Shirtaloon
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Chapter 967: What I Present to The World
🕑 Added 2024-11-27 22:00:06 +0000 UTCSpiritual damage lingered, beyond the capacity of healing magic to repair. This was something Jason was intimately familiar with, but his latest spiritual injury was mild. Holding shut the rip in the universe had strained his prime avatar, but within a couple of days it had largely recovered. He spent that time in his astral kingdom, in his house by the waterfall.
Far from crippled, just not up to another fight, he spent most of the time cooking. He set up an outdoor kitchen on the sprawling deck that jutted into the gorge. A rotating roster of his friends and family came by for sampling purposes, although Nik and Emi’s presence was near-constant. Emi was already an excellent cook, having learned from her mother, just like Jason. They were taking the opportunity to induct Nik into the culinary arts.
Now that the magic levels on Earth were rising, magical variants of familiar ingredients had started to appear. He was incorporating them into the farms he had set up around his main planet, although he hadn’t had time to collect a lot of Earth produce. For the moment, most of the farms still grew Pallimustus plants and fungi.
Along with fields of vegetables there were mushroom caves, hanging gardens filled with vine fruit and sprawling orchards. He had chosen ideal climates, scattered across the planet and linked by portals. The influence of the living forest Arbour made for idyllic growth.
There were still fires to be put out, from the ongoing diplomatic efforts to the fallout from the battles in Melbourne and the Sindh Province. Jason’s recovery offered him some rare downtime, but not all of his friends were as idle.
Farrah had been going over what happened with the manipulation of the grid, alongside grid operators from the various Network factions. Jason put those thoughts aside, concentrating on good food and good company. He suspected what she would find, but she was still working on it. He did his best to avoid dwelling in it until she was done. Even so, the old rage churned like magma beneath the earth, building up pressure on the way to an eruption. He knew that wasn’t helpful, healthy or productive, so he did his best to let it go and focus on what was.
***
While Jason was recovering, the contingent of diplomats, intelligence officers and faction agents continued their visit to the astral kingdom. Their trip had taken them to the cities of New Water and Arbour. They took aerial tours around the planet and even travelled into space in an unexpectedly spaceworthy dirigible. They saw a planet created and then terraformed in a display of god-like power. They toured the new planet, visiting mountaintops and vast tablelands. They walked around, touched the grass and ate fruit from trees. Then they left and the planet winked out of existence, as if it had never been.
***
US Secretary of State, Claire Danvey, watched footage of preliminary debriefs of the US members of the contingent now returned from the astral space. She had a room set up for the purpose in her temporary lodgings in Asano Village. The contingent members would go through weeks, if not months of debriefs, analysis and examinations for potential compromise.
Having come to a decision, she had petitioned her government to allow her to visit Asano’s kingdom for herself. A conference call pushed off her debrief footage and she made her case to the president and to CIA Director Barstow.
“Madam Secretary,” Barstow said. “We have no idea what Asano is capable of in that place. If our people are to be believed, he can make a planet as easily as a sandwich. Either that is true, or he has the power to convince people it is. Either way, it’s a short hop to accepting that he can pluck state secrets out of your head, if you put yourself in his place of power.”
“I would make two counterpoints,” Claire said. “One is that if he wants to know something, I don’t think we can stop him. You’ve seen what just that shadow creature of his can do. Do you know the full capabilities of the people he brought to Earth? I don’t, but I bet they have magic that would run loops around any protection we have.”
“So, you advocate giving in and surrendering anything he wants?”
“No. What I suggest is that we avoid approaching him in the ways where he’s more powerful than us. Than anyone. Confronting him with main strength is not just pointless but counterproductive.”
“She’s not wrong in that regard,” Barstow said. “I have a small army of analysts going over the Pakistan footage, but the early assessment is that no native Earth force could have stopped those monsters. Possibly not even if you combined them all together. We’d have to resort to magically enhanced nukes and turn the whole area into a radioactive pit.”
“What we need,” Claire said, “is to approach this from another direction. Director, what is your analysts’ take on Asano diplomatically?”
“He’s naïve. Unversed in realpolitik. His adherence to certain principles is undermining the ability of his representatives to—”
“That is my assessment as well,” Claire cut her off. “Jason Asano responds to trust, loyalty and friendship. Speaking with his chief representative, Annabeth Tilden, it is a source of frustration for her. Asano’s approach has served him well in the other world. Politics are simpler there, by all accounts, with personal power and personal loyalty being lynchpins. That approach hurts him here. Earth geopolitics are more sophisticated, with decentralised power. Over there, it’s not about the force you can muster but the force that you are. Individual power over the consensual. That means more idiosyncratic personalities and less answering to disparate interests.”
“You’re saying that he’s used to the politics of god kings,” Barstow said.
“Perhaps not that extreme,” Claire said. “Although yes, sometimes, from what I’ve gathered in my time here. A better analogy might by a rogue dictator. Someone we need for a military base, or as an intelligence asset. Or because the lunatic has nukes.”
“What are you suggesting?” the president asked.
“We meet him where he is. He might become an ally, but never one who goes an inch beyond what is strictly necessary. In his mind, we’re still the Network. The people who dug up Jack Gerling and sent him to kill Asano’s brother, his lover and his best friend. Whatever his diplomatic intentions, on some level, he sees us as an enemy. If we keep treating him like a potential enemy, he may well become one. If that happens, we lose. He can hide his people where we can never reach, and move through our nation with impunity. With the power at his command, he and his friends could crush the military and civilian infrastructure of the continental United States in a week. If that. Then he’d likely go to work on any essence users they didn’t take out in step one.”
“That’s a bleak picture,” the president said. “Barstow?”
“We’re still doing combat analysis of the Pakistan footage. Preliminary results support the secretary’s assessment.”
“You’re telling me that a few dozen people represent an existential threat to the United States?”
“Only if we keep treating him like one,” Claire said. “We need to stop trying to make an ally, because he’ll never trust us. We need to make him a friend.”
“And how do you suggest we do that?” the president asked.
“We trust him first.”
“It’s not an unreasoned approach,” Barstow said. “Our profile on Asano suggests that the only people able to sway him are his friends. If we become one, then we might gain a measure of the influence we have thus far failed to.”
“You think it’s that easy?” the president asked.
“No,” Claire said. “But I do think it’s that simple.”
“She’s right,” Barstow said. “Our best information is that Asano responds to straightforward earnestness. We would essentially need to have one person who befriends him, and have them serve as an unofficial ambassador.”
“Won’t he see that coming if someone makes an approach?” the president asked.
“Yes,” Barstow said. “And even if he’s so oblivious as to not, Anna Tilden isn’t. But our profile suggests that he won’t care, so long as the approach is genuine. Tilden is the problem, but her existing friendship with the secretary would make the secretary the natural choice. But there is both difficulty and danger in this approach. It won’t be easy to make him see us as a friend, and once we do, we’ll have to be one. If Asano feels like we’ve betrayed him, he’ll become that existential threat.”
“You advocate this approach, then?” the president asked Barstow.
“We all know that Asano’s arrival will prompt some manner of revolution in magical knowledge. Farrah Hurin and Rufus Remore overturned centuries of essence user training in a few years. Essence users from ten years ago are stronger than those with decades of experience. This time, he’s brought people who can push magic, and eventually magitech, forward by leaps and bounds. We can’t afford to be on the periphery of that movement.”
“Do you think we would be?”
“I think that if we use the strategies that have worked for us in the past, Asano will declare war on us. Then win it. Then have a sandwich.”
“That’s why I want to do this myself,” Claire said. “I’m also high enough in our government to both be accountable and hold people to account. Anna Tilden becomes an asset, instead of an obstacle. Friends matter to Asano, and I’ve taken early steps in building a cordial relationship. But Director Barstow is right about the dangers. If we do this, we have to be earnest. To be a friend, and not just act like one.”
On the screen in front of Claire, the president leaned back in his chair.
“I don’t like this,” he said. “It feels precarious.”
“I won’t deny it, Mr President,” Claire said. “The path forward is occluded, yet we have to stumble on regardless. I don’t envy your position.”
The president took on a wry expression.
“I would be more inclined to believe that if you hadn’t primaried against me, Claire.”
Claire snorted a laugh.
“Yeah, well, you won, Mike, and I find myself happier about that with each passing day. I’ll be happy to run again in less interesting times.”
The president tapped his fingers on his desk as he considered Claire’s proposal.
“You know that you making friends with Asano isn’t the same as America making friends with him,” he said.
“Things that matter to Asano’s friends matter to Asano,” she said.
“That comports with our profile of the man,” Barstow said. “He’s demonstrated a willingness to work with groups he would otherwise cut ties with because of personal connections. We estimate that his relationships with individual Network members led him to delay cutting ties with the organisation for as much as a year. It was the intervention of Jack Gerling that finally broke that connection.”
“What do you advise, Director?” the president asked.
“Like you, Mr President, I don’t like it. But I don’t see another effective approach to making inroads with Asano, and we want to be on the inside track for whatever he has to offer. We can’t afford to be frozen out of that.”
“Should we attempt to infiltrate his circle more covertly as he expands it to incorporate more people from Earth?” the president asked.
“No,” Barstow said. “His aura senses were outlandish before. I would be astounded if anyone can get past them with subterfuge. We do have people with aura masking powers, but the cost of them getting caught is too high. As ridiculous as it sounds, the best approach may well be just walking up honestly and trying to make friends, like children on a playground. He’ll know why we’re doing it, but he will most likely give us a chance anyway.”
“And it won’t be easy,” Claire said. “The legacy of Asano’s last visit to Earth left him vigilant against the magical factions, and the old Network branches here in the US were integrated into our government. All three of us come from Network families. The vampire queen may also use Jack Gerling to sour relations further.”
The president let out a rough sigh.
“I think the term ‘vampire queen’ tells us how far we are beyond normalcy,” he said. “Make your approach, Madam Secretary, but step carefully. I won’t allow you to compromise the interests of the nation to make friends to what amounts, in your words, to a rogue dictator.”
***
In Asano Village, a room had been set aside for a portal to Jason’s astral kingdom. Currently standing in front of it was Shade, barring the path of Anna and Claire.
“Shade,” Anna said, “it already took quite a lot before they would even allow the Secretary of State to enter Jason’s realm. Getting clearance to have her security detail stay behind was not a simple endeavour.”
“That is not my concern, Mrs Tilden. If they choose to enter, they accept, like everyone else, that life and death in that place are the province of Mr Asano. If he decides the secretary is safe there, then no force in the cosmos can bring her harm. If he decides otherwise, no force in the cosmos can save her.”
“Then there’s nothing to be worried about,” Anna said.
“My concern, Mrs Tilden, is Mr Asano’s wellbeing. He is in his home, right now. A place he built as a sanctuary from the responsibilities and decisions he faces out here. It is for friends and family, not for business.”
Claire took a step forward.
“That’s why I am—”
“I am aware of your motivations, Madam Secretary,” Shade cut her off. “I was in the room for your meeting with your president.”
“You were in the conference room?” Claire asked, looking to Anna. “You told us that Asano would not surveil it.”
“He did not,” Shade said. “The room I was in was not in Australia.”
“What? Are you saying that you’re spying on the US President?”
“I can neither confirm nor deny any active intelligence operations,” Shade said, his normally British accent sounding suspiciously American.
The secretary rushed out of the room, her black-suited detail in tow. Anna let out a slow, unhappy groan.
“That was not great, Shade. I’d expect this from Jason, but from you?”
“Mrs Tilden, I do not care about this planet. It is a place of petty value in a desolate corner of the cosmos. The only relevance it holds comes from the powers paying attention to it. That will not change unless Mr Asano chooses to change it. I do not care about your interests, Mrs Tilden, or those of this planet’s other inhabitants. This world, its people and its fate are of no concern to me, beyond that they are of concern to Mr Asano. My preference would be to take those few we care about and leave this place to its own devices. Something that many on Earth would welcome, not least the army of vampires still holding most of Europe. It would also remove most of the issues you are faced with, although I acknowledge it was Mr Asano who brought you into this. Even so, I will not allow those issues to interrupt the time Mr Asano has wisely set aside to maintain his mental equilibrium. An equilibrium I should think that you can see the value in, given his behaviour when he loses it. Something that is an acute threat, given what Miss Farrah has been uncovering during this same time.”
“You truly don’t care what happens to a planet full of people?”
Shade form slowly became indistinct, the neat form that left him looking like a shadowy butler breaking apart. In its place was something alien, primal and ancient. An embodiment of what lurked in dark corners; of what children feared under the bed. Anna suddenly felt like a primitive human, huddled by a fire against the encroaching dark. When Shade spoke again, it wasn’t in the crisp, clear tones of a British aristocrat. It was an unearthly sound, the inhuman whisper of something unseen, seeking to lure travellers into the dark.
“Do not mistake me for what I present to the world, Mrs Tilden. I am the child of death itself, older than the world that birthed you. I have seen people die without reason or purpose, in numbers so large that your culture hasn’t named them yet. You have met fewer people than I have seen planets fall, and I will see this world dead as well. There will be a day, billions from years from now, when Mr Asano and I visit the charred rock that was once his home. A cinder, drifting around the white star your sun has become. We will be the only living things on it.”
Anna gulped.
“Does Asano know about the meeting Claire had with the president?” she asked, forcing her voice to almost normalcy. Shade shifted back to his more familiar appearance.
“He will. Once his attention turns back to Earth and its concerns.”
“Will you at least let me through the portal?”
“I think not, Mrs Tilden. Not today.”
Comments
Zed
billions from years > of years
Justin
I love SHADE! I do think the friend strategy will still work. Just might take a hot minute.
Daija Hermon
SHADES THE FUCKING GOAT BRO
James Squibb
That was BOSS!
lorm42 aeris42
Well yeah, politics reached the limit of what can be done with Asano. And politicians in US were smart enough to understand that. Which is very nice to see.
Sandra Pomeroy
Great chapter!
ItWasIDIO!!
Shade as always if it wasn't for the Gordon & Colin get to also be cute he'd be MVF but TVF ain't bad
JC Weiss
Fucking yeah, Shade. Love it.
StarkRG
What did Anna do that was arrogant?
Nea
Love it when shade goes full protector!
Morgan Smidt
Real talk
BeepBoop
Indeed. At first, Jason was just another of the many people Shade could support in his life of service, exploration, and slowly growing power. During the Battle Over the Cosmic Throne Shade chose to make the definitive switch to permanent Jason service. With his experience and knowledge there is no way he would do that without thinking that he can guide things to look good for him for the next trillions of years and more.
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Vincent Ciavone
Also in such a whispert that it's difficult for certain parts to be hard to hear, like the lightest whisper, so light it barely carries its voice, yet echoes in the distance. Shade feels like they could be a horror aspect in the story from time to time
Vincent Ciavone
As an American. This story doesn't seem all to insane among politics
Vincent Ciavone
All I'm thinking is, the audiobook version of shade speaking at the end in his 'true form' would go crazy with like a dozen similar accents all whispering together
AA
I can't be the only one thinking that these stupid politicians and their games have reached a limit right? Honestly he should have just concluded the planet forced the secrets out of the minds of the so called leaders then killed them all....and Anna is really getting on my nerves. Frankly she is far too arrogant and not doing her damned job
DasGoat622
This scene is great coming on the heels of the battle where Colin and Gordo were in the thick of it, but Shade is unable to contribute. We all know Shade’s value but it really draws out the soldier/commander dynamic in Jason’s familiars. Apocalypse Beast and Reality Assassin sound way more impressive then Child of the Reaper, until you realize only one of them studied at the elbow of a GAB
Skalias Pablo
Holy shit. Shade drops the coldest monologue in the entire series
Sean C Jackson
Oh man I can't wait to hear Nick read that.
Kismet
That was awesome. Can you tweak the voice any? Smooth it out, stuff like that. Because short of smoothing the tone & cadence, I think it is perfect!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
ByLAWphoto
I think only when it comes to the importance of Air Wolf. ..much to Shade's dismay.
ByLAWphoto
Now I'm picturing them riding around in a convertible, Miami Vice style. Of course, Gordon wears sunglasses...for some reason while listening to Judy Garland.
Andromeda Adams
Go Shade!! Dang he just told her where to go! You have to love Shade!
Tex Northend
Chills.. that was some boss shit from shade holy shit.
Jon Clark
Shade is him fr
Dennis
I somehow read that Shade dialog with the voice and intonation of Zenyatta from Overwatch. Usually friendly non-human but heavens forbid you make them angry and have to fight them.
Jonathon
I suspect he will make multiple recordings in difference cadence and have them overlayed to give them a ominous reverb
ByLAWphoto
FREE AUDIO FILE OF THE SHADE/ANNA EXCHANGE! I WISH I could save this here, but I can't. so I saved it to a personal drive and shared it. I used a screen recorder (SnagIt) + Speechify to imagine what that scene would sound like. I think it came out really well. (yes, I know that Internet is full of scary links. Workflowy is a legit storage and content site; please feel free to google it.) 3-minute downloadable MP4: https://workflowy.com/s/hwfwm_967_shade_anna/IEPHHMkt8jSVb6tJ LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
Zack
This seems to be behind a lot of earth politics regarding Jason. They see someone dangerous and can only see a threat or an owned asset.
ByLAWphoto
I think Shade is a lot less dramatic than several people have commented. I interpret him as, "yes, I really am that dangerous and no, you shouldn't test that." plenty of people confuse 'danger' and 'threat'. a sword lying on the ground is dangerous, but it's not a threat; you can just walk around it. I think this scene is Shade just saying that he's dangerous...and he CAN BE a threat, if needs be.
ByLAWphoto
"Chapter 964: Expanding His Influence In Zermatt, Switzerland, it was the early hours of the morning. In a chalet of largely glass walls, Marie Finnegan sipped at a mug of hot chocolate. "
JDPEI97
Go shade!
Michael
Love how shade while loyal to Jason also (I think) has an agenda with Jason also. And that any who will try to fuck up his hard work will get harshly denied. I think shade sees the man Jason is and what he can become, so shade will protect the outcome he wants.
Chloe
Tyftc
William McAllister
Shade is a savage. Basically letting her know when the planet is a husk him and Jason will be the only living things on it. I like this version of Shade. Don’t confuse my kindness for weakness mentality
Hunter Vook
God, shade is a badass
Laura Hemly
Jason has never ignored Shade's counsel, that I can remember. And he doesn't even need a reason. He's never let Shade give him a serious explanation for his behavior, which says just how much Jason trusts him. Hell, the whole team trusts his judgment implicitly!
Laura Hemly
It's another Network person, Marie, who's working with Elizabeth. I don't think we know where Marie is located, though not Australia, I don't think.
Laura Hemly
J.W., when you say, "Women do have a "I can change them" mentality," that's a kind of offensive thing to say to the many, many women reading here, you realize. If you're just talking about the books that's borderline okay -- but I don't see ANY of the women except Anna with that attitude, and I'm not sure even she does that so much as the opposite -- she seems to think Jason HASN'T changed, even though he very much has.
Laura Hemly
I don't think the Americans are working with Elizabeth and Marie. They sound like they've improved quite a bit from when they brought Gerling out of hibernation. Not far enough removed from Jason's first visit to Earth, but I think Claire, at least, is a decent person. I remain firmly skeptical of the U.S. president just because I'm ALWAYS skeptical of U.S. presidents, in the book series or IRL.
Laura Hemly
What I wonder is just how difficult it will be to voice! A dark whisper is tough enough, but go put the necessary ominous tone into it should give Heath fits! At least he never had to voice Colin back when he communicated through sounds only -- Shirt's descriptions were, fortunately, nicely descriptive. 😆
Kelly
Me too!!! 😍
Shadowessence
Can't wait it hear heath voicing this scene lol
Chris Pollan
Holy crap!!! You go shade... just reading that sent chills down my spine!
Dec
I agree so so much. At some point I keep thinking she would wise up and reduce this politicking she keeps insisting on. I thought that was the whole reason she was hired. Translate Jason’s power so the world can understand and bring concerns Jason might overlook.
SmokeJam
My theory is that Anna has acquired plot armor. She was meant to die a long time ago but Shirt decided against it to have a character "between the chairs" for Jasons return to Earth.
Kconraw
Thx for the chapter
Naotsugu97
Awesome chapter!
Aubrey Listi
If they do, theyre coming from the Asano Clan. Not from anywhere else, not for a long long time. Probably about 20/30 more years from America and China. Maybe even Japan. But I very much doubt they will see the equal of the Remore's and the Gheller's in anything closer than a century at the earliest. I'd even wager too. Even with the advancements of the last 10-15 years, we are talking about families who raise their children in such a way that talent and capability are first and second nature to them. And they do so WITH a moral compass. I imagine America will be focused on power viewing that as excellence. China would focus on ambition and power. And Japan on capability and reputation. You'll be hard pressed to find people not affiliated with the Asano clan originally from Australia, who have integrity and capability. Mostly because I imagine others do not have those as core values.
Idan tal
I worked in the biggest pension company in my country, and Anna continually remind me of one of my managers. As much as she tries to be nice (not a lot) and understanding, she fails every time. She truly believes that the powers running the world can do more good than bad to the people if and when they try, and Jason don’t believe they ever try without a second objective that will harm the people on another way. I don’t hate her, but she isn’t really fitting in.
Soli116
@Rando in both senses of the word.
Soli116
So, relistening to book 8. Chapter 23 (on audible), Hope, sets this up amazingly. Shade is telling Liara why Jason would be a good person to talk to, and it really puts this chapter in perspective. His anger for Jason's treatment has been building.
Hell 5pawn
I read that like the audio book version of Jason.
Rando Calrissian
Its a colon then
Kismet
Yeesssssss! This just made me love him more.
Kelly
And don’t blink.
Kelly
SHAAAAAAAAAAADE!!!!
Kelly
I was thinking the same thing. 🫨Maybe akin to Dominion’s intimidation?
Noctis Uchiha
It's also kinda funny that since her first appearance she has wanted to be in the big table but has never actually reached it. Since day one she has been acting as the boss. While falling way short in seeing the bigger picture as she is only thinking from the perspective of what she would like to do
Coach 1
Dark Shade must return! Lol
Coach 1
I wonder if the are working with the Queen (with plausible deniability)
Coach 1
The most savage chapter I’ve read since Jason’s initial return to earth…WOW
J W
Agreed. For a character of such importance she is shockingly 2 dimensional. Maybe she is modeled after someone is real life. Women do have a "I can change them" mentality.
Jacob Conway
I absolutely can’t wait to hear Heath narrate these lines for Shade.
Ian Burkhill
Spelling oopsie "billions from years from now" should be "billions of years from now"
Dave
Shade is awesome!
Andrew Milne
That conversation with the US president shows they haven’t properly adapted to the new world yet. Vampire queens and rogue golds are the norm. It ain’t ever going back to the old ways. If they think Earth wont have native golds on par with some of the people Jason brought over within 50 years they’re delusional.
Fuzzy Wuzzy
She has annoyed me from day 1. I don't know if shirt writes her like that on purpose but he's amazing at making you hate someone lol
Dimitri
And here I thought it would be impossible to create an even greater scene with shade after his sanctioning himself in front of the reaper. Only to be proven wrong here. Awesomely done Shirt! Also Collin is the bestest boi and I want more Gordon talking. :D
Josh
I've finally figure I'd out why Anna's character continues to annoy me. Over the 5 or 6 books she has been in, she has shown no character growth. Jason asked for her help and advise, but she continues to try and dictate how he will act, when she knows who he is, and then has the audacity to act annoyed when he acts like him, like he is representing her, not the other way around.
Kismet
Shade is an amazing person. His obvious affection and care for Jason, and those who matter to him, is a beautiful thing. Seeing him go all Dark Shade was fantastic. We need more of this. On a side note. I'm an absolute dork for anime. Every time I read or hear Shade and his interactions with Jason, I'm reminded of the show Black Butler. Not the main kid, Ciel, but his butler, Sebastian. "He's one hell of a butler."
Kismet
Agree to disagree my erudite friend. 🧐
Kismet
It is a failing of America in general. We are such a young country, relatively speaking. In about our mid/late teen years. We hit the tweens about WW1 and have only grown more arrogant. If we survive all the BS going on now, we might grow out of it. Shirt has written the American paranoia well.
Kismet
Could not agree more. This is a soliloquy worthy of audience we all gave it, and so much more.
Kismet
Dropping the facade of normalcy. I'm glad he did it. I'm looking forward to Shade actually getting angry.
Kismet
As insignificant as a comma or period. Though the finality of a sentence ending punctuation such as a period might actually be too important.
Kismet
I think that was the most elegant, dignified, frightening, & horrific FAFO I've ever had the pleasure to read.
DirePants
Woooooow I’m thankful for this chapter! Dammmmmnnnn
Liesmith
I really love how that moment is portrayed in the audio book.
Tempitheadem
Seriously. He will outlast any border on a map, any country, and the entire planet. There is no fighting him, even if they "kill" him, it will just make him angrier and come back 10-20 years later pissed off.
Raves
He Who Makes Team Sandwhiches
Bent Sommer
That womans Name was Marie
Sean
It’s not Claire involved in the plot, is it? Did I miss something?
Maria Klein
Go shade!!
Ariel
Shade said everything short of FAFO
Justin Crisler
A crutch for people that can’t read contextually. If you have written well an Oxford comma is an aesthetic blight.
Zack
This isn't a litrpg. It's a cultivation novel with a mask on. Jason may have given everyone that mask, but it still hasn't changed the fact it's cultivation at the core. I agree with you in wanting the gold rank ability readouts though.
Justin Crisler
Think you need to read between the lines a lot more, my dude.
Greg Lewis
So I reckon Farrah is currently uncovering that Claire was behind the Pakistan plot and reality core theft. Shade knew it would make Jason furious to see her right now
Dylan Alexander
Or…and just hear me out, Jason just leaves them to their own devices and doesn’t get involved.
Robert Crocker
Shade reminding Anna that Jason and he are eternal was awesome, but another part really got me. Barstow's quote about Jason’s response should the US cross him using their normal tactics: “I think that if we use the strategies that have worked for us in the past, Asano will declare war on us. Then win it. Then have a sandwich.” That line had me rolling 🤣
Telewyn
“Rogue dictator” was the wrong choice of analogies to go unchallenged.
Mituindal
Oxford comma to the rescue
Chad .
He Who Meets The Shade?
Stuart Thwaites
It's less than a single letter of a single word buried in the pages somewhere... And not an important word. Something like 'an' 'was' or 'it'
Stuart Thwaites
Shade can be brutal in his indifference. He basicaly said 'Your planet is comparatively a speck of dust to a speck of dust at the outer most edge of the universe and no one but Jason will notice it's absence'
Josh
I thought it would have been "then berated us for our mass amount of store brought mayonnaise in our collective fridges"
Jordan
Hell yes shade. Hell yes.
Nick
Love the idea of shade pulling back the curtain to reveal the magnitude of the force they face. Jason is a god-king, the whole point of the Pakistan fight was showing the world what he is. Time they finally take him seriously.
Hell 5pawn
Yes! Anna needed a reminder as to what she was representing.
René Blaser
What an incredible powerful moment. To get, finally, a true impression of the eternal depths of Shades Character is just so strong! And to know he will be a companion of the Hedgemon, Jason, for an eternity! As will Colin and Gordon and Arbour. 🥹
Justin
I love when Shade is intimidating by point out shit he’s seen. Like he isn’t the exaggerating type. He just points out that this whole universe was a cliff note in a book he read several trillion years ago and people are ready to shit their soul out.
Aaron Schwartz
No it isn’t. That’s his whole deal. He has always been the most grounded and levelheaded presence in Jason’s life. No matter how bad things got, the only time in the entire series he was ever ANYTHING other than calm and stoic was when Jason almost went off the deep end and tried to rip that dudes soul in half
Buck
Great chapter! Nice to see Shade finally showing others the truth of who and what he is. TFTC!
Chioke Nelson
Shade being an edge lore is kinda on brand lol
Carol
Kay, I can't even... Thanks shirt for an awesome chapter 😍. Shade loosing his shit is awesome or not really loosing it, more like putting it to the side for a moment 🤣
Sam Williams
The US's plan reminds me of xkcd 810. Jason: "People keep trying to steal my stuff and/or kill people I care about, so I've developed a new system. I ask people to be my friend and am friendly to them if they are friendly to me." Anna: "But what will you do when the political powers of the world, in an effort to get benefits out of you, start acting like your friends, taking the information you provide them about how reality cores are harming reality in order to make you think they trust you, and start treating your people like human beings instead of levers to pull to get you to do things, all to get you to do things for them you'd only do for friends?" Jason: "Mission. Fucking. Accomplished."
Preston Stokes
The son of death himself. Instant nope.... Immediately after: I'll take stupid questions for 100 Alex
Ben
Asano is like an innocent babe that has the nuclear launch codes 😂 shade is doing his best to keep him sane and reasonable (and he’s doing a great job of it)
Jlee1014
Frack around and find out.
Jlee1014
Well done shirt.
Levin Goodrich
Shade slaps are the the best. They bring up Christopher Hichens' Hitch Slaps vibes
Der Ritter
I love how protectiv shade is And how scary he can be if he wants to be. Well done
Joshua Millins
So he just dropped into default mode and nearly caused existential dread by pointing out his basic statistics.
James Lucas
I really heard that last part from shade much like Death spoke to Dean from Supernatural in his introduction to the series... Good times...
Michael Deleon
Shade has made me feel some kind of way. And I like it.
Jordan Brennan
Got actual chills reading that, go shade xD
Kalphor
Holy heck!! Shade just sent chills down my spine that haven’t gone away for like 15 minutes…. That was amazing
mhaj58
Stop Spying Stop Scheming Stop Rebelling And for gods sake don’t try to run
Justin Hunsberger
Look at that scary dog privilege.
Adrian Cheung
Personally, I got some direct I sightful points. Jason views the USA as the people who killed his brother, lover, friend. To politicians, Jason wants to meets like children to become friends. And Shade is something nobody on Earth truly understands. Child of Death. The True Being Death.
Seth H Milton
Shades' speach is one of the best in the series when taken in totality.
Raves
This is no longer HWFWM, but rather HWMTS
Derek
Fuck yeah! That was an absolutely awesome chapter showcasing the "real" Shade. Courteous Butler Persona isn't a facade, it is who he likes to be, but never forget his actual origin. Well done sir!
David Cooper
Given Nik's physical form, do you think he's a vegan or a vegetarian? Or has embraced his father enough to go omnivore?
Joshua Yinkey
Omg. I have been waiting for a chaper that is basically Jason trying to keep Clive and Lindy off the internet. Clive because when presented with something that contains the sum total of Earth's intellectual achievement, including all the stuff about science that Knowledge wouldn't let him learn back on Pallimustus, he would go into a research hole for weeks. Lindy, because she would probably be caught watching a lot of porn, getting a computer virus, discovering cyber crime, and becoming a highly sophisticated, magically empowered hacker.
DDHG
I like this chapter. It puts into perspective that Shade really does care and that he is old, so very old when compared to Collin and Gordon who are almost as old as Jason would be if he was still normal. An it speaks volumes of Jason that a entity as old as Shade cares for him, trust him, and willing latched his existence to the man.
John Durrett
Pretty sure Jason would be eating sandwiches while winning the war. Just saying- It’s kinda his thing.
ABTelford
He’ll yea!! Shade, you are my hero!! Safeguarding your friends mental health like the badA you are! 😎❤️🔥. And, btw, if it wasn’t clear, I loved that chapter! Lol
Chiqui Joy
I’m deffy gonna be re-reading this chapter a few times. I thought Collin was my fav of Jason’s familiar, but this chapter put him neck-and-neck with Shade again. (Sorry Gordon!)
Danielle Warvel
Yes! Love Shade playing interference for these schemers!
Richard Tatar
Oh my god. I love shade!!!!
Chiqui Joy
Omg I laughed out loud 😂
JP Kuro
Damn shades true form is bad ass and I love him being proactively protective of Jason 🥰
brian phillips
Shades a badass
Ed
Actually shade has quite the burden. Asano is like an innocent babe. Shade seems to respect him immensely haveing to let Asono learn on his own. Shade lucked out though this time with him being his familiar karma for shades heartbreaking failure of his previous experience/isolation/imprisonment and being mocked by other familiars.
Jon
Shade is something else.
Ed
Damn! Shade has had enough. Lol
Firinen
I am still waiting on the new golden aspects of his essence abilities after the rank up. This is still a story in the genre of LITRPG Adventure.
Victor Erickson
Lol this was literally going to be my comment
Scott McCarthy
They are still trying to approach form a position of power and superiority, ignoring that there are likely reasons for the differences in how the worlds work. They think they are the big kids, Shade is say no you are the babies
Farrin89
(Edit: This was supposed to be a reply to a post about how Shade "can't even threaten" his bond with Jason again if Jason goes over the line. I accidentally made it an ordinary post, lol.) I can't see Shade ever *needing* to threaten their bond (and I don't think he threatened it so much as just revealed one of his own personal lines), because Jason was *grateful* Shade pulled him back from the edge. Jason values Shade, Colin, and Gordon more than almost anyone else, and I can't see him betraying the gesture Shade made by bonding to him and becoming the Shadow of the Hegemon by suddenly ignoring his most experienced familiars extremely valuable counsel. Not on genuinely important matters like tearing out someone's soul. On the proper time for a sandwich? Definitely. ;)
Josh Vanderpool
My man 😎
Kirivina
And Zara can help demonstrate the sea in storm. 😂
SqrlyGrly
“I think that if we use the strategies that have worked for us in the past, Asano will declare war on us. Then win it. Then have a sandwich.” I love this. Are we sure it wasn't Lindy in a costume? Or Stache?
Christian Basso
From whose point of view? Jason and Shade don't need anything from the americans there
Omy Sadat
That was great. You tell em Shade, they are an anoyance that Jason wants to deal with, not one he needs to.
Scott McCarthy
that sentence needs 2 more sandwiches. make one, declare war, make one while planning, win it then make a 3rd
KeybladeMaster84
I love it when shade becomes jasons filter for all the bs he goes through
Aaron
Shade will always be my fav. He's like an older brother to Jason that is there to help him when he's standing on the knife looking into the void. The scene where he stops him from ripping the soul of the builder cultist using the star seed is just 👨🍳💋
Vellgander
You can tell shade is getting tired of earth visit 2: electric bugaloo
Aaron
https://youtu.be/Xol4RPRnuXQ
Sean Sheldon
Shade being a bro.
Justin Hunsberger
There is little diplomacy to be found between ants and gods. I'd wager Shade has more diplomatic experience than everyone on earth combined, there is a reason he is the shadow behind the throne. And I think it is better in the long run this way. America needs to reevaluate it's approach and actually want to be his friend.
Liesmith
Based and shadepilled. And these clowns are *really* lucky that Nik didn't get hurt during that battle.
Colin Holloway
Everyone needs an Uncle Iroh...and a friend/butler like Shade
Namorat
Epic! Shade is such a wonderful character. “There will be a day, billions from years from now“ - probably “of years from now“
sebas gonzalez escobar
It's the best idea I've heard in a long time
Doodlyboy15
Shade's the best!
Diarmid McArdle
They have do decide are they here to forge an alliance in which case this was just petty I mean surely shade could have just made an excuse for Jason if he really needed the time or just arranged the meeting itself at a time where he felt more stable or are they there to be a God in which case negotiations are doomed to failure
Connor Wilson
Tftc
Joshua Yinkey
To quote from The Wise Man's Fear "There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man." Shade just demonstrated two of the three.
Jennifer Leigh
Only the bad guys 'cause he's a good boy!
Diarmid McArdle
That last shade monologue so cool but I so agree with Ms Tilden that was a poor move diplomatically speaking
Gotrek65
"Asano will declare war on us. Then win it. Then have a sandwich.” Oh man that made me laugh so hard
James Skinner
You're not alone.
Jake Rands
Shade just casually reaffirming why he is my favorite.
Ben Ruland
Earth politics == Patreons customer service
Darren Williams
I love Shade. Shade saw what Earth did to Jason last time, and he isn't having it.
Dylan Alexander
Finally Shade says it how it is and how I feel. Fuck earth, there’s a reason people read these types of stories and it’s not to linger on earth.
Demi
Sandwiches are timeless.
Necrogami
I think this was more don't fuck with Jason mode.
mockery jones
Shade can be terrifying.
Davan Krueger
There will be a day, billions from years from now of
Blake N.
Even if you’re in west coast, 3pm is pretty late lunch. Jason wouldn’t approve of you delaying sandwiches by so long
Alex Schellenberg
Whenever I read "Asano's brother, his lover and his best friend." I read them as descriptions of his brother and not 3 separate people.
Greg Lambert
Shade is always bad ass. We need a book series just about Colin, Shade, and Gordon. Like a buddy film where they solve crimes....and Colin eats people.
Citiy3
I just remembered why i love shade. But we also see shades character growth the confidence in his reaction and protectiveness of Jason and his friends. shade is really like a shadow of Jason shadow in this case not meaning thin copy but the concentrated version with the wisdom, perspective and confidence to support it. Someone already mentioned it but shade really is the Alfred to Jasons batman
FlareNight
When Jason lost it before and nearly went beyond what Shade could tolerate, Shade threatened their bond. He can't even do that now that he's the Shadow of the Hegemon.
Arieh Sochaczevski
Biscuits!
David Sanders
Dayam, Shade!
SmokeJam
As much as Colin is a fan favorite, I do like all the different shades of Shade. Thank you for giving him some more depth in this chapter, it is easy to forget just how old he is and how ridiculously lucky Jason is, that his familiar quite literally bound himself to his chariot.
Sanctum
Incredible chapter! Tyvm
Larry Rohdes
Shade the ultimate guard 💂♀️
Samuel Strode
But we are all out of chutney!
Samuel Strode
Shade showing a part of his true self nice reminder
Crystal Donak
I did eat a sandwich for lunch. ;)
Crystal Donak
Oh goodness Shade. How I love thee. Never has he come off as scary before but always kicked ass. This time F Earth and eveyone on it. I was just telling my daughters how many chapters it has been since we had a great Shade moment!
Rad Hazard
When Shade wants to make a point about the insignificant nature of our world to an immortal, he make a damn point.
Andre Morales
In the words of Travis, "That was awesome!"
Tom Whatley
Damn shade with the mic drop
curtis gatley
Shade is so good.
Josh
Still annoys me that Anna thinks she is calling the shots in some way. Good to see her taken down a peg or two.
Aaron Schwartz
I think if that happens, Asano is going to start a war. Then win it. Then go eat a sandwich. God, I love this series
m4l4ch1m4v3t
Shade giving tilden the unfiltered truth to what he is and cares about, is a long time coming. hopefully it helps her understand even a little just what Asano is because she clearly doesn't have even the slightest idea still.
Brandon Walker
I love shade, and I think they are definitely right about the approach, I just hope they don't give up on it too easily
Remy Gramont
Tyftc
Laura Hemly
Holy crap, Shade! I think you frightened me more than Anna! ETA but I don't mean in a scary way so much as a delightfully creepy way. Also, I keep wondering how Heath is going to speak in Shade's real voice as the son of death. At least pre-verbal Colin's speech was always a description, not requiring Heath to make the actual sounds! But Shade certainly made it clear to Anna how much he doesn't care about Earth, in a way that left her clearly shaken.
Scott Way
Awesome chapter. I agree. He would eat a sandwich after.
car6555
Lmao, Shade got dark!
brian rowan
Shades such a good bloke
jeffrey niski
Shade going all Eldritch shadow being is so badass
Leon Cleland
Shade… you are the GOAT
Jarrett Glass
Damn, Shade. He's been holding out on us. Excellent chapter thank you!
Quintin Landhan
Thanks for the chapter!
Chris Morgan
Shade unplugged
Azayrian105
Shade is throwing some shade. I love it.
Valhazstromoz
God I despise our sense of self importance and shade ironically casting light on it is hilarious
JonO
Wow. I never thought shade was any more of a badass than today. That actually kind of shook me. Amazing writing and tyftc
Domy
I love it when shade goes into ‘don’t fuck with me’ mode.
Thomas Todd
God I love Shade, I bet he loves Alfred Pennyworth, amazing butler and also an absolute beast in a fight
Cyrus McEnnis
We sometimes forget, in the face of the Good Boi that is Colin, just how freaking protective Shade is of Jason - and precisely what he is. Thanks for the reminder!
mhaj58
I’m going to eat sandwich for lunch
Darkdragon
Biscuits
