#｡･ﾟﾟ･ — 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 : lightning

[edenfelled]

This headcanon was originally posted on @rosafulmen ! I have tidied it up for this blog.

no one look at me, i am having brainrot for a FFX failed!guardian lightning. she became a guardian for serah who desperately wanted to defeat sin, but she was ultimately unable to protect her when the time came. despite that, her skill and expertise in guardianship is second to none, and other summoners seek her out to try and assist their parties.

i've attached some other thoughts below the cut.

claire and serah grew up in luca after being orphaned at a young age. although the port doesn't have a dedicated temple, much of the people who assisted the girls during this time ( at least until claire was old enough ) were yevonites, which helped serah instil a firm belief in the religion. i don't think claire ever held an overtly negative opinion to the church, she just... didn't see the point in praying to a god who implied the reason their parents died was the result of them not being 'pure' enough. she also quickly picked up the dichotomy of acceptable and unacceptable machina, even if she wasn't allowed to talk about it.

claire joined the crusaders as soon as they would take her, mostly working odd jobs around the city. like the guardian corps, this gave her the ability to provide for her sister at the cost of her time. serah met snow during this time — and up-and-coming blizball star for the luca goers — and began to seriously consider becoming a summoner.

this was also the time where claire changed her name to lightning. it likely started as a codename she adopted and was reinforced during the pilgrimage, especially after journeying through the thunder plains.

lightning returned home as soon as she learned of her sister's plan and the two got into a massive argument. serah would not budge on her plans despite her outrage, and snow was fully prepared to drop his blizball career in order to support her. not only did lightning not approve of their relationship but she was convinced snow would get her killed. she became a guardian only to show them both how stupid the idea was.

serah attends her first temple, gains her fayth and the pilgrimage begins. there's also huge opportunity for the other cast to integrate here. maybe sazh lost his son and became a guardian for him, or maybe fang/vanille were another prototype dream before tidus? no matter who, they journey the land until they finally reach zanarkand.

serah ends up choosing snow to be her final aeon due to the love they held for each other ( i vibe with the idea that he promised to marry her after she got the aeon and... well. ) and the knowledge that lightning would completely reject yunalesca's truth. this means lightning was not privy to what went on inside the room of the fayth — she saw two enter and one leave.

i don't really know if my personal ship for snow / lightning applies in this verse but it can go one of two ways. whether she secretly loves him or she's finally accepted him as being worthy for serah, he sacrifices himself for what is ultimately a few years of peace. this nearly leads her to attack yunalesca, only for serah to intervene and remind her that all their work is for nothing if they die.

in the end, though they reached sin, serah was struck down before she could complete the ritual and dies in lightning's arms. no one really blamed lightning for being unable to protect her; the life of a summoner and her guardians is a perilous one, safety is not guaranteed, and a guardian can do everything they can and it still not be enough. lightning could not protect serah from sin itself. all it did was instil in her the senselessness of the pilgrimage.

with nowhere else to go, lightning returns to luca where she is constantly propositioned by summoners looking for an experienced guardian. she rejects every single one until yuna.

auron specifically sought her out after serah's death. as the both of them were products of a malignant belief, they vowed to undo the cycle. this means that lightning wouldn't say anything about the final aeon, despite knowing a guardian would have to die, and wouldn't interject when the others were offering themselves during zanarkand. I don't know (?) if she would know he was unsent, but it ultimately wouldn't matter to her.

i also have two ideas for snow's fayth. one, light buries it somewhere in zanarkand and gives up the location to yuna after they defeat yunalesca. though he would not be her final aeon, she is able to ensure his death wasn't for nothing and he could assist yuna during the fight with sin — ultimately freeing him and avenging serah. two, she's had it on her the whole time and basically does the same thing minus leading them to the fayth. if a baby seymour can carry anima around before a temple, so can she.

[berylcluster]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

rules: bold what applies to your muse, italicize what sometimes or sort-of applies, strike through what’s antithetical to your muse. repost, don’t reblog, and have fun !warnings: mentions of alcohol. credit.

𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚: a long journey, a feeling of raw energy, putting a name to something unknown, an elaborate patchwork, unexpected catastrophes, unexpected blessings, vivid dreams, sudden awakenings, the feeling of shedding your skin, the echoes in holy places, bright lights, deep shadows, feeling the earth move beneath your feet, wandering in museums, the strange clarity of moonlight, thunder and lightning, an unfamiliar road, coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person.

𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬: being overwhelmed by emotion, finding something to celebrate every day, finding something to mourn every day, connecting with others, the scent of ocean air, making food for your friends when they’re stressed, the remembrance of something lost, sublime confusion, cool colors, a cozy cafe, a bustling bar, calm waters - hidden depths, getting tipsy in the afternoon, summer rain, comfy sweaters, flowing skirts, a house by the sea, deep conversations after midnight.

𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬: the scent of spices and dark wood, making something just for the sake of creation, dry heat, crackling fire, a bolt of inspiration, refusing to apologize for your passion, stubborn optimism, taking on more than you can handle, hot tea, warm colors, getting up early, staying up late, bright fire - fast burnout, tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence, the thrill of starting a new project, spring storms, hotel rooms, perpetual restlessness.

𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬: the scent of rich soil after a rain, hard and diligent work, solid ground - strong foundations, the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff, generosity that comes with a catch, work boots and heavy jeans, silk and jewels, resting on your laurels, seeing your work through to the end, harvest time, fresh bread and rich soup, earth tones, jewel tones, a lush garden, sunlight through the trees, dark chocolate, a home in the farmlands, a sprawling house in the old part of the city.

𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: the scent of fresh air, focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional, freshly fallen snow, burying yourself in action, tending to your own wounds, a foreseeable disaster, crisply tailored suits, starkly elegant dresses, refusing to admit defeat, cold air - clear thoughts, old hurts, fresh starts, overthinking your overthinking, the harsh glow of street lamps, black coffee, a cabin in the mountains, an apartment downtown, the quiet before the dawn.

tagged by: @cam1na (ty lovely!!!) tagging: @thanksbarton , @zoomingupthathill , @evilstalks , @grcccvy , @hoovedrycal , @godkillersblood , @kxllerblond , @scinglives (sofia or hannah) , @theweredrifter , @sheldoney , @lieshot , @elementalartisan & YOU!!! if you see this, do it!

[r3loaded]

𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 : 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 !

bold whatever applies | italics what sometimes applies [ both if it's perfect for your muse ] | strikethrough what doesn't apply & tag people. repost; don’t reblog!

CLASSIC.

black and white.  powder puffs.  red lipstick.  winged eyeliner.  white kitten heels.  black lace lingerie.  icy blue eyes.  rain.  abandoned cars.  skeletons.  acid.  poison.  voyeurism.  switchblades.  strangling.  overcoats.  looking over your shoulder.  trans-atlantic accents.  private detectives.  dinner parties.  haunted mansions.  cobwebs.  perfect blonde curls.  kitchen knives.  shock.  cellars.  dust.  ghosts.  dark alleys.  empty streets.  horn-rimmed glasses.  radiation.  zombies.  serial murder.  suspicion.  the city.  witches.  the devil.  cannibalism.  conspiracies.  amulets.  abject terror.  the American South.  the American Northeast.  England.  analog cameras.

CRYPTID  &  URBAN LEGEND.

aliens.  blinding light.  dark woods.  driving at night.  claw marks.  bite marks.  men in black.  memory loss.  dismembered bodies.  sewers.  flashlights.  cell phones.  video cameras.  cars with tinted windows.  unlabeled cassette tapes.  bugs.  big cities.  urban crimes.  clowns.  something rustling outside your window.  glowing light.  unsolved mysteries.  suburbia.  mirrors.  the american pacific northwest.  the american midwest.  hiking.  backpacking.

GOTHIC.

gaslights.  corsets.  ballrooms.  candlelight.  mist.  starless nights.  full moons.  cobbled streets.  horse-drawn carriages.  mysterious strangers.  bogs.  moors.  forests.  mountains.  castles.  velvet.  silver.  brass.  gold.  jewels.  domino masks.  the opera.  dangerous romances.  tragic romances.  violins.  roses.  lilies.  empty graves.  crosses.  cemeteries.  snow.  ice.  the gallows.  crows.  milk-white skin.  ambiguous illness.  fangs.  pointed nails.  something howling in the night.  capes.  globes.  top hats.  straight razors.  lightning.  pipe organs.  underground caverns.  bats.  mice.  rats.  ravens.  cats.  pearls.  attics.  talismans.  axes.  wood.  isolation in a room full of people.  vampires.  werewolves.  ghosts.  coffins.  western europe.  eastern europe.  bones.  churches.  catacombs.  mausoleums.  books.  stitches.

PARANORMAL.

malevolent spirits.  seances.  spells.  missing bodies.  hidden graves.  white noise.  static.  flickering lights.  rings of salt.  demons.  poltergeists.  dark histories.  old buildings.  cold air.  wells.  urban exploration.  a dog barking at unseen things.  iconoclasm.  black ooze.  old photographs.  dark bodies of water.  crucifixes.  priests.  possession.  exorcisms.  dolls.

SLASHER.

bloodbaths.  massacres.  wanton nudity.  newspapers.  leather jackets.  letterman jackets.  converse sneakers.  obscured faces.  social unrest.  bonfires.  lakes.  babysitters.  high school.  lockers.  dead leaves in the fall.  jack-o’-lanterns.  passing shadows.  outdated television sets.  nightmares.  psychiatrists.  hospitals.  unstoppable forces.  gunfire.  police.  landline telephones.  improvised weapons.  halloween.  secrets.  revelations.  cut wires.  character masks.  scrunchies.  wild curls.  jeering children.  parties.  fire.  swearing.  revulsion.  california.  the american midwest.  ambulances.

THRILLER.

daylight.  fluorescent lighting.  morgues.  unwavering eye contact.  tension.  lit rooms.  empty rooms.  killer in plain sight.  a dog digging in the newly-planted flower bed.  steely gazes.  paperwork.  anagrams.  codes.  convicted killers.  missing persons.  law enforcement.  federal agents.  small towns.  paranoia.  subdued terror.  dimly-lit parking lots.  a noise in the distance.

[recre8ed]

𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 : 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 !

bold whatever applies | italics what sometimes applies [ both if it's perfect for your muse ] | strikethrough what doesn't apply & tag people. repost; don’t reblog!

CLASSIC.

black and white.  powder puffs.  red lipstick.  winged eyeliner.  white kitten heels.  black lace lingerie.  icy blue eyes.  rain.  abandoned cars.  skeletons.  acid.  poison.  voyeurism.  switchblades.  strangling.  overcoats.  looking over your shoulder.  trans-atlantic accents.  private detectives.  dinner parties.  haunted mansions.  cobwebs.  perfect blonde curls.  kitchen knives.  shock.  cellars.  dust.  ghosts.  dark alleys.  empty streets.  horn-rimmed glasses.  radiation.  zombies.  serial murder.  suspicion.  the city.  witches.  the devil.  cannibalism.  conspiracies.  amulets.  abject terror.  the American South.  the American Northeast.  England.  analog cameras.

CRYPTID  &  URBAN LEGEND.

aliens.  blinding light.  dark woods.  driving at night.  claw marks.  bite marks.  men in black.  memory loss.  dismembered bodies.  sewers.  flashlights.  cell phones.  video cameras.  cars with tinted windows.  unlabeled cassette tapes.  bugs.  big cities.  urban crimes.  clowns.  something rustling outside your window.  glowing light.  unsolved mysteries.  suburbia.  mirrors.  the american pacific northwest.  the american midwest.  hiking.  backpacking.

GOTHIC.

gaslights.  corsets.  ballrooms.  candlelight.  mist.  starless nights.  full moons.  cobbled streets.  horse-drawn carriages.  mysterious strangers.  bogs.  moors.  forests.  mountains.  castles.  velvet.  silver.  brass.  gold.  jewels.  domino masks.  the opera.  dangerous romances.  tragic romances.  violins.  roses.  lilies.  empty graves.  crosses.  cemeteries.  snow.  ice.  the gallows.  crows.  milk-white skin.  ambiguous illness.  fangs.  pointed nails.  something howling in the night.  capes.  globes.  top hats.  straight razors.  lightning.  pipe organs.  underground caverns.  bats.  mice.  rats.  ravens.  cats.  pearls.  attics.  talismans.  axes.  wood.  isolation in a room full of people.  vampires.  werewolves.  ghosts.  coffins.  western europe.  eastern europe.  bones.  churches.  catacombs.  mausoleums.  books.  stitches.

PARANORMAL.

malevolent spirits.  seances.  spells.  missing bodies.  hidden graves.  white noise.  static.  flickering lights.  rings of salt.  demons.  poltergeists.  dark histories.  old buildings.  cold air.  wells.  urban exploration.  a dog barking at unseen things.  iconoclasm.  black ooze.  old photographs.  dark bodies of water.  crucifixes.  priests.  possession.  exorcisms.  dolls.

SLASHER.

bloodbaths.  massacres.  wanton nudity.  newspapers.  leather jackets.  letterman jackets.  converse sneakers.  obscured faces.  social unrest.  bonfires.  lakes.  babysitters.  high school.  lockers.  dead leaves in the fall.  jack-o’-lanterns.  passing shadows.  outdated television sets.  nightmares.  psychiatrists.  hospitals.  unstoppable forces.  gunfire.  police.  landline telephones.  improvised weapons.  halloween.  secrets.  revelations.  cut wires.  character masks.  scrunchies.  wild curls.  jeering children.  parties.  fire.  swearing.  revulsion.  california.  the american midwest.  ambulances.

THRILLER.

daylight.  fluorescent lighting.  morgues.  unwavering eye contact.  tension.  lit rooms.  empty rooms.  killer in plain sight.  a dog digging in the newly-planted flower bed.  steely gazes.  paperwork.  anagrams.  codes.  convicted killers.  missing persons.  law enforcement.  federal agents.  small towns.  paranoia.  subdued terror.  dimly-lit parking lots.  a noise in the distance.

[cam1na]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

rules: bold what applies to your muse, italicize what sometimes or sort-of applies, strike through what’s antithetical to your muse. repost, don’t reblog, and have fun !warnings: mentions of alcohol. credit.

𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚: a long journey, a feeling of raw energy, putting a name to something unknown, an elaborate patchwork, unexpected catastrophes, unexpected blessings, vivid dreams, sudden awakenings, the feeling of shedding your skin, the echoes in holy places, bright lights, deep shadows, feeling the earth move beneath your feet, wandering in museums, the strange clarity of moonlight, thunder and lightning, an unfamiliar road, coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person.

𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬: being overwhelmed by emotion, finding something to celebrate every day, finding something to mourn every day, connecting with others, the scent of ocean air, making food for your friends when they’re stressed, the remembrance of something lost, sublime confusion, cool colors, a cozy cafe, a bustling bar, calm waters - hidden depths, getting tipsy in the afternoon, summer rain, comfy sweaters, flowing skirts, a house by the sea, deep conversations after midnight.

𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬: the scent of spices and dark wood, making something just for the sake of creation, dry heat, crackling fire, a bolt of inspiration, refusing to apologize for your passion, stubborn optimism, taking on more than you can handle, hot tea, warm colors, getting up early, staying up late, bright fire - fast burnout, tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence, the thrill of starting a new project, spring storms, hotel rooms, perpetual restlessness.

𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬: the scent of rich soil after a rain, hard and diligent work, solid ground - strong foundations, the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff, generosity that comes with a catch, work boots and heavy jeans, silk and jewels, resting on your laurels, seeing your work through to the end, harvest time, fresh bread and rich soup, earth tones, jewel tones, a lush garden, sunlight through the trees, dark chocolate, a home in the farmlands,a sprawling house in the old part of the city.

𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: the scent of fresh air, focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional, freshly fallen snow, burying yourself in action, tending to your own wounds, a foreseeable disaster, crisply tailored suits, starkly elegant dresses, refusing to admit defeat, cold air - clear thoughts, old hurts, fresh starts, overthinking your overthinking, the harsh glow of street lamps, black coffee, a cabin in the mountains, an apartment downtown, the quiet before the dawn.

tagged by: @beltraised tagging: @berylcluster, @storyscrawled, @paradoxlost & anyone else who wants to

[bringslife]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

rules: bold what applies to your muse, italicize what sometimes or sort-of applies, strike through what’s antithetical to your muse. repost, don’t reblog, and have fun !warnings: mentions of alcohol. credit.

𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚: a long journey, a feeling of raw energy, putting a name to something unknown, an elaborate patchwork, unexpected catastrophes, unexpected blessings, vivid dreams, sudden awakenings, the feeling of shedding your skin, the echoes in holy places, bright lights, deep shadows, feeling the earth move beneath your feet, wandering in museums, the strange clarity of moonlight, thunder and lightning, an unfamiliar road, coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person.

𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬: being overwhelmed by emotion, finding something to celebrate every day, finding something to mourn every day, connecting with others, the scent of ocean air, making food for your friends when they’re stressed, the remembrance of something lost, sublime confusion, cool colors, a cozy cafe, a bustling bar,calm waters - hidden depths, getting tipsy in the afternoon, summer rain, comfy sweaters, flowing skirts, a house by the sea, deep conversations after midnight.

𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬: the scent of spices and dark wood, making something just for the sake of creation, dry heat, crackling fire, a bolt of inspiration, refusing to apologize for your passion, stubborn optimism, taking on more than you can handle, hot tea, warm colors, getting up early, staying up late, bright fire - fast burnout, tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence, the thrill of starting a new project, spring storms, hotel rooms, perpetual restlessness.

𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬:  the scent of rich soil after a rain, hard and diligent work, solid ground - strong foundations, the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff, generosity that comes with a catch, work boots and heavy jeans, silk and jewels, resting on your laurels, seeing your work through to the end, harvest time, fresh bread and rich soup, earth tones, jewel tones, a lush garden, sunlight through the trees, dark chocolate, a home in the farmlands,a sprawling house in the old part of the city.

𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: the scent of fresh air, focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional, freshly fallen snow, burying yourself in action, tending to your own wounds, a foreseeable disaster, crisply tailored suits, starkly elegant dresses, refusing to admit defeat, cold air - clear thoughts, old hurts, fresh starts, overthinking your overthinking, the harsh glow of street lamps, black coffee, a cabin in the mountains, an apartment downtown, the quiet before the dawn.

tagged by: @beltraised & @agentharkness tagging: @whatspoilers @unitlead @isbrilliant @b4didea @creagantuiree @escapedartgeek

[espercr]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

rules: bold what applies to your muse, italicize what sometimes or sort-of applies, strike through what’s antithetical to your muse. repost, don’t reblog, and have fun ! warnings: mentions of alcohol. credit.

𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚: a long journey, a feeling of raw energy, putting a name to something unknown, an elaborate patchwork, unexpected catastrophes, unexpected blessings, vivid dreams, sudden awakenings, the feeling of shedding your skin, the echoes in holy places, bright lights, deep shadows, feeling the earth move beneath your feet, wandering in museums, the strange clarity of moonlight, thunder and lightning, an unfamiliar road, coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person.

𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬: being overwhelmed by emotion, finding something to celebrate every day, finding something to mourn every day, connecting with others, the scent of ocean air, making food for your friends when they’re stressed, the remembrance of something lost, sublime confusion, cool colors, a cozy cafe, a bustling bar, calm waters - hidden depths, getting tipsy in the afternoon, summer rain, comfy sweaters, flowing skirts, a house by the sea, deep conversations after midnight.

𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬:  the scent of spices and dark wood, making something just for the sake of creation, dry heat, crackling fire, a bolt of inspiration, refusing to apologize for your passion, stubborn optimism, taking on more than you can handle, hot tea, warm colors, getting up early, staying up late, bright fire - fast burnout, tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence, the thrill of starting a new project, spring storms, hotel rooms, perpetual restlessness.

𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬:  the scent of rich soil after a rain, hard and diligent work, solid ground - strong foundations, the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff, generosity that comes with a catch, work boots and heavy jeans, silk and jewels, resting on your laurels, seeing your work through to the end, harvest time, fresh bread and rich soup, earth tones, jewel tones, a lush garden, sunlight through the trees, dark chocolate, a home in the farmlands, a sprawling house in the old part of the city.

𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: the scent of fresh air, focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional, freshly fallen snow, burying yourself in action, tending to your own wounds, a foreseeable disaster, crisply tailored suits, starkly elegant dresses, refusing to admit defeat, cold air - clear thoughts, old hurts, fresh starts, overthinking your overthinking, the harsh glow of street lamps, black coffee, a cabin in the mountains, an apartment downtown, the quiet before the dawn.

tagged by: @clochanam !!!! <3 tagging: @wnterslder , @hellters , @russ14nmade , @wornkindness , @agentharkness , & @jestersandbrokencrowns !

[clochanamarch]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

rules: bold what applies to your muse, italicize what sometimes or sort-of applies, strike through what’s antithetical to your muse. repost, don’t reblog, and have fun !

warnings: mentions of alcohol. credit.

𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚: a long journey, a feeling of raw energy, putting a name to something unknown, an elaborate patchwork, unexpected catastrophes, unexpected blessings, vivid dreams, sudden awakenings, the feeling of shedding your skin, the echoes in holy places, bright lights, deep shadows, feeling the earth move beneath your feet, wandering in museums, the strange clarity of moonlight, thunder and lightning, an unfamiliar road, coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person.

𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬: being overwhelmed by emotion, finding something to celebrate every day, finding something to mourn every day, connecting with others, the scent of ocean air, making food for your friends when they’re stressed, the remembrance of something lost, sublime confusion, cool colors, a cozy cafe, a bustling bar, calm waters - hidden depths, getting tipsy in the afternoon, summer rain, comfy sweaters, flowing skirts, a house by the sea, deep conversations after midnight.

𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬:  the scent of spices and dark wood, making something just for the sake of creation, dry heat, crackling fire, a bolt of inspiration, refusing to apologize for your passion, stubborn optimism, taking on more than you can handle, hot tea, warm colors, getting up early, staying up late, bright fire - fast burnout, tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence, the thrill of starting a new project, spring storms, hotel rooms, perpetual restlessness.

𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬:  the scent of rich soil after a rain, hard and diligent work, solid ground - strong foundations, the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff, generosity that comes with a catch, work boots and heavy jeans, silk and jewels, resting on your laurels, seeing your work through to the end, harvest time, fresh bread and rich soup, earth tones, jewel tones, a lush garden, sunlight through the trees, dark chocolate, a home in the farmlands, a sprawling house in the old part of the city.

𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: the scent of fresh air, focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional, freshly fallen snow, burying yourself in action, tending to your own wounds, a foreseeable disaster, crisply tailored suits, starkly elegant dresses, refusing to admit defeat, cold air - clear thoughts, old hurts, fresh starts, overthinking your overthinking, the harsh glow of street lamps, black coffee, a cabin in the mountains, an apartment downtown, the quiet before the dawn.

tagged : by @prcspcr tagging : @espercr , @fortislumen (for emily and victor!), @hcpebled (for drayden and lucy!), @cagedchoices , @freezegirl and anyone else who wants to do these!

[edenfelled]

the debt that i owe … ( from noctis to lightning

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐑𝐔𝐁𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐁𝐑𝐄, fluorescent luminance flickering frantically like a moth's wings spasming beneath the first flood of electricity. It was a cruel reminder she'd need to return to Lestallum if they failed, weaving through the accursed night where cracks in the road were fissures for daemons to grow, bearing the hopes of a dozen souls brave enough to breach the heart of darkness.

Or to atone for their suffering.

Debt was a funny thing: a voracious, gnawing hunger oft disguised as altruistic. The first time they met she didn't recognise it, and willfully allowed its jaws to wrap around her tender heart like the first press of a blade against in her palm — needle-thin, so sharp that it was barely felt. ❝The Crownsguard is the highest honour,❞ Cor explained, watching the orphan's face grow stalwart. She made herself believe that was what she craved ( the ability to be trained, to protect and to defend; to provide for her sister with something purposeful ), and not nightmare-induced insomnia that chased her from her bed — the warped evocation of her parents whose eyes poured Starscourge as they clung misaligned against the ceiling.

❝We shouldn't have to pay debts to gods.❞ It made it all so fucking pointless. The dark, the daemons, their sacrifice in blood — all of it preordained. Luna knew she was dying and communed all the same; Noctis knew he had to die and ordained himself for the altar. All for gods who did not care if they were king, oracle or ordinary man; who shunned, spurred and devoured the light until all that was left came from burning copper encased in rubber wire.

Her fingers turned a teardrop stone of rose quartz, so pale as to be near colourless, while her eyes squinted into the inky darkness beyond the old garage. Serah had gifted it to her before she left the first time, a good luck charm for the Tenebrae princess, but in her death it had come to warm her left pant-pocket as an anchor. Whenever she was away from sister, adrift in a sunless sea, Serah was the one star that brought her back — the one debt she could not afford to make.

𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐃. Lightning sighed, feeling the tension drawn across her shoulders like a bowstring. How do you repay the willing gift of another's life; of sacrifice and bloodshed? How do you justify it?

Because it was never a debt when given willingly.

❝Let's finish this, @outdraws.❞ She took his wrist with her free hand, and dropped the stone in his palm. He knew she would accompany him, a final hurrah through hell, because she had to see it through. Forget her debts, it was time for the world to be brought to account for what it owed her.

❝When you see Lunafreya, I want you to give her this. And if you see a 'god'? Kill it before I do.❞

[cagedchoices]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

rules: bold what applies to your muse, italicize what sometimes or sort-of applies, strike through what’s antithetical to your muse. repost, don’t reblog, and have fun !

warnings: mentions of alcohol. credit.

𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚: a long journey, a feeling of raw energy, putting a name to something unknown, an elaborate patchwork, unexpected catastrophes, unexpected blessings, vivid dreams, sudden awakenings, the feeling of shedding your skin, the echoes in holy places, bright lights, deep shadows, feeling the earth move beneath your feet, wandering in museums, the strange clarity of moonlight, thunder and lightning, an unfamiliar road, coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person.

𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬: being overwhelmed by emotion, finding something to celebrate every day, finding something to mourn every day, connecting with others, the scent of ocean air, making food for your friends when they’re stressed, the remembrance of something lost, sublime confusion, cool colors, a cozy cafe, a bustling bar, calm waters - hidden depths, getting tipsy in the afternoon, summer rain, comfy sweaters, flowing skirts, a house by the sea, deep conversations after midnight.

𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬:  the scent of spices and dark wood, making something just for the sake of creation, dry heat, crackling fire, a bolt of inspiration, refusing to apologize for your passion, stubborn optimism, taking on more than you can handle, hot tea, warm colors, getting up early, staying up late, bright fire - fast burnout, tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence, the thrill of starting a new project, spring storms, hotel rooms, perpetual restlessness.

𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬:  the scent of rich soil after a rain, hard and diligent work, solid ground - strong foundations, the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff, generosity that comes with a catch, work boots and heavy jeans, silk and jewels, resting on your laurels, seeing your work through to the end, harvest time, fresh bread and rich soup, earth tones, jewel tones, a lush garden, sunlight through the trees, dark chocolate, a home in the farmlands, a sprawling house in the old part of the city.

𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: the scent of fresh air, focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional, freshly fallen snow, burying yourself in action, tending to your own wounds, a foreseeable disaster, crisply tailored suits, starkly elegant dresses, refusing to admit defeat, cold air - clear thoughts, old hurts, fresh starts, overthinking your overthinking, the harsh glow of street lamps, black coffee, a cabin in the mountains, an apartment downtown, the quiet before the dawn.

tagged by @clochanam

tagging: whoever wants to!

[attercopus]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

rules: bold what applies to your muse, italicize what sometimes or sort-of applies, strike through what’s antithetical to your muse. repost, don’t reblog, and have fun ! warnings: mentions of alcohol. / credit.

𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚: a long journey, a feeling of raw energy, putting a name to something unknown, an elaborate patchwork, unexpected catastrophes, unexpected blessings, vivid dreams, sudden awakenings, the feeling of shedding your skin, the echoes in holy places, bright lights, deep shadows, feeling the earth move beneath your feet, wandering in museums, the strange clarity of moonlight, thunder and lightning, an unfamiliar road, coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person.

𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬: being overwhelmed by emotion, finding something to celebrate every day, finding something to mourn every day, connecting with others, the scent of ocean air, making food for your friends when they’re stressed, the remembrance of something lost, sublime confusion, cool colors, a cozy cafe, a bustling bar, calm waters - hidden depths, getting tipsy in the afternoon, summer rain, comfy sweaters, flowing skirts, a house by the sea, deep conversations after midnight.

𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬:  the scent of spices and dark wood, making something just for the sake of creation, dry heat, crackling fire, a bolt of inspiration, refusing to apologize for your passion, stubborn optimism, taking on more than you can handle, hot tea, warm colors, getting up early, staying up late, bright fire - fast burnout, tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence, the thrill of starting a new project, spring storms, hotel rooms, perpetual restlessness.

𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬:  the scent of rich soil after a rain, hard and diligent work, solid ground - strong foundations, the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff, generosity that comes with a catch, work boots and heavy jeans, silk and jewels, resting on your laurels, seeing your work through to the end, harvest time, fresh bread and rich soup, earth tones, jewel tones, a lush garden, sunlight through the trees, dark chocolate, a home in the farmlands, a sprawling house in the old part of the city.

𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: the scent of fresh air, focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional, freshly fallen snow, burying yourself in action, tending to your own wounds, a foreseeable disaster, crisply tailored suits, starkly elegant dresses, refusing to admit defeat, cold air - clear thoughts, old hurts, fresh starts, overthinking your overthinking, the harsh glow of street lamps, black coffee, a cabin in the mountains, an apartment downtown, the quiet before the dawn.

tagged : @wirwolff (<3!) / tagging : TAKE IT. NEOWWWW

[inflamearc]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬.

rules : bold what applies to your muse, italicize what sometimes or sort-of applies, strike through what’s antithetical to your muse. repost, don’t reblog, and have fun !warnings: mentions of alcohol. / credit.

𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚: a long journey, a feeling of raw energy, putting a name to something unknown, an elaborate patchwork, unexpected catastrophes, unexpected blessings, vivid dreams, sudden awakenings, the feeling of shedding your skin, the echoes in holy places, bright lights, deep shadows, feeling the earth move beneath your feet, wandering in museums, the strange clarity of moonlight, thunder and lightning, an unfamiliar road, coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person.

𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬: being overwhelmed by emotion, finding something to celebrate every day, finding something to mourn every day, connecting with others, the scent of ocean air, making food for your friends when they’re stressed, the remembrance of something lost, sublime confusion, cool colors, a cozy cafe, a bustling bar, calm waters - hidden depths, getting tipsy in the afternoon, summer rain, comfy sweaters, flowing skirts, a house by the sea, deep conversations after midnight.

𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬:  the scent of spices and dark wood, making something just for the sake of creation, dry heat, crackling fire, a bolt of inspiration, refusing to apologize for your passion, stubborn optimism, taking on more than you can handle, hot tea, warm colors, getting up early, staying up late, bright fire - fast burnout, tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence, the thrill of starting a new project, spring storms, hotel rooms, perpetual restlessness.

𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬:  the scent of rich soil after a rain, hard and diligent work, solid ground - strong foundations, the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff, generosity that comes with a catch, work boots and heavy jeans, silk and jewels, resting on your laurels, seeing your work through to the end, harvest time, fresh bread and rich soup, earth tones, jewel tones, a lush garden, sunlight through the trees, dark chocolate, a home in the farmlands, a sprawling house in the old part of the city.

𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: the scent of fresh air, focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional, freshly fallen snow, burying yourself in action, tending to your own wounds, a foreseeable disaster, crisply tailored suits, starkly elegant dresses, refusing to admit defeat, cold air - clear thoughts, old hurts, fresh starts, overthinking your overthinking, the harsh glow of street lamps, black coffee, a cabin in the mountains, an apartment downtown, the quiet before the dawn.

[blitz-heart]

𝐮𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 .

SPICE | allspice ↳ Flavor resembles a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg ; commonly used in baked goods and desserts ; increases energy and determination ; considered a "good luck charm" ; use of allspice essential oil can help with inspiration and creativity .

WEATHER | soft, warm rain showers ↳ The kind of weather where, despite a gentle rainfall, the air is warm and one can still enjoy the feeling of rain drops kissing their skin and washing away any sorrows and woes.

PRIMARY COLOR | red ↳ A color commonly affiliated with sacrifice, love, and passion ; symbolic of emotional endurance, inspiring one to take action ; signifies shows of affection, and heartfelt and gentle sentiment .

COLOR OF THE SKY | the pinks, purples, and reds of a sunset ↳ When the sun begins to set below the horizon, the skies become painted in the most vibrant, warm hues that inspire awe and appreciation for the day's ending - and the promise of a new day to follow next .

MAGICAL POWER | light magic ↳ A variation of elemental magic ; allows the user to use magic in order to manipulate light to their advantage .

SHOE | regular boots ↳ Stylish and practical, but comfortable enough to be worn in any circumstance .

HOUSEPLANT | Graptoveria Fred Ives succulent ↳ Grows in rosettes ; consists of a foliage that can change color from a pinkish-purple hue to blue, green, or red ; drought-tolerant, thrives in heat .

BLADE WEAPON | Axe

↳ A dualistic association with both destruction and creation ; closely associated with rain as an extension of being associated with lightning ; closely associated with sacrifice and fertility .

SCHOOL SUBJECT | Social Studies

↳ Most commonly consisting of history, geography, social science, political science, and culture ; provides the learner with the background knowledge necessary to have values, and to be able to engage in informed participation of society ; arms the learner with a deeper analysis of social problems and issues .

SOCIAL MEDIA | Instagram

MAKEUP PRODUCT | lip gloss

CANDY | sour gummy worms

ICE CUBE SHAPE | crescent

ART STYLE | abstract

↳ Uses visual language of shape, form, color, and line to create a composition which may exist in a degree of independence from real world visual references ; development of the symbolic function of color, rhythm of forms, and their independence from a subject .

MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE | Phoenix

↳ Commonly affiliated with the element of fire ; consistently symbolic of rebirth and regeneration ; believed to have healing powers in their tears .

PIECE OF STATIONARY | notebook

↳ Used for writing ; be it letters, personal reminders ; one can even doodle in it .

THREE EMOJIS | 💗 ⭐ 🪷

CELESTIAL BODY | Venus

↳ The planet representative of romance, beauty, and affection ; representative of the way one expresses their desires, their passions, and what they value ; historically considered to be the most important celestial body after the Sun and the Moon, and referred to as "the Great Star" by the Mayan civilization ; symbolic of femininity .

tagged by: stole from @valour-bound tagging: steal it from me in turn, and say I tagged you ! this was genuinely a lot of fun, and I'm excited to see what everyone else comes up with for their muses !💗

[flownintothesun]

⋆ ✰ ⋆ ─── [ 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 ]  𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

              ⋆ ✰ ⋆ ─── a legacy post for @batteredoptimist dated 13 August 2022.

       𝐈𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐁𝐄 𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓, 𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐈𝐓 𝐁𝐄 𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 to seek comfort in the presence, the luminescent glow, of the one you love. And yet when all is dark save for the lightning and the thunder, incessantly battering his brain like a ship tossed on the waves — Francis feels almost guilty to tiptoe down the creaky stairs and into the room small enough that surely at one point in time it was a closet.

     And nothing makes sense. God, nothing makes sense. He is both here and there, a time gone away and a time present — one foot in the mud of someone he will never be again, and one on solid ground. He reaches for his constant in the dark — le moineau — sparrow...darling...James.

    The window shakes, and small form is illuminated in bed and Francis goes to him, toward love  — because there is no other way to be, and because he cannot move against it, would not.

     James wakes with a start as Francis climbs into bed with him  — but before Francis can utter two words, the wind howling outside  — the crash bang BOOM — and the rain pelting the window, James is aware. He draws him in as though everything isn’t confusing, and askew, and wrong. As though for one moment, in one place, everything is safe.

      Soft thumbs reach out pad at the tears streaking his cheeks. Their foreheads touch — his own, damp with sweat and James’s cool and grounding. “I’ve got you, bunny,” his loved one says, holding his cheeks to keep him there, keep him close. It wracks more sobs through Francis’s body. He doesn’t deserve, he doesn’t deserve, doesn’t...

     “I love you. I don’t want to go on pretending I don’t love you. I want to stay, James. I want to stay.”

[farginen]

𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧． 

major arcana： a long journey． a feeling of raw energy． putting a name to something unknown． an elaborate patchwork． unexpected catastrophes． unexpected blessings． vivid dreams． sudden awakenings． the feeling of shedding your skin． the echoes in holy places． bright lights． deep shadows． feeling the earth move beneath your feet． wandering in museums． the strange clarity of moonlight． thunder and lightning． an unfamiliar road． coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person．

wands： the scent of spices and dark wood． making something just for the sake of creation． dry heat． crackling fire． a bolt of inspiration． refusing to apologise for your passion． stubborn optimism． taking on more than you can handle． hot tea． warm colours． getting up early． staying up late． bright fire, fast burnout． tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence． the thrill of starting a new project． spring storms． hotel rooms． perpetual restlessness．

cups： being overwhelmed by emotion． finding something to celebrate every day． finding something to mourn every day． connecting with others． the scent of ocean air． making food for your friends when they’re stressed． the remembrance of something lost． sublime confusion． cool colours． a cozy cafe． a bustling bar． calm waters, hidden depths． getting tipsy in the afternoon． summer rain． comfy sweaters． flowing skirts． a house by the sea． deep conversations after midnight．

swords： the scent of fresh air． focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional． freshly fallen snow． burying yourself in action． tending to your own wounds． a foreseeable disaster． crisply tailored suits． starkly elegant dresses． refusing to admit defeat． cold air, clear thoughts． old hurts． fresh starts． overthinking your overthinking． the harsh glow of street lamps． black coffee． a cabin in the mountains． an apartment downtown． the quiet before the dawn．

pentacles： the scent of rich soil after a rain． hard and diligent work． solid ground, strong foundations． the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff． generosity that comes with a catch． work boots and heavy jeans． silk and jewels． resting on your laurels． seeing your work through to the end． harvest time． fresh bread and rich soup． earth tones． jewel tones． a lush garden． sunlight through the trees． dark chocolate． a home in the farmlands． a sprawling house in the old part of the city．

[cityshope]

𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. y’all probably know the drill by now.  bold what applies to your muse, italicize what sometimes or sort-of applies, strike through what’s antithetical to your muse.  repost, don’t reblog, & have fun!  tw: mentions of alcohol.

𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚 :  a long journey  |  a feeling of raw energy | putting a name to something unknown  |  an elaborate patchwork |  unexpected catastrophes | unexpected blessings  | vivid dreams |  sudden awakenings  |  the feeling of shedding your skin  | the echoes in holy places  | bright lights |  deep shadows  | feeling the earth move beneath your feet | wandering in museums  | the strange clarity of moonlight | thunder & lightning|  an unfamiliar road| coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person

𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐬 :  being overwhelmed by emotion  |  finding something to celebrate every day |  finding something to mourn every day |  connecting with others |  the scent of ocean air  |  making food for your friends when they’re stressed | the remembrance of something lost |  sublime confusion  |  cool colors  |  a cozy café  | a bustling bar  | calm waters, hidden depths  | getting tipsy in the afternoon |  summer rain |  comfy sweaters  |  flowing skirts  |  a house by the sea  |  deep conversations after midnight

𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 : the scent of spices & dark wood  |  making something just for the sake of creation |  dry heat  |  crackling fire |  a bolt of inspiration  |   refusing to apologize for your passion |  stubborn optimism | taking on more than you can handle  | hot tea | warm colors  |  getting up early  |  staying up late  |  bright fire, fast burnout  |  tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence  |  the thrill of starting a new project |  spring storms  |  hotel rooms  | perpetual restlessness

𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 :  the scent of rich soil after a rain  |  hard & diligent work  |  solid ground, strong foundations  |  the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff   |  generosity that comes with a catch  |  work boots & heavy jeans  | silk & jewels  |  resting on your laurels  |  seeing your work through to the end  |  harvest time  |  fresh bread & rich soup |  earth tones  |  jewel tones  |  a lush garden  |  sunlight through the trees  |  dark chocolate  |  a home in the farmlands  |  a sprawling house in the old part of the city

𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 : the scent of fresh air |  focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional  | freshly fallen snow |  burying yourself in action |  tending to your own wounds |  a foreseeable disaster |  crisply tailored suits  | starkly elegant dresses  |  refusing to admit defeat  |  cold air, clear thoughts  | old hurts  | fresh starts  |  overthinking your overthinking  |  the harsh glow of street lamps  |  black coffee  |  a cabin in the mountains  |  an apartment downtown  | the quiet before the dawn