#` kindred / musings.

[arcielee]

This is just an Osferth [and gifmakers 💜] appreciation post:

Bless this baby monk's pretty face and bless the gifmakers who take the time to put him up onto Tumblr. 💜

[a-cloud-for-dreams]

So this is mostly a Choices blog but some of you know that I've recently started playing Romance Club as well because 1) there are some really good books on RC, 2) the art, and 3) to compare both apps. I could probably make this a series(?) to compare and contrast the two but here's one of the main things I've noticed playing both apps:

The Difference in Pacing

Background: The clear reason for this is because of how the books are set up. On Choices, each completed book is approx. 16 chapters (like a movie) while on RC, the book is typically 3 seasons with around 10-12 episodes (like a tv show). So a book like Open Heart, for instance, would be 3 seasons under one title instead of 3 separate books since they occur within a close period. This is different from a series like Heaven's Secret, which has two separate books that span ten years apart.

I bring this up because I assume this difference explains why the pacing in both apps is so different. I can use Blades II, Kindred, Theodora, and DALS as an example.

I've brought this up already, but one of my biggest gripes with Blades II was the very odd pacing. The beginning of the book (in my opinion) took longer than necessary to start the plot and there was a little too much filler with less time to focus on new lore the themes ate tho and I'm grateful we got another book.

Kindred has a similar issue. The concept of a witch book was cool and they had a good plot, but 16 chapters weren't enough to explore everything they wanted to with the book. The ending was rushed and it felt way too easy to defeat the Wraith King. Do I still love this book? Yes. Do I think the authors did well with the amount of time they were given? Also yes. But the rushed plot does make it hard to recommend it since PB is capable of handling a lot of plot (RE: Blades I).

On the other hand, Theodora has 3 seasons and the whole immortality arc (the premise of the book) wasn't explained until near the end of S2. We had an entire season to explore the character and at least half of a second season to explore her life after she realized she was immortal but without knowing why (human -> immortal -> realizing how she became immortal and starts controlling her power). As a result, it becomes easier to get attached to her since we spent more time getting to know her still one of my favorite MCs.

Dracula: A Love Story still can't believe it has 4 seasons spent an entire season before revealing Vlad's identity even though it's in the title. In comparison, PB would have done three chapters of leaving MC in the dark before revealing who Vlad is with the rest of the book being allotted to helping him. I get that we needed to see all the visions and stuff but personally, I feel like I was more invested in Lale and would have read an entire book about her, Aslan, and Vlad. I swear I don't hate DALS please don't be offended lol.

Am I saying I prefer RC to Choices? Not necessarily, I have problems with RC too mostly regarding representation, and I also know it wouldn't be fair to compare the apps since they are set up differently. I just thought this was something interesting to point out.

[sugcrxspice]

ava adler as phoenix / jean grey from x-men, group costume with her siblings

"i can't fight it! not every second of every day, never slipping, not even for an instant."

[lunarwildrose]

I got Sam Winchester on "What Supernatural character loves you?" https://quotev.com/quiz/11133213/t/q329648

mah wuv :3 ♡

[daybreakrising]

@resolutepath: "Here. As is customary." The package handed to Cyno within the confines of Lambad's is almost immediately forgotten about as Alhaitham waves for some wine and then opens his book. With the absence of their other friends he is content to simply read while Cyno fills the space with greetings from other patrons who know of the day. He does not acknowledge it, but as the fabric is unravelled, he glances up from the book to see the shirt he bought and let a smirk tug at the corner of his mouth. An inside joke, perhaps. He returns his eyes to his book before the real present is unveiled, a tome on gaming strategies and the history of card games that had taken some time to procure. "Many happy returns."

To most, the rather brusque nature of the scribe's greeting would seem almost rude, but the general sees past it to the sentiment it truly carries. Neither of them have any great need for overt exchanges that are more typical of others around them. The very fact Alhaitham is here says enough.

He lets the scribe bury himself in his book whilst he turns his own attention to the package set upon the table before him, quietly picking apart the wrapping to reveal what lies inside. A sly glance is shot sideward at his companion when the first item becomes clear: a shirt - plain, unadorned, simple, yet it summons a smirk to the general's face.

A joke of theirs, certainly, and he'll find some way to pay it back in kind another time.

The gift that sits beneath, however, steals the smirk from his face and replaces it, instead, with a look of genuine surprise. The gift of a book from the scribe isn't uncommon, but given the subject of this particular tome, he suspects this was not something so easily procured. He runs a hand over the cover, then flips it open to scan a few of the opening pages, already knowing he is going to study this at length the first chance he gets.

No words are said. The general simply leans sideways until his shoulder can bump gently against Alhaitham's, an affectionate nudge that speaks volumes. He sits there for a moment in comfortable silence, with just that barest physical contact, before he lets out a soft breath.

"That's quite a tight shirt you gave me." A pause, a smirk. "I don't think I'll be able to pull it off."

[thejadedking]

Galeb meeting Ethan and Hicks and eventually becoming an unwitting father figure to them very much with the sentiment of "You're both idiots... but you're my idiots and if anyone hurts you I'll tear out their throat." 😤🤣

[hxzelwallflower]

New tag dump !!

[cxpperhead]

Copperhead is not native to Gotham. He came from outside the city, roaming the states as a drifter until he heard of Gotham's reputation as a city with high levels of crime. Drawn by the promise of work and wealth, Copperhead settled down and has since made a home for himself, especially when he heard on the grapevine that another reptillian metahuman lives there...

[chaotick-musings]

"...Maybe I wasn't meant to have a partner. Maybe as a celestial being means I shouldn't have one."

"...Should we tell her?"

"Nah! It's funnier if we don't"

"Fair enough"

[arcielee]

To the darling anon who sent me the Aemond Targaryen x plus size reader request... I love it, I am working on it. 💜

[a-cloud-for-dreams]

Ok so I've mentioned this a bunch of times on my blog by now but I've been trying to speedrun all of the Choices books and I'm so glad I am because there are some underrated gems out there! I'm almost done with TC&TF Book 1 and that book had a ton of love interests so I was inspired to make a top ten list to organize my thoughts. This post will be under development as I play more books or change my mind lol

Top Ten Books/Series

Bloodbound Series - This book is literally one of the best series PB has ever put out. To be fair, it should be under Blades and TC&TF, I would argue that these three books deserve top place. But it would be harder to combine my Bloodbound explanation with the other two fantasy books so here you go. Contrary to most, I did like the first book, wasn't my favorite, but it was a good intro to the series. I like that the world slowly grew as we learned more about vampires and it felt complete and like it had something to say. Thank @gaiuskamilah for my further obsession with the series lol

Blades of Light and Shadow Book 1/The Crown and the Flame Book 1 - I couldn't choose but they're both AMAZING BOOKS ugh I can't say enough good things about them. The choices actually matter and the plot was so good. Every chapter had a purpose and the conclusion felt so satisfying. The scoring system and skills for both books was super cool, we need more books like them <33

Crimes of Passion Series - Definitely a Top Tier MC!!! I liked the mystery (Book 2's reveal wasn't great but the chaotic Thorne siblings make up for it) and Trystan is the best single LI we've had in a while, their dynamic with Rose was *chef's kiss*

Perfect Match Series - I LOVED this series and our friend group/love interests so much. They all felt like unique people with their own experiences and the plot was so amazingly intense. The finale of Book 1 was UNMATCHED we won't ever live to experience something that iconic ever again smh. It took a while for the plot to kick in, which is why it's lower on the list

The Elementalists - I'm a sucker for elemental magic systems/magic schools, and I love our friend group/family so much. Atlas is the coolest twin, and the whole sun/moon dynamic was fun! Being a powerful Sun-Att boosted my ego astronomically. I wish we got another book to see our mom more though

It Lives in the Woods - I like that the premise was relatively simple, along with the game mechanics. Your actions had real consequences and it was more immersive. The flash-forward in the last chapter was super sweet too and I like that the anthology was interconnected. This series also gave us an amazing friend group and set of LIs so I'm thankful <3

Open Heart Book 1 - Simply iconic, grounded in reality, and actually put together imao. It was one of the peaks of our fandom. This book is super nostalgic for me because I'm interested in the medical field, and it's the whole reason I'm posting Choices content here in the first place

Ride or Die - I adore this book. It felt complete on its own EVEN IF IT DESERVED A SEQUEL *side-eyeing PB* and it's a great coming-of-age story with a realistic teen MC. The ending was bittersweet and you felt changed by the experience playing the book

Nightbound - I liked the vibes and the idea more than the execution if that makes sense? I love the idea of Lamrian and how the MC is half-fae and super powerful, but the book didn't have enough time to showcase the supernatural world compared to Bloodbound, which focused on vampire lore. I can probably make a whole separate post on this but yea

The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir - I think, again, I like the vibes of the series more than the flawed execution, but because it went on for so long I kinda of got attached to the characters (mind you I didn't play or finish any of the books) but it's super fluffy and sweet and iconic for Choices history so here <3 a lot of the books like ROE, TRM, and TC&TF are interconnected so it's part of the foundation for the PB Choices Multiverse :) to be fair, it looks like they did a somewhat decent job writing the conflicts for each book?

I have a feeling when I finish Endless Summer, this list is gonna change...

EDIT: I totally forgot about The Heist: Monaco, but it was amazing! TRR/TH should be bumped down to honorable mention, I'll change it at some point-

Honorable Mentions

A Courtesan of Rome - The book took awhile for me to get through but my MC is legendary and carried the book so it's up here lol. I also liked that it felt like a historically accurate book?

Platinum - Cool commentary on the darker sides of fame and the music >>>

Veil of Secrets - The plot was interesting, one of my fave mystery books they've written! Also the characters >>>

Mother of the Year - Wholesome and felt finished, def one of the best single books. Also the antagonists were properly despicable so...good writing

Wake the Dead - It wasn't perfect, but I love zombie apocalypse stories and the idea of rebuilding our camp was so cool so idc how flawed it is <3

Foreign Affairs - The ending was rushed and the premise should have been rewritten but more on that on a later date. It was still fun for me to play

Desire and Decorum - I finished book 1 and I really liked it! it's basically the Choices version of Bridgerton, not historically accurate but super entertaining. The vibes and the LIs were amazing

Kindred - Pacing issues but still entertaining, I love the witch lore that they had in the book and the focus on building both platonic and romantic relationships so I'm not complaining

Top Ten Love Interests In No Particular Order

Trystan Thorne

Bryce Lahela

Kamilah Sayeed

Damien Nazario

Kaine Bell

Raleigh Carrera

Aerin Valleros

Jax Matsuo

Colt Kaneko

F!Hayden Young

Honorable Mentions (Again, No Particular Order)

Drake Walker (listen LISTEN I don't like that he sidelined other LIs, and I absolutely HATE how his character was a total contradiction, it was executed poorly, but I like the idea of his route if that makes sense. Some of the banter was cute and I love the whole grumpy x sunshine trope. I'm pretty sure he took a bullet for me lol)

Raydan Lykel (Solely because I haven't finished the series yet)

Mal Volari (He would have been in Top Ten but I had to bump him down because his Book 2 Route isn't working)

Tyril Starfury

Nia Ellarious

Prince Hamid

Tatum Mendoza

All of the Nightbound Love Interests are amazing I just couldn't fit them on the list

Gaius Augustine

Alana Kusuma

Rainier (Kindred)

Thomas Mendez

Flynn O'Malley

Olivia Nevrakis (she had so much potential omg)

Robin Flores and Sofia Russo (in my world, they're LIs just shush)

[shimmerbeasts]

Kindred Tag Dump.

[timeguardiansarchive]

❝ For as long as I can remember, I just wanted to do what was right. ❞ —Echo/Rachel @ whoever you’re feeling~ @mantleoflight

Lately, Susan has been feeling herself COLD and ALOOF, drifting between emotional realms. Plush painted lips purse at the other's sentiment. One she feels more keenly than the thrum of her own heart beat. "It isn't EASY. Is it? Doing the right thing?" A part of her knows what it is like to carry insurmountable BURDENS.

"So--how is it that you determine what is right?" She softly presses, if only for the comradery that such bonding can bring. Lord knows, even with her siblings present, she had days when she felt so LONESOME for the platonic companionship of her peers. @mantleoflight

[arcielee]

My muses are thrumming and outlining as I reblog.

[tangleweave]

My list of "Currently Accepting" starter prompt links.

Please do not reblog or repost this list. This is personally curated and not meant for others' use.

As Solitude Begs Us To Stay -> Pining starters.

Fluttering Confessions -> Starters for butterflies-in-the-stomach shippy feelings.

Lovers Leaping -> Sexual sounds, words, and actions prompts. Possibly NSFW.

Made of Scars -> Extensive scar-related prompts.

Making Acquaintances -> Get to know me or my muses uncomfortably well.

Nothing Happens After 2 -> Open invitation to ask anything you please of my muses.

Sins of the Flesh -> Kinky/rough smut prompts. Absolutely NSFW.

Somewhere In Time -> Emotionally intense prompts.

Spicy Consent -> Consent, boundaries, and checking in sentence starters.

The Hearts We Hold -> Pre-established relationships prompts.

Tick Tock... -> "I need more time with you" prompts.

When Sets the Sun -> Staying the night prompts.

When Words Fail -> Non-verbal angst prompts.

Who We Want -> Yearning prompts.

[daybreakrising]

Alhaitham throws a cloak at the General, his precision allowing it to land on top his head and drape over his back. "Cover yourself up." He does not explain further and instead shifts off to find a seat where he can resume reading his current book.

Here he was, simply minding his business, quietly absorbed in the creation of a new TCG deck (one that promised to utterly destroy future opponents, of course), when out of nowhere, he is assaulted by a piece of fabric.

His cards are - temporarily - abandoned in favour of wrestling his head out of the garment, amber eyes fixing a look upon the retreating scribe's back. "Hm." He settles the cloak around his shoulders instead - not because he needs to, or because he agrees with the scribe that he should cover up, but because it's soft and smells more than a little like the man himself.

Which, for no reason whatsoever, the general finds comforting.

"Says he of the skin-tight shirt and off-shoulder coat." He mutters, before going back to his deck building.