Everyone went to bed that night with the sweet, sweet knowledge that Rocky had finally calmed down and wasnโt about to yeet anyone across the village again... peaceful night.
In the morning, Patty was the first one up, checking on Charlotte and Y/N like a mom on patrol, then casually brewing herself a strong cup of coffee before stepping onto her porch like a queen greeting her kingdom, soaking in those natural vitamins like they were custom-made for her.
โUgh... morning, Pattyโฆโ Y/N groaned, appearing in the doorway of the porch like a ghost freshly risen from the dead. โThat was a night I wonโt forget anytime soonโor my legs.โ They winced, rubbing the side of their thigh dramatically.
Patty gave them a sideways grin, sipping her coffee. โSweetheart, you handled that like an absolute champion. I wouldโve faked a faint halfway through.โ
In the distance, Oliver and Veena came strolling up toward the purple houseโOliver with a basket full of goodies, and Veena proudly holding what looked like a questionable jar. Apparently, she had invented a new kind of tea... again.
And with the sun rising over Threadville, chaos slowly transformed back into cozy.
Veena was the first to reach the porch. โBEHOLD,โ she announced, holding up the jar like it was the Holy Grail. โChamomileโpeppermintโraspberry fusion. I call it Veenaโs Wake-Up Punch.โ
โIt better not punch me like Rocky did,โ Y/N mumbled.
โOh please,โ Veena said with a wink, โyou should be thankful youโre still in one piece.โ
Oliver followed close behind, looking slightly too put together for someone who got chased by a gnome-wielding beast five hours ago. He held out the basket with a sheepish grin. โFigured you earned breakfast. Made the muffins myself.โ
Oliver nudged his hat back on his head and gave Y/N a crooked smile. โHeyโฆ wanna see the farm? Like, the real part. Not the chaos barn or the haunted compost bin.โ
Y/N raised a brow. โYou have a haunted compost bin?โ
โTechnically, no. Emotionally? Yes.โ
They both laughed, and just like that, the tension melted into something easier. softer.
He led Y/N along a winding dirt path behind the barn, the earth still dewy underfoot. The morning sun stretched lazy golden rays over the fields, painting everything in a warm glow. Birds chirped and bees buzzed like tiny motors.
โThis is where I grow the herbs,โ Oliver said, waving a hand to a row of neatly trimmed bushes. โLavender, basil, mint... Veena yells at me if I harvest them too early. Says Iโm โtoo impulsive with the leaves.โโ
Y/N bent down to brush their fingers over the lavender. โIt smells like a fancy witchโs bath bomb.โ
โRight?โ Oliver grinned. โItโs why I keep it near the kitchen. Makes me feel like Iโm living in a potion book.โ
They moved past the herbs toward the orchard, where the trees arched above them like a green tunnel. The branches were heavy with apples and little hanging jarsโglass ones, filled with dried flowers and notes.
Y/N squinted. โAre those jars? in the trees?โ
Oliver rubbed the back of his neck. โPeople in Threadville write stuff and hang it here. Dreams, wishes, bad memories they want to let go of.โ
He plucked a jar off a branch and handed it to Y/N. Inside was a tiny paper crane and a note that read โI hope I learn to stay.โ
Y/N went quiet. โThatโsโฆ beautiful.โ
Oliver looked at them, and not the jar. โYou can write one too, if you want.โ
Y/N turned the jar slowly in their hands, their voice soft. โWhat about you? What do you write in here?โ
Oliver hesitated, then chuckled dryly. โI havenโt. Yet.โ
Y/N glanced up. โWhy not?โ
He shrugged, but his eyes were steady now. โMaybe I was waiting for something or someoneโฆ to make me want to.โ
They locked eyes for a moment, the air going still.
Y/N's voice dropped to a whisper. โAnd now?โ
Oliver took a slow breath. โNow.... I think I might finally want to write something.โ
Y/N smiled at him, their cheeks still warm from all the unexpected charm in this chaotic world.
Then, without a word, Oliver reached up and carefully removed the little purple flower that always rested tucked into the ribbon of his hatโsmall, delicate, a little lopsided, but it had always been there like a secret he hadnโt told anyone.
He held it between his fingers for a moment, hesitating. His gaze flicked to Y/Nโs face, still flushed, still bright, and then...
โThis one always reminded me of purity and adventure,โ he murmured, brushing a strand of hair gently behind their ear before tucking the flower into place. โFits you better than it ever fit me.โ
Y/N stood still, eyes wide for a second, the wind now carrying silence. They didnโt know what to say. Their heart was thudding in a weird, slow rhythm not panic or chaos. justโฆ warmth.
Oliver stepped back, hands sliding into his pockets, a crooked smile blooming on his face like he hadnโt just casually gifted a moment straight out of a storybook. โDonโt lose it. I only have like, six more.โ (he's lying that is the only one)
Y/N laughedโsoft and real. โYouโre ridiculous.โ
โGuilty,โ he grinned. โBut maybe a little sincere, too.โ
Alright, guysโnow itโs your turn! I need to know: what would YOU write in those jars? Drop your ideas in the comments, and Iโll pick my favorite to feature in the next chapterโmaybe even build a whole story around it! I know this chapterโs a bit shorter than the last one, but trust me... Chapter 3 is going to be a ride. Itโll be longer and wilderโI pinky swear!
HI! I am writing my first fanfic ever, please tell me if there are any errors, grammatically or smth else, this Threadvilleโs fanfic will be about Oliver x Reader but for now I'll just put up chapter 1, it's more story, beginnings and hopefully you'll enjoy because I enjoyed a lot writing this.
and tell me what you think and if I should continue!
The reader is gender-neutral in this fanfic!
CHAPTER I
"Welcome to Threadville"
"Yeah, Grandma, I'm gonna find it," Y/N said as they began climbing up into the attic. "Where's that stupid sewing machine? Come on, where are you hiding?"
They glanced around and muttered, "So many boxes... This is insane. What even is in all of these?"
After thirty minutes of searching, they finally spotted the machine on the top shelf. "Better take this back toโ"
BANG!
"THE HELL?! What even was that?" they said, turning toward a large shape under a draped fabric. Pulling the cloth down, they blinked. "A... mirror?"
"Hmm, what a pretty mirror. Why is it even up here? Maybe Grandma will let me have it."
As they reached out to dust it off, the mirror suddenly began to glow.
"Wait. WAIT. WAIT, WHAT EVEN IS THIS?! HELLO?! NUH UHโITโS SUCKING ME IN! GRANDMAโ!"
Everything went blank.
Oliver and Veena were enjoying a hot cup of tea near the bee area.
"I'm so happy my crops are turning out better every year. Sometimes itโs a bit hard to manage alone, but theyโve grown beautifully!" Oliver said, a silly smile on his face.
Veena, on the other hand, was already a little cranky.
"Ugh, Rocky hasnโt moved from that spot in ages, and heโs been acting weird lately, especially with those night time crazy episodes. Is it just me, or did you notice it too?"
Oliver nodded, his expression shifting to concern.
"Iโve noticed... but when I ask, he just goes back to fishing. Weโll figure out whatโs going on someday, I promiseโ what is that?"
They both looked upโand saw something, or more precisely, someone, falling out of a hole in the sky. They quickly stepped out of the way.
"Fuck, man, that hurts," Y/N groaned, rubbing their head. As they opened their eyes, two figures stood in front of them.
"...You ruined my table," Veena muttered.
"I'm so sorryโone minute I was in my grandma's attic, a mirror sucked me up, and now I'm here... Where is here?"
"Welcome to Threadville!" Oliver said with a smile. "But we should probably figure out how you ended up here. Letโs head into townโoh, wait. Rockyโs at the exit. Weโll need to get some honey for him as a peace offering."
"Ugh, the bees are already mad we took honey for our tea today," Veena exclaimed.
"Iโll do it," Y/N offered. "Itโs the least I can do after destroying your table."
"Thank you kindly... uh, whatโs your name?"
"Y/N," they said, putting their hands on their hips.
"Iโm Oliver, and this is Veena. And as you probably heard, the guy napping over there is Rocky. Heโs a bit tense, but heโs a sweetheart."
Getting the honey was not a task for the weak. The bees swarmed all around the maze, making it tricky to avoid themโbut somehow, Y/N managed to grab the honey. The group made their way toward Rocky.
"Iโm so sorry to wake you up," Oliver said gently, "but our new friend here needs to get into town. Can you kindly move? We brought you honey."
"Oh, no problem, Oliver. Sorry for blocking the path," Rocky said, taking the jar from his hands. "Hereโlet me walk you all into town."
When they arrived, Rocky and Veena split off to go talk to Patty, while Oliver wandered into a little garden patch to check on his radishes.
"Hey Oliver, need some help over there?" Y/N asked.
"Oh no, no, I was just checking to see if thereโs a worm. Heโs been giving me troubleโkeeps eating my plants."
"Ugh, maybe you can give the worm a vegetable every time you grow new ones? Like a little offering? So he munches on that instead of everything else?"
"Oh, believe meโI tried that. He wants to cause trouble."
"What a little maniac."
Pattyโs house was tucked between a yarn-dyed shop and a building that looked suspiciously like a giant bubble. It smelled like lavender, cinnamon, and old buttons.
Inside, Veena leaned on the wall while Rocky stood awkwardly by the door, holding what was left of his honey jar.
Pattyโmid-40s, power stance, brushing her hairโeyed Y/N as they walked in with Oliver.
Oliver slowed his pace. โHey, youโve been super calm for someone who just got sucked in a antique mirror.โ
Y/N let out a breath and laughed weakly. โHonestly? I think Iโm still in shock. Or maybe Threadvilleโs so weird itโs distracting me.โ
Just then, a squirrel in a sweater darted across the window carrying what looked likeโฆ a crochet hook?
Oliver said with a sweet smile โYeah, give it a day. Youโll fit right in.โ
โAh,โ Patty said slowly, tapping the brush against her chin. โYouโre the one who fell.โ
Y/N blinked. โPeople justโฆ know that?โ
โThreadvilleโs small. You sneeze and the fabric trees echo it by lunch,โ she said. โAlso, thereโs a sky-rip above the forest. Not subtle.โ
"Can you help me get back to... my world?"
"Mmm, maybe. Maybe not. Iโve never heard of this kind of mess before, but weโll give it a shot. In the meantime, Iโm rolling out a sleeping bag for you, โcause itโs late, I need my beauty sleep, and tomorrowโs gonna be weird enough without me looking like a mess. Weโll talk more in the morning. Nighty night!" Patty said as she headed upstairs.
Everyone went their way as nightfall crept into Threadville, the sky stitched with silver stars and a crescent moon shaped like a bent thimble. Y/N tossed in their sleeping bag, trying to find a comfortable position.
Theyโd almost started dozing off whenโ
CRASH.
THUD.
Y/N shot upright. "what theโโ
Outside, loud stomps... a flower pot fell off the windowsill. Somewhere in the distance, a sheep screamed.
Veena burst through the door, hair wild, holding a tote-bag. โHeโs SNAPPINโ. Rockyโs having a NIGHT-TIME EPISODE. Itโs happening again!!โ
"WHAT, IS HE GOING TO END US ALL, IS HE GOING TO EAT US!?" Y/N started to scream dramatically.
"No silly, he's just on a rampage from time to time, even tho the last episode he has ended up with a few broken ribs for Oliver, we just need to try and calm him down" Patty said as she walked down the stairs, tying a robe around her waist.
"ok, so how do you plan to calm him down this time?"
Patty shrugged, unfazed, as another loud BANG echoed from the valley. โWe throw yarn at him until he finishes his episode.โ
โTHATโS the plan!?โ Y/N shouted. โYโall donโt have a bat or likeโtranquilizer cupcakes or something?!โ
Veena was already stuffing colorful yarn balls into a tote bag like a baseball pitcher preparing for war. โNope. We improvise. And alsoโcupcakes are for after.โ
Patty pointed dramatically. โTo the Craft Plaza!"
Outside, Rocky was stomping around with one eye popped out of its socket. He howled, swinging a garden gnome like a club.
Y/N ducked behind a barrel. โWhat in the Looney Tunes is this manโs problem?!โ
Oliver appeared from behind a bush, hair messy holding his hat to his chest. โOkay, okay, I have a plan. Itโs dumb. But it worked once before.โ
โDoes it involve getting body-slammed?โ Y/N asked flatly.
โNo,โ Oliver said. โWellโa little. But listen, we need to lure Rocky to my barn, Veena and Patty are going to make nets so there and we can trap him, so who's going to get chased by him?"
Everyone was silent... silently looking at Y/N. "No, nuh uh, not in a million years am I going to be chased, MAYBE AND MOST LIKELY, to my death by that."
Everyone went to the barn to secure the net to some trees around the area, while Y/N was chased down by none other than Rocky.
Y/N ran like their life depended on it, because it kind of did.
โTHIS IS SO STUPID!โ they screamed, dodging the gnome Rocky picked up. โI DON'T EVEN LIVE HERE!โ
โRUN FASTER!โ Veena shouted from the treetops, holding two balls of yarn like twin grenades. โWeโre almost ready!โ
โDEFINE ALMOSTโAAAAHH!โ
Y/Nโs lungs were on fire.
โWHY IS HE SO FAST?!โ they screamed, ducking as Rocky hurled a mailbox like it weighed nothing. โHEโS BUILT LIKE A TRUCK BUT RUNS LIKE A MOTORCYCLE!โ
From behind a tree, Oliver yelled, โJust a little farther! Youโre doing amazing!โ
โTHATโS EASY FOR YOU TO SAY, YOUโRE NOT BEING HUNTED!โ
Y/N turned the corner, Oliver waving like a crazy man. โThrough the laundry lines! Trust me!โ
Y/N dove under a row of floral bedsheets, accidentally getting slapped in the face by someoneโs polka-dot bloomers.
"THIS IS THE MOST CARTOONISH EVENT THAT CAN EVER HAPPEN RIGHT NOW AND I AM NOT OK WITH IT"
As Y/N tried to take the bloomers of their face, Rocky caught up to them. Slowing down, breathing hard, staring right in their eyes...
"You better look at me with BOTH eyes is you want to chase me like a lunatic, yeah, yeah GET THAT EYE BACK IN YO SOCKET"
Rocky was dumbfounded, mouth open, picking up his eye, putting it back where it belongs.
BOING.
Veena and Patty dropped the net.
Silence.
Y/N flopped to the grass, gasping. โI. Am suing. All of you. Emotionally.โ
โCongrats. You just survived your first Threadville Rampage.โ Patty said with a proud smile.
โNext time,โ Y/N wheezed, โIโm leading the cupcake party.โ
โNext time?โ Oliver grinned. โSo youโre staying?โ
Y/N remained silent, looking up at the stars.
Oliver ran over and knelt beside them. โIn any case, you did it. We did it.โ
โI want a medal and a juice box.โ
He laughedโsoft and warmโand reached into his satchel. โOkay, it's no medal, butโฆ I brought this.โ
He held out a tiny packet of strawberry candies. The old-lady kind that were wrapped to look like actual strawberries.
Y/N stared at him, chest still rising and falling from the run. โCandy?โ
โI panicked and grabbed the first thing I saw in Pattyโs kitchen,โ Oliver said, offering one with a sheepish smile. โThought you deserved something sweet.โ
Y/N blinked, then took the candy, their fingers brushing his. โThanksโฆ That was actually kind of sweet.โ
Oliverโs cheeks turned pink. โWell, you were kind of heroic.โ
Hello :D May I request some Oliver headcannons with reader from the main story of Threadville? Mostly about reader being an enigma despite looking like a puppet, like being able to crack their fingers or knuckles, swim and spill blood (puppets donโt have bones, get waterlogged if they attempt to swim, and have stuffing). That sort of thing :P
๏ฝฅ ๏ฝก๏พโ: *. WITHIN DIRT, FLESH GROWS .* :โ๏พ.
โฟ Summary: A Compilation of Headcanons Featuring Oliver X Human-Like Puppet Reader
โฟ Character(s): Oliver (Threadville)
โฟ Genre: Headcanons, SFW
โฟ Warning(s): None - Completely Safe!
โฟ Image Credits: @supernob12three on X
โ You cracked your knuckles once in front of himโabsentminded, offhand, just a little pop-pop-pop of bone and tension. Oliver dropped his trowel. โJeepers! Was that yourโฆ hands makinโ that sound?โ He leaned in, eyes rounder than saucers. โWerenโt no stuffing in there,โ he whispered, like the garden weeds might be listening. He didnโt sleep easy that night, wondering what else inside you could bend without snapping.
โ When you swam across the creek to save a floating turnip basket, he screamed so loud a flock of mourning doves took off. โYouโre gonna get soggy! Youโre gonnaโwaitโฆ youโreโฆ floatinโ?โ You emerged soaked, breathless, not bloated like a sponge left in the rain. Oliver blinked as you rung out your shirt, unwaterlogged. โHuh,โ he muttered, holding his straw hat like a lifeline, โYou really ainโt built like the rest of us, huh?โ He didnโt stop you. But the next time, he followed with floaties and a ropeโjust in case.
โ He once saw you bleed. Just a scrapeโbarely more than a paper cut. But the moment that red welled up, thick and metallic and not thread, Oliver backed up three steps and gasped like heโd seen a ghost. โTh-that ainโt stuffingโฆโ He offered you a napkin, hands shaking like leaves in the wind. โY-you alright? I didnโt mean to hurt youโoh jeepersโshould I get Veena? Or a Band-Aid? Or a priest?โ
โ Veena doesnโt like you. Oliver doesnโt get why. But when he asked, she only said: โYou brought something in that doesnโt belong. Something that walks like us but bleeds like something else.โ Now when he has tea parties with her, he brings you up a little quieter. But not with any less fondness.
โ Your laugh sounds different. Not stitched together like the othersโ. Not cued-up or pre-looped. It starts in your chest and shakes your ribs and comes out full and uneven. Organic. Oliver didnโt know laughter could crack like thatโ He likes it. He really does. But every now and then, he stares too long. Like heโs wondering if itโs real, or if youโre just really good at pretending.
โ He tried teaching you how to sew a button one afternoon. You pricked your finger on the needle and bled. A single drop bloomed scarlet on the white thread like a firefly. Oliver stared. โIโฆ I think the buttonโs cursed now.โ You offered to finish it. He said no. He gave you his peanut butter and jelly sandwich as a peace offering. He doesnโt know why he was so scared, but it felt like he pricked something deeper than a finger.
โ He likes how warm you are. Most folks here are soft and cool to the touchโfelt or corduroy or cotton. But when your arm brushes his, he feels skin. He feels heat. He swears youโre like holding a pocketful of summer. And it confuses himโBecause puppets donโt keep warmth. So where are you getting it from?
โ He saw your shadow move when you didnโt. Not in a scary wayโjustโฆ out of step. You turned your head. The shadow didnโt. Not right away. It caught up a moment later like it had forgotten to. Oliver didnโt mention it. But he pulled his hat lower over his eyes and whispered to himself: โSunโs playinโ tricks againโฆโ (But it wasnโt sunny.)
โ You once helped Oliver with the morning harvest. He handed you a spade, not expecting much. Then you hoisted a squash as big as Rocky without so much as a grunt. He gawked. โYouโre stronger than Rocky!โ When you shrugged and cracked your back with an audible pop, Oliver nearly fainted. He called you โFarmhand of the Futureโ and gave you an extra slice of rhubarb pie out of sheer, wide-eyed awe.
โ One evening, after a long day of planting, you two lay back in the field. He looked over at you, drowsy and thoughtful. โYouโre real funny, you know that?โ โโฆFunny how?โ He squinted up at the stars. โFunny likeโฆ you donโt fit here. But not in a bad way. Like youโre somethinโ carved, not sewn. Like maybe you were meant to be here all alongโฆ just not made the way the rest of us were.โ He smiled. โI think thatโs alright, though. You still help the turnips grow just fine.โ
I was stuck between Lightning and Northern Lights, but I think both of you match the Northern Lights aesthetic, like , both blogs are very mesmerizing for me!!
Remember if you want to be added to the taglist lemme know
(Warnings for Obanai having a small panic attack.)
The most wonderful time of the year. Christmas.
Or that seemed to be what people thought a whole lot. You loved the holiday just as much as the next person but you didn't like all the holiday hassle and the stress of getting Christmas presents before everything was bought out and gone already. You thought shopping was supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Sigh. No matter. You had everything you needed.
You sighed as the crinkling of paper sounded out. The reindeer printed wrapping paper getting folded up and tapped down over the folded pink sweater you've gotten for Mitsuri just two weeks ago. Next Tuesday would be Christmas so you needed to have everything wrapped up before then.ย
"Will you be celebrating the holiday with your Aunt?" Gyomei looked up from where he was helping you wrap up the items you had gotten for everyone. Minus the book you had gotten him of course. "Mitsuri will understand if you couldn't come to her play."
Again you sighed. "I wanted to, but turns out she's going to be busy again." Something about having predictions and needing to hang up mistletoe around the city?? You never understood her crazy thinking. "So Im going to be free to spend it with you guys. What about your mom?"
"She never celebrated the holiday. Says it wasn't something she has interest in," he replied tapping down the corner of a mini box that held a cute bracelet you thought Kanae would like. "You certainly have been busy this month."ย
"Well I'm about to be out of works for almost two weeks until Christmas break is over. I figured I might as well do everything I can before then." Gently placing the bow wrapped up sweater to the side, you sighed. "I just want all the stress to be over with."
He hummed reaching out a hand to pat your shoulder. "Do not worry too much. In only a few days you'll be getting a break from the stress and then you'll have nothing to worry about."
You guessed he was right. Your stressful shopping was done with and you only had this last week of work and classes before break. Really all you had to do was to pose for Tengen this weekend and then the next possibly. He had mentioned that he was almost done with his painting, so soon you'd no longer have to be his muse either. Thank goodness. So much was going on that you had little time for your boyfriend. You felt guilty about it but like always he was understanding of everything.ย
The rest of that week went on as normal. All gifts were wrapped up and ready to be handed out. Final notes were taken and assignments were turned in. Your final paycheck until January was cashed in. And you once again posed for Tengen that weekend before you could finally relax and enjoy one of two days before you got to go to the Christmas festival in the park right next to the University. The plan was to go to the festival before meeting back up with everyone to watch Mitsuri's play and then head on back to her house for a party she was hosting since most everyone else was spending Christmas Day with their families instead of each other. Sounded like a plan to you.
The soft snowflakes coming down from the skies fluttering and falling from the dark clouds but there was still enough light peeking out of the silver clouds to allow her to see what was in the sky. Like little shiny diamonds shining in the sunlight and sparkling in the sky on the way down until they joined the ground where they joined the white blanket covering the earth that sparkled more than a thousand strands of studded silk.
Her eyes scanned the beauty before her shivering as the wind blew the cold winter air across her body and dusting her with the sparkling snowflakes.
"Are you cold? You can have my jacket if you need it!"ย
You quickly held up a hand to Kyojuro as his hands immediately went to try and unbutton his jacket but stopped when you stopped him. "No. I'm ok. It's supposed to be cold after all. A white Christmas is the perfect Christmas!"
It was almost noon and already the skies were a little dark with clouds and sparkly snowflakes were falling despite the snow already being on the ground. Now here you were standing just a few feet away from the entrance next to your boyfriend and Kyojuro whom you offered to carpool with to the fair. You wouldn't have to meet at the University's theater until Mitsuri's play started at five, so you all had nearly five hours to kill and what better way than enjoying the festival?
You all slowly made your way towards the entrance to the park, feet crunching in snow and multiple people walking around you both in and out of the park.
Crowded, murmuring of a large crowd, smells of carnival food- Yep! You were in front of the park alright. Kyo motioned for you to follow him and you followed him as he began walking off towards the park entrance. Gyomei joined walking alongside you. There was a lot of people walking around you all as you went through the snow covered streets with the snow crunching under your feet, and being able to see your breath. The cold hitting your face as you looked around. It was really beautiful and perfect for Christmas.
Walking with them you all eventually heard and saw it. The many screams of delight, the smells of popcorn and other fair foods, distant fair music, and then the absolute menagerie of colors that hit you once the flood gates were passed. Your eyes widened seeing the many MANY booths lining the many splits and different walkways that the parks pathways split into. Lots were selling different items such as fan made merchandise, Christmas themed things, food, or some were games. You didn't see any rides though so it was probably a vendor only fair.
Kyojuro must've noticed your wonder filled eyes because he let out a small hum under his breath. "So. Where do you wish to go first?"
"How about the food booths?," Gyomei suggested. "I could use something to warm me up."
You nodded. "I'm down for that."
With you agreeing the group made your way to the left path where the smell of food was a lot more prominent and soon found yourselves walking down booths of popcorn, candied apples, some kind of meats on sticks, and of course the regular carnival foods of hot dogs, funnel cakes, sodas, corn dogs, and the like. You were drawn to one particular booth that was selling a variety of those items.ย
You chose to just get a cup of warm apple cider and a funnel cake compared to the two giant turkey drumsticks Kyojuro bought himself. You all began walking again soon after. Not sure where you'd be going now but Kyojuro seemed to be the lead so you went along with it as you aย looked around the booths you passed with people shouting at you all or entertaining other people. one caught your eye and you suddenly paused, Gyomei did too when you suddenly weren't next to him. What caught your eye was a booth with a woman who was selling key chains with all kinds of cute and shiny metal kitsune charms. And as the small sign suggested all were just a dollar and by the size of the booth there was a decent amount.
"Is there something you like, Young Lady?," the older woman asked you with a smile.
You ended up getting a cute little white kitsune wearing a big red bow around it's neck. "Hang on a second." Your head tilted as you realized something. "Where'd they go?"
F/c eyes widened looking around before sighing when you realized the both of them was just a few booths away from you looking very interested in a booth that displayed some kind of game booth run by an older man. What the world was THAT?? You walked on over to where they were until you walked right up to the booth and the man behind it.
The elderly man in front of him practically lit up and gestured to the small machine behind him. And you realized what they were. There was tons of ornaments hanging up on a plastic Christmas tree that was spinning slowly around as they gently swayed on the rotating tree. Next to the rotating tree was a long fishing pole like thing only there was just a hook on the end without any line. Was it some kind of game?
"Hey guys." The two jumped and looked up as you addressed them, leaning over to blink at the game in front of you. "What's going on here?"
"Oh this?,'' the man asked gesturing to the tree behind him, "It's called 'Grab The Ornament'. You take one of these poles here like this." He demonstrated by grabbing one of said poles and extending it towards the tree. "Then you try to hook it through one of the loops holding the ornament to the branches like so. You get two tries. If you can get the hook through the hoop-" He managed to hook onto one of the pokeballs decorated in the pattern of a candy cane before pulling it from the tree branch. "Then you win a prize based on the numbers on he bottom. Although I can't guarantee what you'll get. It's all a mystery but that's all a part of the fun!" He casually pulled the ornament off the hook and just plopped it back onto one of the spinning branches. "Would you like to play? It's two dollars a person."
"Sure! Sounds like fun!"
You all watched as Kyo slapped down two dollars and proceeded to try and win a prize. His first try failed but on his second try he managed to hook onto an ornament that had little santa hats printed all over it. Holding it proudly up to Gyomei who couldn't resist also giving it a try of his own- You blinked when someone nudged your side and looked up towards Kyo's smiling face.
"You wanna try giving it a go?", he asked gesturing to the game. "I don't think you played anything yet."
You blinked but shook your head. "Nah. I couldn't. Wasn't ever good at fishing let alone games anyways. I doubt I could even catch one that's moving."
He hummed looking between you and the booth just as Gyomei held up his catch of a shiny red, green, and white striped ball..before smiling. You rose a confused brow as he strolled right up to the booth, reached into his coat pocket, and then slapped down two dollars onto the booth again.
"I'd like a chance to play again, Good Sir!" He happily beamed at the booth man who was happy to take the money presented to him.
"Kyo!" He turned to you as you gestured to him in shock. "What are you doing? I didn't mean for you to actually try to win a prize for me!"
He blinked. "Oh, I know. But I want to." He grabbed the pole just as the booth man handed it to him. "Besides, just take it as a gift in return for the one you gave me earlier." He must've been referring to when you helped his dad as he smiled at you and gestured to the rotating Christmas tree. "Besides it's all in good spirits for the holidays! Two dollars isn't going to hurt me, so go ahead and and pick out whatever ornament suits your fancy."
"Give him a chance. You might win something good," Mei encouraged holding his own prize up again with a smile. "Just try to relax a little and have fun!"
You gave him a look before looking back to Kyl who again motioned towards the game. ...You didn't have a say in this did you? With a sigh you looked back to the game with all the shiny pretty ornaments gently rotating on the tree just waiting for you (or in this case Kyo-) to take home as a pretty little reminder of fun that day. You accepted his gesture to come up to the booth and stand right next to him, f/c eyes blinking and intently watching the pretty tree continue to spin around and round like a pretty plant themed merry-go-round.
"Take your pick! There's plenty to chose from. Get any you want."
Any you wanted huh? Well that seemed like a good option, except you didn't know how good Kyojuro's catching skills were. Looking back at the tree it was a decent size. Not too big or small. Looked just a foot or two above you. Kyo was taller than you as well so the ones near the top would probably be the easiest ones for him to catch as well as the one's in the upper middle of the tree. Trailing your eyes downwards you looked towards the lower middle and very bottom of the tree. Hmm. He could probably grab the other middle ones but the ones on the very bottom branches are no doubt the hardest. That might be something he could do but like before you weren't sure how good his fishing skills were and you'd hate for him to have spent two dollars for nothing. So taking a sigh, you turned back towards the tree and gave a rose brow as you looked all over the fake plastic pine branches as the small machine of a tree stand ever slowly turned. Where could you even start? There was so many in all pretty foils wrapped up like a present waiting to be opened all shiny and beautiful among the lights. Flashy pretty and bright.
There certainly was a decent good amount to pick from. There was some dressed up to look like candy canes, or was wrapped in wrapping paper with prints of Christmas-y pictures. Sleighs, santas, snowflakes- And then there was those who were just wrapped up in shiny metallic or glittery wrapping paper without any patterns or prints. Plainer looking but still beautiful ornaments. But there wasn't really any you could pick right away. They all looked pretty so it was hard to chose. How were you to chose? Any one could be very special- F/c eyes paused at the sight of red and white. At first you blinked and almost didn't pay attention to it, just writing it off as another pokeball dressed up to look like a peppermint candy, but then a flash of..black?? You blinked at the ball that vanished behind the tree as it rotated before coming back around as you blinked. This one looked-...Totally different. It wasn't wrapped up in printed or shiny or patterned wrapping paper. In fact...it wasn't wrapped up at all. You blinked as on the lowest branch of the tree was an ordinary black ornament with no decoration but a single long red ribbon wrapped around itself. No wonder you got a glimpse of black...This one was the only one that wasn't fancy like the others. Kyo seemed to watch your eyes and also latched onto the ball that went to rotate around the back of the tree again, before pointing a hand at it.
"That one seems like a diamond in the rough," he commented as it disappeared watching you closely. "What do you think?"
You still stared at the tree for the longest time before looking back at him and nodding. "Sure. But can you get it?"
"Let's find out!," he cheerfully replied holding up the hooked metal pole. You all watched as he extended the pole out before him and angled it down towards that bottom branch as the ball came back around. Despite his taller height and longer arms, even he had to half way lean into the booth and stand on his tip toes to push that pole right over towards that very, very low branch. The very tip of the hook managed to catch onto it before it slipped from his hold, wobbled a bit on the branch, and then continued to mosey on it's way around in a loop again. "Hey. No worries. I still have a chance to catch it. Let's give it another shot." That was true. Kyo got to have two tries, but if he failed the second time then that would mean that he wouldn't get a chance to try again unless he gave the booth man another two dollars which you didn't want. You all watched with tense and baited breath as you all watched the ball rotate around again and again He reached towards it. This time the end of the hook catching the underside of where the ribbon around it was tied into a pretty red bow around it, and he pulled. The ball slipped from the branch and onto the hooked end of the pole. With a smile, he brought up the ball back to him, letting it dangle for a moment before grabbing it from the end of the pole. "Well it looks like we have a winner!"
"Good job, Kyo! I wonder what it is?"
He shrugged. "Dunno. Let's cash in our ornaments and see. Here." He tossed it to you which you fumbled to catch.ย
You all turned it in. Kyojuro won a small packet of candy canes the vendor pulled out from under the booth, and Mei had gotten a scarf despite the fact he already wore one, and you had gotten the absolute CUTEST teddy bear you've ever seen! So fuzzy and a cute white with a shiny red ribbon tied around it's neck with big eyes staring at nothing. You LOVED IT!!ย
That's how it was for the first hour. You hung out with Gyomei and Kyojuro until Kyojuro went off to watch a live Kabuki street performance and then you split with Gyomei as you both wanted to check out different sides of the park with a promise to meet up with the others in front of the university at four thirty to get the best seats for the play.ย The next hour and a half was spent walking around, playing a few games, and buying one of two cute trinkets you stuck into your purse. Along the way you saw someone else whom you went expecting to see.
"Obanai?"
You stared at the familiar short, black haired man whom was standing off to the side of the park where the booths ended. He wore his usual medical face mask and black and white coat. He looked to be standing in line for a hot chocolate stand which with the cold you weren't surprised. He just barely stood there behind one man with a mom holding a baby on one hip while trying to manage an impatient whining toddler tugging on her pants. However the baby seemed VERY interested in Obanai staring at the side of his face. You smiled brightly and turned to start walking on over to say hi to him.
"Obanai!," you called out waving an arm as you passed by walking people.
Of course he turned hearing his name, blinking in surprise as you walked towards him. He turned to face you. The mother turned to hush her child. Unfortunately both turning gave the infant the perfect distance to reach over and grab the mask over his face. It all happened so fast. One moment he was staring at you wearing a mask, and then the next it was gone. Grabbed up in the iron grip of a chubby little hand and yanked off. Two large scars revealed to the world before two hands launched up and they were hidden from sight once more.ย
Your footsteps halted immediately where you stood stunned. Staring wide eyed at the man whom looked like someone just told him that the love of his life just passed away. His eyes blown wider than saucers, and his hands desperately glued to his mouth.ย
Obanai didn't move.ย
He felt light headed. And his feet heavy like cement was weighing him down and those glazed over eyes stared at nothing. He couldn't see anything. The crowd of blues whirling around and meshing together in blurs. A massive buzz of voices like a beehive but those eyes couldn't make out the words on display for him to see nor could the ringing in his ears hear anything over the the pounding of the heart in his throat. Soon a raindrop stained the white snow underneath him. Followed by another. And another. And another until his eyes became the storm clouds and his tears the rain. And the snow his unsuspecting victims.
Your voice didn't stop him from turning around and sprinting faster than you thought the small man could run. Through the crowd knocking over a random bystander who yelled out as Iguro unintentionally body checked him into a nearby pile of snow. Past a few park trees and disappearing into the area of the park that the fair didn't extend to.ย
"Obanai!"
Again your voice could do nothing to stop his form from quickly disappearing into thin air. After a few seconds of standing there stunned, your legs moved on their own accord. Pushing past people and yelling out apologies to their mean looks as you crossed the pathway and continued to where he dashed off too. Your feet meeting off the path snow with a crunch as you continued onwards into the darkened and snowy park.ย
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Went the sounds of your feet went following the first pair of footsteps through the limited light towards the destination of the man that ran off.ย
"Obanai!?"
Your voice echoed around the air as you called out towards him, slowly down your pace huffing and puffing out smoke light a train into the chilly December air. Slowly coming to a stop to look around the area. Behind you was the distant lights of the fair and a few street lights. Your left and right held nothing but snow and bare trees so you kept on slowly following the footprints in front of you in the snow. Your feet making a second paid of footsteps next to the first as you continued onwards. Closer and closer to where the man disappeared off too.
"Obanai?"
Your voice softer carrying over the area as f/c eyes looked over the cold space. No answer as you looked and looked and walked and walked. F/c eyes keeping an eye on the footprints still ahead of you as you walked along.ย
Until you stopped.
And you stared ahead.
In front of you was another concrete pathway covered in ice, and lit up by a few street lamps. The wind blew a few creaking bare branches of a tree near the path and around it's based was a pair of footprints disappearing behind it, the faint sounds of heavy breathing coming from it's backside. You still stared at the tree like a scene from a bad horror movie. Before you held up your hand.
"Iguro?"
"DON'T LOOK AT ME!!"
You jumped back in surprise from the tone of his voice. It was demanding and forceful but also at the same time panicked and maybe possibly scared? Every other time you two spoke he was softer spoken and awkward.ย
"I-Im not going to look at you!," you quickly clarified holding up your hands despite that he couldn't see you. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok."
"Don't come any closer!," he shot back from behind the tree, "I don't want anyone to see me!"
"I won't come closer..but maybe I can help you?" You made sure to stay calm, keeping a respectful distance away. When he didn't answer you you tried again gently. "You lost your mask. Is that why you ran away?"
"That's NONE of your business!"
So that's a yes. And explains why he didn't want you to see his face. ...Face. An idea suddenly struck you and your hands immediately went to the scarf around your neck. Pulling at it and untying the knot around your throat.
"Hey, Obanai. I got something that might help you!" The long scarf slipped free from your neck and into your hand.ย
"And what's that?!"
"My scarf. You can use it if you want to." No answer back. "It's pretty long so it should cover yourself pretty well....Do you want it?"
There was a long pause of silence. Awkwardly long. About two maybe even three minutes as you stood there scarf in hand. You thought about possibly calling Gyomei or probably Mitsuri as the best option to come help him because to your surprise something slowly slunk out from behind the tree. You blinked realizing it was a hand and arm covered by a black and white coat sleeve. It was held out to you with his hand in a beckoning motion.
"Give it to me."
You blinked but obliged. "Ok. I'm gonna get close enough to hand it to you. Are you ok with that?"
"....Fine."
You stepped a few feet forward and just placed the end of the scarf in his hand- Before you jumped as it was yanked from your grip quickly disappearing back behind the tree with his arm. ...Oh.
"I'm gonna back away now. Ok?"
You got no answer back from him but you backed away anyways to help him feel more comfortable. And there you stood patiently waiting as he was assumedly thing your scarf around his face. Silence was the only answer you got back as you patiently stood there for a long time waiting for him to come out of to say something to you. When he didn't you decided to speak up again.
"Obanai, are you ok?"
"..... I'm fine."
"Ok. Are you ok if I come over to you?"
"You aren't going to interrogate me are you?"
"No, no! I just wanna talk to you is all. May I talk to you face to face?"
"....I guess."
He sounded reluctant to that, so you still made sure to keep a good distance away to be sure he was comfortable enough and if he changed his mind you'd just back away again. Slowly making a half circle, you stepped around the tree keeping a few yards away to look around the side of the tree. And there he was. Leaning his back against the tree with his arms crossed and despite the pink fluffy scarf tied around his mouth, he was turned away from you. But his head tilted slightly hearing your footfalls to acknowledge that he knew you were there.
"There you are." You smiled despite he was turned away from you. "You had me worried when you suddenly ran away like that."
"I'm fine!," he bluntly stated raising his shoulders. "Stop pretending to be worried about me! It's not like we know each other anyways!"
"No. We don't know each other that well you're right, but I was actually worried about you." You leaned over trying to catch his eye. "You're Mei's friend and he cares about you a lot too. Of course I'd be worried for you. I don't like seeing anyone in distress."ย
He didn't answer at first but his head tilted further that you could see his green eye looking at you. "....Did you now?"
You nodded gesturing to his face. "If I didn't, I wouldn't have come all the way here to offer you my scarf. Does it feel okay? It's wool and I know some people find that really itchy-"
"It's fine. I'm covered so it works." Again he was blunt but it didn't sound mean. Just blunt.
"That's good." The silence then resumed between the both of you as you awkwardly stood there. He still stared at you silently so at least he wasn't ignoring you. Eventually you pointed out the direction of your car. "You know if you need a mask, I'm pretty sure I have some in the medical kit in my car." His perked up immediately in interest. "And there's still a good hour before Mitsuri's play. If you want, we can go get you one and be back before it even starts."
"You're being awfully nice to me."
"Am I not supposed to be? You haven't done anything mean to me so there's no reason for me to be mean to you.ย Do..you still want to go get a mask?"
He continued to stare at you before he eventually and pushed himself off the tree. "Fine. It's better than using this scarf anyways. I don't need Tengen making any jokes about me if he sees me wearing your clothes."
You smiled. "Alright then. I think I recognize this pathway from when I did my project last month. If we follow it back around it should take us to the parking lot by the university." Fully turned to you now he just simply nodded signaling that he was probably going to follow you.
So obviously you turned your body to look towards them to leave- Except...You didn't count on the frozen ice under your feet when you stepped onto the path. You gasped as your foot slipped on the slippery surface loud enough to catch someone's attention. Your arms reached out for nothing but balance which even escaped you. No balance and nothing to grab onto to stop you from slipping on the ice and falling and hurting yourself on the hard concrete-
But..
No hard concrete hurt you.
You had squeezed your eyes shut hard expecting to feel the cold hard concrete but instead you felt a soft but firm ..something around your shoulder and lower back, and on instinct your hands reached to clutch at the thing stopping you from falling. And your body froze.....Well you weren't fallen on the ground but then how were you suspended in ...air-...You body all but froze up as soon as you opened your eyes and stared wide eyed into just as equally wide eyed mit h matched ones. Silently you both stared at one another registering why yours and Obanai's faces were so close. Until it finally dawned on your buffering brain. GOOD GRIEF!! He must've tried to catch you when you fell but instead managed to catch you and held you in a perfect dip (ironically under that blasted mistletoe as if mocking you and your situation-) and his arms holding you. On instinct your hands had clutched onto his front jacket and his face was looking at you as if equally surprised he caught you like this. The cold wind blowing over you was countered by his warmer breath..before he opened his mouth to say something. Something like 'Are you ok' or something like that, but that wasn't about to happen. He moved but not by his own accord. His foot, which was STILL standing on the same ice you were, squeaked as it slipped against the slick ice and sent him lurching forward until his face collided with something soft and warm...
And that something just so happened to be you.
His face from collided with yours. Both frozen as his scarf being the only thing separating you both. Everything in time froze for the both of you that moment.
There you stood frozen as Obanai stood above you but not on purpose. After all he did just slip on ice. But your body was frozen, numb as you stood there looking up at him like your eyes turned into those funny googly eye stickers. He did in the same. Seeming in shock, frozen in time as his gold-green eyes stared back in the same state at you. Both mind blanks and bodies not being able to feel anything but neither could tell if that was due to the cold or the fact you two were in more shock than if a pikachu had zapped you. Eventually someone did move. You did. Your brain finally processing what was happening enough for common sense to finally return to your thought process and you moved your head back. Freeing your face from his that was thrown forward from the trip, his soft black hair that hung off him tickled your forehead as it brushed against it from the moment you pulled back. The action seemed to make himself overcome the shock as well, after a moment righting his weight and yours up and slowly retracting his hands from the you to rest at the front of his body.
And you both stared at one another.
And then your brains finally processed what really happened.
The snowflakes and cold air colliding with his face couldn't extinguish the fire that froze in his cheeks as they instantly lit up the brightest shade of pink you've ever seen. But it wasn't just his face. His ears and whole face was now a pretty primrose pink instead of the usual complexion they were every other time you've seen him. And he suddenly reacted. You jumped when a gloved hand of his slapped over his covered face and his face gained a flustered expression as he just stood there.ย
After a while of you both still not moving you slowly held up your hands. "I-Iguro? Are you OK-"
"I'M SORRY!!" You blinked and leaned back as he bowed up and down so fast you didn't think it was humanly possible. "IM SORRY!! DON'T TELL MITSURI!! I DIDN'T MEAN TOO! ILL DO ANYTHING!! DONT TELL MEI!!"
"Obanai!! OBANAI STOP!!" You had to physically grab him by the shoulders again when he leaned back up to stop him from bowing anymore and forced to look at you. "It was an accident. We slipped on ice. You're fine." Slowly you let go of his shoulders as he still stared. "Nothing happened. If you don't want to tell anyone else about this embarrassing situation then I promise you I won't. In fact let's forget that ever happened ok?" You jabbed a thumb behind you. "I have a first aid kit in my care, and I'm sure I have some medical masks. How about we go get you one and then just go meet up with everyone else?"
Stiffly and slightly shaken he nodded silently and you turned to start leading the way. This time keeping an eye out for any ice this time and he slowly followed behind. A few steps in Kabauramaru poked his head out and gave him a look-
"Don't gi-give me that look!" His hand gently forced him back under his scarf. "You get back in there before you catch a cold!"
"What'd you say?"
"NOTHING!"
Thankfully you didn't skip again on your way back to your car in the crowded parking lot. The walk there was mostly silent with Obanai keeping at least two yards distance behind you as you all walked to your beat up, hand me down can where he just watched as you fished your keys out of your purse, unlocked your trunk, and proceeded to carefully move over some of the packed gifts for the party tonight until you spotted the white box with the giant red x. Ah. Here we go. You quickly opened it digging through the box until you found a few folded up medical masks behind the burn cream. Obanai was still there just silently waiting when you finally closed the trunk and with a smile offered the blue foam mask to him.
"Here you go! It should fit."
He slowly took it from you before giving a serious look. "Turn around and close your eyes." To his surprise you... actually did as he asked. ".. Don't turn around until I say so."
"Ok."
His eyes narrowed suspiciously at you.. before he looked around to make sure no one else was around to watch him before his hands even reached up to carefully start removing her scarf. He held it to his face still with one hand before it completely dropped and he snapped on the mask with expert hands from years of doing this. Carefully shifting the blue mask to fit comfortably over his face all the while his eyes never left her unmoving form keeping a VERY close eye on her form but she didn't move an inch.
"....You can move now." You slowly turned around with a blink smiling upon seeing him looking away but awkwardly holding out the pink scarf towards you again. "Here. Take your scarf back."
"Well I'm glad that's settled." You did take it from him, quickly slinging it back around your neck. "How do you feel?"
"Better." He left it at that before he turned around again to just leave. "I'm going back to the festival."
"Ok. I guess I'll see you when it's time to see the play then?"
"..Yeah."
"Alright. I'll see you then, and don't worry. I won't tell anyone about what happened today. It'll just be our secret."
He gave you another look but didn't say anything else as he just turned back around and proceeded to take his leave back into the festival. You left soon after relocking your car and spending the last hour of your free time playing a few more games at the fair before leaving to go meet everyone else at the university's theater. Everyone was easy to spot considering how unusually tall both Gyomei and Tengen was. You found them all just gathered outside the entrance to the building along with Obanai whom looked annoyed made to wait for everyone to show up.ย
"Oh finally! There you are!," everyone seemed lightly surprised by the fact Obanai of all people spoke to you first with an annoyed look. "The line for tickets is already being formed and we're gonna be late getting inside if we don't hurry!"
"I'm sorry. I'm here now though so we can just go get in line."
His hand pointed at you. "Don't do that again. I was this close to just finding you myself and dragging you back!"
You didn't complain when he turned to quickly step towards the already forming line before Sanemi gave you a confused brow. "The fuck was that about?"
You shrugged. "He probably just wants to get a good seat."
Sanemi hummed again but didn't press the issue when everyone else was being ushered towards the line. Standing in line and paying the twenty five dollar entrance fee to be allowed in lead you to the inside of the theater once more only this time it was much more crowded than usual. You ended up getting wedged in a seat between Giyuu and a random stranger near the middle of the rows of seats waiting for everyone to get settled and for the play to start. You thought you also spotted Mitsuri's brother and parents sitting in the rows in front of you but it was dark to tell. What you did notice was Obanai taking out his phone to either record or take pictures of the play (or more specifically his girlfriend). Which was sweet.ย
You hadn't ever seen the play before so you weren't exactly sure what was going on during some stages of the dancing or what the dancers were supposed to be doing, but it was beautiful none the less especially with Mitsuri dancing in the spotlight in her beautiful dress and make up. She was rather stunning and you could see how Obanai was a lucky man...And the rest of your friends too of course. The play went off without a hitch ending with the cast all bowing to the audience cheering and clapping for the performance of the night.
"You were great Mitsuri! I didn't know you could dance like that!"
You all found yourselves in front of the university waiting for Mitsuri to come out and join you all which she did after twenty minutes. With her face still glittery from the performance makeup and a giant bouquet of roses someone else had gifted her for the perfect performance. Of course she gushed at your words, giving a small happy squeal of delight.ย
"THANK YOU!! IM SO HAPPY YOU MADE IT!! ARE YOU STILL COMING TO MY PARTY?!"
"Of course I am!...But there is one problem." You embarrassedly rubbed your neck. "I dunno where you live."
"That's ok! You can follow Obi's car! It's not even that far from here honestly!"
"Ok. Sounds like a plan."
Sounded like a plan but it was easier said than done trying to follow Obanai's van through the dark snowy evening. Luckily you were still carpooling Kyojuro whom turned out had incredibly good night vision and was able to help you point out where you needed to go and you were easily able to find the Kanroji's family home. Decorated with shiny Christmas lights and a big wreath hung up onto the door.ย
Oh. That was lovely but not as lovely decorated as the inside was. With a large pink Christmas tree(you were surprised Mitsuri would decorate her house in pink Christmas decorations) decked out in silver ornaments and tinsel, garlands everywhere one looked, cutesy gingerbread men shaped throw pillows on her sofa, and much much more. Kyojuro helped you bring in two large paper bags again to which Mitsuri and Suma instantly perked up immediately when seeing it.
"HA! What's that?! More mochi cakes?!," Suma asked with wide eyes practically drooling at the thought of more of your yummy desserts.
You smiled at her. "Nope but it is for you guys!" You continued already reaching into the bag to go fishing for the gifts. "They're Christmas presents!"
You pulled out the first one which happened to be Giyuu's to which you handed over to him and watched as with happy eyes he opened it to reveal the old tsume shogi board game you'd found. Shinobu mentioned once that it was his favorite game and you promised to play it with him sometime as he stared wide eyed at you. Kanae and Shinobu was next and both sisters lit up when finding out about the matching butterfly earrings you got for them. Kyojuro instantly lit up upon seeing the sake you gave him immediately holding up his bottle and shouting-
"I'll get another one and we'll use these for our New Year's festivities!"
Sanemi just looked stunned by the cute wooden beetle in his hands after you explained that Kanae mentioned him having a few pet beetles at home, but it didn't stop him from turning a bright pink. You were going to give him the silver chain you'd bought earlier but you didn't think he'd like it since Sanemi never wore any jewelry. Instead you gifted the chain to Tengen along with the new paintbrushes to which he immediately put on commenting on how 'flashy' it looked on him. Makio and Hinatsuru gushed over the amber and Ruby pendants and Suma all but death hugged you crying over the sapphire ring she had gotten. Makio pulled her off you but you were pulled into another death hug as soon as Mitsuri sat the cute Hi Kitty sweater underneath reindeer wrapping paper. This time it was Giyuu who saved you before you could pass out from lack of air.ย
That means there was only two gifts left.
"Merry Christmas, Honey." Gyomei blinked down at his hands when you placed a wrapped rectangle shape in them. "I got you something I really think you'd like."
"Oh? A gift for me. How thoughtful." His smile was already there as you watched him unwrap it and feel a hand across the cover. "Oh. A book."
"Nansล Satomi Hakkenden to be exact. You said you've been wanting to read it and it took me a while-" He looked back to you in surprise. "-but I found one that was in brail for you. Y'know..So you could read it."
He continued to stare at your direction before he turned his face back down towards the book in his hands again. Feeling the soft hardback in his grasp before he smiled. "I think...this is the most thoughtful gift anyone's ever given me." You blinked when he suddenly cupped your face. "Thank you."
With a pink face you giggled into his touch before smiling. "I'm so happy you think so. I wanted to get you something you really liked." That left only one last present though. You gently removed yourself from his grip to pick up one last box before turning to the room before you blinked. "Where's Iguro?"
"Oh. I thought I heard him retreat to the kitchen. He might be helping Mrs. Kanroji with the baking."
"Alright then. I'll be right back."
With one last smile you took your leave of the small living room to go make your way to the kitchen where the delicious smells came from. Gingerbread, roasted turkey, and chocolate being some of the few smells you smelt before poking your head into the kitchen area. You saw an older woman in an apron who was pushing a gingerbread man shaped cookie cutter into light brown dough on the table and across from her stirring a pot on the stove was an older man whom had the same eyes as Mitsuri. He noticed you first looking up towards the doorway with a smile.ย
"Hello there, Young Lady," he greeted which made his wife look over. "You must be the new girlfriend my daughter's been going on about. Don't think we've seen each other since that nice Rengoku family hosted Halloween."
'Girlfriend'? You brushed it off think he must've been mistaken or he was referring to you as one of Mitsuri's girlfriends as the platonic way. "Sorry. I'm looking for Iguro. Someone told me he was in the kitchen."
"Oh. He's in the backyard roasting the ham on the grill. It always tastes better when it's cooked over an open fire. You can go through the backdoor there and find him." He gestured to a door against the wall you hadn't noticed before.
"Oh. Thank you."
Leaving the couple behind you made for the door thankful that you hadn't removed your coat yet. Opening up the door you were met with a snowy backyard with a fence, a big grill with a full on ham being cooked over it, and Obanai standing next to said grill looking surprised to see you. You stared back at him ..and tried to not to laugh seeing the pink frilly apron tied over his coat with his black hair pulled up into a bun, and a pair of kitty paw oven mitts adorning his hands as he stood there staring at you. His snake was poking itself cutely under his chin and looked he was wearing a fuzzy socks Obanai had cut the tip off of to shove over him.
He stared at you with comically large eyes, probably turning to you when he heard the door open before he sputtered. "W-What are you doing here?!" He quickly accused pointing a cute mitten at you. "No one's supposed to be here until we're done cooking!"
You decided not to laugh and instead smiled at him holding up his gift. "I brought you a present!"
...He blinked. "A what?"
"A present! Y'know. A gift?," you said stepping forward to hold out the box. "Here. I got this for you. Merry Christmas, Obanai."
His brows rose once more. Looking at you, then the gift, then you, then the box again..and then finally back to you raising one brow high in confusion. "A gift? Why would you get me anything? We aren't even that close."
"Because I just wanted to." You held the gift closer to him. "Will you at least look at it? If you don't like it I'll take it back and get you something else."
Again he didn't say anything at first looking between you and the box a few times before his eyes glanced to the ham still roasting over the grilled fire. Not sure if he was contemplating entertaining you or if he was making sure the food wouldn't burn before talking to you but he turned to look at the box again .... before slowly removing the cutesy mitts from his hands and putting him to the side. You smiled and watched as he slowly took it from you. He stood there for the longest time turning it this way and that inspecting it before bringing it up to his ear and shaking it-
"Careful!" He stopped. "It's fragile. If you shake it too much it might break."
...He blinked. Before looking at the box suspiciously and just reaching up to rip the lip off. Peeking inside. .... before he blinked yet again. Just...staring at the box. You stood there still in silence as he continued to just stare unblinking into the box.ย
"... It's a snake! Or it's supposed t-to be a snake. Tengen told me you likedย amezaiku candy. I uh-... I'm not very good at making it as you can see b-but I hope you like it."ย
Obanai said nothing still, just looking into the box silently before reaching inside the box and carefully pulling out the fragile sugar-starch statue from inside. It was a snake, of what was supposed to be a snake. It was bulging in strange places, and the scales sculpted onto it's body was uneven, and it's head looked like someone used helium to inflate it. Eyes popping out cartoon style. The edible paint used to pay it either was a bit sloppy and chipped and some places weren't even painted. Overall not the best looking.
"Mitsuri showed me a picture of Kaburamaru so I tried using him as a reference..but I don't think it came out too good. Sorry about that."
He just...held it in his hands. Yes hands because he let the box drop to his feet in order to cradle the small thing into his hands like he was handling glass. Eyes wide as the houselights bounced off the shiny sugar it was made from. Like an imperfect statue still made from beautiful glass.ย
"You made this..." He looked up at you wide eyed. "For me?"
You nodded happily. "Yes! Merry Christmas, Obanai. Do you like it?"
He looked back at the statue awed. "Yes."
You lit up in relief. "That's good. I'll leave you alone now. See you back at the party."
You then turned to go back inside and to let him cook. He watched you go back inside silently staring at where you disappeared before slowly looking back down at the candy snake in his hands.ย
The rest of the party went off without a hitch. You spent a few hours there before saying you had to go home and being sure to drop your boyfriend and Kyojuro off first before returning very late to your home, dragging yourself inside, and then just plopping yourself in bed after the long day you had.ย
The rest of that week into the next was pretty normal.ย
Christmas Day you stopped by your aunt's to give her the present you'd gotten her but she wasn't there so you left it in her mailbox. You were invited by Kyojuro and Tengen to their New Year's Eve party next week at Tengen's home. You finally got to relax a lot. You went out to the park and dinner with Gyomei. Posed for Tengen yet again that weekend and he promised to have it done in time for New Year's which just made you all the more excited for the party. You even got to hang out with Murata after so long of you two being busy and watched him go nuts over the comic you got him. Everything seemed to be going so well!
Until next week.
It was a few days before New Year's and the party, and you were trying out the recipe for no bake cookies from your new cook book (a gift from Sanemi of all people) when you heard a loud knocking on your front door. With a confused blink you paused in your work to go towards the door. You were expecting your aunt, your boyfriend, or one of your friends but you weren't expecting to see the short man on the other side staring at you as soon as you opened the door. You blinked at the thick black and white coat and the thick scarf wrapped around his neck and lower face hiding his mouth from view.ย
"Oh. Hi, Obanai. I wasn't expecting to see you here." You smiled but you were a little confused by his presence here. "What are you doing here?"
He didn't answer at first before saying two words. "Totoro kombu."
You blinked. "I'm sorry. What?"
"Totoro kombu," he repeated seriously.
You still stared at him confused at first before it hit you. "Oh. Do you want me to make you more?" He instantly nodded eagerly. "Oh sure. I can do that right now since I got some seaweed. Do you wanna come in? It's cold out there."
He nodded again and you stepped aside to allow him to come inside.
Remember if you want to be added to the taglist lemme know
You indeed did return the next day and it went as well as it did the last time. You were greeted by the Uzui family and then one of the girls helped you dress back up in the costume Mitsuri leant Tengen and do your makeup. Then you'd sit down for a few hours as Tengen did his workout if painting as intense as a runner jogging. This time it was Makii who came up with some news (grilled ham and cheese sandwiches) and ooh boy. She was NOT happy with the mess that her husband had again made in his frenzy.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!," her voice shrieked out causing both yourself and Tengen to jump as neither of you heard her come up the stairs.ย
PPPPPFFFTTTTTT-
A loud spurring sound like a balloon letting out air went off as instinctively Tengen's hand squeezed a blue metallic paint tube causing the shiny paint to go flying all over his front, hand, and dripped heavily on the floor. Thank goodness for the large apron he still wore, also thankfully he didn't squirt any of the paint on the unfinished painting. Makio however found the mess less than funny.
"What a mess! We just cleaned up everything yesterday!"
"Makio! You know to knock before you come in! I could've ruined the painting!"ย
"And you ruined my clean floors!! Y'know what?!" Her arm pointed downstairs. "Get downstairs now! You're having lunch with us like a family instead of being cooped up up here for hours by yourself!"
"I'm not by myself!" He gestured to you paint dripping down his clutched fist still. "Y/n is literally sitting right there!"
"I don't care if it was my mom sitting there! I didn't spend the last hour slaving over a hot stove cooking you food to say you're too busy to sit down and eat with your wives!"
"I'm not hungry! I'll eat later."
Apparently that was the wrong thing to the angry woman because you watched her eyelid twitch before she stomped over and jumped up. You thought you'd seen everything on your terrible dates, but watching a woman grab a six foot something man by the ear and drag him away like a disappointed mother was not it.ย
"Ow, ow, ow! Makio, let go! C'mon!", he shouted from his forced leaned over position.ย
You watched with wide eyes as she literally dragged the complaining man down the stairs dripping paint from his hands as they went... before slowly getting up and following them. It'd be best to not anger Makio anymore than what she probably already was. In the kitchen she was already making Tengen wash off his hands and found a few plates of the grilled ham n cheeses waiting for you both. Thank goodness. You were starting to get hungry from sitting and smoking for hours. It felt like your cheeks were getting a workout.ย
Tengen pouted the entire time he was made to sit there and eat less he anger Makio again and ensure her wifely vengeance again. Makio stood right behind him for a few minutes staring him down to make sure he didn't try going anywhere before she left to dig out a mop from the broom closet...A mop? Oh. That was probably for the dripping mess he made coming downstairs. So Makio was missing for a little while while everyone ate. Which was probably the reason for Tengen's reaction when he went back upstairs with you and found his painting gone.
He had frozen on the top step making you bump into him blinking... before with wide eyes he quickly started looking around the room frantically. "HONEY!!"
"WHAT?!," Makio's voice called from somewhere downstairs.ย
"Where's my painting?!"
"What?"
"WHERE. IS. MY. PAINTING?!" He called looking under one of the tables.
"I put it away."
"WHERE?!" He stopped looking in the studio to quickly approach the railing with a frown on his face.
"Why do you need to know?!"
"I NEED IT!!" He shouted back down the halls gripping the railings.
"Nuh uh! Don't you even THINK you're getting away with making a massive mess and then expecting us to clean it up again!"
"My creativity is in danger!!"
"MY CLEAN FLOORS ARE IN DANGER!! YOU'LL GET IT BACK AFTER YOU PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF!!"
"YOU TELL ME WHERE MY PAINTING IS, WOMAN!! WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE GREATER GOOD!!"
"GREATER GOOD?! WE ARE YOUR WIVES!! WE'RE THE 'GREATEST GOOD' YOU'RE EVER GONNA GET!!"
Tengen's face scowled but he turned to you once you patted him on the back offering sympathetic smile. "C'mon. I'll help you clean up again."
He was already ungripping the railing and turning to go stomp back off to where the wet wipes were kept neatly on the shelf. Figured you'd just tidy up the five still wet paintbrushes Tengen tossed around. Made you wonder how often his wives had to give him the child treatment in order to get him to clean up his artistic messes. The same thing as before repeated with Makii coming to check to see if he had actually cleaned up the splattered mess, scolded him for letting you help him clean his mess, and relented giving him back the canvas after he literally begged for it.
"And he still hasn't let anyone else see the painting...except for Hinatsuru and Makio I guess." Your hands rummaging through the shirt stack stopped and pulled out a pink sweater with a white Hi Kitty print on it. "Do you think Mitsuri would like this?"
Kanae nodded clasping her hands together. "Oh yes! She loves the Hi Kitty franchise!"
It was a week until you'd have to go back to pose again for Tengen, and The Kocho sisters had invited you to go out Christmas shopping with them. It's been a while since you were able to hang out with just them so why not? You've been meaning to go Christmas shopping for your friends anyways. A sweater for Mitsuri, a bottle of plum rice sake for Kyojuro, some pendants and assorted jewelry for the sisters and Tengen's wives, expensive paintbrushes for Tengen, and you'd special ordered a special book just for Gyomei you know that he'd like.
Unfortunately you were a little stumped on what to get for Sanemi or Giyuu. Luckily that's where their girlfriends came in and why you agreed to go shopping with them. They were lots of help in helping you choose a small silver chain for Sanemi and you were in the middle of going to get those few things right now.
Already the sisters were carrying two or three bags each for presents for their family as well as their partners. It was actually really sweet of them to invite you along to go shopping since you've been busy working and trying to figure out what to get Murata. He collected comic books and such. You'd stop by the local game shop and see what you could find next week. For now you'd put the sweater into your shopping bag and make your way towards the home decor aisle.ย
"You've been working a lot lately. I'm starting to think that you're a workaholic like Shinobu." Said sister turned with a strained smile while holding up an adorable porcelain fairy statue. A gift for their little sister most likely.
"No. I've just been very busy with things. I still haven't finished decorating my own house yet." You commented stepping into home decor and glancing at a state of the art wall clock as you passed by. Too expensive. "Not to mention that I'm still busy on weekends."
"That's right. You're letting Tengen paint you."
"Has the bedazzled brainiac torn apart his studio yet?" Shinobu bagged the figurine as she walked. Guess she was getting it after all.ย
"No. He's been keeping it really clean actually." You left out the part that it was his wives that's been making him constantly clean up after himself as you walked across the tiles floor glancing at throw pillows, plaques, cases, and a few different statues in the shapes of animals, people, etc. stopping to pick up a shiny crystal vase. "It should come out really good considering how pretty the portrait of you is." You gave Kanae a look. There was a portrait of her in his living room.
She smiled at you. "Thank you. He has portraits of all of us even if Sanemi took a long time to convince. They're all over his house. But I'm sure whatever he has planned for yours will be much prettier."
"I wouldn't know." You carefully placed the vase back down deciding not to buy it. "He won't let me see it."
"Tengen never lets anyone see his paintings until they're finished. It's a habit of his that's always existed." A small gasp left her lips as she picked up vase you had put down, pink eyes lighting up. "Look at how pretty this is. Mom would love this."
Shinobu had come to look at the crystal her sister had picked up as you continued to walk along the shelves. A zebra printed lamp. Some Christmas book ends. You stopped at a few wooden figurines of animals. A tiger, giraffe, some reindeer of course, and something that had you pausing. A Hercules beetle. Kabae mentioned that her boyfriend had some pet beetles! This would be the perfect gift for Sanemi! Without much thought you grabbed one and continued on being sure to wait for the other two to catch up before you had the idea to stop by the toy section and found what you were looking for. A tsume shogi boardgame. Looked old and dusty being shoved on the back of the shelf since...well no one wanted to buy board games too much anymore but guess you were lucky that no one else bought it.ย
That just crossed two gifts off your bucket list.ย
Your aunt would just be happy with you making her favorite pies and the last two gifts could wait for next week to be bought. However you couldn't help but feel like you were missing someone. However you wouldn't really know exactly what or exactly who you were forgetting. You hadn't even realized that you had forgotten about someone until you drove back to Tengen's home to pose for the picture again for the third time. Nothing really stood out from the usual. Except for some reason the girls were overly smiley and complimented you very MUCH on how pretty you looked in the dress again.ย
You were confused but quickly brushed off when Makio yelled at Suma to stop hugging you and to let you go already. Usual behavior there. So you paid the rest no mind not how Tengen smiled at you. You just resumed your place on the stool smiling at him as he continued his flurry of painting away. So it was also expected for one of the girls to come get him for lunch and after a few hours of waiting, you heard a sound of bouncing, skilling steps. Like the bouncing steps Mitsuri would make.
"Oh, Tengen!!," you heard Suma before you spotted her bouncing up the steps excitedly and bouncing her way over to the tall man. "The food's ready!!"
You were expecting him to put up a fight this time like he did with Makio and Hinatsuru but you were surprised when he actually stopped what he was doing and gave her his full attention. "Oh really? What'd you make today, Baby?"
Her bright blue eyes lit up. "Garlic and butter fried tofu! I even made gyoza and shrimp tempura to go with it!" Her hands latched onto his so fast you barely blinked. "Are you going to come eat?!"
"You bet I will!" Your brows rose watching him put down the brush he was using on the table allowing silvery metallic paint to leak onto it's surface. Suma blinked at it to which Tengen assured her. "Don't worry. I'll clean up everything once we finish eating!"
"Great! C'mon, c'mon, c'mon! I want Y/n to have a chance to taste what I cook too!!"
"We're right behind you!"
You slowly blinked, and was even slower to stand up watching Suns excitedly bounce her way out of the room... before your brow rose and you turned to the sounds of the painter sighing in defeat.ย
"So what was that all about?"
He groaned knowing EXACTLY what you meant. "My wives threatened to hide my paints if I didn't start taking better care of the studio and eating."
"Oh. Is that it?"
"Is that it?!" He made a thumb motion to where Suma disappeared. "They were gonna have Suma hide it, and she hides things so well that you could literally take apart the house nail by nail and STILL never find it again! Seriously! They always have her hide my birthday presents!"
Oooh. So that's why he was so agreeable to Suma less the hide and seek master of the wives hide his essential equipment. You couldn't help but giggle making him cutely pout, and making you giggle more.
"Well they're only doing it because they love you. They want you to eat and like I told Shinobu, you shouldn't skip meals. If I was your partner then I'd refuse to be your muse unless you took care of yourself."
Tengen paused wide eyed. Then slowly blinked. Then quickly looked panicked. "W-Wait! Y-Y-You wouldn't really quit on me now would you?! I'm nearly halfway done!"
You hummed tilting your head to the left in thought. "Well I genuinely don't want you to just skip meals either. Believe it or not, I care about your health and I don't want you to just forget about caring for yourself." He blinked still wide eyed as you reached out to grab his hand and just tugged him towards the stairs. "C'mon. I'm hungry and honestly what she made sounds pretty good right about now."
"Uh...Y-Yeah." Magenta eyes glanced at her pretty kissable- Uh. FLASHY lips as she smiled cutely. Hand slowly curling around hers as she tugged him towards the stairs. "Hey. No pressure but ...what do you think about poly?"
You blinked turning back up to his dazed face. "What?" What he said was barely above a whisper so you were unable to hear what he said.
"Uh..N-Nevermind. It wasn't important." He cleared his throat looking away. "Yeah. My wives are probably going crazy without my flamboyant presence.~" He smiled again as usual. "Let's grave them with my presence before they forget what I look like!"
"Pfft." You giggled again at him. "Be careful. Makio might slither back up here and get you if you're not careful."
"I'm not afraid of her. 'Sides. Obanai is the most likely one to slither around."
You had stopped mid step going down the stairs catching Tengen's arm and tugging him back slightly. Confused he blinked and turned back to you with a scrunched up face. However f/c orbs widened to the size of plates as you stared straight ahead. The heads whirling around in your head as you thought. And then you realized a big blinder. Oh no.
Three (still working on the third one haha...๐ถ๐๐) fanarts inspired by @fantasydaydreamers amazing story: !ยกGLITCHยก!
(Art also posted in my bluesky)
On the first is a scene of the first part where our lovely [Reader] gets surprised by cryptic purple text on the laptop :
On the second one, is a scene of the second part of the story, which is what I think that happened on the other side of the monitor when everything went down the drain in the [Reader's] life :
(Also, idk why but when I was reading the description of [Reader] entering GLITCH for the first time, I imagined their mascot as a possum in a jester costumeโ PLEASE DON'T JUDGE ME GKgmskgsyksyk)
AND The tHiฬถฬฬฟออฬฬฬฬอฬฬฃrฬทฬฬฬฬฐอฬจฬบฬฬณอฬฒฬกฬญฬซฬ ฬฑฬฬจฬฑฬฐออฬ ฬฐอออออฬฃฬซอฬชdฬถออฬฬพอฬฬฬออฬฬออ อฬฌฬฬ ฬงฬฎฬจฬฃอฬนฬผฬฐฬฬงฬกอฬณอฬ อ ฬฬฏอฬชฬฐออฬฃฬฏฬฬฏโฬดฬออออฬอฬฬอฬอฬอฬอออฬฬฌฬญฬฒฬฏฬฬคอฬฬฬขฬฬฬอฬชฬ ฬอฬฏอฬชอฬจฬฆฬฬจอ ฬฃฬจฬอ*ฬตฬฬอฬฒฬทอออฬฬฏฬธฬฬอฬญฬฬคฬทฬอฬฬงฬณอฬธอฬฟอฬฐ
The air was filled with the sweet smells of sugars, spices, cinnamon, and flour alongside various fruits.
CHOP. CHOP. CHOP. CHOP.
The sounds of a clever coming down to cut the remains of a poor defenseless apple sounded out as she hummed along with the tune of a Christmas carol only she knew about. Hair pulled up in a messy bun, sleeves rolled up, apron on, and stains of flour and different sauces covering said apron. The nearby window was open allowing the extra heat and sweet smells to pour out into the cool morning air and inviting others near the kitchen.
Humming along she chopped up the fifth apple she'd be needing for the pies to later be eaten along with Christmas dinner with the rest of her family. She hummed continuing to cut it up carefully before tossing the core to the side to be used as fertilizer before carefully picking up the cutting board and using the knife to carefully scrape the apple slices into the bowl next to her before turning around to grab the next apple on the table. However she stopped seeing a movement in the corner of her eyes. Pausing mid grab wit one hand hovering over the basket of apples, her head turned towards the open window facing the lightly chilly air.ย
A hand sneakily reaching in to try and grab at the pie-
SMACK!!
"OW!" A high pitched whine called out and a send later Suma's face popped up in the window pouting. "What was that for?!"
"Don't touch the pies!," Makio shouted back angrily pointing the cutting knife towards her in a nonthreatening way. "I still have to make another one for Christmas dinner before we can eat!"
"But I'm hungry now!"
"You literally just pigged out on half of the apples just an hour ago! I'm lucky there was enough left for the two pies I wanted to make you glutton!"
"WWAAHHH! TENGEN! MAKIO'S BEING MEAN AGAIN!!"
"Just leave her be, Suma. She's almost done and so are we. Look! The turkey's almost done."
Outside it was a bit nippy but not enough to bed full coats. Instead two men were huddled around a small fire pit with a makeshift BBQ built over it. A fat juicy turkey was impaled and slowly being turned by the smiling man with flaming hair. Hinatsuru was busy with the table handling the other foods like stuffing and a salad bowl.ย
"We'll eat soon enough as it is. In the meantime -" He held out his arms to her and patted where he sat. "-come keep me company. I'm cold.~"
The teary girl immediately ran from the window towards his outstretched arms and was easily caught up into his embrace. The warmth of the open fire washing over them both in waves as the delicious smells of cooking foods filling the cool evening.
For the folclore I thought of a duo... although, they are from the Brazilian folklore.
You could do Boitatรก and Boiรปna, they are two giant snakes, Boitatรก is a giant snake on fire, that protects the forest and the other is completely black and is about how the night was created.
Although, there are other ones that I think it's funny to use, like the pink dolphin, literally a dolphin that turns into a human and fucks married ladies.
There are others that are really interesting that I can send if you want.
You wanted to be more adventurous. Thus, on a whim, you decided to pack a bag with necessities and begin your little hike through the Brazilian forests.
What could go bad?
Good question. Youโve considered many risks, yet your first aid kit did not foresee that youโd be stuck in the hollow of a tree, pressed between two enormous serpents.
What were you even doing out there by yourself? Oh, you silly creature. As the guardians of the forest, it is their duty to ensure safety at all times. Not everyoneโs, of course. You just happened to catch their eye.
Despite your pleads, they refuse to let you go. Too many dangers out there, and besides, theyโre rather fond of the little human they just acquired.
Your only hope had been a young, handsome man who happened to pass by. To your great shock, he was rather indifferent to the monstrous beasts, and they were equally unbothered by the intruder.
โI could use a handโ, you huffed under the weight of the scaly, slithering bodies.
โAre you married by any chance?โ he asked. Then, he glanced at the two snakes, and back at you. โYou know what, I might just return later.โ
And I'm back with another drawing, this time I was inspired by Lover's Cicle writing by @echantedtoon
In this drawing I tried to picture [Reader] (this is how I vision them โ๐ญ) and Gyomei participating in the couples game in one of the first chapters; And this is how it turned out!
(Art also posted in my Bluesky)
And here are the references used in the drawing (All references used were found in Pinterest) :
Entรฃo por onde eu comeรงo? O X (antigo Twitter) foi suspenso indefinidamente do Brasil , de um lado รฉ ruim pra certas pessoas que trabalham e precisam divulgar seu trabalho na plataforma; por outro nem tanto, pois era um lugar bem... "Sem filtro" ...
Fico meio triste por perder o contato com pessoas incrรญveis e outras que tbm me inspiram bastante, artistas e suas obras maravilhosas!
Mas infelizmente nรฃo hรก nada hรก ser feito, entรฃo vou sรณ seguir o baile, continuar com minha vida e esperar que tudo volte ao mais normal possรญvel dada toda essa situaรงรฃo .
Eng- Translation :
So where do I start? X (formerly Twitter) has been suspended indefinitely in Brazil. On one hand, it's bad for certain people who work and need to publicize their work on the platform; on the other hand, not so much, because it was a very... "Unfiltered" place...
I'm a little sad about losing contact with incredible people and others who also inspire me a lot, artists and their wonderful works! But unfortunately there's nothing to be done, so I'll just move on , get on with my life and hopefully everything will be as normal as it can be.
Anyways , have a fish drawing I made || De qualquer forma, toma um desenho de peixe que fiz
The funniest thing about this situation is that Elon Musk is so pissed off at not getting to do something illegal and get away with it by being a billionaire for once in his life that he has been -and Iโm 100% serious here- making photo edits of our Supreme Court minister dressed as fucking Voldemort. Literal little kid taping a picture of someone they donโt like to a dartboard kind of behavior.
Brazilian Supreme Court: Hey, uh. Just letting you know that what youโre doing is a crass violation of Brazilian law and if you donโt remedy it on the next 24h weโll shut your website down in Brazil.
Sorry, I just looked it up and it turns out I got it slightly wrong: Elon Musk didn't photoshop a picture of Alexandre de Moraes, the Brazilian Supreme Court minister into Voldemort. Pretty silly of me to think someone like him would put in the effort to actually edit a picture himself.
What ACTUALLY happened was that Elon Musk first compared Alexandre de Moraes to Voldemort, then posted an Al generated image of him behind bars and told him to "mark his words because it'll happen for real someday", then posted another Al generated picture of him as a roll of toilet paper and then, finally, posted a picture of him photoshopped into a Sith Lord that he claimed had been generated by that shitty Grok Al thing they came up with, just to eventually admit that it was actually some random edit someone else had made he took from Google Images because "Al made him look too badass". In this order.
Well, itโs a little bit of a convoluted story, but remember the US capitol invasion by Trump Supporters in January 2021? Brazil was being governed by our own far-right asshole back then as well, Jair Bolsonaro. When he was running for president, his political party orchestrated a large misinformation campaign, speeding fear mongering rumors about the left through social media and instant messaging apps to try and sway people into voting for them. A bunch of these rumors were, unsurprisingly, about how โthe left is teaching your kids to be gay in school.โ Even after Bolsonaro was elected, there still were lots of people and communities in these platforms dedicated to spreading rumors in his favor.
Bolsonaro, however, did such a shitty job handling the COVID pandemic and was responsible for (and very indifferent about) so many people losing their lives that it irreversibly soured his popularity. As a result, he wasnโt reelected in 2022 and lost to Luis Inรกcio Lula da Silva, the leftist party candidate. So, in January 2023, two days after the anniversary of the US capitol invasion, Bolsonaroโs remaining supporters were called to arms through these misinformation spreading platforms to storm Brazilโs Supreme Court building, the congress building and the presidential palace to try and stage a coup and reinstate Bolsonaro as president. They werenโt successful, thankfully, but they caused a lot of damage to the buildings and hurt people in the process.
Ever since this happened, the Brazilian supreme court has been trying to properly identify and bring every person responsible for this attack to justice, including the people who were behind the scenes spreading rumors and organizing the whole thing. So it was ruled that the social media and messaging apps that were used to spread misinformation and organize this attempted coup should hand the information they had about these people over so they could be properly investigated and prosecuted and ban them from using their services. Not doing so was, by very definition, an obstruction of Brazilian justice and therefore a criminal act. Twitter, at the time not ran by a conservative dipshit, was cooperative at first.
Enter Elon Musk, known conservative dipshit, who takes over Twitter, changes it to X and refuses to cooperate with the investigation, saying that it is a โviolation of the free speech of the accusedโ. Upon being told by our Supreme Court minister, Alexandre de Moraes, that he was breaking Brazilian law, he got all pissy, ordered all of the X offices in Brazil to be closed down, accused Alexandre de Moraes of โjust wanting his political opponents to be silencedโ, threatened to unban everyone involved who had been previously banned before he took over X and called him โnot even a real minister because he wasnโt electedโ Yeah, no shit, dumbass. Ministers get appointed by the president over here.
Anyway, due to being a dumbass, Musk didnโt realize that closing down Xโs offices in Brazil wouldnโt really change the fact that he was still breaking Brazilian law and, in fact, was just more obstruction of justice. So, Alexandre de Moraes gave him until the 31st of August (tomorrow, at the time Iโm writing this) to send or appoint a new legal representative for X in Brazil to handle the court proceedings or X would be shut down in all of Brazil until he did. Thatโs when Musk started the Voldemort shit and made it clear he would NOT do that and saying that Alexandre de Moraes should be the one sent to jail forโฆ I donโt even know. Wanting people who committed crimes to face consequences?
To sum it upโฆ X is very likely going to close down indefinitely in Brazil because Elon Musk canโt stop himself from acting like a petulant toddler whenever heโs told to do something he doesnโt want, Elon Musk is dying on the hill of โprotecting the free speechโ of far-right criminals (which is not very surprising since most of his friends are far-right shitheads too) and the social media website he was forced to buy in order to not be charged with market manipulation that he has been steadily fucking to shit ever since is going to lose around 21 million users overnight. Masterful gambit, sir!
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