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smehur · 2 days ago

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HP Rec Fest 2024 Summary

This event was delightful! I didn't have a rec for every day of December, but I did for most, and a good portion of the recs were for fics that aren't on any of my previous rec lists. I wanna list them all here for ease of reference, but also because:

✨ The artwork in all the banners is my own! ✨

It's scanned watercolor or acrylic on paper, all made in the last several months, mostly while listening to podfic :D

👉The pictures link to the original rec posts. Enjoy!

Albus Potter and the Elixir of Erised by @bettsfic

After dropping out of Hogwarts, Albus moves to London and deals an addictive potion to Muggles. Now the most wanted wizard in the country, he goes into hiding at Malfoy Manor, enduring terrible withdrawal which renders him powerless in the hands of his best friend's father: Draco Malfoy, the only man willing to help him.

Then Comes a Mist and a Weeping Rain by @faith2wood

It always rains for Draco Malfoy. Metaphorically. And literally. Ever since he had accidentally Conjured a cloud. A cloud that's ever so cross.

A Present by @faith2wood

Sometimes you just have to give yourself a present and kiss Harry Potter.

Draco in Darkness by plumeria47

Following an accident in his seventh year, Draco loses his eyesight. After Harry elbows his way into Draco's dark world, both boys find themselves in a strange new friendship, and they each learn new ways to see each other … and themselves.

The Sin in Your Grin (and the Shape of Your Mouth) by @xylodemon

The Order needed Sirius, but he doubted they'd mourn him very long when he finally disappeared.

All Life is Yours to Miss by Saras_Girl

Professor Malfoy's world is contained, controlled, and as solitary as he can make it, but when an act of petty revenge goes horribly awry, he and his trusty six-legged friend are thrown into Hogwarts life at the deep end and must learn to live, love and let go.

Running on Air by eleventy7

Draco Malfoy has been missing for three years. Harry is assigned the cold case and finds himself slowly falling in love with the memories he collects.

Alphabet Soup by @phoenixortheflame

Harry Potter, investigative reporter for the Daily Prophet, leads a perfectly adequate life. When he’s not trawling back-alleys for a juicy story, he’s playing tea party with his favourite niece or eating curry with his former house-elf. Draco Malfoy, renowned chef in muggle Paris, was perfectly content living a life of obscurity. But when his mother’s health begins to fail, he must return to wizarding London and face his past. When Harry gets an odd assignment to interview the enigmatic chef of the new muggle-wizard restaurant Le Cerf, he’s reunited with his childhood bully - and is reminded just how much a person can change in ten years. Hijinks, mystery, and food-related dirty talk ensue when Harry receives an anonymous tip of a blackmarket dragon trade and enlists Draco to be his concierge into the shady underworld of the wizarding elite.

Twilight Eternal by @hsvh-hp

Wherever Draco is, the sun sits eternally on the precipice of setting. His father feeds his peacocks on the manor grounds. Harry is the only one who can communicate with Draco. A malevolent force haunts the house, nipping at Draco’s heels. Draco intended for himself to come to this place. He only wishes he could remember why.

A Doll's Tale by @faith2wood

Harry/Draco, as observed by Draco's childhood doll. Please note, this doll is very self-absorbed.

Per my last letter (I hope you choke on it) by @fluxweeed & @lastontheboat

Dear Mr Potter, The answer is, and will remain, a no. Sincerely, Draco Malfoy Accounts Manager, Phoenix Press Or: the one where Harry has writer’s block and Malfoy isn’t helping.

Turn by Saras_Girl & podfic by Queenie_Mab

One good turn always deserves another. Apparently.

The Boy from the Piano Shop by @soliblomst

After going blind in a reckless attempt to avenge Ginny's death, Harry battles with severe depression. One day, he stumbles upon a quaint piano restoration shop in the heart of London and meets the owner, a kindly old man, and his introverted young apprentice, whose voice sounds strangely familiar. As Harry and Draco slowly reconnect through private piano lessons, the small workshop becomes Harry's refuge, offering him a glimmer of hope in a world without eyes. (Set five years after the Battle of Hogwarts)

A Dark Place in Time by Leporella

What on earth was her son thinking, falling for Harry Potter of all people, Narcissa wonders. But after the death of her husband, she finds him useful in many, and sometimes surprising, regards.

vapour by @yiiiiiiiikes25

Draco's getting cruised. Isn't he?

Probationary Action by @toomuchplor

As part of the terms of the probationary contract, DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY shall submit for inspection his WAND on the last day of every month, such inspection to be carried out by a duly registered and fully qualified AUROR in the employ of the MINISTRY OF MAGIC, and such inspection to include a PRIORI INCANTATEM spell to ensure that no PROHIBITED MAGICS as heretofore described have been practised by the aforementioned probationer.

The Illusion that One Can Get Things Right by umbrellaless22

Blindsided by Ginny's sudden departure from his life, Harry struggles to care for his family—replete with a new baby. The situation plummets from disarray to pandemonium just as Draco Malfoy arrives to drop Scorpius off for a visit, because of course it does.

Glory by @mintawasalreadytaken

Every boy at Hogwarts knew about the hole.

A Case of You by @epitomereally

Draco was doing just fine working as an Unspeakable in Paris, hanging out with his living and ghostly pals, inventing new spells, and definitely not thinking about Potter. Then, Lucius just had to break out of prison and turn his world upside down. Now, Draco has to return to England, where he is forced to confront how family ties bind us—and one infuriatingly fit Harry Potter.

with a fabulous Podfic by @cailynwrites

You can also see all my HP Rec Fest 2024 posts here. 👈

#harry/draco #drarry #rec list #hprecfest2024 #harry potter #myart #my post

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starheirxero · 3 days ago

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Hey!! I really love the way you depict Eclipse! I'm writing a fic with him and i need him to open up because it's supposed to be shippy. How do you get Eclipse to lower his guard?

?!?!?! THIS IS SUCH A NICE ASK OMG???? I'm literally honored u like my characterization omg hdjshdjd!!!

INCREDIBLY fun question too omg!! I will say that who you're shipping him with changes things quite a bit, because he's a very particular person like that. You can't entirely make him open up to Sun the same way you'd make him open up to Solar, yk?

However! I think I would go with roughly one of two ways. And also I ended up yapping for 7 paragraphs so this goes under a read more LMAO

The first way is just, the slow burn of patience and understanding. Eclipse is a very slow burn kinda guy because he's very guarded and doesn't want to invest his energy into people who will end up turning on him in some way. If someone has been around him long enough and has shown that they have no double standards, is willing to hear him out, and is at least trying to make a genuine connection, then this can usually lead to vulnerable moments.

Like, Earth and Moonpea are the best examples of this method I think. Earth has shown to give Eclipse the space he needs to exist without scrutiny because she knows everyone else's kneejerk reaction is anger, while Moonpea has shown that he truly genuinely wants to connect with Eclipse because he cares about their friendship. Both of them have gotten vulnerable truths from Eclipse because he felt comfortable letting his guard down around them.

This method can work well on any iteration of Eclipse but is the primary method for any versions before v4 tbh.

The second method is if you don't wanna bother with slow burn, but it is Distinctly a more angsty path to take. That being: the beloved "break his legs with a hammer" method!!!

This basically means: put him in a scenario where he is Already prone to having a mental breakdown and then stick him with whatever character ur shipping him with!! If someone finds him with his gooey insides already starting to leak through his cracked mask, there's not a lot you can do to hide it now, yk?

He'd definitely try to keep hiding it but if someone is willing to either go "hey man. i don't mind the goo, it's alright" or "let's help you clean this up, c'mon" or even just give him the space to recollect himself before asking questions, then I think it can lead to Eclipse caving and letting his guard down around whoever is there.

And then I guess there is also just whatever Ballora did!!! Just sorta, showing up repeatedly and going "hey bestie!!!" I think this is also a more v4 Eclipse centric method because. motions vaguely at v2 Eclipse and Earth. Previous iterations are too defensive NFKDNC but it did Something so, worth mentioning I guess!!

#asks #anon #i hope this makes sense i am honestly so unsure LMAOAODJDOF #eclipse is just. he's picky!!! he's a picky picky character #even when he /is/ open he's probably still not going to say a lot #i don't know if there's much of anything that can make him crumble and just spill all of his feelings out bc he's just. SOOO CLOSED UP.#but he will chip little pieces off of himself to give to people that can amass over time #if that makes any sense. idk idk ill be quiet now BAJAHDJD #sun and moon show #the sun and moon show #tsams #sams #sams eclipse #tsams eclipse #xero thoughts and rambles

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f1ora1f1owerswrites · 1 day ago

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then and now

Summary: Jake Seresin and Bradley Bradshaw’s rivalry turned into a friendship over the years. You, Jake’s high school sweetheart, watched their bond grow from complaints about Bradley’s mustache to mutual respect, showing you how much Jake had changed.

warnings: established relationship, she/her used, no use of y/n, character growth (???), FLUFF!

a/n: happy new year!! my first fic of 2025...wow! i have had so much fun with this blog and thank you for all the love!! :) i hope you enjoy this cute little read!! <3

w/c: 960.

***

Jake Seresin’s career had taken him to some amazing places, but coming home to you was still his favorite.

He stood in the doorway of your shared home, his bag dropped on the floor with a thud, his khaki uniform slightly wrinkled from the long trip. The moment he saw you coming down the hall with that familiar smile, everything else faded.

“Missed me, sweetheart?” he drawled, the corners of his mouth lifting into a grin.

“Always,” you said, throwing your arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight hug. Jake chuckled, gently rubbing the small of your back.

As you stepped back, brushing his hair out of his face, you caught the tired look in his eyes. “Rough trip?”

Jake groaned, tossing his keys onto the entryway table. “Rough doesn’t even begin to cover it. Do you know who I got stuck with the entire time? Bradley 'stupid mustache' Bradshaw.”

Your brow furrowed and a grin lifted onto your lips at the newfound nickname. “Bradley? Goose’s son?”

“The very same,” Jake replied, running a hand through his hair. “He’s so smug. He acts like he’s God’s gift to naval aviation. Walks around with that stupid mustache like he’s in an ‘80s movie.”

You laughed, patting his chest. “You mean like you walk around acting like God’s gift to, well, everything?”

Jake’s jaw dropped in mock offense. “Hey, that’s different. I actually am God’s gift to everything.”

Rolling your eyes, you shook your head, but your smile gave you away. “What’s he done that’s got you so worked up?”

“Besides thinking he’s better than me at literally everything?” Jake started pacing, his hands gesturing wildly as he ranted. “He called me Hangman like it’s a bad thing, said I don’t have anyone’s back. Can you believe that? I’m a team player!”

You stifled another laugh, biting your lip. You’d known Jake since high school, long enough to know that his bravado was often just a cover for how much he really cared—about his work, his teammates, and, even when he wouldn’t admit it, his newfound rivalry with Bradley Bradshaw.

“You’re a lot of things, Jake,” you teased, “but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to actually try getting along with him?”

Jake scoffed, waving you off. “Not gonna happen.”

***

But over time, you watched that stance soften.

Years passed, and Jake’s stories about Bradley became less irritated and more… amused. By the time they were assigned to the same mission (and not just the occasional practice) in San Diego, the exasperation in his voice had been replaced with something suspiciously close to respect.

You caught on early, especially when Jake started calling Bradley by his callsign, Rooster. The first time he casually mentioned, “Rooster actually had my back in the air today,” you nearly dropped your mug.

“Wait, wait,” you interrupted, setting your coffee down. “You’re telling me Bradley ‘stupid mustache’ Bradshaw had your back? And you’re not complaining?”

Jake shrugged, the corner of his mouth twitching like he was trying to suppress a smile. “I’m just saying, the guy’s not entirely useless.”

“Wow,” you teased, leaning against the counter. “High praise coming from you.”

Jake rolled his eyes, but you could see the shift. By the time he was recounting the mission where he and Bradley worked seamlessly together to save their team, you knew something had changed.

“You know,” you said one evening, as Jake lay on the couch with his head in your lap, “I think you like him now.”

Jake groaned, covering his face with a pillow. “Don’t start, sweetheart.”

“I’m serious!” you insisted, laughing as you tugged the pillow away. “You two are practically inseparable now. Admit it—you’re friends.”

Jake peeked up at you, his green eyes soft. “I didn’t say we’re not friends. But don’t go telling him that, alright? I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”

You laughed, brushing your fingers through his hair. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

***

The first time you saw Jake and Bradley joking together in person, you almost didn’t recognize them. It was during a barbeque on the beach in San Diego, the whole squad and their partners gathered around the fire pit.

Jake was standing beside Bradley, both of them laughing as they recounted some ridiculous story about their mission. The easy camaraderie between them was a far cry from the complaints you used to hear.

“Unreal, isn’t it?” Phoenix said, nudging you with her shoulder as she handed you a drink.

“What is?” you asked, though you already knew.

“Those two. They were at each other’s throats when this started. Now? Thick as thieves.”

You smiled, watching Jake throw his arm around Bradley’s shoulders, tugging him closer in a playful headlock. “It’s definitely been a journey.”

When Jake caught you watching, he grinned and motioned for you to join them. “C’mere, honey. Rooster’s trying to convince me he’s the reason we’re still alive.”

“Because I am!” Bradley called, holding up his beer.

You walked over, shaking your head fondly. “I can’t believe this. Jake Seresin, willingly standing this close to Bradley Bradshaw? I think I need to sit down,” you say, dramatically feeling your forehead with the back of your hand.

Jake rolled his eyes, pulling you into his side. “Don’t let it go to your head, darlin’. I’m just humoring him.”

Bradley smirked. “Yeah, okay, Hangman. Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

As they launched into another round of playful banter, you leaned into Jake’s side, your heart full. Watching their friendship grow had been funny, sure, but it also reminded you of just how much Jake had grown over the years. From the cocky high school boy you fell in love with to the man standing beside you now, he’d built something meaningful—not just with you, but with the people who mattered most.

And if he occasionally complained about Bradley just to keep up appearances, well, that was fine by you.

#jake seresin #jake seresin x reader #hangman x reader #top gun maverick #waaagh #happy new year #i love him #florawrites #jake hangman seresin #jake hangman seresin x reader #jake hangman x reader #f1ora1f1owers

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multi-kpop-fanfics · 24 hours ago

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goals for 2025

hello everyone! it's been quite a while since i last posted here.

first of all, i wish everyone happy new year and a 2025 filled with health, high spirits and creativity💕

now onto the main focus of this post.

2024 was a wild year for me in many aspects. a lot of good things happened, along with some bad ones, but overall it was a great year for me irl. as for my writing adventures.....well. that wasn't the best lol

which brings me to my resolutions for 2025.

goals for 2025:

be more consistent with writing. i really, really, REALLY don't want to give up writing - it has helped me meet so many wonderful people here (which i'll heartfully mention later) and i explored a creative side of me i never thought i had.

revamp the appearance of this blog. i'm talking about theme and masterlists alike, bcs they have stayed the same since forever. after all, the "new year, new me" motto exists for a reason.

read and reblog more fics. it's evident as daylight that i've been missing out on so many well written fics, it's actually a crime. whether it's by a seasoned writer or a newcomer, i want to show them that their efforts are appreciated and loved. they are doing it for free but their work is priceless to me.

finally, i want to mention some very special people to me, old friends and new ones.

first and foremost: @delicatewerewolfsoul beloved vicky. we've known each other for nearly four years which is insane to me and the fact that we haven't stopped talking a single day since then is even crazier. you're one of the people i hold closest to my heart, if not the first one. i love you dearly and your unyielding support will never fail to lift me up, even from my lowest.

next on the list is @wongyuseokie. my lovely indi. i know that your writing days are nearing their end, but our friendship won't and that's what matters to me. i know that aside from an amazing content creator, you're also an amazing person and an even more amazing friend, who is always there for me.

another person who is a must-mention is @bitchlessdino. dear nana, a literal joy in every single aspect. i will never get tired of your personality and antics. please never change.

@the-boy-meets-evil deserves a mention as well. my favorite backer in so many tough situations but also a great instigator (you know it well lol). your insight has helped me immensely, especially during writing and i wouldn't change it at all.

mentioning a few more people i met this year along with some i met in the previous years and have made my days insanely better: @c-oupsie @tusswrites @highvern @gyuswhore @wonustars @svtiddiess @tomodachiii @wooahaeproductions @okiedokrie @haologram

finally, i want to shoutout @svthub, @thediamondlifenetwork and @camandemstudios for helping me grow as a member and/or admin and kicking a higher sense of responsibility in me.

this is the end of the post and hopefully it wasn't too tiring to read haha. once again, i'm wishing everyone happy new year and maybe, i'll see you soon enough!

with love, Zeta.

#goals for 2025

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queen-vessaraia-ashlynne · 3 days ago

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Other information you might like to know (that isn't decently covered in the reference article)! This list is based off my own knowledge and common mistakes/misinterpretations I have come across in fics which you might also have come across, not realising it is inaccurate! We love being obsessive about such a niche topic as carriages.

Horses would be changed roughly every 12 miles (no more than 15 unless it really couldn't be helped, and really it was just not worth it to change it if only 10 or less miles had been traversed)

2. Horses would generally be changed at a stage stop, also known as a stage station. These were generally established specifically for the purpose of individual riders changing horses or coaches/carriages doing so. They do not necessarily coincide with towns/villages or inns.

3. Most carriages with hard bodies (thus generally more accurately a coach) are designed to be used at night as well as in the day. They would have usually been oil lamps, at the time, and they were surprisingly big (generally 40cm-50cm tall in total, or about 16"-20"). Of course, you would likely not find it as comfortable (given you do not have enough light within the carriage to do anything), and it would make the roads more difficult to navigate and thus more dangerous, but they would be used. If you only have one or two hours left of the journey, it does make sense. In summary - for the wealthy, travelling was not restricted to the daytime.

4. Almost every single carriage ever has had a step built into the framework. They are not that difficult to enter or exit, and being helped into a carriage is mostly a status or respect marker (depending on whether you are helped in by a servant or someone of your own status).

5. If you were wealthy and had a carriage, it would have your family crest painted onto it. Details are important, especially status symbols. This is not necessarily as important as the other points, but it interesting nonetheless.

As a quick aside about this last one, in Persuasion, if Mr. Elliot had not left Lyme in a curricle but a coach of some sort, he would have had the crest on the side, and thus been identifiable to the party espying him from within without them having to ask after his identity. Of course, he likely could not afford that at the time, but they would not have known that.

I could not discuss carriages and not mention, in length, the travelling chariot. Serious fanfic writers NEED to know it. So, without further ado.

At the time, the main private carriage used for long journeys by the (upper) gentry was a travelling chariot. It would not be used for short trips (i.e. Longbourn to Netherfield) but for longer trips, even those which could very easily be done in a day (i.e. Longbourn to London). I cannot emphasise to you how key this carriage was. It has a hard body, space for luggage under the seats and atop the carriage, as well as room for two people on the front outside (one of whom would be the coachman, aka the driver, and the other of whom would generally be a footman. Also regarding footmen, they would almost always be the servant helping anyone from or into any sort of carriage) as well as space for two other servants on the rumble seat at the back, which is also exposed. Usually a valet and a maid would sit here. Many also had a boot of sorts by the rumble seat, for even more luggage, and spikes on the framework that extended beyond the rumble seat to prevent people grabbing on to the carriage and hitching a ride.

Why so much storage?? People would literally tour Europe in these. They are the ultimate comfort travel carriage of the time. Because they would be heavy, they would be drawn by four horses, making them expensive to maintain. For a vague idea: the Darcys would definitely have one, the Bennets definitely would not have one, and the Bingleys likely would not have one, but might hire one for their travels instead.

I hope that helps! To anyone writing for @janeuary-month's amazing prompt season, I look forward to reading your work!!

Carriage writing prompts

There's still over a month left until the day 29 carriage prompt for Janeuary, so there's still plenty of time left to use one of these ideas for a new fic or piece of art!

Falling asleep on a stranger's shoulder in a public post-chaise/stage coach

Kid "stealing" parents' carriage for a joy ride

Needing help getting into a carriage

Stumbling while getting out of a carriage

Getting caught during sexy times in a carriage

Getting hurt during sexy times in a carriage

Carriage accident!

Squabbling with family members squashed into a single carriage on a family "road trip"

Accidentally touching hands/shoulders/thighs in a carriage

Getting motion sickness on a carriage ride

Wedding proposal in a carriage

Hat/bonnet/shawl blowing off while riding in an open gig/curricle/phaeton

Getting rained on while riding in an open gig/curricle/phaeton

Swallowing a bug while riding in an open gig/curricle/phaeton

First kiss in the carriage on the way from the church to the wedding breakfast

Forgetting a hat/purse/suitcase in a public post-chaise/stage coach and having to track it down

Making friends with the horses pulling the carriage

Making enemies with the horses pulling the carriage

Picking out a carriage to buy with new spouse

Meet-cute when he almost runs her over with his phaeton

Gossiping with best friend in the carriage ride home from the ball

Rushing a sick/injured person home in a carriage

Waving goodbye from the window of a carriage and wondering if they'll ever see each other again

And here's a reference article about different types of carriages in Regency England

#carriage #regency #jane austen

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sockfus · 1 year ago

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dad bod hakoda. and the crowd cheers

#i really am a dad bod hakoda truther. not to talk abt my fic on main but a small point in the story is how hakoda gains weight as the story #goes on. its a sign of finally accepting the war is over and letting himself be happy and comfortable instead of constantly worrying that #something will happen #and ofc it also symbolises his growing relationship with bato #“to be loved is to change” is very literal in this fic #hakoda #bakoda #sophia.txt #atla

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jackshiccup · 4 months ago

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to celebrate my otnwasversary last week i watched httyd in orchestra concert and got a custom tiny toothless tattoo like woah.. we used to pray for times like these 12 year old me would be ecstatic to know this is what we’re upto now

#i had the time of my life at that concert and only cried 2 (TWO) times #be proud of me…#hearing test drive live was fucking INCREDIBLE #this tattoo hurt so fucking bad but i literally love jt so much it was worth every second of pain 😭😭😭😭#MY VERY OWN TINY TOOTHLESS…..#SOME OF YALL WISH U WERE ME…….#anyway i havent updated or posted in so long omg i promise im alive 😭🤞🏽#jackshiccup text #ALSO I CANT FUCKING BELIEVE ITS BEEN A YEAR SINCE I READ OTNWAS #WHAT THE HELL IS TIME #SHOUTOUT FIC THAT CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

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muirmarie · 6 months ago

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Me: I joke about writing the same McCoy centric story over and over again in different ways

Me: and like. I love doing it and imma keep doing it because it makes me happy.

Me: but also. I do sometimes wonder if it's like. A little Much.

Me: like maybe I should branch out or something

Me: [reads another fundamental and extremely insulting misread of McCoy's character by someone who is clearly making a Choice to cast McCoy as the villain, because they have to get him out of the way of spirk, because they're too???? idk immature??? to realize that even when you're in a relationship with one person, other ppl can and SHOULD still be important to you]

Me: lmao I hope I AM too much actually!!!! I hope it is 100% obnoxious how much I love that doctor!!!!! Time to write more versions of the same story of McCoy being forced to realize that he is loved and cared for!!!!!!

Me: I KNOW MY NICHE AND IMMA DIE IN THAT NICHE, THANKS

#mine #not putting this in the mcc*y/tr*k tags bc i am venting not trying to start 💾🐎 [discourse]#but woof. WOOF. i want you to know that if you hate the doc then sp*ck and k*rk would hate YOU #like seeing someone say they're sp*ck or jim coded and then say flagrantly absurd things about mcc*y.......u are garbage coded actually.#sp*ck and k*rk would literally never #i will never understand how so many ppl can ship mcc*y’s besties and then???? hate on mcc*y?????????#i block LIBERALLY so i have a lot of b*nes haters blocked already tbf #i just stumble across one in the wild sometimes alas #that mindset btw is how that counseling fic came about lmao - we were talking about how if sp*rk dated they'd still drag mcc*y EVERYWHERE #romantic or platonic he is THEIRS just like they're HIS. it's a triumvir*te my guy #any two of them hook up they're still making the third stay at their side 24/7 lolllllll #how can you claim to love sp*ck and k*rk and so fundamentally misunderstand them and their relationship with b*nes #genuinely tragique #you are missing out on so much fun #we are not watching the same show lmao <3 leave my doctor alone <3 leave his bfs alone too <3 #me: i should let things go / sp*ck: have you instead considered being a petty bitch / me: what / sp*ck: they can get fucked and die mad 🖖#me: ur so right sp*ck / sp*ck: i usually am #guess who literally just found out that if the word is contained w/in a longer tag it now shows up if you search that word!!!!!#that change very well may not be recent but i just found out!!!! anyway. asterisks added.#i give up. tumblr keeps putting this in the fucjing tags. hellsite (full of hatred)#eta: didn't think to make this non-rebloggable earlier but now it is lmao. it's just a vent post y'all <3

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ghoulish-art-tendencies · 4 months ago

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your title gives me a jumpscare whenever i see it and i do believe you intended that.

we should all wear these to conquer our fears.

#it was very much intended #i love being evil #i literally made my tumblr title right after reading the fic and its never changed since #it will probably continue to be the same #bc i swear this is like the 4th ask that has talked ab this #dan and phil #asks #answered asks

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the-kipsabian · 7 months ago

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people sure do love consuming content but ignoring art huh

is it really that hard to click a kudos button (not the tumblr like button, seriously fuck that noise) if you reach the end of a fic, or writing two words ("loved/liked this") to encourage a writer?

also is it *really* that difficult to hit reblog on this site? be real with me for a second. is it?

yall are just bunch of consumers who are destroying any fun in making and sharing art cause yall are so conditioned to the quick-and-fast-blink-and-you-miss-it consumerism of modern social media content

CLICKING BUTTONS TO ENCOURAGE AND SHARE STUFF IS FREE. TYPING OUT TWO WORDS TO TELL SOMEONE YOU LIKED THEIR WORK ENOUGH TO FINISH READING IT IS FREE AND TAKES FIVE SECONDS MAX

you literally have no excuse. thats all

#back on my bullshit? yes im tired and just about ready to start throwing hands #stop being awful to fic writers. support your friends and moots. expand your horizons by reading new stuff #'i dont even go here but' is one of the most encouraging forms of commenting. fucking use it #and also reblog this or i swear to fucking god #..can you tell im hungry? i sure can but it doesnt change the fact that this is still true and i hate it how often it needs to be said #im fucking trying my goddamn hardest here. yall could do the bare fucking minimum jfc #yes i wrote this in a very guilt trippy way but i literally dont care. tough love or whatever the fuck #im gonna go make dinner good fucking day #night is an absolute mess on main

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jam-packed · 3 months ago

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thank god im not a journalist cus the amount of eye contact would kill me

#watching a vale interview for research. seeing how he talks and acts for fics from his pov #lots of hand movements. high lilt in his voice. lots of explanation. leads you through a story. very interested in conversation.#hes explaining smth rn and istg it is not related to the question at all. it's interesting i like it but was that the question bud #the question was 'how have you seen RIDERS change over the years? example pedrosa and marquez' and vale went 'ah. 2005 and 2019 are very #different bikes. theres more electronics now.' hes just answering what he wants girl get back on topic 😭😭#NEVER wants to talk about marc thats another observation.#'i come from an era of drinking and cigarettes' funny guy #subtle insults....idk if he means it to be insulting but eh who knows he has a specific tone #it was a question on evolution and how he adapts to riders of the past and riders of the present actually im stupid 😔 sry technically he DID #answer it was just odd jajajaja #great passion for motorcycles :)#atp this is just notes #why are his legs so long. sry. thats mean but why are his knees so far #i feel like he has a tendency to get very very close to whoever hes talking to. kinda a 'i AM interesting in what youre saying. you are #interested in ME' and i think thats very intriguing. lots of movements lots of leaning #i fw his earring so heavy bro i love his stupid one earring #hes so good at conversation wow #luca mention :))#ok yea hes literally abt to fall out of his chair thats how far hes leaning into the interviewer. they know each other so im not too #surprised but eh #he loves to explain loves to talk he really is so compelling. hes a storyteller. and very very italian #interview is valentino rossi uncut from 2019. its on the motogp youtube channel #need to see him do small talk. or just a little conversation between friends but idk italian so that may be hard to find #yap sesh tag #motogp

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potionwine · 12 days ago

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Oooh, you’ve also seen Nirvana in Fire?!? That was SO good. And as inspiration for PF?? That, explains some things, dang! It works

My friend. My dear. My lovely Cimi—

WHAT in the world—

Have I seen the drama that bloody changed my life; my favourite comfort c-drama; the series that I rewatch yearly the way I rewatch lotr every Christmastime; that exquisite story with the most incredible breadth and variety of characters with impeccable character work and amazing themes and an ending that respects its viewers which however tragic is thoroughly earned and identity porn and politics and pride and grief, god, so much grief—and an Emperor who is shakespearean in his tragedy and—

Okay. Okay, no, you could not have known, tis a failure of my part if I have not spoken enough about it—I probably mostly reply to other people's posts as they liveblog their watching but. BUT. God when I saw your ask it felt like you came up to me to remark "hey wow so you also ship PF?" that's how gobsmacked I was lol!!!

I have dragged everyone in my life into watching this show! I have mutuals on here who can testify to my introducing them to it omg. I just checked and the earliest NIF post I reblogged was in 2016 so I have been watching it every year since 2016 hahaha!!! Although it's pretty complex chinese, and since so much of the show is made up of characters sitting around talking the intricate plot into existence, it's not really a beginner-friendly c-drama either!!!

NOW I DIDN'T KNOW YOU'VE WATCHED IT TOO???!!!

I. have. been. going. UTTERLY MENTAL. at the lack of anyone with whom I could talk about it? OR SO I THOUGHT. So many times I thought of going into our discord to be like "has anyone ever heard of NIF because hhhhhhh the phoenixflare resonance" or like "so is anyone into TGCF perhaps perchance mayhap???"——because heh. hehehehe. heheheh??? My fic is practically a NIF/TGCF mashup, it's a Lin Shu+Xie Lian!Joshua Rosfield & Jingyan+Hua Cheng!Dion Lesage——and I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I wanted to ask god please does anyone else see my vision please god does anyone?? but no one would even understand the references, and I couldn't even ask in areas (asian fandom) where there would be a higher chance of people knowing what crack I'm on because asian fandom is all about that...you know...that I loathe—and I have been in pain and I thought right well fine I'm writing the fic anyway it's fine if I have no one to scream about it with because I'm writing it and then I'll find fellow competence porn+politics enjoyers if they find my fic and—and.

God. What an earth-shattering message to receive in my askbox! You are some sort of miracle <3

Do you see it??? Do you see it? A boy who burned to death in an inferno as an innocent betrayed youth in a catastrophic event caused by his own family, his father slain, his entire clan (and all the troops under his banner) wiped out or scattered. A boy reborn after extensive and horrific injuries after an agonisingly long period of recovery: a ghost who crawled his way out of the gates of hell, the last of his broken once-noble house.

That boy's transformation into his new identity of Mei Changsu/Margrace. His off-screen discovery of the truth that led to Meiling/Phoenix Gate and his continued on-screen quest to learn more. His determination to hold the true culprits accountable at immense personal cost and suffering. His dogged persistence despite incredible odds and visibly failing health. Being surrounded by people who love him and want to protect him, and himself constantly undermining their efforts because his goals are more important than his health. (Because in truth he knows perfectly well that he won't survive, but he can make a difference while he is alive.)

Something that amuses me hugely is how Lin Shu and Joshua literally both come back as 宗主? I love it so much! They come back with the same title! Both of them come back as clan leaders of an organisation that obeys their every command! Margrace is the 不死鳥教団の��主(=leader of the cult of the undying bird) and Mei Changsu is 江左盟的宗主(=leader of the Jiangzuo alliance).

AND. Hooooo yea this PF fic is just JingSu at this point because oh, a handsome, principled, prideful, and stubborn prince who is a decorated warrior famed for his numerous military accomplishments and the man who is essential to the success of Lin Shu's/Joshua's plans? The resurrected boy barging into his prince's life: no matter how insane it is to choose your side, still "I choose you, Your Highness Prince Jing"??? The fact that the undervalued prince has a history with our secretive ghost protagonist? And (arguably) frequently thought about and missed the bright boy he knew once upon a time in happier days—"I know you," says Dion Lesage without a shadow of a doubt, extremely normal of him to instantly recognise a dead boy he met 20 years ago?

Mutual admiration of each other's integrity and capabilities? Reciprocal faith and remembrance? The foundation of deep respect and enduring friendship, their shared goals and shared family??? I froth at the mouth. JingSu are cousins, PF are stepsiblings by their parents' marriage. Each pair is bound by destiny and by choice—other people have made choices that permanently entangled each pair's lives together forevermore (Joshua+Dion and Jingyan+Xiaoshu), and the choice they themselves personally made to choose each other—

DO YOU SEE THE VISION.

How difficult it is to pursue justice when everyone involved is family and how impossible it is for Lin Shu the nigh-extinguished Chiyan fire for Joshua, the guttering flame, to indict Jingyan's father the Emperor of Liang Dion's father the Emperor of Sanbreque of his crimes against Joshua's family without opening old wounds and hurting many loved ones in the process including Dion himself. The people directly responsible for the tragedies are related to the protagonists in one way or another! If Lin Shu Joshua ever wants resolution for his grief unending, he has to strike at his beloved's father, and plot meticulously to avoid all of the dangers of attacking such a powerful enemy.

(Of course, I acknowledge the critical difference in Jingyan's versus Dion's feelings about their respective fathers.)

Now if only Joshua had done the famous blizzard scene with Dion instead of letting him go off to carry out his ill-advised coup—"Xiao Jingyan! You stand where you are! If I don't stop you today, what are you going to do? What do you think you can possibly accomplish if you charge in to challenge imperial power like this? Do you think you can simply force the Emperor [to do what you want/change his mind about Anabella Wei Zheng]? You have honour and valour but why do you just not have brains! How many more people must be hurt, you tell me!"

Anyway Joshy doesn't have the insufferable smugness of Xiaoshu but he does absolutely have Xiaoshu's pride, the sort of pride that is not just personal pride but familial pride too (after all Joshua comes from extremely prestigious lineage)—just look at how he speaks to Ultima in every scene, his lordly manner. Joshua I think has more Consort Jing to him, and Consort Jing is only my favourite character in all of NIF, in a drama where I love every character to bits—steel in softness, ever gentle ever polite yet not to be bullied and not to be underestimated and also extremely perceptive and learned and patient. Extra sweet bonus that Consort Jing is also a healer. Elegant, restrained, and very repressed. Who knows the depths of Joshua's Consort Jing's grief and loss?

But you know, Jingyan, near the end he is completely in charge—the prince who was always a great and respected general on the battlefield is now more than that, he's directly taking responsibility for all of his people as their future ruler—that means thinking on multiple fronts and exerting control over all of the key governing officials, not merely his military officers. He's leading with confidence, and there's that little scene where he apologises to Xiaoshu for taking action on several plans without consulting him, and Xiaoshu says no, this is the way it should be, this is the correct state of affairs: you are the crown prince, and this is rightfully your arena. You lead, you decide, you command.

Jingyan now sees clearly, he's found out and accepted the truths of his father's role in the atrocity at Meiling and everything that happened back then. He rightly perceives the failings of his family and seeks to redress past wrongs and avoid repetition of past mistakes, he weeds his court of the corrupt and the cowardly, he's become the best possible version of himself: stronger than ever, not just a powerful wartime commander-in-chief but an inspiring leader in the imperial court, careful, thoughtful and politically up-to-speed, finally stable in his sense of self instead of being permanently stuck as that angry and lost and hurting child. He has renewed purpose, he possesses hope for the future, he is able to dedicate himself fully to what he truly believes to be right and act in furtherance of righteous causes—

Critically, this is the man he becomes only because Xiaoshu came back into his life to shake it up. Without Xiaoshu he wouldn't even have the opportunity or means or knowledge. The radiant and fiery boy who Jingyan missed all his life came back to save him. From the outsider prince without contacts or support within the imperial court->to the crown prince who has the court subdued within the palm of his hand. From his pitiful existence as a neglected, unfavoured prince, his lowkey constant simmering resentment, his half-dutiful half-forced obedience of paternal orders that chafe at his conscience->into the steadfast and self-assured prince who is capable of fighting for the betterment of his country and the rallying point for virtuous officials who share those aspirations. The drama shows the audience that Jingyan is unquestionably ready to assume rulership, and together with the person he loves most, they achieve their goals, they save each other and their country (by arresting its downward slide due to the rotten state of its governance).

It's just a strong headcanon of mine (albeit one that I can absolutely present extensive arguments for) but to me Joshua Rosfield is the one and only character able to perform that same abovementioned function for Dion Lesage. Catalyst, turning point, spark that ignites the fire—whatever you call it, this is salvation. It is beautifully poetic that both Lin Shu and Joshua are characterised by fire. They are the fires of change that burn away the old life: before their arrival, the two war princes exist in a state of wearying routine, long-suffering and almost hopeless. Both Jingyan and Dion are shackled by their stations and duties, both are unloved sons with virtually no chance of their circumstances improving without drastic action, and both are trapped in precarious situations where they are subject to the whims of their father (if their imperial fathers turn on them, it will result in irrevocable loss of their status).

Dion's position is weak in the Oriflamme imperial court—pretty sure this point isn't up for debate, since no one ever speaks up in support of him despite the obvious injustice of his ill-treatment. His degree of influence in the court is much, much, so much less than any reasonable person might expect someone who is literally Bahamut and crown prince to have. The Council of Elders and other officials stand by haplessly while he is progressively stripped of power in favour of Olivier. Nobody defends him, nobody objects. (Or maybe some did, and were eliminated.) Even Dion himself submits to the abuse despite inherently superior abilities. Career politicians know which direction the winds blow—they don't defy their Empress, meaning they are either her cronies or too fearful of her to make themselves a target by any raising any opposition. Added to that is the implication that Dion was often away for long periods—and as Xiaoshu explicitly tells Jingyan in the drama, the crown prince cannot leave the imperial capital untended because that is the surest way to lose power. Dion may be Sanbreque's mightiest weapon and revered by the populace, but in practice his political sway is almost negligible. He is not able to leverage himself effectively.

Don't get me wrong, for these reasons I extra extra love the canon portrayal of J*** obeying Joshua against her wishes and T****** obeying Dion against his wishes—I absolutely think their obedience is, to them, the truest and highest and final demonstration of their love and understanding of their respective masters. And both Joshua and Dion expected no less from them. [I've not typed the names out just in case the search function ends up capturing the post and putting it in their tags, not because I hate those characters; I just don't want to be uncivil within fandom.]

But the very point here is that, you know, sometimes you aren't supposed to leave someone just because they say so. Sometimes it is the worst possible course of action to obey someone just because they command it. Sometimes it is undesirable at best and disastrous at worst to support someone's every decision out of unchanging (if uncharitable, one might even say unthinking) loyalty. That is a fundamentally unequal relationship, and while beautiful in its own way, is also uniquely doomed. The truth is, Joshua was always going to pull that trigger, and Dion was always going to pull that trigger: the master was always going to sever the relationship. Those pairs were doomed as soon as they began, because one party can only ever say yes, and yes means the end, you see? That is The End, that is the final break. By their very subordinate nature and by their established personalities within the game, "yes" is the one and only answer J*** and T****** can ever or will ever give. Their master will say, "Leave me", meaning it is over, and they will reply, "Yes, I obey". Because this is the only answer that proves their devotion, leaving them totally incapable of changing the script. Both J*** and T****** knew it and played their parts to perfection, and my heart hurts for them.

In NIF terms, I reckon J*** is Gong Yu, and T****** is Lie Zhanying. Zhanying will follow Jingyan to the end, whatever it may be—in fact in one episode he explicitly says so, and his loyalty is never in doubt. He will go to his death if Jingyan orders it. He will always support Jingyan's decisions. He and the rest of Jingyan's men have been following Jingyan even when the prince was out of favour and cold-shouldered and constantly dispatched to safeguard the country's frontiers—inconvenient places where comfort is low and the environment harsh. Jingyan's favoured brothers live in the lap of luxury within their palaces (like Olivier), while Jingyan himself (like Dion) has always been at war. And as with Zhanying, T****** will never be able to change this status quo on behalf of Jingyan (Dion). For all his boundless dedication to his lord, Zhanying will never be able to improve his prince's standing in the court, never be able to secure more political power for his prince (unless his prince decides to revolt/coup), never be able to make his prince's father love or prize his prince.

It is not a problem of character or willpower or desire. It is, simply put, a problem of power. It is a problem of class. The servant rises as their master rises, and falls as their master falls. In other words, the servant's status is determined by their master's status. Zhanying is Jingyan's deputy. When Jingyan's status was elevated, Zhanying naturally also assumed commandership over more troop divisions because those were allocated to the prince by the Liang Emperor. (There is no doubt in my mind that T******'s status as second-in-command is because of Prince Dion. He's too young to have earned that position by gradual promotion through meritorious accomplishment. Unless you're telling me that the knights dragoon don't have a single officer above age 30.) Zhanying is invaluable to Prince Jing in security, in warcraft, and in a variety of generic daily tasks. However, he is part of the rigid imperial system and lower in the hierarchy. He may persuade his lord, but he cannot order him. He may disagree, but he cannot defy. He may privately despise the Emperor/Empress, but he cannot show it and cannot act on it (literally treason). His role is to follow and obey. If he does not perform that role for whatever reason, he fundamentally negates his utility to his lord.

Ergo, endgame Jingyan is only possible because his true equal and soulmate, his real zhiji, came back to challenge the status quo. In fact, came back to challenge him. It is not merely the fact that this person understands him above all, it is also the fact that this person has the ability to act on that understanding. Jingyan is technically also Xiaoshu's prince, master, and eventual Emperor—so where is the difference?

The difference is, Lin Shu is comparable in nobility. Lin Shu is the cousin of princes and the incumbent Emperor's nephew, Lin Shu was raised amongst the imperial household, and played and studied and fought and hung out with them as peers of roughly equal rank. In this respect Joshua actually outstrips Lin Shu: Joshua is a prince by blood, and had Rosaria not fallen (especially if Sylvestre had not risen to the throne), would have been higher status than Dion. It's a massive pet peeve of mine that so many fans in XVI fandom don't seem to realise that Joshua was crown prince? Everybody knows Dion is crown prince, but do they realise Joshua is the original? In the English version prologue, the knights do call him "prince" and "your highness". The Rosarian throne is Joshua's by right of birth. At the time of their meeting as children, Joshua outranked Dion. They were equals as Dominants of their nation, but Dion back then was the child of a Cardinal and not the child of Sanbreque's ruler at that time; i.e. he was not a prince and not in line for the Sanbrequois throne.

The other wonderful similarity is Lin Shu's and Joshua's statuses as outsiders to the system when they reintroduce themselves to Jingyan/Dion. As Jingyan's strategist, Lin Shu has more leeway with regards to making his prince listen to him and take his advice. But importantly, he is now Mei Changsu, and that means he is able to play outside of the system. The imperial system effectively cast him out when it killed him. The strict codes of imperial conduct no longer chain him as they chain those confined within its structure. As a free agent unlike Zhanying, he has the right and privilege of choosing his own master. That includes the right to leave or to change his mind. And although the prince's strategist is supposed to be subordinate too, Xiaoshu would never truly be subordinate in the same fashion no matter how many times he bows his head, because at his core he is still high nobility and it still shines through despite everything. His manners are still perfect. He still navigates life with the easy expectation that people will serve him. He grabs the Duchess' hand and yells at Prince Jing and gloats at Marquis Ning. It's all the little ways that remind the audience, over and over, that this man was raised as a posh lordling. You can remove the boy from the upper class but you can't remove the upper class from the boy. It's the same with Joshua. His manners are still court-perfect. He still moves through life accepting that he will be served. He may bow his head to Dion and call him "your highness" but he also takes the liberty of throwing himself at Dion for a hug. Because to him, the prince is not some lofty and untouchable figure to be addressed with unfailing deference, he's just a friend.

(I know T****** is minor nobility, to be honest Zhanying definitely is too. The deputies of high level royals aren't going to be commoners. But I don't think I have to explain the gulf between ruling class/a close blood relative of the monarch versus lower nobility.)

Joshua too is an outsider that isn't beholden to Sanbreque's Emperor in the way that all of Dion and his knights owe their fealty. Again in this respect Joshua has it better than Xiaoshu—Joshua is his own sovereign master, and that should impact his perspective, his sense of self, and therefore his behaviour with others and how he navigates the world.

Gong Yu... I think anyone who's watched NIF will know exactly why I say that J***'s counterpart is Gong Yu lol. I think the s/h/u/a/t/e/s want her counterpart to be Princess (Duchess) Nihuang and they certainly produce fanwork in that vein, and I respect them for it because fans be doing what they love and hooray for that. But..... she's Gong Yu.

For all these reasons I am utterly obsessed with a Joshua that pushes back at Dion. The person able to challenge the status quo and challenge Dion. An equal who listens to Dion's absurd speech in the palace at Twinside and calls utter bullshit, who says, "A matter for the imperial family? are you joking? that's my mother, that's my younger brother. an imperial matter for you to resolve? say rather, our family, OUR problem to resolve. You don't get to go off half-cooked to arrest or kill my mother without actual political strategies, notwithstanding your military capability to launch a coup. And also, what about your dad? However much I love you, my darling Dion, we have to talk about the way that you insist on poor little meow meowing your awful father because my dear old mum didn't do Phoenix Gate alone and she for sure didn't immaculately conceive Olivier."

Endgame Dion isn't satisfactory in several glaring ways and it annoys me hugely that even unto the end he never grapples with and confronts the truth of his father instead of the idealised version that lives in his head. It's a little bizarre how Dion's arc is often praised by fans, since it feels very incomplete to me. Or, well, fine, perhaps just unsatisfying (since XVI simply isn't his story). His deep-seated need to be loved by his father prevents him from seeing anything clearly, which is so ironic for the only character to possess a third eye in canon? His honour and his might have been squandered in service to a selfish, uncaring, and objectively bad monarch, yet despite how earnestly Dion wants to be a good prince to his people he seems wholly incapable of recognising this fact? His mind repeatedly shies away from his father's shortcomings. In one scene he calls his father out for words befitting a tyrant, yet ultimately he persists in the belief that his father simply needs to be saved from Anabella's evil influence as if Sylvestre Lesage isn't a 50-year-old adult man who schemed his way to the throne and killed a woman's whole family and happily married that woman to beget legitimate offspring with her.

Soooo....... I've just spoiled the whole plot of my fic but it's really just NIF nonsense as usual and that is actually extremely predictable of me. But honestly the spoiling is not a big deal, because as with NIF, fundamentally my story is not meant to be plot-twisty and suspenseful—the real storytelling skill of the NIF drama is that the audience should be able to quickly grasp the overarching plot with no difficulty because the pleasure of this particular type of story is to watch the protagonist achieve their heart's desire, step by delicious step. The objective of this type of story is to properly pay off what it promises. NIF=the wronged protagonist seeks justice. We already know Lin Shu will obtain justice by the end of the tale, what we are here to enjoy is the journey! Same really for IEM I reckon; by the end of chapter 1 Joshua's goals should be really obvious, and since my little fic will have the happy ending tag because I only ever write happy endings, the audience basically knows he'll succeed—it's very much a journey not destination kind of story.

Ooof the post is crazy long and took me 3 nights to compose an answer and I haven't even managed to go into any TGCF elements but that work mainly contributes to characterisation instead of plot. One of the craziest XVI scenes was the Hideaway's sickbay after Twinside, the genuine regret Joshua expressed and how he blamed himself for not reaching out to Dion sooner; now the Empire and her prince lie in ruins etc. Surely he remembers this is the country that destroyed his own? Surely??? What kind of person, robbed of home and throne, can find it in himself to respond with so much empathy and kindness? Sanbreque has now experienced pretty much the same tragedy they inflicted on Rosaria two decades ago, and isn't that just the funniest parody of divine retribution? Instead of viewing this as Sanbreque's just deserts, Joshua Rosfield pities them and wishes he could have helped them avert this disaster.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderfully Xie Lian-coded. Something something someone who has been through the worst and nevertheless chooses goodness and kindness. Someone who intimately understands the ugliest and lowest depths that people sink to, yet refuse to lose themselves in that temptation even when vengeance would seem perfectly justified.

You've known for a long time now that I love a Joshua who is very similar to his mother. This is why lol. It's about that delicious, delicious contrasting foil. It is the difference between Jun Wu & Xie Lian, as it is the difference between Anabella & Joshua. That the indestructible integrity we see from Xie Lian or Joshua didn't come easy, they weren't born perfect, their ethics were tested and forged and earned through suffering the likes of which most people will never know. The person that they have each become is the sum of their choices actively made. In the canon of TGCF and XVI, both of these ex-crown-princes live on in disgrace, in circumstances best described as reduced and humiliating, their respective kingdoms fallen, their wealth and glory spent—but they are better and braver human beings than everyone around them, they are beautiful and noble souls, quiet and unacknowledged, and only Hua Cheng and Dion truly see and fully understand that (and therefore cannot help but love them utterly).

I've a few more thoughts regarding Joshua swirling around as captured in other Xie Lian posts: here, here, here, and here. Not sure if you know TGCF or are into it as well, but just leaving links to those posts here for my own benefit too. I've been gravitating towards phoenixflare comparisons in various hualian meta posts since early 2024 so clearly these concepts have been stewing in my head for some duration, but I haven't fully teased out what it is about these two ships that gives me that niggling sense of connecting similarities.

^ Whereas I clearly know exactly what it is about JingSu that makes me point and holler "THEM!"

#that was a whopper of an answer #THANK YOU KATIE for giving me the opportunity to gush about this <3 <3 <3 #i didn't even say everything i wanted to #brain is pretty cooked i can't wait to sleep in every day between christmas and new year #i hope my thoughts and concepts will actually come through in my fic but to be honest i am worried about the skill issue LOL #also nirvana in fire has a huge cast because political stories require a lot of moving parts and i'm worried about introducing too many ocs #literally the ocs are only there to support the plot they are extremely secondary to joshua and dion #but one simply needs more undying and more rosarians and more sanbrequois persons to work with for such a story you know?!?!?!#also this doesn't fit in the main post but the servant saying no to the master is possible and would herald a significant change #'no' is a shock to the system and sometimes that's exactly what is needed #saying yes to the status quo reaffirms it and solidifies any imbalance #it is precisely the narrative importance of elizabeth rejecting darcy's first proposal in p&p #acceptance from her would be tantamount to condoning his insult of her and her family #it'd have the effect of saying “i agree and/or i am prepared to overlook everything in submission to you”#and each time this occurs it reinforces the imbalance until it reaches a state of permanence #until it becomes the default that neither party can deviate from #no might be the very thing that prompts him to reconsider himself and his assumptions and reflect on his conduct and values #prompts him to consider exactly how he views [] and relearn how to appreciate [] in a new and different light #it's extra tricky when yes=love and devotion while no=shakes the boat and unpredictable and adds stress in already trying times #but!!! in an equal relationship partners must be able to impose on each other! rightfully take up time and space in another's life!#to never ever ever be an inconvenience is not healthy love it's servitude it's shrinking oneself it's being secondfiddle in one's own rship #look it's practically a whole chapter of my pf manifesto ahahahaha #it's not all social class there are other chapters like long slim legs are best slung over strong broad shoulders #and prince with obedience kink requires a partner in whose moral character he has absolute faith #iem #potion’s periodical

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