#dorkshadows

[artworkbycrt]

This is a piece for @dorkshadows 's fic "From Here the Rain Falls" (Journey to the West fandom). Absolutely gorgeously written and such a delicious slow burn!!! There's so much I wanted to include for it, but this is what I ended up with so I hope it does it justice! ><

I also have such a hard time drawing Shu Qi. Her beauty is just too difficult for my skills <3

[littlelonghairedoutlawllho]

The Silk Road by @dorkshadows

Perhaps Nijni-Novgorod reminded him of the bazaars in Tehran, but he could not shake the memory of desert heat and something more. They had met, once before. (Or, the pharoga reincarnation AU)

The second moodboard for @dorkshadows in honour of having won the PotO Rare Pair Fic Contest! I didn’t know what to expect with this fic but I really really enjoyed it!

[littlelonghairedoutlawllho]

You spoke of roses by @dorkshadows

The Sultana was a rose, beautiful and keen and as elusive as smoke. She was a poem, a word from a brush, and a thread of silk knotted around Christine’s hand. But under those petals, there were thorns, sharp, unyielding, and unimaginably cruel.

Or, the AU in which the Shah-in-Shah hires Gustave Daae instead of the faceless magician. And the violinist's daughter catches the eye of the little Sultana.

The absolutely *stunning* first place winner in the recent Poto Rare Pairs Fic Contest! Check it out and leave a comment! Link is in the title

[lunarblue21]

@dorkshadows please please please update The Weather’s Fine sometime soon I just checked the ao3 tag for Ice Age and there’s fics of people killing Roshan (cos that’s popular now apparently) and that tag needs some quality fic again1!! 

[righteousdelusions]

No one will ever get me as much as @dorkshadows does

[cielsama14]

Is Real!Ciel Trying to Recreate the Past?

Disclaimer: Before reading this post, make sure to read my RCMT masterpost and the mirror dynamic post linked in it first or this is not going to make any sense. XD

Alright, this is going to be seriously messed up. You have been warned. 

So, the latest chapter has me wondering if there is meant to be a significant connection between Real!Ciel and Our!Ciel’s chess game in the present and Real!Ciel and Vincent’s possible chess game in the past. 

Now we know that VIncent and Our!Ciel are the only ones who can give Real!Ciel a good chess game.

The innocent games of the past have transformed into the serious fights of Real!Ciel’s plot to kill Vincent later on and a deadly battle between the twins in the present. 

Another important thing to keep in mind is how the mirror dynamic predicts that unlike his brother, Real!Ciel will truly experience the thrill of power, and that will overcome him as he kills his parents. Perhaps this could be related to the excitement he feels now towards having a serious fight with his brother, which leads to my question.

What if Real!Ciel is trying to recreate the thrill he had while killing his parents through his fight with Our!Ciel? 

Despite how Vincent could not see Real!Ciel coming for him, he was an adult and experienced Watchdog with plenty of servants, and Real!Ciel was just a little boy. The stakes would have been high enough to provide plenty of tension, and the triumph and dominance over such a challenging opponent could have made the murder all the more exhilarating for Real!Ciel.  

This experience may have been powerful enough for Real!Ciel to have it as one of the future desires that keep him animated as a bizarre doll. In his mind, upping the stakes in his fight against Our!Ciel could be a way to experience that ultimate thrill all over again, another cathartic victory over a real fight. 

Our!Ciel having his servants at his side would also resemble how Vincent had all his own servants as well. Real!Ciel even goes as far as to ask Tanaka about how he should have gone back with the other servants.

Perhaps he expected Tanaka to be at his brother’s side just like how he was with Vincent in the past, seeing him as another part of the recreation. Regardless, it isn’t a big deal to him that Tanaka stays since Our!Ciel still has the others. Both good opponents of Real!Ciel have their servants. 

In a truly twisted connection to the past, Real!Ciel may be letting the servants go back to Our!Ciel as a way to recreate the thrill of power that comes from the victory over a good opponent in a serious fight. This may seem pretty out there, but it takes the general concept of the manga and the chess metaphor to a whole new level. 

[raven-moon33]

concept

In Journey to the West, nearly every time Sanzang gets captured by demons, it is due to him wholeheartedly believing the half-baked sob stories disguised demons give him while simultaneously ignoring Wukong’s warnings on what these demons really are. (Despite the fact it’s been proven time and again over the course of nearly two decades that Wukong has Sanzang’s back and no reason to lie about demons-in-disguise).

I think (and correct me if I’m wrong here) that it can generally be agreed that even the most gullible and stubborn amongst us would quickly grow to trust Wukong’s judgement on these things by the third or fourth could’ve-easily-been-avoided encounters with bloodthirsty demons.

Now, keeping this in mind, we must also remember that, in order to attain Buddhahood, Sanzang had to undergo 81 tribulations. In fact, many of the group’s misadventures were the direct results of celestial interference in order to ensure Sanzang faced the neccessary number of trials.

Taking both of these facts into account, I would now like to submit before the jury that a conversation along these lines likely occured between Sanzang and the Bodhisattva Guanyin either before or very early on in the journey:

(Guanyin)G: What’s that you’re packing?

(Sanzang)S: This? It’s my long staff. My elders have trained me in the art of self defense so I will be sufficiently prepared for any dangers I may encounter on the long journey ahead of me.

G: Oh, you won’t be needing that. I have arranged it so that you’ll be getting four powerful disciples who will protect you on your journey.

S: That’s very kind of you Bodhisattva, but shouldn’t I be able to defend myself in case I get captured by demons or rogues? I don’t want to be helpless after all.

G: Yeah, about that...You remember that the journey to enlightenment involves overcoming obstacles?

S: ...Yes...?

G: Well, in your case it’s going to take 81 life-or-death type trials, so it’ll make things easier if you just let things happen y’know? So no weapons or self defense for you mister.

S: That...that seems a tad...excessive...must I really undergo 81 trials involving such danger? Is that a prerequisite for all monks looking to become Buddhas?

G: Well no, typically you just have to relinquish all worldly attachments and strive to do good in all things to become a Buddha, but see, I’m looking to redeem a few spirits- your future disciples fyi- and one of them in particular is going to have to save you A LOT in order to redeem himself for his past crimes. :)

S: ??! And who have you chosen to be my disciples exactly??

And, in no particular order, a few more similar conversations/events throughout the journey west:

S: There’s no way in heck I’m eating this chick’s food. She’s clearly a demon and that rice is definitely poison. I better yell for Wukong before Wuneng chokes on his own saliva or Wujing and Bailong try her food-

G: (Speaking directly into his mind) No wait! This is a perfect opportunity!

S: For what??

G: For one of your trials! We have to squeeze a lot of them in, so might as well start early. And this one wasn’t even planned!

S: But Bodhisattva, I’m pretty sure she’s trying to eat me.

G: That’s the idea.

S: ...Are you really trying to help me or were we enemies in a past life?

G: Great just like that. Okay now tell him you want him gone and to never both you or your disciples again.

S: But he’s only trying to protect me!

G: Oh don’t worry, he’ll ‘convince’ you to let him stay. It’ll take at least two more times before he actually leaves.

S: Don’t we need him to stay on the journey??

G: Well of course we do silly! We’ll just give him a few days to realize how he misses you lot and once you, Wujing, and Bailong get captured or immobolized by a demon we’ll send Wuneng back to get him. Wukong learns the power of friendship and Wuneng gets knocked down a peg. Win-win!

S: Is this demon really powerful enough to capture the three of us and make Wuneng desperate enough to beg Wukong for help?

G: Oh not a chance. I’m talking about the other one up the road.

S: WHAT-

S: Oh yeah, random child tied to a tree, supposedly for days yet showing no sign of dehydration or bodily damage. That’s not suspicious or anything.

G: Now Sanzang-

S: I know, I know. 81 tribulations yadda yadda yadda.

G: Atta’ boy! Oh, before I forget, it might be hard tied up and stuff, but could you try to make sure Wukong doesn’t do too much damage to this one? I’m liking the looks of him and think I might want to make him my disciple.

S: ...why- I don’t- WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?

(Wukong)W: Master they’re demons! If you go with them they’ll eat you!

S: (Cringing internally) Now Wukong, how could you say this slander about such honest, hard-working souls?

(Wuneng/Pigsy)P: Yes yes, such kind souls! You should listen to Master, eldest brother. Never could such fine-featured ladies harbor any sinister intentions!

W: But Master they’re tricking you! 

S: (Internal pained sigh) Enough Wukong. I won’t listen to such stories. Go, get us fruit or rice before we leave for today’s travel.

W: But-

P: You heard Master! Go get some food for him!

S: Why do you do this Wuneng? I am THIS CLOSE to whacking you upside the head. This is difficult enough without you antagonizing him, so get your head out of your OH FOR THE LOVE OF BUDDHA QUIT DROOLING! JOURNEY OR NO JOURNEY I WILL SMACK YOU.

S: (Fighting the urge to bang his head into the nearest wall) Wukong how could this elderly woman possibly be a demon?

W: SHE HAS FANGS MASTER! FANGS!

S: She’s already explained about her family’s curse-

W: WHY DO YOU NEVER BELIEVE ME?!

S: Trust me Wukong, this hurts me WAY more than it hurts you.

S: They didn’t even tie the bonds properly. If I wiggle my wrists in a certain way I can probably get them off with no trouble-

G: No Sanzang stay where you are. Wukong’s going to be there soon. 

S: They are debating whether to bake or boil me and escape is literally RIGHT THERE-

G: But I have a thing planned! It’s going to be awesome!

S: (Screams in frustration)

S: (Tied up and hanging from the ceiling with his disciples in similar positions) (Deadpan) Oh wow. They turned out to be demons. Who could’ve possibly seen this coming?

G: Stop it! Do you want your disciples to catch on?

S: OH WELL NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT-

And such is our favorite monk’s life throughout the journey west. :)

BONUS:

(Wujing, Bailong, and Wuneng are currently captured by demons while Sanzang and Wukong are figuring out a plan to rescue them)

W: Master, my brothers’ lives are in danger. I know that you don’t trust me, but-

S: Alright you know what? No. That is it. I’m done with this.

W: Wh-

S: GUANYIN GET DOWN HERE!

W: ...Master, Guanyin is a holy Bodhisattva, you can’t just-

G: (Appears) Sanzang-

S: Oh no, don’t you ‘Sanzang’ me! I’ve been doing this for 13 Buddha-forsaken years! No more!

G: You know how much planning I’ve put into this?

S: I don’t care! I’m sick of playing the idiot!

G: But this was going to produce the perfect amount of angst and character development!

S: Angst?! CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT?! Are you serious?!

G: This story is going to become legend and be passed down for hundreds of generations, we might as well throw in some drama for the younger demographic!

S: YOU’RE PUTTING MY DISCIPLES THROUGH THIS FOR ENTERTAINMENT VALUE??

W: What are you-

S&G, in unison: NOT NOW WUKONG!

(Wukong sits quietly and watches the continuing argument in a mixture of growing confusion, amusement, and anger)

S: I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS MY DISCIPLES ARE IN DANGER!

G: Is that any different than usual?

S: YES because my first disciple THINKS I DON’T TRUST HIM!!

W: Wait, you trust me?

S: Of course I do! I trust you with my life!

W: (With a gobsmacked expression) ...Oh.

S: (Distressed noises) (Gestures frantically at Wukong) Do you see Guanyin?! Do you see what I’ve done to him?!

G: (Relunctantly) Yes but, be that as it may-

S: No! We’re telling him! If you don’t want me to tell the others fine, but he at least deserves to know!

G: Sanzang we can’t just-

W: (Now a little less shell-shock at all the plot twists suddenly developing) Actually...(casually twirling staff with a sharp-toothed grin)...I think you’ll find you can tell me whatever it is you’re hiding. Wouldn’t want me to get bored of this argument and go looking for entertainment elsewhere- (significant glance heavensward) -would we?

G: (Nervous sweat) Well y-yes but your crown-

S: Which can now only be controlled by me. (Raises eyebrow and gives Guanyin a deadpan look) Correct?

G: ...

W: Wait, so you’ve really known right from the start when we’re dealing with a demon? Every single time?

S: It’s not as if any of them even TRIED to be halfway convincing. At least you’ll get into character; most of the demons we’ve encountered don’t even prepare their cover stories before they try fooling us! Quite frankly it’s insulting, even when I’m playing the idiot.

W: So when you take the pig’s word over mine...?

S: DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THAT TROUBLEMAKING LECHER-

When several days later (after Wukong has rescued the other disciples of course) they come across a beautiful young woman who’s been robbed by a group of bandits, Sanzang is at least able to take comfort in the quick look he shares with Wukong before they listen to her flimsy rambling tale. (And quietly laugh together in the moments they go unnoticed by the others over her very obvious tail).

[cielsama14]

RCMT Discord

https://discord.gg/qCg99Q

https://realcielmastermindsoundscool.wordpress.com/2018/04/02/rcmt-masterpost/ (the meat is in, I just need to update the post with the reveals from 141 and a few small things)

I’ve made a discord for RCMT and anyone's free to join! The only requirements are to read my RCMT masterpost (otherwise you won't have any idea what we're talking about most of the time) and the general be nice to each other along with no sexual language/content. 

Let's have some awesome discussions and memes about RCMT!