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franniebanana · 3 years

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CQL Rewatch - Episode 7

Their first vow together. So nice! I actually do like the parallels here between Lan Yi and Wei Wuxian, and Baoshan Sanren and Lan Wangji: you have one set being reckless and untamed (I said it) and the other set trying to restore order. It’s kind of funny that the ancestors are switched, though. So here we have Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji vowing to bring all the Yin Iron pieces back to the cold spring pond to neutralize them, and of course Lan Wangji’s first reaction is, “None of your business.” It’s cute how Lan Yi takes Wei Wuxian’s side and has a sense of pride for her close friend’s disciple. I think he’s an honorary Lan in her eyes.

And then Lan Yi gives them a warning to not make the same mistakes she made. Wei Wuxian’s like, “Yep, got it, I promise.” But we all know from the beginning that this obviously doesn’t go well for him, since he dies in the first five minutes of the series. He will go on to make some questionable decisions, most of which are driven by his emotions, which are often not in check. Side note: I love this series, but I don’t like how they took a great grey character like Wei Wuxian and turned him into a character where many of the things that went wrong were caused by other people.

Another side note. That fucking Yin Iron fell on the guqin so many times, and it didn’t dent it at all. Is the guqin made out of iron too? I thought it was wood. If I did that to my violin, I guarantee you the violin would not fare very well.

Forever a favorite moment. It was great enough that they were tied together by Lan Wangji’s headband, but even better that Wei Wuxian fell on him. So great—such a tease to the audience. And this is as close as we get to the scene in the book when Lan Wangji uses the body binding spell to keep Wei Wuxian on top of him all night (ooh, my heart skipped a beat when I read that).

Also, taking the screenshot, I noticed you can see the impression of the little metal piece from Lan Wangji’s headband. Little things like that interest me for some reason. I wonder if it bothered Wang Yibo—did it press too hard on his forehead? I remember him saying he’d get tan lines from the headband.

I love this little smirk he does. A moment when Wei Wuxian’s gift to gab really pays off. Instead of letting Lan Wangji talk and explain the situation, Wei Wuxian keeps speaking, lying about what they were doing. I’d like to think he does it in part to protect Lan Wangji and to stop him from breaking any of his clan rules, but likely it’s another chance for him to prove himself as someone Lan Wangji can trust. And I take Lan Wangji’s little acknowledgement of him there as his silent “thank you.” It says a lot, I think, that Wei Wuxian is willing to lie to Jiang Cheng in order to protect the Lan Clan’s secrets.

I’m sorry, but every time I hear Nie Huaisang say, “You were gone a whole day and night,” my mind immediately goes to the gutter—like the implication is that they were doing something inappropriate during that time. I keep expecting a sex joke, only to remind myself that this was on Chinese television and that would, of course, not happen. Jiang Cheng says a similar thing (and my mind goes the same way that time too), but in that case, canon book Jiang Cheng does later accuse them of having a more-than-friendly relationship, and he does not say it in a nice way.

Also, throughout the scene that precedes this, where Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are discussing what to do next with Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen, it really feels like wangxian just want to go on a buddy road trip together, and they are so disappointed when they are turned down. Oh, I didn’t screencap it, but Lan Wangji has the saddest sad face at the end.

I think Lan Wangji is a little impressed here but he doesn’t want to admit it. Wei Wuxian has a great gift to come up with ridiculous stories and lies at the drop of a hat. I love that Wei Wuxian doesn’t have to come up with a scary snake story when he could have just told Nie Huaisang what he’d already told Jiang Cheng and Wen Qing, but he does anyway. Mad respect.

This also kind of amuses me because Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji can never really have a moment alone. They keep getting interrupted by other people when I think they just want to talk about what they experienced. Instead we just have all these shared glances. Nothing like a big fat secret to get close to each other, right?

Omfg Jiang Cheng is so jealous! I thought maybe I was imagining it or just projecting my own ideas onto him, but NO—he is jealous! He’s all like, “If you like Lan Wangji so much, why don’t you marry him?” I mean, that basically happened. I’ve gone on about this before, but I love the tension between Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji, and the fact that it continues even after Wei Wuxian dies makes it even better. Jiang Cheng is so stubborn and continues to hold a grudge against Lan Wangji, and it bothers the fuck out of him that there’s someone out there devoted to Wei Wuxian, by whom Jiang Cheng feels so betrayed.

And, I mean, by this point, it’s already started. As soon as they get to the Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian starts paying more attention to Lan Wangji than he does to either Jiang Cheng or Jiang Yanli. And Jiang Cheng likes to say, “You’re worrying my sister, you’re hurting my sister” when he really means, “You’re worrying me.” His stupid pride gets in the way of having a good relationship with Wei Wuxian. And I don’t think Wei Wuxian would ever put Lan Wangji above Jiang Cheng, who he considers his family—at least not at this point. It’s not until the second half that things switch, and really, even then, in the CQL-verse, the two are probably equal in Wei Wuxian’s mind. He backs off from Jiang Cheng due to Jiang Cheng’s attitude toward him.

Okay, Jiang Cheng’s jealousy aside, I love how steadfast and supportive Wei Wuxian is of him. As soon as he catches on that Jiang Cheng is jealous, he immediately starts trash-talking the Cloud Recesses and talking up Lotus Pier. It’s very cute, very sweet. He’s a good brother to him, really.

Now who’s jealous? Just kidding. I love his wistful expression here, as he watches them go off. Anyone who’s read the book knows that Lan Wangji does get jealous at times and certainly frustrated with Wei Wuxian’s coquettish behavior. I would say he is more longing at this moment, maybe even wanting to get closer to Wei Wuxian, without really understanding why himself. There’s such an isolation to his world: even though he’s surrounded by other disciples, he doesn’t have any friends. He’s maybe regretting how quickly he refused to the invitation to Lotus Pier. I think, on the one hand, Lan Wangji has found one person in this world who not only shares a secret with him, but who has similar goals—on the other hand, his code of ethics are all over the place. His heart and mind are conflicted: he wants to get closer, but he doesn’t want to make the wrong decision. To his Gusu Lan Clan mind, Wei Wuxian is all wrong, but his heart says otherwise. And I’m not saying he loves him already—but he is already seeing a kindred spirit in Wei Wuxian, someone who he can rely on, someone he can trust, someone who has his back, even if it means bending a few rules. And in a relationship, you have nothing if you don’t have trust.

I never noticed that they were communicating telepathically here. Or something. I dunno. I guess it’s not that clear.

Also if it feels like I’m ignoring all these parts with the Wen Clan, it’s because I am. I mean, not really, but this is all the Yin Iron stuff that I don’t really care about. And I’m not in the Xue Yang fan club either, so I’m not going to spend time on him until he’s actually in it in Yueyang (possibly) and Yi City. Actually, confession: I’ve never watched the Yi City flashback episodes. I read it, so I know it, but I never watched it hahaha. I will this time around. I made that pact with myself.

AWWW, HE SMILED!!!

Ahem, excuse me. This is too fucking cute, though. The rabbit lantern that Wei Wuxian drew just for him, his cute baby smile, and the Wei Wuxian pointing it out with a grin. Cuteness overload—my heart can’t take it.

But I also had a sad thought that if Wei Wuxian hadn’t come over, Lan Wangji would be sitting here alone. He’d make his lantern all on his own, send it off into the sky, say his own prayer to himself, and never hear Wei Wuxian’s, which likely sends Lan Wangji over the edge with his feelings. Everything he thought about Wei Wuxian was true, and maybe it’s okay to like him, maybe it’s okay to consider him a friend, maybe it’s okay to trust him that way.

Just a shot that I liked. Enjoy.

I feel so bad for Jiang Yanli here. I also feel bad for Jin Zixuan, even though he’s a complete dick. I understand how they both feel here—to be tied to someone you don’t know, from the time you were small children is incredibly unfair in my eyes. That being said, I know this still happens in other parts of the world, and it’s implied that it’s common in our CQL/MDZS world (which would make sense, of course). I like the feeling of siding with Wei Wuxian, wanting to come to Jiang Yanli’s defense and protect her honor, while also still having an understanding of how Jin Zixuan must feel about the whole thing. His choice has been completely taken away. And he’s, what, 17 here? What 17-year-old boy wants to be reminded constantly about how he’s already engaged? It’s not typically a young man’s dream to settle down and get married—not that it can’t be! But the implication here, with all the girls tittering about it, is that they’re all excited about marriage, and he wants nothing to do with it. Of course, Jiang Yanli isn’t either. I think she really just wants to get to know him and spend time with him, before even thinking about marrying him.

Ah, a momentous occasion: the first time Lan Wangji tries to stop Wei Wuxian from getting himself into trouble (not counting the first time they met, when he was literally trying to police him while breaking Cloud Recesses rules). I like this shot, because you have Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji on either side of Wei Wuxian, and Jiang Yanli in the front, literally putting her body between him and Jin Zixuan (actually this parallels her final scene). It kind of shows the depths of their relationships (or at least what the director wants to show us). You have Lan Wangji, who grabs onto Wei Wuxian to try to stop him from further brawling; Jiang Cheng, who stands beside him, but isn’t really involved otherwise—standoffish, in a way; and then Jiang Yanli, who physically gets in the way. She’s the quintessential big sister. And I’m not saying Jiang Cheng doesn’t care—he does, but I think his first thought always has to do with the honor of the Jiang Clan and, while he’s standing beside Wei Wuxian, it’s almost as if he doesn’t want to show any involvement with this brawl, because that would look bad.

Ah, the old dudes meeting, while Jiang Cheng stands off to the side awkwardly, wondering if he should be there or not. At the outset, this meeting to decide their children’s future seemed kind of bad, but it actually turned out nice, with them agreeing to call off the engagement. Very progressive, I thought.

Two things I learned in this scene: Wei Wuxian doesn’t want to marry a woman and he doesn’t want to leave the Cloud Recesses yet (TL: he doesn’t want to leave Lan Wangji). He seriously looks so disappointed when she says they’re going home soon.

This feels like a mixture of “I’m worried about you” and “I don’t want to be left out.” We already know at this point that Wei Wuxian doesn’t want to leave the Cloud Recesses (more that he doesn’t want to leave Lan Wangji, because he doesn’t like all of the rules, obviously). He also is very interested in what’s happening with the Yin Iron, as he has also vowed to protect it with Lan Wangji. He is very perceptive—he knows something is happening, that Lan Wangji is going to go off on his own, and he wants to go with. It’s kind of hard to say if this is more out of duty or his adventurous spirit, but either way, he wants to help Lan Wangji.

“After his leave, things will be as quiet here as before.”

Look at how sad he is! The only person he considers a friend has just left, and at this point, he doesn’t know if he’ll ever see him again. It’s possible, sure, but then only at clan gatherings, and that’s if Wei Wuxian and Lang Wangji even happen to attend the same one. I believe we know from the book that Lan Wangji doesn’t typically attend gatherings (when he’s older), he often skips them. And Wei Wuxian isn’t necessarily important enough to even be invited, so he would have to be a guest of Jiang Cheng. Obviously we all know that they do go to gatherings and see each other again, but this is what I’d be thinking if I were Lan Wangji, okay? Like, when am I going to see him again? Will I ever see him again?

I leave you with a wholesome picture of Wei Wuxian and a rabbit. Also adorable that he contemplates bringing the bunnies back to Lotus Pier, but doesn’t because Lan Wangji might get lonely. MY HEART!

Other episodes: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

#wangxian #wei wuxian #lan wangji #jiang cheng #jiang yanli #jin zixuan #cql #the untamed #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #wwx #lwj #cql rewatch

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callanthea · 6 years

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MDZS Month Day 2 - Favorite Pairing: Xue Yang/Xiao Xingchen

Plenty of other wonderful people have covered the heartwarming and touching WangXian pairing, so I'm going to take a different approach for maximum angst.

I can already hear people looking at the title of this post with disbelief and suspicion: "what the hell, Xue Yang ruined Xiao Xingchen's life, how can anyone see them as anything close to a pairing?!"

Don't get me wrong--literally every bad thing that happened in Yi City was Xue Yang's fault. He is 100% a fiendishly evil character driven by selfishness and malice. When faced with any sort of pain, his first instinct is to inflict even more agony on the innocents around him. And I highly doubt Xiao Xingchen had any romantic thoughts towards him, even when they were living that peaceful lie together. (Heck, even if XXC did have any, they would have been harshly broken beyond repair after The Reveal).

But Xue Yang isn't motivated by hatred and revenge alone. It would be so so so much easier if he was.

If after the dissolution of that peaceful lie, he could happily return to wreaking his usual necromantic havoc without a care in the world.

If after Xiao Xingchen's death, he could rip apart the corpse and feed it to the dogs.

If he could use his masquerading skills to dirty Xiao Xingchen's name beyond repair.

If he could ensure Xiao Xingchen is forgotten by history as a complete failure.

If he could let Xiao Xingchen's shattered soul disperse to the four winds.

If he could let go of that last piece of candy as the rotten trash it was.

Yet Xue Yang couldn't.

That's what saves him from being an otherwise dime-a-dozen forgettable "vicious childlike villain" archetype.

But that sentiment, that regret, that love, is also what ends up serving as his most fitting punishment.

Xue Yang reminds me of Satan in Devilman Crybaby. A ruthless, callous, and unfeeling monster, who derides the very existence of compassion and empathy and selflessness and love. Only when it is far too late, does he discover he too had those true feelings all along.

I probably have some sadistic tendencies towards Xue Yang's character, because I have tons of fun imagining the best way to torture him in hell.

Make Xue Yang relive the events of Yi City over and over, making the same cruel decisions every time and losing Xiao Xingchen for them every time.

Make Xue Yang see what he could have been, if only he had met Xiao Xingchen at age 7 instead of Chang Ci'An.

Make Xue Yang wander the earth forever, in a futile quest to resurrect a man who rightfully hates him to the very core.

(See, a quick death was too merciful for him. Ahhh what beautifully perfect tortures, just thinking about it puts a smile on my face <3)

Because love, like any other powerful force, can also be used for pain and torment, for justice and punishment, for hope and redemption.

In the end, if there's one sentence I could use to perfectly sum up Xue Yang's character, it would be this: "A heartless demon whose only weakness was his heart."

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On a more lighthearted note... I also do like reciprocated romance between Xue Yang and Xiao Xingchen. I think it works best when XXC gets to see the whole situation and then accepts Xue Yang for all of who he is, while Xue Yang similarly accepts what he’s feeling is affection and, you know, gains at least a teensy bit of empathy to stop hurting people. This ends up being a somewhat similar dynamic to my beloved Luo Binghe/Shen Qingqiu from Scum Villain.

However, IMO the reciprocated pairing is 100% super duper impossible in the canon timeline. I do love me some sweet "future redemption" fics and “happier alternate-universe" fics though <3

#mdzs2018 #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #xue yang #grandmaster of demonic cultivation #gdc #xiao xingchen #xuexiao #xiaoxue

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katekyo-hitman-aus · 6 years

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au where Skull, Fong, and Reborn know each other beforehand

It was a tiny little baby in Fong’s arms. It was cute. And it was a monster, Fong decided as he tossed the baby to it’s mother. A high pitched shriek sounded from all the surrounding females of his life. Fong realized women were the most dangerous and could probably kill him by accident.

He sweated when he felt his mother’s stare behind him, her naturally long nails almost clawing Fong’s neck. Where was his father????

Yi-Sheng clicked her teeth in disapproval at Fong’s actions. Fong received many fan smacks the moment the purple baby was here.

Hours later, Fong was stuck with Changying, a girl who was only 11 months old and somehow liked him unlike other people.

The boy was pretty sure Changying was mad at him-as mad as a purple baby could get. But then when she saw Fong play with the other cousins, she cooed and banged her arms on the high chair for Fong. She could barely say anything in chinese except for Fong and fried dumplings. But she grew to be even more adorable, much to Fong’s horror. He didn’t need his friends picking on his little sister! He and Changying were considered the closest pair of cousins and doted on each other.

For example, they’d fall asleep over stupid shows and try to explore the streets of the city only for Fong to get wrecked by his own father and Changying quickly wailed when Fong got a bashing or two from their family.

Fong has never been so thankful for Changying. She was the one who’d always cry over her big Brother aka him, it literally changed his life. Life in this shitty shack never seemed better. And he’d eventually got the chance to learn martial arts for his crybaby cousin. Changying cried even more and he panicked.

But turns out it was tears of joy because Changying could actually defend herself. She couldn’t really fight though aside from knocking people out in one blow so Fong got even more tough training.

As years passed by, Fong and Changying both grew more subdued as a result of all the politics surrounding their family and eventually separated. Both still managed to find each other without saying anything though. 10 years later, Changying is back home with a wilted look in her pink jade eyes and dark hair that is roughly cut up to her shoulder blades.

Fong is wincing from all the deep bruising he’s received from his masters. Fong is now 14 years old.

He doesn’t notice her due to all the stinging cuts on his hands until a broken cry screams in rage. Fong’s eyes widen and all is not okay. Fong slumps his way to hug Changying, his rage boiling as he realizes that she is even more malnourished than he was at the age of 10 and that was when he was surviving on scraps.

“Big Brother! Who did this to you?” She cries, her head still pounding from the Man.

Fong grimly smiles and gently rubs off the dirt of her hands. Changying looks at him with narrowed eyes, a bit puffy from all the crying in the rain she did.

“No one but me.” “Bu-but-” “No one.”

That was the most scary Fong has been. Changying sniffles and buries her face into his stomach. Her stomach growled as she looks away.

“You seem hungry. Sit down.” He smiles. She knows that was a command.

She looks at the table, trying not to frown but does it when Fong gives her a warm bowl of soup. She smiles weakly at Fong and Fong scolds her for eating too fast.

“All you do after that is throw it back up Ying. Your stomach isn’t that prepared to eat a lot of food like you used to.” Fong spoonfeeds her the herbal soup, hands shaking.

Absentmindedly, she knows this isn’t right– it’s all messed up, she nearly chokes on the soup. But the China she knew years ago is forever gone. Fong puts down the spoon in order to feed himself too. Both siblings are suffering and they each tell their tale.

Changying’s been sold by her school teacher in order to make dues to the Chinese trade of slaves. Her owner let her loose when she couldn’t do anything within the first month and beat her. She had a friend but he died and had been fed to the wolves. Changying watched in a gilded cage in horror, tryng to break free and save him.

Her fingers burned as the wolves ate their last dinner and got shot with a short pistol. Nothing went right until she freed herself due to newbie guards. One of them pitied her enough to have 5 minutes of freedom. She went back to her house but she couldn’t find anything. The new residents just glared at her in fury and scorn.

She lowered her head into her knees and listened to Fong. Fong didn’t know how to start it but eventually, he told her everything.

“Mom and dad were killed. And then I joined the Underworld.” Changying looked at him, mortified for Fong and clung on to him as he reapplied his wrappings on his knees and patted Changying on the head.

“Fong! What happened to them?” She couldn’t believe it.

“Ying, they were pulled into some mafioso territory and got shot to death. No one even attended their funeral thanks to some threats I heard on the streets. But then I got thrown out onto the streets and started working for some Triad member. He’s dead now…” His voice got slightly distant. “Now I’m up to par with the spoiled brats that have more muscle mass and food. Of course I can kick their ass, I’m the disciple of one of the strictest tutors and this is him going easy.”

Changying’s eyes widened but she still furrowed her brows. “But what if they make you do something dangerous??? Like a suicide mission.” Her heart skipped a beat when she imagined it.

No home. Cue her hyperventilation.

A few hours later, she peacefully slept on the dirty mattress as Fong put on his slightly damp clothes on with a pair of new shoes (3 months??? He cleaned it everyday) and new socks that help him feel warmer at the speed he usually goes at in order to attend each Trial.

“Good night, Ying.” He gently placed a western coat over her shoulders.

On this foggy night, Fong could see a bonfire and drugs placed everywhere. He blanched when one of the newbies showed up with a bunch of illegal firecrackers in his pants.

The man bursts into sparks, howling in joy from the adrenaline. Fong angrily curses him out and everyone stares at Fong in amazement until Fong gets his face all bloodied by knuckledusters.

The other cronies laugh in a hypocritical way, stepping away from the leader with rapid steps and almost pissing their pants in one way or another. Fong tries to retaliate and happens to catch both arms but then Changying’s name is shouted. He slowly turns back-

He’s taken off guard and his face is buried into the dirt with 3 pairs on hands on his shoulders and hands.

Fong grit his teeth to stop himself from lashing against Triad members who caught word of his cousin’s arrival.

They jeer at him til morning comes and he is so tired, his braid isn’t even held in place anymore and it’s the one thing he thought they couldn’t mess up.

Changying opens the door the next morning to goad Fong into sleeping as she roughly rubs off the dark spots of dirt off his face and chest.

Changying pauses to get a new towel when she looks closer near his collarbone and sees a branding.

The world shakes even more as she finds more markings. Not her big Brother. Her fingernails grow exponentially longer with a tint of purple in the roots of her fingers.

She’s gone in an instant, stomping all around town to find the nearest Triad newbies; they slunk towards her, smelling like her previous…owner. She quickly scratches their eyes out, smiling when they cry as soon as her claws reach their collarbones and sets their shirt on fire.

That’s not much. By the end of everything, they’re curled up on the ground in pain, some even slowly rotting and the leader of it all is just sobbing and she could see his snot as he begs for her to stop everything.

Changying stops and he cries gratefully, spitting at those dying. But then it’s too late to save him as she strangles him slowly and throws him into the lid of an abandoned trash can. Most of the survivors are in a mess of blood and hide as soon as Fong smiles at them coldly when they recover in the hospital.

The Triads are pissed and instantly confront Fong about this for a large amount of time. Each time Fong smiles and says no, something always tackling the main confronter, mainly a few girls that grew fond of Changying’s skittish behaviour but eager affection when caught off guard. The butchers on the corner spit on the Triad’s fancy coats and Fong all welcomes them with poison dripping needles.

Fong instantly gains more power and Changying is thankful for all the towels and hygiene products they own and can trade with the other neighbourhoods for.

Changying eventually learns how to shop on her own when Fong is busy on a mission with the girls in a human trafficking ring. It’s a bit scary but the grumpy Italian man helps her. Her pink eyes flash a thank you in morse code.

He insists on showing her how to haggle with the perm haired ladies and balding grandfathers and shitty people. Changying grins and bows, her bag of goods in his hand.

“Want me to walk you home??”

Changying hopes Big Brother isn’t home yet and agrees. Ying doesn’t learn much besides he’s from South Italy but she barely knows where Italy is and just comments on how interesting he was. And she was telling the truth for once.

“It was nice meeting you, Renato!”

Renato tips his hat as a good bye and shoves the bags into her arms while he holds the rusty door open for her. “No problem little miss-” he dodges the incoming fist that is from a darkly smiling Fong.

“Renato.” “Fong.”

They both dance in the air, Renato cursing as he left all his weapons behind save for a smokescreen and Renato is backed into the corner but sweeps Fong’s knee with his right leg.

Fong is taken over for a few seconds and instantly stable once again when Changying screams bloody murder and throws the goddamn teacups at both males like she was a profession at shotput or something.

“Get in here.” She calmly smiles at the two. They both glance at each other, dubious. She glares once again.

They have no choice and they’re pushed into the tiny house. She inhales, smile twitching like her left eyebrow.

“Why the hell are YOU TWO FUCKING FIGHTING? FOR FUCKS SAKE FONG YOU JUST FOUGHT THE MAN THAT HELPED ME SHOP FOR OUR FOOD AND RENATO THATS MY COUSIN GOD DAMMIT. You’re all pissing me off.” Changying sighs and stabs her juice box so hard it nearly exploded.

…well then.

Fong and Renato both glance at each other, slightly disturbed by an angry Changying. Two bowls of fish land on their heads as she laughs her ass off.

“Considering I’m 14 and both of you are like what… 18-20?? Shouldn’t you guys be mature? You sound like you’ve met each other anyways. Tell me how you met.”

Renato and Fong never tell her that they were both assassinating a corrupt tea house lady that had a flesh eating chihuahua with 3 heads….

They hope Ying never finds out and 2 weeks later Renato visits yet again for the nth time.

Fong tries to shut him out but Ying’s broom gets in the way and she has a saucer of black coffee for him and white tea for her and Fong. Not much happens aside from jabs at each other and dark glares while Changying isn’t looking.

She usually gets used to it unless they ruin her books or any type of curtains. That shit is expensive my friend and she refuses to use Fong’s money. Changying is a bit stingy about that and insistent incase something bad happens in general and they needed the money.

Then it became worse when Renato started handing over wads of cash and Fong smirked at the exchange as Changying grew more done with her two big brother figures.

“Renato! Stop giving me money! I have enough so you should stop handing over your money or else you’ll go broke!”

“Darling, this is nothing compared to what my clients give me after my missions.”

“Missions?”

“Fong didn’t tell you?? I’m an independent hitman who has a decent footing with the people. I get brownie points too, you doof.”

Changying pouts but nods in agreement. “I’ve heard of the Triads doing that. Are you Mafia??”

“Si.”

“That’s yes right?”

“Yes, little one.” Reborn smiles in amusement before his phone goes off. He groans and kisses her on the forehead.

“Yes?” Reborn places his hand on his hip. Changying muffles her giggle into her mouth as Renato continues to sigh dramatically and swing his hips.

“Sorry little one, I gotta go thanks to a personal client.”

“Renato!” “Yeah?”

“You may be a killer, but at least you have more morals than some of the civilians I’ve met. Stay safe.. big brother!” She kisses his chin because she’s too short but still. It’s the thought that counts.

Renato walks out, inwardly realizing how adorable Changying is with her light pink eyes and a row of yellow or blue flowers in her purple flowy hair. And it’s natural.

Fong nods in understanding as Renato breaks down in the middle of the road, screaming obscurities to himself while everyone’s at the market. The locals at the shop laugh behind their backs, nodding in approval at Changying’s choices. The old ladies babble about how good of a boyfriend Renato would be. The old men grumble and pout as they scale the fish.

“We have to protect Changying….I understand why you ended up almost murdering me the first time I saw her. She’s a lot more innocent than most girls.”

Thus the protect Changying squad was formed.

Both of them were gone for a year. That was when Changying got into the most troublesome job, in Fong and Renato’s opinion.

Changying finished all her chores and hummed to herself, taking a decorative knife with her. She glanced at the mirror, covering it up with a striped piece of clothing. The house is so dark that you can barely spot the trap wires and she maneuvers herself around the colorful wires and jump over the round rug right below the ceiling.

“Morning Ying!” A boyish girl laughs at her as she squeals and the door shuts loudly. Changying glares at her.

“Jia!”

Jia laughed again, tightly gripping Changying’s bicep, successfully dragging her all the way in the middle of town. Changying sighed and took a seat next to an old lady. Pink eyes met playful dark blue eyes.

The brunette smiled at Changying, her slanted bangs covering one of her eyes, “Hey! Hey! Did you hear about the local Chinese folks tryna make a circus?”

Changying perks up at the unfamiliar word. Circus?

“Ehhhh?? Chanyi, you’ve never heard of a circus before??”

“Haha, no.” Changying blushes and smiles sheepishly. “I never really did anything really fun with people and I couldn’t do much by myself. I get lost easily haha.”

Jia frowns thoughtfully and decides, “I’m going to take you to it now! They’ve been practicing for a bit now. Maybe you can take some inspiration from it for your traps.”

Changying hums happily as she is once again, dragged for a while, mind racing to a certain time.

(Jia was her new friend she met by accident. She was Russian and Chinese, new in the town. Changying wouldn’t know what to do without Jia. Changying was a recluse after her brother figures left her. At first she refused but Jia dodged her traps. Now they work together to make things a lot harder for her asshole brother figures and thieves. Changying was so amazed by Jia’s enthusiam that they both did actual research on optical illusions and traps.)

Changying yelped as Jia hopped forward, lifting her legs up in a bridal style, dodging all the people screaming at them and 5 minutes later, she was able to focus on all the Chinese music bouncing off the streets and a red lantern floating over her. Children screaming around her ears,

Changying sighed and avoided all the people running all over the roads. Soon, an overwhelming sight greeted her as she pushed through the crowds of people and paper curtains everywhere. Her eyes widened when she saw the tent of circus performers. They looked so pretty!

Her eyes sparkled and Jia covered her eyes, trying not to get blinded.

A few days later; Changying slowly warmed up to the people, albeit shyly, and the others welcomed her.

A few weeks later, Changying was already part of the circus tent, slowly crawling onto a Liger. Her back arched slightly as she put the crown of bells on the Liger. She whimpered when the Liger growled, slightly shaking its body but Changying was immediately off the liger.

She smirked and took the sack of money from grumbling man in the back of the room. The liger didn’t care about them and just stared at Changying. She quickened her pace before anything else happene-

The door slammed, an angry dark skinned woman stomping her way over to the area, screaming for no reason and then the Liger ate her.

Everyone screamed bloody murder.

Well.

That was a thing, Changying smiled nervously. One of the acrobats patted her on the shoulder, replacing her blood stained sweater with a black and red cloak while smiling at her casually.

“Don’t worry about anything! Our animals eat a lot more flesh than normal people. But they recognize people’s behaviour and are designed to eat those who get in the way. We’re probably one of the most dangerous but safest in the area.”

Changying sighed, thinking to herself as they dressed her in accessories.

Of course Jia has to choose the most dangerous circus… I might as well join the chaos. Changying snapped back to reality and grinned with shark teeth.

Jia yelped, dropping her whip and red flats. She looked at the strange aura her friend emitted and tiptoed away with her belongs to the backstage.

“Jia~”

“YING WHAT THE FUC-” Jia got slapped

“Language!” Changying wagged her finger at Jia, who was fucking terrified. Who knew her best friend could travel 40 yards within the blink of an eye?

After Jia’s slight heart attack, they both got ready and Changying tightened her and Jia’s hairbuns and stuck in tiny pins.

Later that night, it was a successful show. Changying was a stunt performer who dabbled in fire acrobatics and Jia introduced everyone and was one of the many people who pulled out volunteers for several events.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for the show and we’d like to give out one more prize for 2 volunteers!” A huge amount of hands instantly waved to Jia, wanting something.

Jia grinned and yanked out an Italian man and the other man in a pure red chinese top. The Italian was fluent in Chinese and talked with the other man. Jia’s smile was a bit strained since they ignored her but then she yelped as Changying kicked her ribs softly.

“Changyi!!!” Jia whined, rubbing her sore stomach.

“Jiaaaaaa!” Changying giggled, secretly glaring at the two volunteers, as she hugged Jia. Jia blinked.

“You know them two?”

“Of course! They’re the big brother figures I talked about! The one in red is Fong and the one in black is Renato.”

Jia just gave the giant box of mooncakes and coin chocolate to both of them and announced the show’s end. Most people didn’t want to leave but then Jia swung her whip at the stubborn Triad members. Jia smirked as they squealed like babies.

“Jiaaa. Was it that neccessary?? Besides, I think they were flirting with the wrong girl.”

The brunette stared at her in disbelief, slowly twitching. “You’re the only girl who’s shorter than most people and you have purple hair and glow in the dark flower crowns….. I’m pretty sure they knew it waas you.”

Fong and Renato gave the trio of Triad members a death stare. They all shivered. Changying just smiled mysteriously.

“I’m sure there’s another girl!” She reasoned. “Maybe they thought I was new and wanted to help me…???”

“Just don’t.” Fong, Jia, and Renato’s voices deadpanned at Changying. When the brothers came home earlier, they were surprised by a bunch of pressure tile traps and etc. The whole house looked like a mess until Changying arrived and set the house on purple fire.

“How are you doing that??” Renato and Fong gaped.

“Oh uh…I may have almost died and apparently I have dying will flames…. Jia told me. She’s also part of the mafia like you two.”

Renato rolled his eyes and hugged Changying tightly. Fong waited for his turn.

They were all tired as fucK.

(notes: Skull is obviously Changying and she’s cousins with Fong. She’s an acrobat and that is a heart attack inducing occupation but as long as she’s happy and not dead, Renato and Fong are okay with it.Changying(skull)’s parents were dosed with mist flames when Changying got sold. They themselves have forgotten they had a family and the both split up, feeling distorted in their relationship. Renato is the 2nd heir to a mafioso family but ensures that he won’t become the head due to heavy security provided by his allies that he asked (blackmailed). He’s made it his goal to become a famous hitman. His old teacher used to be one of the best even if he was a spartan tutor. Renato has the personality of a brother who gives no shits about what he says in front of old ladies.Fong and Renato often meet each other by accident and they hate each other so much until Changying(skull) makes them get along due to existing :)Jia is just a random background character that’s a very sneaky lady. She’s slightly older than Changying and has an obsession for cute things. Changying doesn’t know this thankfully. Jia may or may not keep every article that Changying has given her throughout the year. Jia is a scholar and went here on a whim. She’s very rich but very cheap about many things excluding food or necessities.and Changying is very very innocent as stated in this au fic. Not much to say about the cinnamon roll except that she could kill people if she wanted to but she has too much self restraint and would have the strength of a marshmallow if not for her acrobatics regime along with helping everyone in her neighbourhood out. She stronk lmao. Only bends over for people she really likes. Knows like people who see her everyday and won’t remember the time she accidentally saved an important man’s life and got a bunch of raises in her old job. Has the best luck in the world when it comes to shoot outs in China. She nearly died thanks to a bullet and that’s how she ended up activating purple flames. thank you for readingggggggg :DDDDD)ps: idk why I do this lmaooo. Fem skull is one of my aesthetics :)

#Skull Fon and Reborn Meet First AU #khr #katekyo hitman reborn #katekyo hitman aus #reborn khr #skull khr #fon khr #katekyo hitman fics #fem!skull #submission

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obscurebooks · 6 years

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Recommend Books with mysteries that have shocking conclusions. Looking for something that is NOT a plot twist but a unsettling mystery that slowly builds as the book continues. Where the characters are not aware of the mystery in beginning, but the reader notices. Maybe set in the future/dystopian, where characters don't understand why they are in certain situation. Less action more dialogue, with heavy themes and symbolism. Basically looking for something like the anime Darling in the Franxx.

Okay, sooooo let’s see. I’m good with mysteries, but most of them are modern or historical and most realise they’re solving a mystery to begin with. BUT, I have access to awesome databases that can help me narrow some things down for you so, here are some 3-5 star reviewed books that cover dystopian mystery. If you like them, come back and review them for me so we can let others know what you thought!

“The Forever Watch” by David RamirezDuring the thousand-year journey of the spaceship Noah, passengers live in a massive artificial city, purchasing memories of everyday sensations while doing their part to create the next generation of settlers. After telekinetic bureaucrat Hana Dempsey awakens from her nine-month compulsory “breeding duty,” gestating offspring she’ll never meet, she struggles to rejoin society. It’s only after Peace Officer Leon Barrens requests her assistance in solving a string of baffling murders that Hana shakes off her depression and begins to ask uncomfortable questions about Noah’s mission and the human civilization they’ve left behind. Part science fiction mystery, part dystopian thriller, The Forever Watch places well-drawn characters in a circumscribed, yet richly detailed setting and follows their journey from innocence to understanding to agents of their own fates. – Description by Gillian Speace.

“The Man With the Compound Eyes” by Ming-Yi Wu“The English-language debut of an exciting new award-winning voice from Taiwan–a stunning novel that is at once fantasy, reality, and dystopian environmental saga, in which the lives of two people from very different worlds intertwine under the shadow of a man-made catastrophe. On the mythical island of Wayo-Wayo, young Atile'i has just seen his 180th full moon and, following the tradition of his people, is sent out alone into the vast Pacific as a sacrifice to the Sea God. Just when it seems that all hope is lost, he happens upon a new home–a vast island made of trash. Meanwhile, in Taiwan, Alice, a professor of literature, is preparing to commit suicide following the disappearance of her husband and son. But her plans are put on hold when the trash island collides with the Taiwan coast where Alice lives. Her home is destroyed, but meeting Atile'i gives her life new meaning as they set out to solve the mystery of her lost family. Drawing in the narratives of others impacted by the disaster–Alice’s friends and neighbors, environmentalists from abroad, the mysterious man with compound eyes–the novel tells an enthralling, surreal story of the known–and unknown–world around us”–.

“The Dying Game” by Asa Avdic“In the not-too-distant future, a group of carefully chosen people spends 48 hours on a remote Swedish island engaged in what at first seems like an exercise but turns into a high-stakes test of survival and betrayal.It’s 2037, and the world is shockingly different yet terrifyingly the same: there’s been another Cold War, and, at least in the Protectorate of Sweden, loyalty to the all-powerful government is paramount. Anna Francis, recently back from a soul-sucking assignment in remote Kyzyl Kum, is as chilly as a Stockholm winter, a distant mother who leaves her 9-year-old daughter with relatives more often than she sees her. In the well-worn tradition of “just this one last time” that never ends well, she’s approached by the Chairman to participate in the top-secret RAN project, not as an actual member but as a quasi-spy. As if Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None was cross-pollinated with “The Most Dangerous Game,” Anna is charged with observing a small group of hand-selected Swedes for two days on the island of Isola; that is, until she’s meant to fake her own murder and disappear into the walls of the compound to watch how the others respond to the “crime."”

“The Bone Season” by Samantha ShannonPaige Mahoney is a Dreamwalker, a rare type of clairvoyant employed by the Seven Seals, the powerful criminal syndicate that operates within a dystopian 21st-century London controlled by the Scion government. When she’s captured by Scion agents and turned over to the otherworldly Rephaim, Paige – renamed XX-59-40 – ends up in Sheol I, a prison camp where she and her fellow "voyants” will be trained to battle the flesh-eating Emim. Placed under the guardianship of Arcturus, Warden of the Mesarthim, Paige must develop her gifts if she wants to survive, let alone escape. This fast-paced, action-packed fantasy boasts extensive world-building, a complex system of magic, and a well-developed cast of characters. - Description by Gillian Speace.

“Arcadia” by Iain PearsSpanning multiple worlds, this stylistically complex, yet accessible, novel tracks the intersecting lives of several characters. There’s Henry Lytten, a 1960s Oxford scholar; Angela Meersen, a “psychomathematician” from a dystopian future world who has discovered a method of accessing parallel universes; and Jay, a precocious young man from Anterworld, a universe created by Meersen based on Lytten’s writings – an “Arcadia” visited by Rosie Wilson, an otherwise ordinary British teenager who can travel between dimensions. – Description by Gillian Speace.

#book recommendations #may1230422 #fiction #dystopian #mystery #diverse authors #science fiction #samantha shannon #iain pears #asa avdic #ming-yi wu #david ramirez

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inbasements · 7 years

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Q/R out now on Mélodies Souterraines

Perched on a spiked fence between industrial, punk and electro , “Q/R”, the new compilation from the shady Mélodies Souterraines label is pushing forth with a razored tenacity.

The label, with a focussed, yet open mind has been emitting the large and harsh side of electronic music since the gritty Y/Z compilation released back in April 2016. Mélodies Souterraines is originating directly from cold water current whose velocity can impact humans and make them join the depths.

I caught up with the label Bossman Saulk to talk Q/R and sonic sustenance.

1)The tracks on Q/R come from artists of far flung years, reissues, and debuts, it’s no timestamped compilation by any means. The ‘introduction to a psychedelic world of fear’ puts it in a certain menace, is fear the unifying theme here?

Fear is something we (humans) all have inside the deepest of us, it's something quite personal but if we walk and feel the collective emotions... We conclued we are all invaded by. Thinking to this release and artist who illustrated it; A. Blokdijk, the emerging atmosphere is different, kind of mysterious and mad one, but all taking life with an very tempered attitude. We can define that as the meeting point. Denis Frajerman (member of The Blizzard Sow) was an important figure in the french underground circuits mid 90's, performing solo or with Palo Alto, he composed many experimental pieces that people can't define, simply because it's not common to the "general" music vocabulary, it's free. Beta Evers emerged alone around 16 years old with a punk 7" (as Pervers, in 1984), then, 15 years later she launched the most important label for new generation : Kommando 6. Linking electro,new wave and industrial music, her tastes conducts to raise talented people like Luke Eargoggle, Umwelt, Le Syndicat Electronique and particulary unknown names you'll search by yourself on discogs. This is how the label is construct, you have to find it, and to search what you're listenning, because there are stories, long ones.

2)Reissuing tracks from Chen Yi, like the track Rug that can be found here, how did this come about, it’s vicious cut from a curious group, how was chasing down the reissue?

Ok, yes, Chen Yi ... The track which defined the atmosphere of that 5th opus, "Q/R" release. Basically heard it at local radio and not reacted to it. It's only after having heard it alone, late at night, that all took place. Won't talk a lot, but that's old from 1982 , this is quite unique for that date even if the biggest new wave bands already emerged. The energy is quite rough, quite dark. It sounds very personnal. Not sure about the lyrics, but that energy, that spirit of the song make him incredible. Robert Schalinski, founder of 90% Wasser and member of Column One permitted to reissue it after some discuss, i'm very thankful because this guy defends the collective approach in art but also a large dark n' industrial universe since 90's.

3) The dialogue of past and present is evident on the record, How do you think the two relate, do you think it’s important to look back when thinking ahead?

Science is in constant development, medicinal search also while neuro-science discovers are growing. But, today is hard when we talk about creativity in art. Musically ... This is quite hard, we are young and we have so many informations, record stores are fighting all days to sell vinyles ... Specialized ones are mostly closed. There is Youtube. Vinyl is now for young people ,old junkies, collectors or musicians, no more for the masses. Here is the first link; Mélodies Souterraines releases vinyles to remember that consumming music is an engagement between the musician and yourself. So, we engage the past and today because there is nothing new. We are not developing new ways of creating or sharing our emotions. Individualism is present, people are going in club not in an uniting goal. Ask someone what is a DJ, answer will be : "I'm.". Sorry, not really answering, here is the answer : past is inspiring the present, so why don't unite both ?

4) The mission statement of Mélodies Souterraines to impact humans and make them join the underground reads almost politicaly. Can you tell us about where at what impacted you back in the early days of the label.

Nothing political here, never. Jeff Mills, Mad Mike, The Hacker, Malaria!, Kraftwerk, Guy Tavares, Dopplereffekt, Aphex Twin, Robert Rental are artists who made me understood what electronic music is : Mental, trash, science and ... an engagement for life. The goal is to put the human (vinyl buyer: listener or player) at the center of the story, he buys and becomes actor in the short adventure the label is developing. If he interacts, the label gonna live, if not, we will disappear. Thanks to Wild Aspect, Iker , Ohb & "Le Cinéma Préhistorique" for being around, without these people the city seems to be empty.

5)My idea of the artwork by Anthony Blokdijk, it is dry and mechanical, but still retaining a vitality. Maybe like the music inside , its a lot more kinetic and reactive than some other types of present day Electronic music. With a healthy grounding of Punk and Industrial, it seems this music has a rowdy, human twang to it. There is soul in the music, direct and live beneath the metal and wires. That’s my own idea, Can you to give a bit of information about the artwork?

Anthony Blokdijk, (Salo Mentale) is a long date activist and pathfounder of Den Haag (an empty city with charismatic actors), drummer and founder of collective labels mid 90's, he is a poet, he knows how to express feelings via all kind of forms. Learn more about him by yourself. But, to close, this painting reflects different beauties of spirit, different approachs of human ... And certainly the music you can hear on that record. I can't tell more. Artwork is as strong as the music. Lot of respect to Anthony, forever.

6) What can we expect from Mélodies Souterraines in the Wintertime?

Andrei Orlov made the first release of the new label, Musiques Electroniques Actuelles, focused on actual producers approachs. More cosmic, you can situate the EP somewhere between Tangerine Dream, Conrad Schnitzler and Rudiger Lorenz, it includes an reinterpretation by Le Chocolat Noir. Mélodies Souterraines is sleeping when winter arrive... But Saulk like cold weather, he is for sure walking around that rue D... Trying to access to the door of infinity.

7) Final words?

Final words are floating ... Art is the most honnest and sincere way of expression. Whatever you do, if you feel it, do it. Only one rule : Passion talks, don't search the success. Let's talk about the local scene. Would mention LYL Radio for the long and big fight, an local online station where you can find extremely good monthly radioshows, from all kind of music and with most interesting label heads of the era (to connect : lyl.live ) . Thanks to all artists and people who trust in the project, it gives to him some sense and a curious, silencious approach.

Q/R is now available to purchase from their bandcamp and various brick and morter record stores around Europe.

#Mélodies Souterraines #electro #ebm #synth #wave #new wave #no wave #techno #industrial #punk #neud photo #features #interviews

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