Goddess of Mercy

Never let it be said, there's no place like home

[psyknife]

                                                   No... I am sick of being used.

                                I am sick of being a tool... a weapon--I'm not an object.

                        I'm not a jewel, a flower or a piece of art for you to collect.

               Independent & semi-selective Kwannon, mostly adhering to Earth-616.

[sstartwork]

[kamenriderryukisurvivesworld]

[nthomasartist]

Kwannon - Psylocke

did a bit of smaller picture her a little while back and knew it was time to do a more full outfit look for her :)!

Twitter | Instagram | Bluesky

[spectracle]

look, ‎ ‎ ‎ as ‎ ‎ ‎ a ‎ ‎ ‎ stage ‎ ‎ ‎ performer ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ global ‎ ‎ ‎ superstar, ‎ ‎ ‎ dazzler ‎ ‎ ‎ knows ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ importance ‎ ‎ ‎ of ‎ ‎ ‎ build-ups, ‎ ‎ ‎ priming, ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ communication. right ‎ ‎ ‎ now, ‎ ‎ ‎ though, ‎ ‎ ‎ she ‎ ‎ ‎ kind ‎ ‎ ‎ of ‎ ‎ ‎ … ‎ ‎ ‎ can’t ‎ ‎ ‎ do ‎ ‎ ‎ that. ‎ ‎ ‎ lives ‎ ‎ ‎ are ‎ ‎ ‎ on ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ stake, ‎ ‎ ‎ she’s ‎ ‎ ‎ going ‎ ‎ ‎ to ‎ ‎ ‎ die, ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ multiverse ‎ ‎ ‎ might ‎ ‎ ‎ as ‎ ‎ ‎ well ‎ ‎ ‎ collapse ‎ ‎ ‎ for ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ hell ‎ ‎ ‎ of ‎ ‎ ‎ it ‎ ‎ ‎ while ‎ ‎ ‎ life ‎ ‎ ‎ is ‎ ‎ ‎ at ‎ ‎ ‎ it. ‎ ‎ ‎ so ‎ ‎ ‎ in ‎ ‎ ‎ other ‎ ‎ ‎ words, ‎ ‎ ‎ a ‎ ‎ ‎ tuesday ‎ ‎ ‎ in ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ life ‎ ‎ ‎ of ‎ ‎ ‎ alison ‎ ‎ ‎ jolene ‎ ‎ ‎ blaire. she’ll ‎ ‎ ‎ bulldoze ‎ ‎ ‎ through ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ walls ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ cut ‎ ‎ ‎ to ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ chase ‎ ‎ ‎ kool-aid ‎ ‎ ‎ man ‎ ‎ ‎ style ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ dearly ‎ ‎ ‎ hope ‎ ‎ ‎ her ‎ ‎ ‎ telepathic ‎ ‎ ‎ friend ‎ ‎ ‎ can ‎ ‎ ‎ fill ‎ ‎ ‎ in ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ gaps. “look, ‎ ‎ ‎ kwannon, ‎ ‎ ‎ you’re ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ best ‎ ‎ ‎ person ‎ ‎ ‎ for ‎ ‎ ‎ this, ‎ ‎ ‎ trust ‎ ‎ ‎ me,” ‎ ‎ ‎ manicured ‎ ‎ ‎ hands ‎ ‎ ‎ on ‎ ‎ ‎ kwannon’s ‎ ‎ ‎ shoulders ‎ ‎ ‎ for ‎ ‎ ‎ emphasis, ‎ ‎ ‎ because ‎ ‎ ‎ alison ‎ ‎ ‎ cannot ‎ ‎ ‎ stress ‎ ‎ ‎ this ‎ ‎ ‎ enough ‎ ‎ ‎ under ‎ ‎ ‎ these ‎ ‎ ‎ stressful ‎ ‎ ‎ circumstances. ‎ ‎ ‎ “it’s ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ best ‎ ‎ ‎ idea ‎ ‎ ‎ because ‎ ‎ ‎ there’s ‎ ‎ ‎ no ‎ ‎ ‎ other ‎ ‎ ‎ way ‎ ‎ ‎ - ‎ ‎ ‎ sort ‎ ‎ ‎ of. ‎ ‎ ‎ you’re ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ closest ‎ ‎ ‎ person ‎ ‎ ‎ i ‎ ‎ ‎ can ‎ ‎ ‎ trust ‎ ‎ ‎ wholly, ‎ ‎ ‎ my ‎ ‎ ‎ team ‎ ‎ ‎ trusts ‎ ‎ ‎ you, ‎ ‎ ‎ the ‎ ‎ ‎ x-men ‎ ‎ ‎ would ‎ ‎ ‎ take ‎ ‎ ‎ you ‎ ‎ ‎ seriously, ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ to ‎ ‎ ‎ be ‎ ‎ ‎brutally ‎ ‎ ‎ honest, ‎ ‎ ‎ i ‎ ‎ ‎ can’t ‎ ‎ ‎ think ‎ ‎ ‎ under ‎ ‎ ‎ pressure ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ i ‎ ‎ ‎ can’t ‎ ‎ ‎ think ‎ ‎ ‎ of ‎ ‎ ‎ anybody ‎ ‎ ‎ else ‎ ‎ ‎ to ‎ ‎ ‎ ask.” “best ‎ ‎ ‎ case ‎ ‎ ‎ scenario; ‎ ‎ ‎ we ‎ ‎ ‎ won’t ‎ ‎ ‎ have ‎ ‎ ‎ to ‎ ‎ ‎ use ‎ ‎ ‎ any ‎ ‎ ‎ of ‎ ‎ ‎ these ‎ ‎ ‎ safety ‎ ‎ ‎ nets ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ my ‎ ‎ ‎ death ‎ ‎ ‎ count ‎ ‎ ‎ stays ‎ ‎ ‎ at ‎ ‎ ‎ nine ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ you ‎ ‎ ‎ don’t ‎ ‎ ‎ have ‎ ‎ ‎ to ‎ ‎ ‎ waste ‎ ‎ ‎ your ‎ ‎ ‎ time ‎ ‎ ‎ on ‎ ‎ ‎ me ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ we ‎ ‎ ‎ all ‎ ‎ ‎ have ‎ ‎ ‎ a ‎ ‎ ‎ nice ‎ ‎ ‎ day. ‎ ‎ ‎ worst ‎ ‎ ‎ case ‎ ‎ ‎ scenario…” ‎ ‎ ‎ she ‎ ‎ ‎ exhales ‎ ‎ ‎ slow ‎ ‎ ‎ and ‎ ‎ ‎ deep, ‎ ‎ ‎ even ‎ ‎ ‎ when ‎ ‎ ‎ she ‎ ‎ ‎ feels ‎ ‎ ‎ too ‎ ‎ ‎ restless ‎ ‎ ‎ for ‎ ‎ ‎ either. ‎ ‎ ‎ “i’d ‎ ‎ ‎ rather ‎ ‎ ‎ have ‎ ‎ ‎ one ‎ ‎ ‎ lifeline ‎ ‎ ‎ so ‎ ‎ ‎ i’m ‎ ‎ ‎ not ‎ ‎ ‎ completely ‎ ‎ ‎ trapped, ‎ ‎ ‎ no ‎ ‎ ‎ matter ‎ ‎ ‎ what. ‎ ‎ ‎ no ‎ ‎ ‎ one ‎ ‎ ‎ has ‎ ‎ ‎ to ‎ ‎ ‎ save ‎ ‎ ‎ me, ‎ ‎ ‎ just ‎ ‎ ‎ — ‎ ‎ ‎ keep ‎ ‎ ‎ that ‎ ‎ ‎ door ‎ ‎ ‎ open ‎ ‎ ‎ for ‎ ‎ ‎ me ‎ ‎ ‎ so ‎ ‎ ‎ i ‎ ‎ ‎ can ‎ ‎ ‎ crawl ‎ ‎ ‎ out. ‎ ‎ ‎ know ‎ ‎ ‎ what ‎ ‎ ‎ i ‎ ‎ ‎ mean?” ‎ ‎ ‎ god, ‎ ‎ ‎ stress ‎ ‎ ‎ really ‎ ‎ ‎ cramps ‎ ‎ ‎ her ‎ ‎ ‎ metaphor ‎ ‎ ‎ game; ‎ ‎ ‎ she ‎ ‎ ‎ hopes ‎ ‎ ‎ kwannon ‎ ‎ ‎ doesn’t ‎ ‎ ‎ see ‎ ‎ ‎ this ‎ ‎ ‎ as ‎ ‎ ‎ a ‎ ‎ ‎ reflection ‎ ‎ ‎ of ‎ ‎ ‎ dazzler’s ‎ ‎ ‎ songwriting ‎ ‎ ‎ abilities, ‎ ‎ ‎ good ‎ ‎ ‎ grief.

[psyknife]

Reliable, she had been called plenty of times. Give her a task and she would see it through to the end, unless she had a better reason for not doing so. Responsibility, Kwannon could handle, especially when it came to taking charge of a team. She was better at seeing all of the details more than most. But this... She didn't like her choice of words. "Saving a life is never a waste of time," Kwannon replied grimly, her hand gripped tight to Alison's shoulder. Even with the number of times all of that had pretty much "died," there was no reason to throw it away like it was another Tuesday. "I will accept your trust in me. As long as you promise to try and come back. No giving up because 'it gets too hard.' Or so help me, I will come after you, and you won't like that very much."

[legion-transcendent]

   David doesn’t block. He ducks and backs up. An instinct forged from being surrounded by guys bigger and stronger than him taking over. An instinct to duck, weave and get the Hell out of reach as quickly as possible. He heard her words, that mention of being on the defensive. Logic told him this is a safe space, a place to train and learn, but the moment Kwannon swung that pad at him all that instinct took hold. Even now, his posture stays low and crouched. Fingers clawed.

   It takes him a second to realise what he’s done and when he does, he feels his features heat up in embarrassment. He straightens, a hand rising to rub at the back of his neck.

   “Fuck, sorry. Kinda … kinda just followed my instinct there,” he says, giving a sheepish grimace. “Not used to blocking. Most folk who’ve tried to hit me would knock me down regardless o’ me blockin’ or not.” He gestures to himself. “Lack o’ paddin’. Y’ know?”

[psyknife]

Kwannon was honestly surprised at his reaction, believing that he was more used to throwing his mind around than engaging in anything physical. To see his reflexes at work... He was better than he realized. "Don't apologize. And that's nothing to be embarrassed about. Being on the defensive also entails avoiding being hit, so it's not like you got the lesson wrong." She smacked the pads together in thought. His speed, she could definitely work with, especially if he was fast enough to avoid a hit. Blocking used up a lot more energy than people realized. "How about we try that again? I want to see how fast you really are. If that's okay with you, of course." She held up the pads again, and waited for his approval. If he agreed, she would take another swing, though with a bit more power behind it this time.

[spectracle]

that‎ ‎ ‎ elicits‎ ‎ ‎ a‎ ‎ ‎ quiet‎ ‎ ‎ chuckle‎ ‎ ‎ from‎ ‎ ‎ the‎ ‎ ‎ polarising‎ ‎ ‎ popstar,‎ ‎ ‎ who‎ ‎ ‎ is‎ ‎ ‎ also‎ ‎ ‎ familiar‎ ‎ ‎ with‎ ‎ ‎ her‎ ‎ ‎ starry‎ ‎ ‎ version‎ ‎ ‎ of‎ ‎ ‎ living‎ ‎ ‎ rent-free‎ ‎ ‎ in‎ ‎ ‎ people’s‎ ‎ ‎ heads,‎ ‎ ‎ to‎ ‎ ‎ say‎ ‎ ‎ the‎ ‎ ‎ least. “in‎ ‎ ‎ a‎ ‎ ‎ way,‎ ‎ ‎ sure,‎ ‎ ‎ it‎ ‎ ‎ sounds‎ ‎ ‎ cool,‎ ‎ ‎ like‎ ‎ ‎ ‘genetic‎ ‎ ‎ pariah’‎ ‎ ‎ and‎ ‎ ‎ ‘freaks‎ ‎ ‎ of‎ ‎ ‎ nature’‎ ‎ ‎ or‎ ‎ ‎ whatever‎ ‎ ‎ the‎ ‎ ‎ antis‎ ‎ ‎ try‎ ‎ ‎ to‎ ‎ ‎ insult‎ ‎ ‎ us‎ ‎ ‎ mutants‎ ‎ ‎ with,”‎ ‎ ‎ she‎ ‎ ‎ replies,‎ ‎ ‎ casual‎ ‎ ‎ and‎ ‎ ‎ conversational,‎ ‎ ‎ pausing‎ ‎ ‎ briefly‎ ‎ ‎ to‎ ‎ ‎ let‎ ‎ ‎ her‎ ‎ ‎ bubblegum‎ ‎ ‎ balloon‎ ‎ ‎ up,‎ ‎ ‎ only‎ ‎ ‎ for‎ ‎ ‎ it‎ ‎ ‎ to‎ ‎ ‎ snap‎ ‎ ‎ out‎ ‎ ‎ with‎ ‎ ‎ a‎ ‎ ‎ light‎ ‎ ‎ pop‎ ‎ ‎ anyway.‎ ‎ ‎ “but‎ ‎ ‎ if‎ ‎ ‎ i’m‎ ‎ ‎ bein’‎ ‎ ‎ honest,‎ ‎ ‎ like‎ ‎ ‎ really‎ ‎ ‎ honest?‎ ‎ ‎ edgy‎ ‎ ‎ cloaked‎ ‎ ‎ skeletons‎ ‎ ‎ are‎ ‎ ‎ the‎ ‎ ‎ most‎ ‎ ‎ ‘grim‎ ‎ ‎ reapery’‎ ‎ ‎ to‎ ‎ ‎ me‎ ‎ ‎ —‎ ‎ ‎ blame‎ ‎ ‎ it‎ ‎ ‎ on‎ ‎ ‎ the‎ ‎ ‎ cartoons‎ ‎ ‎ i‎ ‎ ‎ grew‎ ‎ ‎ up‎ ‎ ‎ with.”

[psyknife]

"That sounds a lot more dramatic than it should be. You'd see one coming from a mile away. Looking like a normal person, however..." All her life, it had been easy for Kwannon to slip into places she needed to be but wasn't allowed to go, delivering her own brand of death to those who "deserved" it. "Scythes, in my experience, are also pretty unwieldy. Especially in an alleyway. Not my first weapon of choice."

[dayzarisn]

@psyknife

blade moved through the foul guts of the alley, his boots silent, save for the few puddles he stepped across. even with the dead weight he carried. kwannon’s body was slung across his chest, as if she didn’t weigh anything at all, leather coat creaking, one arm locked across her knees, the other across her back.

the bitter taste of miswak and his special formula filled his cheek and gums, holding hunger at bay while the scent of kwannon’s blood filled the air, copper and crushed orchids. It was she who spoke, voice tight with pain and that razor edge to her attitude that he found he kind of respected.

blade’s mouth twisted, not quite a smile, but close, a creature scenting blood traversing the wind.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀“ you a little too messed up right now to be talking shit, ain't you? ” his voice was low, gravel and dry smoke, the kind that came from too many nights chewing on worse things than insults.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀“ don't forget i can drop you here. ❞ he didn’t slow down, didn’t change his hold. just kept cutting through the dark like the alley owed him money, crimson lenses catching the faint glow of distant streetlights. her blood was already drying on his glove, warm and sticky against the leather.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀“ you were twitchin’ like road kill back there. figured the corner was safer than catchin’ a stray round between those pretty eyes. ” he looked down at her for just long enough for her to see amusement, and the boredom with the complaint.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀“ but next time I’ll practice the good samaritan laws by the letter and ask permission before I save your ass. ” his thumb pressed once against her side, not gentle, just checking the wound without making a show of it. the night swallowed them both, and blade never lost a trail—even when the trail was mouthy and bleeding all over his new trench coat.

[psyknife]

"In my experience, it's better to 'talk shit' and pass the time remaining conscious that letting blood loss take me, no? You'll have to worry less about whether I'm a corpse or not, so despite how annoying this may be for you, I'm doing you a favour," Kwannon managed through the pain. She was fueling her energy to staying angry so that she could remain awake. Because the thought of being unconscious... "A bullet in the head or the chance of landing on dirty needles, a rusty garbage can lid, and rat feces. I'll take what's behind door number five, Bob..." Uh oh. She was partly aware of the strange words that slipped out, her brow furrowing with both confusion and worry. That was not a memory of hers, which meant that things were not as alright as she thought they were. "I think... I'm going to throw up..."

[spectracle]

alison‎ ‎ shrugs.‎ ‎ “isn’t‎ ‎ that‎ ‎ true‎ ‎ of‎ ‎ everybody ‎ anyway,‎ ‎ philosophically‎ ‎ speakin’?‎ ‎ nobody’s‎ ‎ just‎ ‎ their‎ ‎ worst‎ ‎ times ‎ or‎ ‎ who ‎ they‎ ‎ were‎ ‎ before‎ ‎ they‎ ‎ knew‎ ‎ any‎ ‎ better,‎ ‎ yanno‎ ‎ —‎ ‎ like‎ ‎ when‎ ‎ i‎ ‎ think‎ ‎ of‎ ‎ my‎ ‎ time‎ ‎ in‎ ‎ LA?‎ ‎ boy,‎ ‎ what‎ ‎ a‎ ‎ piece‎ ‎ of‎ ‎ f*#&in’‎ ‎ work‎ ‎ i‎ ‎ was‎ ‎ –”

“–and‎ ‎ am,‎ ‎ but‎ ‎ anyhow,‎”‎ ‎ dazzler‎ ‎ sighs,‎ ‎ before‎ ‎ glancing‎ ‎ the‎ ‎ other’s‎ ‎ way.‎ ‎ “i’m‎ ‎ the‎ ‎ last‎ ‎ person‎ ‎ qualified‎ ‎ to‎ ‎ be‎ ‎ the‎ ‎ judge‎ ‎ of‎ ‎ anybody’s‎ ‎ character, ‎ but‎ ‎ i‎ ‎ know‎ ‎ who‎ ‎ i‎ ‎ want‎ ‎ to‎ ‎ be‎ ‎ friends‎ ‎ with,‎ ‎ and‎ ‎ you’re‎ ‎ high‎ ‎ up‎ ‎ that‎ ‎ list,‎ ‎ kwannon.‎ ‎ as‎ ‎ you‎ ‎ are,‎ ‎ now.”

[psyknife]

This had less to do with her transition from youth to adulthood, and more to do with the things she'd been made to do... and that she went along with. Because she didn't know anything else. Even now, with the experiences of other options, she still resorted to the same things, because it was simply what she was good at. But she wasn't going to explain or dispute the other's opinion. That could come across as too self-deprecating. "Lucky for you that loyalty's a second skin for me." Her expression lightened, possibly even into a smile. "From the sounds of it, there's probably nothing I can say to convince you otherwise at this point. So, for once, you've managed to defeat me somehow. A first in my book."

[legion-transcendent]

   “I know how that is,” he says with a deep, tired sigh. His shoulders sag, like a weight has settled on them. “Every time I get in a good place mentally, I get so fuckin’ anxious. Just constantly lookin’ out for the next thing to send me spiralling all over again. The next thing to break me and cause me to go nuclear. Makes it real hard to really utilise the good days, y’ know? It’s no way to live but it’s hard to get outta that mindset when you’ve been wired for survival for so long.”

   He really does understand. He’s been in survival mode since he was eight. Surviving a terrorist attack. Surviving in an institution practically designed to be a living Hell. Surviving his own seething mind. Even surviving his own father’s attempts to control him. Everything is a threat. Everyone is a threat. Makes it difficult to live and it’s something he’s trying to work through. Trying but not always succeeding.

   “Hey, there’s nothin’ wrong with that,” he continues, not wanting to make her feel bad. “You’re honest with y’ thoughts and y’ blunt. It’s not a bad thing. Can be refreshin’ being around someone not willing to tip toe around other people’s bullshit. I think y’ need someone who will listen to you. Better than keepin’ all the negativity inside.”

[psyknife]

Heavy is the hand that wields the knife. She should talk to someone, anyone who would listen, but what would any of them have to offer other than platitudes and shifting blame so that she became more of a victim of circumstances? "You are probably one of the few to consider my opinions 'refreshing.' Though that's not the word most people use." Confrontational was more like it. Or playing Devil's Advocate. She was the machete that cut down the bush instead of beating around it. "Thankfully, I have other means of getting the negativity out. Nothing to do with words, of course." She was pretty sure she didn't need to elaborate. "And you? How do you get the negativity out?"

[psyknife]

@spectracle: if anything happens to me, i gave them your number.

"You're... making me your emergency contact number???" was the first conclusion she jumped to, not knowing any other reason why she would give anyone Kwannon's number. "Is that... really the best idea? Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered, but..."

[rpstartersinc]

* 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐍: 𝐒𝟏.

feel free to change pronouns / wording!

" are you to complain the entire day? "

" i feel like a princess. do i look like one? "

" if this is not a sight for my sore eyes. "

" someone may hear us. "

" i will always protect you. "

" i am looking out for you. "

" i am protecting you, it is my duty. "

" you have no idea what it is to be a woman. "

" is that envy i detect in your voice? "

" you appear displeased. "

" it would be better if you refrained from thinking about me at all. "

" i assure you, i am anything but interested in you. "

" do not make this any more difficult than it already is. "

" i cannot see you anymore. "

" you said you would always protect me. "

" i did not know you would be here. "

" do you think yourself better than me? "

" you cannot possibly be thinking of marrying him. "

" if this is to work, we must appear madly in love. "

" there is too much blood. "

" if i were truly courting you i would not need flowers, only five minutes alone with you in a drawing room. "

" no one can know about our little arrangement. "

" would it pain you to wear some colour? "

" i was afraid even of my own reflection. "

" i am quite capable of speaking for myself. "

" i was trying to help. "

" i do suppose if i was forced to take a wife, you would be the least objectionable option. "

" you look in a great deal of pain. "

" one cannot judge a book by its cover. "

" i will not tolerate a bully. "

" that was entirely your fault. "

" i could not sleep. "

" it seems the art is not the only beautiful thing on display at present. "

" are you spying on me now? "

" i wanted to see you. "

" you are only here because you are jealous. "

" i am here because i miss you. "

" i cannot think of anything else. "

" you are perfection itself. "

" i misjudged you. "

" are you to tell me you're actually sorry to see me go? "

" love changes nothing. "

" we are not friends. "

" it is not safe out here. "

" there is no expectation or judgement here. "

" you can feel free to be yourself here. "

" what if you get yourself killed? "

" for what it is worth, i am sorry. "

" your apology is worth nothing to me. "

" are you hurt? tell me! "

" you deserve everything your heart desires. "

" while you may be content to accept defeat, it is certainly not how i approach things. "

" you have always been a terrible shot. "

" i cannot sleep. "

" why must everything be so bright? "

" we should not be alone in here. "

" i can hardly believe i am saying this, but we cannot go further. "

" everyone enjoys secrets. "

" i cannot stop thinking of you. "

" i am yours, i have always been yours. "

" you burn for me? "

" tell me what you thought about, when you were alone. "

" you have been a true friend. "

" you chose this for yourself. "

" you chose to lie to me. "

" i did not realise i had a choice. "

" something troubles you. "

" so you admit it now, you were acting a fool? "

" you may hurt now, but the pain will pass. "

" you will be better off without me. "

" you're angry, but not with me. "

" i envisioned myself on your arm, dancing the entire night away. "

" you are lost, and i cannot allow you to set me adrift as well. "

" pride, it will cost you everything and leave you with nothing. "

" there is nothing you cannot do. "

" just because something is not perfect, does not make it any less worthy of love. "

" i am tired of pretending, and i cannot continue acting as if i do not love you. "

" i love all of you, even the parts that you believe are too dark and too shameful. "

" i do not want to be alone. "

" that decision shall be left entirely up to me. "

[emmatriarchy]

"I was kidding," she admitted, stumped as to why Psylocke was answering the question easily when she was so flustered moments ago. Not a mind-reader, she couldn't tell what got the woman all bashful earlier. "But thanks for explaining! Remy's the only other one willing to explain stuff like that to me."

[psyknife]

Ah. Right. A joke. She wasn't sure how she managed miss Gabby's sarcasm; probably because her mind was still occupied with overcoming her humiliation. "Being straight-forward and blunt is something he and I have in common, it seems." Then she suddenly shook her head, forgetting the original reason they were having this conversation. "So are you going to tell me what rizz is or not? ... does Remy know?" Maybe it would be easier just to ask him.

[psyknife]

@spectracle: for us it's a matter of life and death.

"Death for some more than others. I hear their whispers, calling me the Grim Reaper behind my back. An avid nickname, no?"

[daywalkwithme]

These supernatural creatures were always something else to deal with. While the incentive to kill her certainly still remained in his mind, a part of him was willing to hear her out and see where exactly this conversation would end up going. Not that he made a habit out of letting supernatural creatures roam free when they were threats to everyone around them, but given that kumihos weren't exactly the type of creatures to grow on trees nowadays, she could probably have her own uses whenever it came to being in the know about creatures that actually posed a threat in this town who weren't in it for a paycheck. "I might be a vampire hunter and a hunter of other things for that matter, but I'm also a man of my word. Not that you need my protection or anything like that from any potential blowback, but if you really want some assurances, I'll give them to you. Just know they won't involve back scratching, or me doing jobs for you or anything of the sort. I'll let you live your life how you wanna live it, so long as you keep me in on the loop of all the happenings that go on around here." Blade crossed his arms, removing his shades for a moment so that the crimson blood red color that flowed through them locked eyes with the kumiho. "And maybe a dalliance or two, but don't push your luck. Saving that for her." ------ Ji-Won grit his teeth, struggling at the thought of being completely womanhandled by that of a ninja woman, the pride oozing out of his ego. "Are you sure? Because I think you'd look pretty good with a collar around your neck, don't you? You can be my domesticated house cat, complete with the violence and everything that turns you on. You like hunting things and people, don't you? You're addicted to violence because it's the only thing that you know. I know the look when I see it. You sick freak," he laughed, although the yelping and screaming sounds emanating from his mouth quickly let him know that she wasn't playing around. 'Good. See if you can find a route out of that room and bring his sorry ass down here. Decided not to kill the kumiho. There's not many of them left nowadays from what I hear, and she doesn't seem like the evil type. Very materialistic, if anything.'

[psyknife]

The kumiho adjusted the collar of her silk robe, pulling the ends closer together to show that she meant business. If he was going to offer her freedom just for keeping her ear to the ground and being his lip service to local gossip, she'd take it. "And in the event I do require your help? The hole Ji-Won would leave behind would be easily filled, and by someone who might not appreciate my... fluid definition of loyalty. Returning to hiding in the woods, feeding off vermin isn't exactly my ideal. Just so we're clear, I'm not asking for protection. Merely a moment every now and again to keep my head on my shoulders. Nothing more." She had nothing to say to the rest of his offer slash suggestion. As nice as it would be to sample some of whatever the daywalker had to offer, pushing boundaries like that could muddy things, and she preferred the clear waters before her at the moment. Nor did she care about whatever vague relationship he had with the absent ninja woman. ----------------------- Kwannon rolled her eyes at his "assessment" of her. He was acting as if he'd just found the cure for cancer. If he'd been hoping to piss her off or make her regret her actions, he was going to be sorely disappointed. "Congratulations, Ji-Won. You've discovered the very thing I tell myself every morning when I wake up." She ground her heel down on his wrist until she felt something pop. "Violence follows me around like my own shadow. Probably because I'm so good at it. And that's why people hire me. Why you hired me. So next time, maybe come up with something more original. Or don't. Because there might not be." She drove her psychic knife through his skull to paralyze him temporarily, enough to rip the door code from his mind. ≪It may be a few minutes. Had a lovely talk with our resident yokai, then? You sound like you trust her.≫

[psyknife]

@spectracle: i know you're a good person.

"You think I'm a good person, in the now. You would not have thought so in my younger years."

[psyknife]

((Hi! I'm not dead! But I have a good reason why I haven't been around for a while))

((Since AI hit the scene, I've been without work for almost 6 months now. That means looking at other means to support myself. I set my self-esteem issues on fire and finally decided to self-publish a few short stories and put them up in my Ko-Fi shop. Having my writing out there for the public to read has always been a dream of mine and I finally made it happen. New year, new me!))