Suppressing the pain in the left shoulder, you plunged the staff deep into the ground, pushing out a series of stone columns towards the opponent. A blue cut slashed through each column, along with splashes of water. From the darkness emerged a figure with a masked head.

“Fatui soldier?” - you muttered in disbelief. In the ranks of the Fatui, was there such a highly skilled soldier? But what was he doing here? You were the only one assigned to the area.

The unfamiliar Fatui soldier dashed forward, wielding two daggers made of azure water. A Vision bearer, damn it - you quickly dodged a strike to your left shoulder, then spun to deliver a blow to the opponent's face, knocking off his mask to reveal orange hair. Too fast, if I just defend and counterattack, I will soon be defeated. These two children will be in danger. You decided to speak out.

“Where is your Fatui insignia, soldier? I'm specially assigned here” - You assumed a defensive stance after creating some distance from the opponent, your back towards the hideout. The top priority now was to protect the two children inside at all costs. Plunging the staff into the ground, you grabbed the arrow lodged in your left shoulder and yanked it out forcefully. Fresh crimson blood sprayed, falling on the white snow backdrop. The sharp pain made your vision blur. Should I use the "weapon" at this moment?

The Fatui member merged the two water daggers into one long glaive. He tossed aside his mask and stared straight at you. Those intimidating cloudy blue eyes seemed familiar. He coldly advanced, shouting.

“You’re dead!”

Using your right hand to support your left, you manipulated the broken stone columns to send shards flying towards the opponent, but they still couldn't stop his advance...

“Ajax? Big brother?!”

The little girl's voice echoed from inside the hideout, just as the sword came dangerously close to your neck. The opponent's wide eyes watched as you used your body to shield the entrance of the hideout. The door swung open, and the girl inside rushed out to hug you.

“She's protecting us! Don't hurt her!”

“Tonya!” - The Fatui soldier immediately dropped his weapon. His demeanor and face shifted to confusion - “What's going on? Where's Teucer? I don't understand.”

Tonya, the little girl whose name you just learned, stepped back and then rushed to hug her older brother, crying out loud. Perhaps now was the time she dared to cry freely, releasing the fear and anxiety. Ajax, the older brother, had to gently soothe her before she could recount the story. You watched the two siblings without noticing that Teucer had stood up and was looking at you.

“Sister. Hug!” - The little boy moved closer to you, not waiting for your response, and hugged your injured left side. You had to deftly avoid your bleeding shoulders from him, letting out a light cry of pain.

“Teucer! Don't! Oh, I'm sorry!” - Tonya ran back in a panic to hold her younger brother.

The older brother cautiously approached. You looked at him warily but without hostility. He tore a strip of cloth from his sleeve and helped you bandage the bleeding wound.

“I'm Ajax. Thank you for protecting my brother and sister.”

You didn't say anything, silently watching as Ajax tended to your wound. He still bore cuts from the flying shards, a gash on his cheek now oozing blood. Despite facing countless stone projectiles, he was determined to rush into battle; this soldier not only had a Vision but also displayed considerable courage, or... recklessness. When he began to reveal his face for combat, a strand of bloodthirsty aura clashed starkly with the present. Perhaps when loved ones were in danger, he became dangerous himself, ready to confront and protect.

“I've completed the mission, protecting your sister was just a coincidence. Anyway…” - You paused, looking at Tonya and Teucer who were staring intently - “Your sister is very clever.”

“Are you also a Fatui soldier?”

“I’m Y/n.” - You opened your belt pouch to show him the insignia and took out some first aid bandages.

“You should bandage your wound as well. I'll start a fire. You and your siblings should stay here tonight and return to the village in the morning.”

“Won't you come home with us?” - Tonya asked in surprise, looking at Ajax then back at you - “You saved us, and you're injured.”

“Sorry for shooting you, but to let the hero of the little ones go without repaying them, I'd regret it to death.” - Ajax quickly added.

“Your big brother is here now” - You ruffled Tonya's head, smiling even though the girl pouted in protest - “I need to escort the other group of people first. We'll meet again later.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. Now, little sister, would you mind gathering some firewood around here for me?”

You used the staff to create a small patch of regular ground for the fire. While Tonya and Teucer eagerly gathered firewood, you took out fire stones from your pouch and began to light the fire. If it hadn't been for the recent danger, it would have seemed like a camping trip; the two children quickly returned to being cheerful with you. Ajax began to bandage the wounds on himself with the provided bandages, occasionally stealing glances at you and the children. After you had a small fire going, you headed towards the stone cell where the unconscious bandit group was being held, and Ajax followed. He pulled out a red scarf from around his neck and tied it around your neck, leaving you surprised.

“I... don't know how to thank you enough, please accept this. At least it will keep you warm on the way back.”

You looked straight into Ajax's blue eyes, probing, making him feel his cheeks heat up. But you just nodded slightly, bid him farewell, then quickly tied up the bandit group and disappeared into the shadows. Strange, there's something so familiar about his eyes - you thought silently, little did you know you would meet that young man again, sooner than you imagined.

Part 2

#childe x reader #genshin impact x reader #tartaglia x reader #tartaglia x you #childe tartaglia ajax #genshin impact scenarios #ajax x reader #genshin impact #childe x y/n #childe x you #genshin fanfic #genshin x reader #genshin x you

[sunshine-overload]

[BSTS] April Fool’s 2024 ‘The Hero, Reincarnated in Another World’ Event Story - Part 1

I hope all the names don’t get too confusing!

Chapter 1

-inside castle-

storyteller (aogiri): —This is the Starless Kingdom. The strict king that rules over this land is currently in a state of disarray. Why? Because the princess who is loved dearly by this nation, was kidnapped by the wretched and evil Demon King. And so, the king has summoned a hero in order to see her returned home safely...

haseyama: ...Huh? Where am I?

??? (kei): —Was the ritual successful?

haseyama: Huh? Kei? What he hell is going on here?

king (kei): I am the king of this land.

haseyama: ...What?

king: The princess of this kingdom has been kidnapped by the deplorable Demon King. I have called upon you in order to save her.

haseyama: What are you going on about? ...Actually never mind that, what on earth am I wearing? When did this gaudy outfit get put on me. You damn bastard, is this your doing? 

king: I have summoned you here from another realm to subdue the Demon King. Once you defeat him and return the princess to me, I shall allow you to return to the world of which you came from.

haseyama: Huuh? ...I must be dreaming.

king: Whether this is a dream or not is a moot point. Either way your task remains the same.

-kei points his sword at haseyama-

haseyama: Hey now, put that blade away. You wouldn't want to put a hole in my throat would you?

king: If you do not intend to carry out my order then I have no qualms in sending your head flying.

haseyama: Shouldn't you be the one going to defeat the Demon King? Why are you relying on someone else?

king: There are countless other scoundrels aiming for my throne. A king cannot leave his castle unattended. Now answer me, will you carry out my order or not? You may only accept or refuse.

haseyama: Threatening me huh? That's not very noble of you. Do you think I'll listen to you just cause you've got a sword pointed at me?

king: If you do not wish to cooperate then I will just summon a different man after I've executed you. So, once again, answer me.

-kei points blade closer to haseyama-

haseyama: Ok, fine fine! I'll play along with your little world of make believe... Jeez.

king: Splendid. In that case, Hero, I shall bestow you with this legendary sword to use in battle.

haseyama: Hero this legendary sword that, this isn't a video game you know? So I just need to stab the Demon Kong with this then, right? Where is he?

king: You must ascertain that yourself.

haseyama: ...Are you kidding?

king: Gather your own party of companions as well. As for any funds you may need for your journey, acquire it by your own means. The currency we use here is called ‘yell’.

haseyama: Whaaat?

king: A Hero should be able to handle that much without issue. With that, I wish you luck on your journey.

haseyama: Wh... What the hell!?

—end

*yell - same name as the currency in-game

-

Chapter 2

-inside castle-

haseyama: What was all that about? He barely explained anything to me. Was that not actually Kei...? Jeez, he could've at least told me where I should head to first.

-time pass, grassy field, day-

haseyama: Let's see, what should I do...

??? (rindou): Oh, could you be the Hero?

haseyama: Huh? —!?

??? (rindou): You are the Hero, right? I share the same goal as you, let us go together.

haseyama: You're Rindou ain't you?

nameless swordsman (rindou): I do not possess a fine name such as that. I am merely a nameless swordsman. My sword skills are of a competent level, I promise I'll be of use to you.

haseyama: (That bastard Kei did tell me I should gather companions...)

haseyama: Sure thing. I'd rather not travel alone either, let's team up.

nameless swordsman: Really? Thank you very much!

haseyama: So, how do I gain even more companions?

nameless swordsman: We should head to the tavern. That is usually where parties are formed.

haseyama: Parties...?

nameless swordsman: I think we should try recruiting some members in Umbrella Village. 

haseyama: Ok, let's do that. Heroes in video games always gather a team after all.

nameless swordsman: Video games?

-mokuren appears-

??? (mokuren): I've got you!

-rindou jumps in front of haseyama-

nameless swordsman: Watch out!!

-mokuren attacks-

haseyama: Woah!?

??? (mokuren): ...Hmph, you guarded him.

nameless swordsman: Kicking people out of nowhere is quite rude. What do you want from us?

??? (mokuren): That guy's the Hero isn't he? Wouldn't it be fun to knock him down a peg?

haseyama: What are you saying? Have you gone insane, you bastard?

??? (mokuren): You're a Hero yet this other guy had to protect you. It's laughable. Could it be you're not actually capable at all?

haseyama: As if. Who the hell do you think you are?

-qu appears-

??? (qu): My apologies. This one is the type to attack an opponent they're interested in the moment they see them. They're a dancer and I'm a priest. We were travelling together but...

dancer (mokuren): Travelling with the Hero sounds like fun. Let me join you. 

priest (qu): There you have it.

haseyama: Hey, this sword I've got is pretty amazing. Just by carrying it on me everyone's recognising me as the hero. Killing time in this world ain't half bad, everyone here is depending on me.

nameless swordsman: Indeed. The fate of this realm is in your hands.

haseyama: Alright then, I'll take you two in as companions. In exchange, escort me to this so called Umbrella Village.

dancer: Don't stand behind me.

-mokuren almost kicks haseyama-

haseyama: ...!? That was close!

nameless swordsman: Amazing, you evaded their kick so gracefully. You really are the true Hero then, how excellent!

priest: Still, it's best you avoid walking behind Dancer. We wouldn't want to have to go looking for a new Hero. 

haseyama: They'll throw a kick at me the moment I step behind them? Since when are dancers such violent people!?

—end

*Umbrella Village - reference to the song umbrella/amegasa

-

Chapter 3

-inside tavern-

haseyama: Hmm, so this is the tavern where I can gather team members?

nameless swordsman: Yes. All sorts of people visit here, so you can try and recruit whoever interests you.

haseyama: Hmm, all sorts of people huh...

drunkard (akira): Bartenderrrr, hurry up and bring me more booze~ I placed my order ages ago didn't I?

haseyama: ...Geh, that's Akira isn't it?

drunkard: No need to apologise to me sir, if you know any cute girls just introduce me to them, ok?

priest: ...Appears there are some drunk customers here as well.

dancer: Don't tell me you're planning to make him your companion? He's beyond drunk. Pick your friends better, Hero.

haseyama: Shut it you. I don't wanna have to make a team full of faces I recognise either. Is there no other options here?

bartender (hinata): Ah, welcome! Would you like to order?

haseyama: Oh, someone I don't recognise actually showed up. Are you the bartender...?

bartender: Yeah, what about it? That's one impressive looking sword you've got with you sir ♪

haseyama: Yeah. I, as the owner of this sword, am looking for some suitable companions to travel with. You're... a bartender so you'd be no good in a fight. Is there anybody that's strong in this place?

bartender: Ah, there is there is! That guy drinking alcohol over there! He called himself the 'Strongest Sorcerer'.

haseyama: Ooh, the strongest huh?

strongest sorcerer (lico): (drinking) Whew that's good...

haseyama: What, him? That's just Lico though?

nameless swordsman: The strongest sorcerer? It's true that I can sense he isn't just your average person.

haseyama: You can? Well... I guess I'll try talking to him then.

-haseyama walks over to lico-

haseyama: Hey, you.

strongest sorcerer: Hm?

haseyama: Join me. It's an honour to be on the Hero's team, no?

strongest sorcerer: ...Excuse me? What are you talking about. I doubt a decrepit old man line you could defeat the Demon King.

haseyama: What did you just call me!?

strongest sorcerer: I can see why you'd wish for the help of I, the strongest sorcerer. It's obvious you'd need my power. If you'd like for me to join you, then bow to me first.

haseyama: Excuse me!?

strongest sorcerer: My abilities don't come cheap you know. Are you going to hire me? How much money do you have, can you even afford it?

haseyama: Bastard, how about I go ahead and double the debt you owe me?

strongest sorcerer: Debt? What are you talking about?

haseyama: Never mind! Besides you're talking all big but are you even a sorcerer like you claim to be? Reeks of bullshit to me.

strongest sorcerer: Shall I show you my skills then? —There.

-all of the bottles on the shelf burst-

haseyama: Woah!?

priest: All of the alcohol bottles exploded at the same time...! What an impressive spell.

haseyama: I see, I see. So you being the strongest wasn't a lie after all. Got it. If it's money that you want I'll pay you later, however much you want. So join me.

strongest sorcerer: However much I want? Do you really expect me to believe that?

haseyama: No, but once I beat the Demon King that arrogant king of yours is sure to give me a handsome reward right? Once I return to my world I'll have no need for this place's currency, so you can have it.

strongest sorcerer: Return to your world?

haseyama: Ah... Just don't sweat the details! The point is I'll give you whatever reward that unpleasant king coughs up for me. Deal?

strongest sorcerer: ...Well, that offer doesn't sound so bad. If that's the deal then I don't mind joining you.

haseyama: Perfect, the contract is decided.

—end

-

Chapter 4

-riverbed, night-

cat beastman (maica): Argh... Disappear!

mob class demon (kasumi): Guh, he got me!

wolf beastman (ginsei): These bastards... go away already!

mob class demon: Uwah, they're strong!

cat beastman: (heavy breathing)... So? Is it gone now?

mob class demon: Nope, there's still more of us~!

-three kasumi's appear-

cat beastman: What!? Even more appeared!

wolf beastman: No matter how many we defeat there's no end to them...! Shit, if only it was a full moon I'd be more powerful...!

cat beastman: Aah damn it, my charm skill isn't having any effect! Even though it's just a mob class...!

mob class demon: My apologies~ I'm going to keep attacking you now!

-the three kasumis leap forward-

-scene cuts away-

haseyama: I heard at the tavern that the Demon King's castle is in the north... but isn't that a bit too vague? Where in the north?

priest: Well, let's just continue heading north for now.

haseyama: I don't want to just aimlessly walk in a direction with no idea what's ahead. One of you find out where—

wolf beastman: Someone please help us! Anybody!

priest: Oh my? It appears those two are being attacked by a demon.

haseyama: (smirking) Oh are they now...? In a situation like this we have no choice but to help them out hmm? All of you, help them.

strongest sorcerer: Sure thing, that amount of demons is child's play.

nameless swordsman: Are you not going to fight, Hero?

haseyama: Hm? Well, I suppose I could at least try this sword out. Alright, here we go.

-haseyama swings sword-

mob class demon: Gyahh! That hurts!

mob class demon: Kyaaa~! Ouch!!

mob class demon: Retreat~!

nameless swordsman: ...How surprising. That sword really is just as powerful as it looks.

haseyama: Never mind that, those guys dropped some money when they ran right? Hurry and pick it up.

wolf beastman: Um, thank you for helping us. We were in a real pinch.

cat beastman: You're strong. I'd expect no less from the Hero, you have my gratitude.

haseyama: Hey now, don't tell me you think words alone will pay me back for deciding to help you?

cat beastman: !

priest: What? Um, Hero? Why are you pointing your sword at civilians...

haseyama: C'mon, pull out all the money and items you have on you. Small price to pay for us saving your lives, no?

wolf beastman: Huh? S-sure. Sure thing, here's what I have.

cat beastman: Then... Here's what I have too, take whatever you'd like.

haseyama: Thank you~ Alright let's get going guys, north we go.

priest: ...Yes.

-hero party leaves-

cat beastman: ...He took literally everything we had!?

wolf beastman: Are they really the hero party...?

—end

-

Chapter 5

-village-

haseyama: Look, I'll say it one more time. What I want is for you to prepare me some weapons and a full set of armour.

weapons dealer (aogiri): Yes, I understand that sir. That is why I am trying to arrange an appropriate price with you.

haseyama: I'm the hero that'll be defeating the Demon King. Shouldn't I be getting whatever I need for free?

weapons dealer: Are you saying that you'd like for the common folk to die from uncompensated work, Hero-sama?

haseyama: The heck is up with that attitude of yours. Tch, whatever, who needs equipment anyway. Oh well... I guess I'll take a look at the map we stole from those beastmen.

??? (sinju): Hello there, Hero-san. What have you got there?

haseyama: Huh? Oh, Sinju?

villager A (sinju): Who? I'm a villager. I live in Umbrella Village.

haseyama: Tch, doubt you'd be very strong in battle then. This is a map with directions to the Demon King's castle.

villager A: Oh wow! As expected of the Hero, that's one cool map.

haseyama: Cool how? Look at it, it's no better than those scribbles Unei calls drawings. I don't even know where to head other than north, does no one have any clearer directions? Hey, do you know how to get to the Demon King's castle?

villager A: Uhh... Nope, I have no idea. Ah but, on the outskirts of this town there's a fortune teller who has a reputation of always being correct. Why don't you try asking him?

haseyama: Fortune teller huh... Well, if he gets it right then that'll be beneficial. I guess I'll give it a try.

-haseyama walks to the fortune teller-

fortune teller (heath): ...Welcome. What would you like?

haseyama: ...It's Heath, huh? Anyways, I want to go to the Demon King's castle. Tell me how I should proceed to get there.

fortune teller: Ok. In that case, I will turn over my tarot cards... I have the result.

haseyama: Oh? And?

fortune teller: North. You should continue to proceed north.

haseyama: I know that much already! You're just a damn conman ripping everyone off ain't you? Good for nothing, what a waste of my time.

-haseyama goes to leave-

fortune teller: Wait.

haseyama: What now?

fortune teller: The cards also say that disaster will befall you. I recommend you be careful.

haseyama: Hah, what a joke. Coming to this world was already a disaster in itself.

-haseyama's office-

??? (unei): It appears that a man calling himself the Hero is in search of my castle. Hmm, ‘hero’ he says... Kuku, no matter who they are all someone is capable of doing in the presence of my dark magic is grovelling on the ground before me. I suggest you watch closely, Princess! I'll send that Hero to an early grave!

saki: Umm, who is this Hero you’re talking about? And... Where am I exactly...?

??? (unei): It is none of your concern, Princess. Now then, let us get ready for supper.

saki: (Why is Unei-san wearing that outfit? Where am I? What is going on...)

—end 

-

Chapter 6

-forest, night-

dancer: Hmph, the sun's completely set.

haseyama: Where on earth is that damn Demon King's castle! There's nothing but forest here!

nameless swordsman: It's best we find somewhere to set up camp and rest. The forest is a dangerous place at night.

strongest sorcerer: Huuh? I didn't sign up for camping.

nameless swordsman: We have no other choice, there aren't any inns nearby.

priest: Let's sleep in shifts and rest our bodies.

haseyama: I'll leave keeping watch to you lot. I'm sleeping till the sun comes up.

-time pass-

haseyama: Zz... zz...

nameless swordsman: Hero, are you awake?

haseyama: Nn... Huh? What is it? I'd finally gotten comfortable.

nameless swordsman: My apologies, but I must tell you something very important. I don't want the others to overhear so let's move somewhere more secluded.

-they move deeper into the forest-

haseyama: So? What is it? 

-haseyama stumbles-

haseyama: Wh— Woah!? Ouch, the hell is this? There’s a rope—

nameless swordsman: Appears you're caught.

haseyama: Hey, bastard! Don't touch my sword, what are you planning to do with that?

nameless swordsman: Sir Hero who is very much only a hero in name. I'll be taking this sword from you.

haseyama: Excuse me? You asshole, are you betraying me!?

nameless swordsman: Fufu, from the very start my aim has been to— !?

-kokuyou appears and attacks rindou-

??? (kokuyou): You... You're the man with a bounty on his head known as 'Gentian' aren't you?

gentian (rindou): I don't know who you are but it appears my covers been blown, hm?

haseyama: Bounty? That means you're villain doesn't it!?

gentian: No, I am simply part of the resistance. That doesn't make me a villain. This sword of yours should be in the hands of someone more deserving. The person who corrects the wrongs of this world does not have to be a subordinate of the king.

warrior (kokuyou): Shut the hell up already. I'll be taking your head!

-kokuyou attacks rindou-

-rindou dodges-

gentian: Woah there!

-screen goes white with a smoke bomb-

haseyama: Argh!? (coughing)... The heck, I can't see anything!

gentian: Appears the odds are not in my favour, so I'll be taking my leave here. Let us meet again someday.

-smoke clears-

haseyama: Dammit, that bastard! He's damn quick at running away.

warrior: He was after your sword... Are you the rumoured Hero?

haseyama: You're... not Kokuyou. Who are you?

warrior: I'm a warrior, I work as a bounty hunter. 

haseyama: Ooh? You're strong enough to make a swordsman turn on his heel and run. Join me. If you come with me then as compensation I'll um... Oh I know. Once we defeat the Demon King I will grant unto thee dominion over half the world.

warrior: I don't need something as absurd as half the world... But I am interested in beating that Demon King to a pulp. You got me at a good time, I'm free right now so sure, I'll come along.

haseyama: Nice. Oh right, by the way, would you happen to know where the Demon King's castle is?

warrior: I have heard it's in the north.

haseyama: Is that all any of you can say!?

—end

*gentian - 竜胆 can be read as ‘rindou’

*half the world - this line is a dragon quest reference

-

Chapter 7

-forest clearing, day-

haseyama: I don't see any castles in the distance... Could we at least hitch a ride on a horse and carriage or something?

strongest sorcerer: I was thinking the same thing. Why does someone as magnificent as me have to do all this walking?

dancer: Oi, Hero. We're out of food too. I'm hungry.

haseyama: Oh shut up, do you see any grocery stores around here?

priest: I'm sure if we just endure for a little longer we'll stumble upon a town or village.

-dark mist appears on the path-

-mizuki and two kasumi's appear-

??? (mizuki): Hey, you over there!

haseyama: Huh?

??? (mizuki): You're that shitty ass Hero that's going after the Demon King yeah? I'm gonna kill you dead!

haseyama: ...!? Who the hell are you?

mob class demon: He is one of the four great leaders of the Demon King's army! His name is 'Mad Dog of the East'!

mob class demon: I'm merely an ant compared to his unbelievable power~!

warrior: Four great leaders? He doesn't look that tough to me.

mad dog of the east (mizuki): Kyahahah, attack 'em!!

mob class demon: Yes, sir~!!

-they attack the hero party-

-time pass-

strongest sorcerer: Haa... That's it, I'm at my limit. I can't walk another step.

warrior: We managed to defeat that great leader guy but I'm all out of stamina...

haseyama: Despite being a dumb brat he was dang strong.

-gui appears-

??? (gui): ...Hero party.

haseyama: Wah...!? Shit, another assassin? This is a terrible time...!

??? (gui): Eat this. It is fryryce fruit.

haseyama: What? Is that even edible?

dancer: I'll take it.

priest: It may be poisonous, be careful.

dancer: This is... delicious! What an amazing fruit, give me more.

??? (gui): Here.

dancer: Delicious...! I can feel my strength coming back to me...!

haseyama: Really? Let's see then... !? Why does this fruit taste exactly like fried rice...?

strongest sorcerer: Woah you weren't kidding, I feel much better. I'll be taking seconds.

haseyama: What's up with this fruit? This world makes no sense.

??? (gui): My wish is for you to rescue the Princess.

-gui disappears-

strongest sorcerer: ...Huh? He just disappeared?

warrior: What was up with him?

priest: He may have been a spirit of the deceased that watches over this land.

haseyama: I have no idea, but he helped us out. Now we can keep heading north.

—end

-

Chapter 8

-beach, day-

haseyama: Why do I have to be the one to find some food... Jeez, it stinks of ocean.

-menou appears with eyes closed-

haseyama: ...Hm? There's someone collapsed on the ground over there. Is it a corpse?

??? (menou): Yawn~ You're finally here... I got so tired of waiting that I fell asleep. You're the Hero, right? Excuse me.

haseyama: What, you were alive? GAH!?

-menou stabs haseyama, screen flashes red-

??? (menou): One and a two~

-red flash-

haseyama: Wh... You bastard... what are you... Gah!

??? (menou): And a three and a four~

-red flash-

??? (menou): There we go, five stabs. That should be enough right? I've done what I was told to do.

haseyama: Argh...! You... Who are you...?

??? (menou): Me? I'm one of the four great leaders of the Demon King's army~ My name is... Um, what was it again? I forgot. Oh, you can just call me Yu. It's my favourite combination of letters. But well, it's not like we'll ever see each other again anyways. See you.

haseyama: B-bastard, don't you run away...

-mokuren appears-

dancer: Rejoice, Hero. We found a whole bunch of shellfish over... Hm?

yu? (menou): Oh, your companions are back. How troublesome.

warrior: The Hero is all messed up, just how powerful is that guy?

dancer: Oi, we should attack him. From this distance magic will be fastest. 

strongest sorcerer: Sure, but I might hit the Hero as well. Is that ok?

dancer: Who cares, shoot.

strongest sorcerer: Fine fine, here I go~

-lico shoots a magic blast-

yu?: ...Hm? Was I just hit by something?

haseyama: That attack didn't effect him at all! Strongest sorcerer my ass!

strongest sorcerer: Shut up! I really am the strongest in that village!

yu?: Sigh... You're all so weak, I'm bored. Maybe I'll just retire from being a great leader and live in an onsen somewhere...

haseyama: Hey, wait...!

yu?: Oh right, I should take your money first.

haseyama: Huh!? My money!

yu?: Bye bye.

-menou leaves-

strongest sorcerer: What the heck, he just ran away? Pisses me off.

priest: Are you ok, Hero? I'll cast some healing magic, please hold still.

haseyama: Godammit! All of you are useless!

dancer: ...I didn't think the Hero would be this weak and pathetic. How boring.

-mokuren goes to leave-

priest: ...? Where are you going, Dancer?

dancer: I'm going to go find someone more exciting to fight under. I'm done with him.

strongest sorcerer: ...They really just do whatever they want huh.

warrior: It's just a fighters instinct. 

priest: We all must search for our own true strength...

haseyama: Isn't that person just a dancer though!? ...Hey, that hurts! I thought you used healing magic on me? Why am I not healed!?

priest: I'm terribly sorry, but I've used up all my mana. This is as much as I can heal for now. There should be an establishment where we can get you proper treatment further along this path. Let's head there.

—end

*Yu - ゆ meaning ‘hot water’ is the hiragana used on the entrances to onsens

To Part 2

#bsts translation #event story #bsts haseyama #bsts unei

[docgold13]

Profiles in Villainy

Speed-o'-Sound Sonic

The inhumanly quick ninja known as Speed-o'-Sound Sonic (or often times just Sonic or Sonikku) is a graduate of the 44th Class of the Ninja Village.  Trained from birth in the martial arts of ninjutsu, Sonic purposefully held back so that his instructors would be extra hard on him and subject him to more intensive training.  While he was viewed as the village’s worst student, all of the extra work and grueling punishments actually enabled him to attain an unparalleled level of skill.  He honed himself to such a degree that he could move at the speed of sound, with his actions all but invisible to the naked eye.  This coupled with his prowess with swords, shurikens and various forms of karate have made him a near peerless warrior.     

After leaving the Ninja Village, Sonic hired himself out as a high priced body guard and assassin.  On one assignment, Sonic foiled an assassination attempt by the villainous Hammerhead and his Paradisers.  Sonic hunted down and slew these attackers but Hammerhead himself got away.  Whilst chasing him, Sonic encountered Saitama the One Punch Man.  With Saitama’s bald head, Sonic mistook him as a member of the Paradisers.  Sonic attacked and was amazed with the ease at which Saitama read and blocked his moves.  Enraged, Sonic leveled a full assault and was quickly and definitively defeated.  

His pride was terribly wounded and Sonic would go on to make it his life’s mission to amass the skill needed to finally defeat Saitama.  Although it is unlikely that he will ever achieve this goal, his efforts to do so have resulted in many adventures, trials and hijinks.  

Actor Yūki Kaji provides the voice for Speed-o'-Sound Sonic in the original anime (with Erik Scott Kimerer voicing the character in the English language dub).  The speedy scoundrel first appeared in the fourth episode of One Punch Man, airing on October 25th, 2015.

#Profiles in Villainy #One Punch Man #Speed-o'-Sound Sonic #Sonikku #cut-out #paper art #Villains!

[extraordinarilyextreme]

the element of fire plays a big role in YeQing's relationship.

for starters, let's examine the "answer" ZGQ divined for himself on Longhu-shan:

(manhua ch. 108; see also LA s1, ep. 13 & donghua s2, ep. 9)

飞蛾扑火 / the moth throws itself upon a flame. this idiom describes a self-destructive kind of conduct, where a person knowingly brings about their own doom. it represents, in other words, both a fatal and fated attraction.

from ZGQ's pov, it was—of course—laying his life on the line to comprehend one of the Eight Supremes:

(LA s1, ep. 13; see also manhua ch. 109 & donghua s2, ep. 10)

from WY's pov, it was befriending ZGQ despite knowing he harbors other intentions:

(LA s1, ep. 23; see also manhua ch. 191 & donghua s3, ep. 5)

as such, i'm not the biggest fan of how Youku tl'ed the line as "a meaningless struggle." because neither of their choices were meaningless. both of them were acting as Zhuge Liang had: 明知天理在 但是逆大势而行 / despite knowing full well that divine order and destiny exist, behaving in a manner that opposes the momentum of the times.

indeed, it could be argued that associating with each other was not in anyone's best interest. WY even remarks in Biyou Village:

"In truth, originally I could've not defeated you... No! Rather, it should be said that originally I could've not become acquainted with a scoundrel like you..." (manhua ch. 222; see also donghua s4, ep. 4)

which is what makes their relationship even more special. they were never supposed to meet—yet their meeting was inevitable. they are equals; they abide by the same principles, even if their methods are not always the same.

in the live-action adaptation in particular, 飞蛾扑火 is a lyric in 《戎断反应》, which is the song most associated with ZLH/XH (and also FSY/JZL in s1, ep. 17).

(LA s1, ep. 6)

so... make of that parallel what you will. (this is far from the only time YeQing are directly juxtaposed with other canon couples, but i'm specifically referring to the nature and context of ZLH/XH's "forbidden" relationship more than anything else.)

the element of fire also marks the progression of YeQing's relationship in other ways.

in the Longhu-shan arena, ZGQ launches a ball of fire at WY with 赤炼......

(LA s1, ep. 13; see also manhua ch. 108 & donghua s2, ep. 9)

...which is, strangely enough, the exact same spell ZGQ uses during Biyou Village arc to force WY out of danger:

(donghua s4, ep. 5; see also manhua ch. 228)

so the imagery of ZGQ and WY always being separated by [a wall of] fire is really striking to me.

significantly, fire is also the dominant element of the Zhuge family's ultimate skill, 三昧真火 / True Fire of Samadhi, which ZGQ was never able to master until he triumphed over his 心魔 (WY & the Feng-hou Qimen he possesses):

(manhua ch. 311)

so, fire has always stood in-between these two in some way. but, like moth to a flame, they will always find their way back to each other.

(i definitely think that's the direction the manhua is currently developing in at least, esp. given that ZGQ has now found peace with himself and how he regards WY.)

furthermore, in 五行 / five elements, fire signifies a pinnacle (i.e., combustion), with a decline sure to follow. pretty neat, then, that in the donghua s2 opening 《无涯》 / Limitless, WY and ZGQ are matched with the lyrics 缘起缘灭 / fate begins, fate extinguishes:

by 五行 standards, fire is also associated with the organ: heart. given that WY is ZGQ's 心魔 / lit. heart's demon, and also that (in WYLR's words) they've 推心置腹 / lit. given their heart into the other's keeping, i think that really is just more than fitting.

and—finally—fire is related to alchemy. to tempering, to refinement, and to permanent transformation. hence:

Zhuge Qing: unrestrained as the winds, ardent as a wildfire. Wang Ye is melting. He’ll never be able to go back. (from 青春归你 | my youth and yours)

YeQing inevitably altered the course of each other's lives. (but that's for a separate post～)

#yeqing #cdrama ramblings #异人之下 #i am nobody #一人之下 #hitori no shita #i have too many tags for this IP i need to condense #if u made it this far thanks for reading u are a champ

[metalheadsforblacklivesmatter]

Fun fact. If you look at the etymology of the word "villain" it's no suprise that while 2023 is many people's "villain era" we've also seen the rise of class consciousness.

The root of "Villain" actually contains the word "villa" while is a farm town. That's the same root at which we get terms like "village" as well as the route which we get cities like Louisville.

Originally "villa" was the word for "farm" and from such the word villanus came about to be "farmhand".

From there we get the word "vilain" which is a farmer or commoner.

Then we get the original word "villain" to mean someone that's uncouth or has bad manners.

In which we get the modem word for "villain" which is a scoundrel or criminal.

The entire basis of the word "villain" is classist labeling the working class as having bad manners. So it's no suprise when the working class starts entering their "villain era" they're realizing the ruling class still sees us as less than.

(Obligatory source because I know I'm going to see comments like "That's a reach.")

(If you don't like my post because you think my connection between the rise of the villain era and the rise of class consciousness is "a reach". You can suck my dick. Fun facts like this is how I end up learning shit like "White people don't season their food because of classism." Which is another post I made.)

-fae

[sixstepsaway]

so i've touched on this briefly in a few of my izzy hands metas, but i want to talk for a moment about how stede (and the show in general, actually, along with a couple of things that speak volumes about izzy) appears from izzy's point of view, without the benefit of the audience's perceptions and ability to see stede when izzy can't

His first impression of Stede is that Stede took two English hostages, and his second is that Stede ran his ship aground. So right off the bat we have "potentially dangerous" and "stupid" rolled into one.

When we first meet him, Izzy speaks to buttons on the beach. Buttons is, in that moment, completely vulnerable. He has no weapon, no company, all he has is a little whittling knife and the carrot he's whittling. Izzy asks where the rest of the crew are, and leaves him alone rather than taking the opportunity to either take him hostage or kill him.

We don't see a lot of Izzy after that until Stede sees him in the jungle, but between these two points Izzy visits the native village (that took Stede and Pete hostage for being lightskins who would be a threat to them), strikes a deal with the natives and buys the hostages.

There's a couple of things to gather from this: the first is that Izzy was not taken hostage by the natives. He's a white man who looks like a pirate and has two flunkies of color, but the natives leave him alone. This, to me, says that Izzy has either been here before or his reputation precedes him even here: he might be a pirate and a bit of a shithead, but he's not a threat to the natives. He isn't going to kill them without a good reason (self-defense for example), nor is he going to colonize them. Instead, he comes in, makes a fair deal and buys the English hostages from the natives and then leaves with them. This says volumes to me. If he was going to be put on trial like Stede, his trial would have overlapped Stede's or happened around when Stede was getting psychotherapy from the natives, so it didn't happen. He was treated with at least a small amount of trust.

He then meets Stede out in the wood and Stede steals his fairly purchased hostages from him. This makes me laugh every time I think about it. Stede is like, "Omg! Izzy STOLE OUR HOSTAGES! We must get them back immediately from that scoundrel!" But, no, Izzy bought them fair and square from the natives who stole them 😂 this makes me unironically laugh far too hard actually.

Stede pretends they're surrounded, pretends the jungle is haunted (Stede, honey, why that?) and then bests Izzy with what looks like a letter opener.

At this point, Izzy must (fairly) be thinking: what the fuck is going on here? Because he was bested by the stupid pirate, which he supposes is probably how he got the hostages to begin with? (Which; yes).

So he goes back to Edward, who he expects to be like, "Holy shit, Izzy, someone dishonored you in fair combat? Let's go wreck them RIGHT NOW!" and who is, instead, like, "Holy shit, Izzy, someone dishonored you in fair combat? Let's go let them wreck me RIGHT NOW!" which... I, too, would be a little disgruntled and confused by that one.

Instead of wanting to destroy this dude that humiliated his first mate and (likely) best friend, Edward wants to meet this dude, invite him on board and...what? Be friendly with him? That must seem utterly insane to Izzy. If my best friend did that to me, I'd be thinking she'd gone crazy too.

By the time they find Stede, he's about to get murdered by the Spanish and, instead of just... letting that happen... Edward sends his crew (Izzy included) to kill the Spanish first and save Stede and co. They lose crewmembers in the process. So now, not only has Stede not defended Izzy's honor against the cheating pirate, but he's also sent a few of their crew to their deaths for... what? To save the worst pirate Izzy has ever seen?

It's no surprise that by this point Izzy is already losing his shit, and that his entire head explodes when Edward and Stede swap clothes and Edward is introducing Stede as Blackbeard and acting like he has a new best friend. From Izzy's limited perspective, Edward is losing his mind and making increasingly erratic and irrational choices.

So when Edward spins it as, "I'm bored and I want to go be rich, so I'm thinking we'll kill Stede and say he's me and I'm him and then you can have this ship and we'll be good, yeah?" finally there's a logical reason for what Edward has been doing. It makes sense now. A few crewmembers aren't too high a price to pay for a plan like this: lull Stede into a false sense of security where swapping clothes or doing whatever Edward says isn't out of the realm of possibility, that way when they decide to enact the plan, it'll be easy.

...except Edward doesn't go through with the plan. He is, as Izzy puts it in his voiceover (and he got! a voiceover!! Stede, Jim and Izzy are the only ones who have gotten a voiceover, and Jim's is more a journal entry than an actual Voiceover (Izzy and Stede just get to talk over the show, Jim is writing and the voiceover is translating it)), being seduced by Stede Bonnet.

Which makes sense.

From Izzy's point of view, Edward had a plan and something he wanted (one of the few things Edward had actually told him about, unlike the thousand other things they don't communicate over), and then Stede had been seducing him and manipulating him, as well as giving him a taste of the thing he wants (being rich and free) while still holding it over his head and slightly out of reach. As long as Edward is dallying with Stede, he gets fine things, and pretty clothes, and bows in his beard, and he gets to go to fancy parties and whatever else he wants, but all of those things at contingent on Stede's affections. If Stede gets sick of Edward, or Stede decides he's had enough, or Edward decides he's had enough, all those fancy things go away. It isn't a permanent solution like the "assume Stede Bonnet's identity" plan is.

And I wonder if Izzy has seen this kind of seduction of Edward before. Not specifically the way it goes with Stede (the feelings are real, it isn't just sex and a fun distraction), but I wonder if Jack shows up and gets Edward into bed and distracts him and Izzy has to deal with it because if he doesn't their raids get erratic and they lose more people. Edward is, canonically, neurodivergent and mentally unstable, and although this doesn't mean he can't make his own choices or that Izzy should get to run roughshod over everything he wants, it does mean that sometimes he probably makes some poor choices and when those poor choices trickle down and effect the crew and their wellbeing, it is Izzy's job as first mate to try and fix it.

If Stede decided one day to throw his crew at some horrible situation just on a whim because he felt like it or because his mental health was acting up that day, it would be expected for Buttons or Lucius or Jim or Oluwande or someone to speak up and try and do something about it, for the sake of everyone else. Mental instability is not a get out of jail free card for getting those around you into trouble.

So when Edward seems seduced by Stede, Izzy starts putting pressure on the situation. He, with Ivan and Fang's backing, relates Edward's current situation back to a situation from before, making a point that this isn't just Izzy having a jealous tizzy fit, this is both Edward's plan and how Edward tends to think in general: pets make you soft, soft is bad and will get you and those around you killed, so deal with the problem before it deals with you.

When Edward can't handle the pressure and can't deal with the problem himself, Izzy steps in. Edward does not stop him from stepping in, which regardless of everything else, probably reinforces to Izzy that Edward knows he's doing the right thing, he just couldn't do it himself.

And sure, okay, Izzy throws a little fit when he loses, but so would you if your bff's rich ass, annoying new boo had beaten you once again through virtue only of having a god damn cherry wood mast and now you have to row off in a dinghy to god knows where to figure out how to fix all this and leave the crew behind.

Izzy says again and again throughout the whole show that Stede Bonnet did something to his boss's mind, and honestly? I can see it. From Izzy's limited perspective, I can see it. Edward masks, as I've said before, and the second he joins Stede's crew he becomes Stede and the crew. It genuinely seems like Stede brainwashes and changes him, especially when you lack the context of everything that happens in scenes Izzy isn't in.

And so, Izzy comes up with a plan to deal with the situation. It's a two-pronged plan:

Part 1 is Calico Jack, who is, without question, the grossest pick for Izzy to send after Edward. If he knows that Edward masks, in his own way, and knows what Edward turns into around Jack? It makes perfect sense to pick specifically Jack to send after Edward to make Edward someone Stede can't stand to be around to the point Edward has to leave the ship. It even works. Stede really dislikes Ed-masking-as-Jack, and rightly so considering that isn't the real Ed (Stede gets a lot of glances at the Real Ed, probably moreso than most, probably not quite as much as Izzy, who has the benefit of a lot of time with him, and moments such as the bathtub scene and when Ed actually admits he's bored and wants to give it all up probably count as unmasked moments, or as close as Ed can get right now) and this version of Ed is... unpleasant to be around.

But from Izzy's point of view it's less "Ed becomes unpleasant around Jack," and more "Yeah, try on this really low class version of Ed, you fucking fancy ass high class snobby little rich boy," because to Izzy - whose accent is aggressively, unabashedly working-class - it makes perfect god damn sense that Stede would be turned off and horrified by the kind of person Ed becomes with Jack.

Part 2 is the English. This one is simpler: trap Stede and his boat, send the English out there, acquire ship as payment, Stede dies.

It's a very good plan. It's a plan that actually goes off with only a minor hitch (Jack got bitchy at Ed about "when Izzy told me--" and Ed's penny dropped, so he came back). Stede is literally lined up for execution. No one else gets hurt. Edward is remanded to Izzy's custody. The Revenge is handed over to Izzy. No one but Stede gets hurt.

Truly, I don't think we talk enough about how mercenary yet merciful this plan of Izzy's actually is? No one but Stede gets hurt (emotional damage does not count here because that requires Izzy to conceptualize that Ed loves Stede and that the crew do too, he doesn't think that way right now, so it doesn't factor), the crew (despite being pirates themselves) are safe, Edward is safe, the English leave them alone (and they actually do! Only Edward and Stede sign up for the Act of Grace, but the English keep their part of the bargain and leave Izzy and the crew in peace), and surely Izzy plans (until the Act of Grace) to hand the Revenge over to Edward, or at least give him a lift back to his own ship. He just wants Edward safe.

The last Izzy sees of Stede is him crying over the idea of being shot and killed, and signing away Edward's freedom for his own life. Edward actually doesn't call for an Act of Grace on his own behalf, he's already fine just remanded to Izzy's custody, it's Stede who, out of nowhere, goes, "Well, if I'm signing ten years of my life over to the English, Edward is too!"

Which, ahem, not great, Stede. I see where you're coming from, but not great at all.

Finally, the last real impression Izzy gets of Stede after this is Ed coming back a broken wreck because Stede got bored of him and cut him loose after all of this.

Izzy's impression of Stede in season 1 boils down to: incompetent (ran ship aground), lucky (mast), stupid (half the decisions he makes including getting captured by natives), selfish (dragging Edward into his shit), irresponsible (nearly gets his crew killed multiple times) and finally someone who just... leaves Edward when the going got tough.

From Izzy's point of view right now, Stede is awful, and a bad person for Edward to be around, and I can honestly see that point of view.

This turned a little rambly and disjointed, idk if it's as good as my usual metas, I was just having Thoughts™ and now y'all have to deal with those thoughts, my apologies lmao.

#izzy hands #stede bonnet #izzy hands meta #ofmd #ofmd meta #our flag means death

[regarding-stories]

Until it breaks: Suspension of disbelief has limits

Nothing deals damage to suspension of disbelief like cold hard facts. Because once the analytical part of your brain kicks in, it's all over. All the Fridge Logic will unravel, and frankly, the enjoyment drains out the watching or reading experience.

Now, I picked this topic because of a recent Lupin III Part 6 episode I watched. Being one of the longest-running shows with endless material released over the course of decades, Lupin III has in general good writing. Or let's say it like this: Typically the authors nail the characters.

Yes, part 6 in general is a highly enjoyable show that can bank on the fact that our main characters - Lupin, Jigen, Fujiko, Goemon, and Zenigata - are well fleshed-out, recognizable characters that you are just gladly along for the ride with and the general fun factor of the show ensures that you merely experience the differing quality of episodes as minor ups and downs along the journey.

There are exceptions, though.

When it holds

Lupin III is basically revived as "parts," where each part could be considered a big season. I'm currently watching Part 4, and several episodes definitely have the quality of Fridge Logic - you might question things after the episode finishes, but you're basically okay with how things unfold while they still do.

One episode, hitting that slightly noir vibe, focuses on Inspector Zenigata, Lupin's eternal complement.

The show aired almost ten years ago, so forgive me for spoilers.

The basic plot of the episode "Until the Full Moon Wanes" revolves around every scoundrel in the world believing that the widow of a media mogul sits on a huge hidden fortune because her husband seeded the rumor before he died. The first climax of the episode seems to be convincing the world that this was indeed a lie - a cooperation between Lupin and Zenigata. In the denouement we learn that the fortune actually exists and the widow wanted potential thieves off her back, Lupin shows up to steal it and is finally thwarted by Zenigata.

The episode really revolves about human folly, with a media mogul rescuing a girl from sexual violence, taking her as his beloved wife, then completely scorning her when she cheats on him once - including marking her body. This theme of scorn beyond the grave and its somewhat noir vibe playing on human passion and the unreliability of love and character are enough to keep us entertained until we get our inevitable finale.

I'd say this one stretches suspension of disbelief but doesn't break it. Though it raises questions - even if she had a huge fortune hidden, wouldn't it be easier to own it, hire guards, and just enjoy it? Furthermore, how did Lupin and his gang intend to steal the fortune?It's gold. It weighs tons and tons. (And yes, it's enough gold to be considered the reserves of a country. Did the author not watch "Die Hard with a Vengeance"?) It's also stacked in the most stupid way possible to impress the audience. Once you start to think about it, the story unravels and falls apart. But I'd bet while it goes on with its (somewhat forced) twists and turns, you're willing to follow it.

When it breaks

There are, however, some episodes too stupid to live, and so far the unrivaled king of the trash heap is "The Jet-Black Diamond". I'll spoiler this one so you don't have to watch it.

So, some small wooden dolls are somehow supposed to lead to a treasure. But the story makes no sense, no matter which way you look at it.

The central theme behind the treasure hunt is supposedly a love story. A somehow Japanese woman in Brazil falls in love with a pirate who basically sacks her village but spares her. (Because seeing people die you spent your life with is conducive to romance. Maybe she had Stockholm Syndrome.) They know they have little time so they concoct a plan to hide some treasure and meet again. Which never happens because the pirate gets executed shortly after and she commits suicide.

This might make sense on the surface but just wait for the rest...

The clues they leave lead to a cashew tree with magical red glowing flowers that only blossoms every 75 years. The biological facts themselves are mindboggling - how does it benefit the damn tree to blossom only every 75 years? And how is it so exact over such a long period of time?? And why is everyone showing up at the right time to see it???

Breathe. Slow, deep breaths.

So this basically means they planned to meet again when they were around a hundred. Instead of, you know, like five years later.

Then... piracy in the Caribbean and around South America was a phenomenon largely limited to the 16th and 17th centuries, with stragglers hanging on until the 18th century. Steam vessels and larger national navies ended it for good in the 19th century. (To put it very roughly.) The episode itself can be assumed to be set in 2021 when Part 6 aired. So, are we to assume that old-fashioned piracy occurred in Brazil in the mid of the 20th century? The age of airplanes and nuclear bombs? (Piracy persists but is a rather local phenomenon in the world, relying on quick hit-and-run raids.)

What is the treasure, actually? Pepper. Some special pepper, that supposedly ended up making the village prosperous. This is probably an allusion to the times when pepper was still highly valuable, something which was maybe true up to the 17th century (as a little research shows).

What we really have here is an author shoe-horning a pirate story into Lupin III, and somehow trying to tie it to a love story and a living relative. (Instead of a long-lost pirate treasure.) But frankly, the whole thing fails over and over again. The finale is devoid of any logic. Even the dolls are somehow important because their patterns help identify the tree by its blossom patterns. The only tree blooming in that particular year, looking entirely magical and obvious BY ITSELF!!

(Also some young local thugs show up to gang up on the old lady and her company because everybody thinks about the ages old treasure all the time and so the arrival of a Japanese lady is clearly stirring up the area.)

To make the offense even worse, just when the story focuses on Fujiko being in the lead for quite a while, Lupin shows up as a drone projecting a hologram acting as Captain Exposition, stealing her thunder. They couldn't be arsed to write him in properly, but they couldn't leave him off-screen for five minutes or have somebody else have the spotlight. Wow, that was horrible writing altogether.

And here we have it - it qualifies as a story. It's tied together by a plot. Events happen, characters appear, and the same mixture of twists and turns and a lack of treasure at the end (for Lupin or Fujiko) appears, but it doesn't work. You could be forgiven for not knowing about the history of piracy, but the notion of a tree with such magical properties is not a twist to a story, it's a ridiculous device meant to introduce one twist too many to a poorly written story.

Because for some reason the author was so focused on thwarting the thieves so much he had to set up an entirely unbelievable gotcha even for Lupin standards. A show where people evade bullets near point blank range or where eating a steak can restore Lupin's blood loss within hours. It's actually quite the accomplishment!

#anime series #lupin iii #lupin the third #lupin the 3rd #part 6 #suspension of disbelief #part 4

[frevandrest]

Blérancourt drama: Thérèse Gellé's mother attacks National Guard and tells them to fuck off

I was going through Monar and I found about an incident from 1790 Blérancourt, involving SJ's arch-enemy (from the village), Gellé. Or, more precisely, his wife, Thérèse's mother. It's a small thing but it's sending me so much. Background: Gellé doesn't want to serve in the National Guard because he is a royalist. So a delegation is sent (possibly/probably) by Saint-Just himself to check why he is neglecting his duties.

Monar writes (Google translated; emphasis mine):

At nine o'clock, under the command of Captain Clay-Lefebvre, four men of the National Guard, a cook, a carpenter, a white tanner, and a day laborer, presented themselves with the letter before the Gellé's house. If the social status of the delegation, which was unquestionably quite low in the eyes of a wealthy Notabein, was intended as a provocation, it achieved its goal: Mrs. Gellé stepped out and immediately indulged in such indelicate words against the guardsmen that the expressions in question were only indicated by the first letter in each case in the protocol that was later drawn up. She [...] continued to shout at the National Guardsmen: que son mari la [la garde] monterait pas, n'étant pas fait pour se trouver avec des bandes de canailles, de coquins et de geux comme eux et ceux qui composaient leur f... milice. [her husband won't stand guard, as he was not the kind to find himself among groups of scoundrels, rascals and bandits like them and those who make up their f...(probably "foutu" so "fucking") militia] - translation by @robespapier Having already thrown ashes at the speechless, she finally picked up a stick to strike a blow at the captain, who flinched and drew his rapier.

It ended up with Gellé and his brother appearing and the delegation went back. But! A detailed report was made about the incident by SJ's best friend Victor Thuiller. Which was later used as a proof of Gellé's anti-revolutionary behaviour.

This hilarious (?) anecdote is just one of the many (many many) instances of Blérancourt bickering and drama early in the Revolution. There were a lot of tensions, often at the Gellé vs SJ front (well, royalist vs revolutionary front), and it's so, so interesting to me. I need to make a list of all the incidents and research them in more depth.

But seriously? SJ had a LOT of practice with political bickering before he got to the Convention. But also, since this is a village of 2.5 600 people, it also reads like a total soap opera.

#to quote #@robespapier #'she was consumed by anti-revolutionary rage' #and remember this is the woman who raised 'a little mouse with no boldness' as SJ described Therese #idk the whole mess is sending me #i apologize in advance for all the blerancourt soap opera posting #i need to grab my popcorn and read about the drama #louis-antoine on louis-antoine violence #fun #frev #gender history #therese gelle #saint-just #not really but they are the closest tags i have