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todomitoukei · 5 months

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Bnha Season 7 Interview: Shimono Hiro (Dabi) and Uchiyama Koki (Shigaraki)

Animate Times released an interview with the Japanese voice actors for Dabi (Shimono Hiro) and Shigaraki (Uchiyama Koki) to talk about season 7, which will begin to release in May.

Below is a quick translation of the interview, where they reflect on their characters' developments, season 6 and talk a bit about the upcoming season.

Q = Question UK = Uchiyama Koki (Shigarki’s VA) SH = Shimono Hiro (Dabi’s VA)

Q: Looking back to season 6, what are some of the most memorable scenes?

UK: Season 6…

SH: There were too many. For me, it’s definitely "Dabi’s Dance" (ep. 124). It was really painful that I couldn't say anything until then! It was the moment when I could finally let it out. Just as Touya was training at Sekoto Peak over and over again, I read the original story many times. Various things happened in season 6, but I think "Dabi’s Dance" is the best.

Q: What was the recording process like at that time?

SH: I recorded it together with Inada Tetsu (Endeavor) and Kaji Yuki (Shouto). More than anything, I was looking forward to the fight scene with Endeavor and Shouto in “Dabi’s Dance”, so I approached the recording with the feeling that regardless of the order or how many times I had to perform the sequence of events, I would do it. So when the recording was over I thought “It’s already over? Are we only recording this 2-3 times?” I always felt restricted when playing Dabi and wasn’t sure how to play him. He’s not the loud type and even though I don’t know what he’s thinking, but he says things that seem to make sense (laughs).

Q: You were exploding with feelings in “Dabi’s Dance”, right?

SH: I enjoyed that confession. And I think he had to block those complex feelings inside of him, so now he can only think of throwing everything inside of him against his father.

UK: Yeah.

SH: To me, because Dabi has died once before, he doesn’t think about continuing to live or what happens after he reaches his goal. That is why he goes by “Dabi”. That is why he can do nothing but think about throwing his entire strength, body, and soul at this.

Q: So there are no changes in performances in season 7?

SH: No. I’m glad we’re able to produce various things.

Q: Aside from “Dabi’s Dance”, “The Wrong Way to Put Out a Fire” (ep. 130) is also quite memorable.

SH: When I read the manga, I came to understand “so this was the reason”. Aside from Dabi, the LOV members each have their personal story. To me, a feeling of “Aren’t we (the villains) right? Aren't they righteous?” developed when I saw that.

Q: Surely, when I watched the villains’ stories, that much conviction was conveyed.

SH: It holds a different weight, doesn’t it? That is to say, I wonder with what kind of feeling towards us the heroes will arrive at the final battle. At the current stage, the villain’s feelings are stronger and they are fairly strong, too. We are sure to win (laughs).

Q: Uchiyama, do you also think you will defeat the heroes?

UK: Of course, that has been my intention since my first appearance. I think some of the viewers and readers don’t think well of me because of my position as villain, but I play my characters with the thought that the characters act based on their beliefs.

Q: Uchiyama, how do you feel looking back on season 6?

UK: When I read the manga, I was impressed by the development of Shigaraki being taken over by All For One. At the same time, I wondered how it would be portrayed in the anime. There was one scene where I had to put my voice on top of Otsuka Akio (All For One). That was a difficult part to perform, so that left a big impression on me.

Q: What was the recording like?

UK: Otsuka recorded it first, so I listened and traced the recording at home. When I heard his recording, I felt the strength of the material and the way of his inflection was unique. I remember hearing his voice over and over again.

Q: Once again, what is your impression of each other’s character?

UK: When he first appeared, I wondered whether Dabi would become our friend [TL note: the word he used is nakama, which can be translated as companion, friend, partner, etc.] from now on, he was a constant mystery. While I had a feeling that many things would be revealed after that, I still had a feeling that he was mysterious.

Q: When he first appeared (in the anime) his true identity still hadn’t been revealed in the manga yet.

SH: As the performer, I would’ve liked to be told, because I also kept thinking he is such a mystery (laughs).

UK: That’s right. He was also allowed to move fairly freely within the LOV, so he would suddenly disappear and whatnot. I also found that to be very mysterious.

Q: Being allowed to move freely might mean that Shigaraki trusts him to a certain degree, right?

UK: I wonder. The members of the LOV, especially during the early days, didn’t match friendship or bonding at all. So it’s hard to tell whether there was a feeling of trust.

SH: Rather than a relationship of trust, it’s more a correspondence of interests. While there are people that try to accomplish something with everyone, there are also people like Dabi. I think that freedom is the good thing about the LOV.

Q: Shimono, what is Shigaraki like from your point of view?

SH: It might just be my own personal impression, but I think that before fusing with All For One, Shigaraki was a little cuter [TL note: the word here is used kawairashisa, which is slightly different from kawaii in that it’s a bit more objective. A cuteness that everyone can see rather than being based on one’s feelings].

UK: Well, certainly in the early stages he seemed more juvenile.

SH: That’s right. While there was a time when he was childish and cute when talking to Dabi, he isn’t cute [TL note: here he just uses the negative form of kawaii lol] at all anymore (laughs).

Q: laughs

UK: He has ended up becoming a properly adult man.

SH: Adult man (laughs). But he has someone transcended, hasn’t he? Dabi has for the most part too, but……….

UK: It’s because Shigaraki lived despite being met with Prominence Burn.

SH: Right, right. That’s how strong his attachment to what he himself wants to accomplish must be.

Q: Has there been any change in your performance during the series?

UK: Because the series has been continuing for a long time, while continuing with the impression of the characters up until now, changes get added alongside the story. As Shimono mentioned before, the inside of the characters changed and during important parts so did their appearance, so I changed my acting accordingly. I am now quite aware of his strength due to his strong physique. In the early days, I was also very aware of his juvenility, so the way I voice him and all is different now.

SH: I have been accumulating things until season 6 and thought about how to get them out. When that time finally came, I had a lot of fun. I thought: “I can finally talk a lot!” All the more because as a voice actor, I had to continue not to talk or raise the excitement. I think there will be more suffering and pain now. I myself try not to fall behind on taking care of my throat.

Q: What are some things to look out for in season 7?

UK: I think the battle with Star and Stripe in the early parts is a highlight. Shigaraki is struggling against his opponent Star and Stripe, so his ego is still being shaken. It was a challenge for me to portray the new character from the fusion of Shigaraki and All For One, but it was tough since the battle began at full throttle.

Q: The battle with Star and Stripes looks even more animated than before, doesn’t it.

UK: The battle was very interesting in the manga, so I was very surprised by how they animated it. I want you to look forward to watching it, because from the animation to the character of Star and Stripe herself, there are many strong highlights.

Q: What about you, Shimono?

SH: After “Dabi’s Dance” we learn that Dabi = the oldest son of the Todoroki family, and now he has to fight his dad and little brother again. We’re about to reach the final battle, and when I read the manga I was overcome with many feelings. But I thought that if I’m concerned about that, I might not be able to play Dabi. Even if I had to break my throat, in any case I was ready to give it my all.

Q: I am looking forward to what kind of feelings Shouto will hold during this.

SH: When everyone, including Dabi, felt hopeless, only Shouto hadn’t lost his hope. Now, Shouto is trying to defeat Dabi with his own determination and honest feelings, so I want you to pay attention to the relationship between Dabi and Shouto.

Q: I think there will be changed on the villain side during season 7?

SH: There are again characters whose backgrounds are being shown.

UK: I think I can show even more strength as Shigaraki.

SH: The villains have the upper hand to begin with, so I wonder what kind of resolution will be drawn from here on.

UK: They are superior, aren’t they?

SH: What will the story of each of their battles be, like the one between Dabi, Endeavor and Shouto? I want you to pay attention to things like the clash of feelings.

Q: How do you feel about seeing the heroes outnumbered?

UK: The hero side is crumbling, isn’t it?

Everyone: (laughs)

UK: It’s a situation where you can’t see the light. Since it’s also shown that each country is reluctant to send their heroes to Japan, because protecting their own countries is important, I think that aspect also conveys that Japan is in a very difficult situation. Rather, the hero side has no more cards to play.

SH: It sure is falling apart, isn’t it?

UK: It’s already a certain victory (laughs).

#interview #japanese #translation #bnha #s7 #dabi #shigaraki #lov #they just get it #i knew shimono would have an absolute blast with that reveal scene and everything that follows lmao #but also please dont hurt your throat #Todoroki #Lov #League of villains

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destinationtoast · 2 years

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"Entertainment" and modern AI-fandom interactions

There's a 1985* sci-fi short story I once read by M.A. Foster called “Entertainment” that predicts what will happen in an increasingly AI-generated art world. I can't find any excerpts or summaries of it online, but what I recall is:

In the future, humans can prompt machines to create any art -- e.g., "What would a collaboration between early-era Peter Gabriel and late-era Beethoven look like, with a music video directed by Werner Herzog?" (That's a made up example, but someone originally gave me the story because Peter Gabriel and early Genesis are actually referred to in the text, and I was at the height of my fandom. XD ) An AI then comes up with a bunch of different examples, and the human who gave the prompt chooses the one(s) they like best. They then release the creation to the broader world, and people make micropayments to stream it. Everyone competes for attention, hoping to go viral or at least make a decent living.

(There's a dystopian aspect, where if you don't make enough money and your balance drops below zero, you disappear back into the human factory to get remade. Also, people don't have sex in person -- they pay each other for the rights to their likeness, and they have sex with simulated versions of one another. All of which is rather interesting, but not as directly relevant to the point I'm making here.)

M.A. Foster did an impressive job foreseeing a bunch of aspects of modern AI and online culture (especially keeping in mind that there was no Web or social media or digital streaming or online micropayments at the time this was written). �� And it’s becoming easy to imagine that we may reach a point where many of the story’s predictions about art come true, as well.

Currently, you can give increasingly complex prompts and get AIs to respond with something that makes sense and seems like a valid reply. Newer AIs often create text and images that are both exciting and terrifying due to what feels like a sudden potential to blend in with or replace human output. Fandom, along with everyone else, is unnerved. After all, will we still need fan creators in a world where we can prompt AIs to do this?

(source)

Or this?

(source)

Or when AI can even take the prompt “Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr kissing next to a conflagration” and output this?

(source)

Okay, there’s definitely still some funkiness going on there with some body parts; cherik fanartists can still obviously do better, for the moment. And more generally, AI output is still frequently goofy, full of embellishments and fabrications, literally tasteless, and/or flat-out wrong – but we can see so many promises of how good it will get. And we can imagine how AI output will increasingly be incorporated into transformative fandom and shipping culture.

But all of the above examples illustrate another thing that M.A. Foster got right: If you want AI to produce something really interesting and compelling, it's important to have a human come up with a good prompt and then select the best output.

This isn’t new; for years, we have been living in an increasingly curatorial world. For instance, with stock photos of nearly everything, and digitized versions available of much of the world's art and photography, and endless hours of new YouTube & TikTok videos uploaded to the web every passing minute, it's much easier these days to create new images or videos or other visual works without being an artist. But building a compelling visual work based on others' images -- a mood board, edit, collage, fanvid, etc. -- still benefits enormously from being driven by a human with a particular sense of style and particular goals in mind. And the more that any human wants to see something that is different from the most common or most popular images that already exist, the more likely they are either going to have to create it themselves – or at least push the AI really hard in that direction via increasingly specific prompts and feedback. (None of these roles are unique to online culture, either – art commissioners have historically prompted things, and art collectors and museums have curated them -- but these days we all have access to a much wider world of online works, and we all curate our own tumblrs and pinterest boards and so forth, even if we don't explicitly create curatorial works for fandom.)

The thing I found most unrealistic about "Entertainment" was that people weren’t tempted to try their own hand at creating art; it was a purely remix + curation culture. In reality, even if AIs get really excellent at creation, so good that their fic and art are as good as your favorite fan creators’ work, I don't think they're ever going to suppress our own creative urges. We live in a world where there are already 313 Dean/Castiel high school AU hurt/comfort fics – and yet people were still inspired to write/update two more this week. People are not going to stop creating new fanworks just because the AIs are increasingly able to join in and create more. And, for some time yet, humans are still going to lead the way in creating new canons with compelling stories and characters, which machines will then learn from and remix. (That is another thing that human artists have also always done -- drawing inspiration from and remixing one another's art -- and something that fandom in particular is pretty great at.)

TL;DR human contributions to fandom will still be very important for fandom for the foreseeable future. Even if the internet -- and now AI -- have helped us shift from spending more time as solo creators to also having increasingly active roles as prompters and curators.

---

This post was partly inspired by @fansplaining 's latest discussion of AI & recent fandom panic, "Artificial Fandom Intelligence", as well as @cfiesler 's post, "Elon Musk did not create an AI trained on your fanfiction." They also addressed other issues that fans are worried about, like the idea of AIs and their creators getting credit and/or monetary reward for new fanworks trained on existing human-generated fanworks. If you've read other good meta about any aspect of fandom & AI, I'd love pointers -- please feel free to share in the notes!

*At least, it was collected in a 1985 anthology called Owl Time; I’m not sure when/where it was originally published.

#ai #gpt3 #dall e #chatgpt #m.a. foster #ai and fandom #all the thinkiness #op #50 #100

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simpingland · 2 years

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Into the Dragonpit. // Ser Harwin Strong x Targaryen!oc

Part 2 of The Queen's horse with no name. But you can read this first too.

Harwin and Ela reunite and go on a mission. Ser Breakbones may be tough but when dragons appear, his princess will be there to save him.

Plus: Harwin holds a baby in this... and I realised way too late that Elaena and Helaena are sisters...I tried to be original, soz.

The Tournament can be part 3????

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Ser Harwin arrived at the Red Keep along with his father, he'd been called a few days back and the King welcomed the rest of the family too, an interesting week was ahead with the big chances of a new born in the castle and the possible feasts organaiced in honor of that. He smiled when he identified Laps, resting in the yard, eating. Her owner was nowhere near. Harwin had yet to tell Lord Lyonel about his feeling for the princess. It was a serious proposal and he didn't want it to be rejected nor accepted without a good thought or meditation. Of course, he had thought about it ever since the hunt. He even dreamed about it, but feelings have a weird way to work. As the time passed, the lord had problems to remember Elaena's face. He was eager to see her. But he understood his position, the low chances he had, so he would be happy enough if all he had permission for was to protect her.

As if the Seven heard his secret wishes, the doors were opened and not only appeared the King himself to welcome them. Elaena walked by his side. As pretty as he remembered her, she had a conformable dress on, nothing like the beautiful gowns she wore on the camp, and also different from her riding suit. She smiled at Ser Lyonel, buy when she looked at him, she smiled differently, wider, sweeter. Greetings done, the parents entered the castle but Harwin was left univited to the council.

"I hope you don't have plans for today, Ser Harwin" smirked Elaena.

"I haven't got the time to arrange anything, my princess" he followed the Princess, who started her mission at the moment.

"Good, cuz were are going to see the little loves of my life" she softly dragged him by his arm. "The dragons".

Harwin Breakbones hid the panic on his eyes as well as he could, but something in the smirk on Ela told him that she was kind of enjoying it. She had explained the main goal of this. No dragon riding would be done, but molesting dragons' sleeps may be even more dangerous.

"My egg was picked by my father, he had so much trouble...you see, the shells usually reflect the color of the dragon inside" she explained.

"But Nyrax is black" he pointed.

"Exactly" she smiled. "My father thought that there would be no egg for me, and every true Targaryen must sleep on the crib with one. The hatching is another story. But when his men told him to give up the searching, Dreamfyre appeared. She is now a dragon without a rider, buy she was once rode by princess Rhaena, the "Queen of the West". Father said that she woke and lighted up the pit, letting him see the egg she just laid. No many times are the dragons the ones willing to let you warm their eggs for them".

"She knew you to were destined to fly together" Harwin felt soft for the princess little story. "You, Targaryens...you are all out of this world, I swear"

"Dragon's are not so terrifying, one just need to reach with confidence".

"Well, I like to stay closer to the ground, my princess". He stopped when they reached the gates. Elaena asked the servants and keepers to open it, and Harwin took a torch already lighten.

"What are you doing?" She asked when she saw him take it.

"I'm going with you, my princess".

She didn't stopped him, she loved his company and how willing he was to face the dragons, maybe he did it to look mainly, maybe because he was bored as hell, or maybe, just maybe, he was worried about her. The last one was the one she wished for. Poor Harwin, everyone was aware of the fact that she was the one protecting him inside there. It was incredibly dark, the steps were carefully walked, Harwin moved the torch following Elaena's directions. It smelled like shit, no one could deny it, but the animals skulls and enormous dragons were much more impressive. They didn't had to travel long before finding a pair.

"There's two, look!"

A silver one and a blue one. Which one would hatch? No one could know. But Elaena remembered Alicent and she packed the silver. She was taking it in her hands when Syrax woke up. It was Rhaenyra's dragon, so that complicated things. Syrax looked at the thieves and expressed her anger through a roar that almost made the torch's fire light off. Harwin was ready to run, buy never without the princess.

"I think you should leave it where it was, princess"

"No, she will understand". Elaena putted her hand slowly in front of the dragon. "Kostilus, syrax, ivestragī īlva mandia share zȳhon crib rūsīr aōha drōmon. īlon jāhor daor gaomagon ziry mirre ōdrikagon (Please, Syrax,let our sister share her crib with your egg. We will not do it any harm)."

The dragon hesitated, she roared again and Harwin truly feared for their lifes. Elaena did too but she holded the egg in one hand and pushed Ser Harwin aside. Syrax spitted a ball of fire in the man's direction, if it wasn't for the princess, he would had been caught. She protected herself by crouching down. When Syrax stopped, the dragon went back to sleep, as if nothing happened. When they opened their eyes, Harwin saw Elaena looking at him. She put her hands one the sides of his face.

"Are you okay, Ser Harwin?" She was trully worried.

"I am, my princess. Lets get out of here, please" he stood up with her help. One of the stones on the floor made a cut on Harwin's leg. She noticed the little limp so she putted his big arm over her shoulders, hurrying to get out. Once in the daylight again, she sat him down on a big rock.

"I'm so sorry, my Lord. I shouldn't had drag you. Does it hurt?" Regretted the girl, kneeling before him.

"Do not worry about it, Princess Elaena...this is nothing. A few cleans and all done...I should have stopped you on the first place"

"Well, you wouldn't be able to stopped me neither way...can I see the wound?"

By the time Harwin put his boot out to show his hurted knee, a maester appeared with the proper aid. It was a small but deep cut and the cares where more painful than what Harwin expected. He groaned, Elaena stopped looking and put herself beside him, holding his face, trying his best to reassure him, he did in fact calmed down. The princess felt guilt building on her entire chest. When the maester was done, he stood up and smiled at her.

"I swear to the Seven, you don't know how terribly sorry I am..." ser Harwin moved his head, not wanting to hear more apologise.

"There's nothing to feel sorry about, my princess. I'll survive" assured the lord.

The walk back to the Red Keep was a much silent one, Elaena couldn't be as cheerful after the scare they just had, but Harwin did try to keep it fun. It was now his turn to tell his own stories. He remembered all the fail adventures he had as a child.

"I once stole the sword of a boy, i just had my 8th name day. And this boy...he was a Tully. He was so tall, older but not wiser... he kept on mocking Harrenhal. He said it was the ugliest place on Westeros. "Shited instead of builded by the gods" he said".

" Oh, I think I know how this men is...second heir of Riverrun?" Asked Ela, invested in the tale.

"Yes, that one...he only spoke fairly about his sword...it wasn't even pretty, but it was useful, able to blind a men only with a quick move...I stole it. And I was determinated to melt it. But I decided to enjoy it before doing it. I was planning on let him know I found it, let him see the sword but throw it in the fire right before he could take it"

"That's harsh for a little kid..."

"I know, and I knew it too back then. But my mother stopped me. She saw me playing with it. And she could easily tell that it wasnt mine".

"She convinced you not to melt it?"

"No, but yes...she tricked me. I confessed my idea, she had that power over me. She just stared and I spilled everything. And she then told me to go ahead" Harwin saw the princess smile, clearly not believing it. "She said that it was a good revenge, but a lesson could be learn. "People put such a soul in objects, they glorify them instead of it's builders. If you put such an efford on a single piece of metal, the boy would still think that what we have or we don't have makes ourselfs valuable. But its not really about swords and castles, son, is about the person who owns it. So, if you want to make that boy cry, melt the sword, he will get another one soon enough, but your cruelty will be remembered. If you give it back to him, maybe you'll have a chance to impress him, to make him respect you"

"And you gave it back?"

"Of course, I asked if he would let me use it for a bit, and his father forced the boy to let me. I was a much better swordsman than him, a much dedicated one. So he kept the rest of his stay quiet. Harrenhal might have been ugly, but offending the future lord couldn't be beneficial. I hope it doesn't makes me sound pretentious, my princess".

"Speaking the truth doesn't make you pretentious, Ser Harwin. Its well known you have a reputation...my father calls you "the strongest men in the Seven Kingdoms ", although I hope it doesn't go to your head too much" she joked.

"My mother made sure of that already, my princess".

Ser Harwin also lost her mother long ago, but she didn't feel close enough to him to ask him about her mother. She wasn't trying to make him suffer so she may as well stop to give him such a harsh time in a single morning. They separated ways when Rhaenyra asked to inform her of something. She kissed him on the cheek, apologising one more time and Harwin got stock right there, feeling the lips on his cheek until she no longer was on sight. He walked to his father's chamber. He found him there, Larys too.

"Father, I must speak with you"

"Why are you covered in ashes, Harwin?" Asked Larys.

He didn't even notice, of course he had ashes, he had spend the morning on the Dragonspit, he had been thrown against the floor, but he had forgotten.

"I went with Princess Elaena to search for an egg...for her new sister...Father, we have to talk..."

"Indeed, we need. Son, the King just offered me something, and I hope it doesn't upset you" Ser Lyonel then handed him something, his son took it, it was the Hand of King's pin. "We'll be moving to the Red Keep, at least Larys and I"

As the future heir of Harrenhal, Ser Harwin was conflicted. It wasn't only about leaving his dear Harrenhal, it was more about losing his father's presence in the castle. He loved his father, always the wisest men in the room, he felt disorientated when he wasn't there, and Harwin still felt insecure about ruling alone, but leaving Harrenhal for such a long time wasn't a good option neither. But his father interrupted his thoughts, he hurry him for the dinner they were about to have with the royal family. A special one in honor of the new Hand.

Elaena bathed before his father could see her. If it wasn't for Rhaenyra pointing it out, she might have never seen the mess she made of herself. They had a quick argument about Syrax' actitude when they prepared the egg. She wanted to surprise Alicent. She learned about the new Hand of the King also by her sister.

"So...Ser Harwin is staying?" asked, and also wished, Ela.

"Well, I think one of them is staying in King's Landing. I hope it's the one you long for..." teased Nyra.

"Oh, shut up, I was just asking" she was blushing as well. When she ended the bath she put on the best dress for the occasion. Something a bit more special than casual, but she wanted to keep it simple. Gods...she felt stupid the moment she asked that to her maidens... But to have Harwin around would certainly be great. She felt treated as an equal, never mocked, with a true friend around. And she found odd the sweetness of such a manly man. She remembered him every time she rode Laps, and she wished for a parter who wasn't a personal guard for once. Not even Rhaenyra wanted to ride with her, not on a horse. He was also the most attractive men she had encountered, but she won't say that because she just expended too much time with older and boring men. But with Harwin, talks were easy, fluids and interestings.

Music sounded on the dinning room, the King already seated, Rhaenyra on his side, Alicent on the other, and the family Strong entered the room. They were about to eat when they realiced that the oldest princess was missing. Viserys was growing impatient and Rhaenyra, who didn't want to ruing the surprise, didn't come up with an argument to defend her and she didn't wanted too, she was hungry and the chicken was getting cold. Finally, the doors opened and they rised from the table to see Elaena. She looked beautiful and Harwin felt his heart beating fast, she carried a grin so big it barely fitted on her face.

"My apologise, my Lords" she talked to Ser Lyonel, and eyed his two sons before talking to Viserys, "but father, I have a surprise for the Queen".

Poor Alicent just had her second baby, and she looked tired but she thought that welcoming the new Hand would be seen as a nice gesture by the daughter of the last Hand. But she was upset, she was angry at Rhaenyra, and she could not talk about it. The baby also tired her. So when the surprise was announced, she was more confused than excited. The servants brought a hot pot, they opened to show the egg. Viserys smiled at the loving gesture her oldest made for her youngest.

"Look, Alicent, an egg for our little girl" said the King.

"We picked it up grey, in honor of your house color, Alicent" spoke the princess. The Queen then smiled, a Targaryen that thought of her as the mother of one, a true part of the family.

"Thank you, princess. Thank you too Rhaenyra...it's a lovely gesture" said Alicent.

"I wasn't involved, I'm afraid" admited Rhaenyra. She realized late, when Elaena's face dropped.

"Who picked up the egg with you then, Elaena?" Visarys became serious. The room when silent.

"It was me, Your Grace" confessed Harwin, looking at the King. "It was no bother".

"It's not about being bothering anyone, dear boy" he was still looking at his daughter. "It's about putting lives at risk. Elaena, did you ask for Harwin to enter the Dragonpit?".

Harwin wanted to speak but his father stopped him with a look, the King didn't want to hear him.

"Well,no...but I did not stopped him..." and he got hurt, that was on the tip of her tongue, but that could only make things worst.

"The maester was called during the meeting. Was it both of you he was aiding?" This time he did look at Harwin.

"It was just a cut, my King" he spoke.

"And the called the maester himself...Eleana, who in the Seven Kingdoms told you to drag him there? I can trust you with the dragons but they are dangerous creatures. Ser Harwin could be hurted or killed just by giving a wrong step. Did you think of that?".

"I know, father, and I do regret. I did apologise to him immediately. Lord Lyonel, I ask for your pardon too" she was stressed.

"You have it, princess. My king, this will not happen again. My son can promise you that" anwered the man, eyeing his oldest son.

They sitted and eated when the King started to eat. Poor Ela sat across from Harwin and she was to embarrassed to look at him. Before his father could talk, the boy spoke firmly.

"Your grace, the princess Elaena has shown me what truly makes Targaryens the powerful house it is...it's not only about the dragons...it's about your unique bond to them. Your daughter had a courage unlike most men have. And, if the now princess is willing to face a legendary dragon to honor a baby sister...one can only wonder what the future queen is willing to do to protect her people.

They went silent again, all staring at Harwin, the princess dared to rise her eyes at him, with a red face and a shy smile. She felt emotional for his hope in her and not many praised her for her actual achievements. The usual praises were dedicated to her dresses, sewings and looks. Viserys was moved too, a genuine show of loyalty to the future queen, who already had enemies around.

"I'm glad someone finally sees what I saw the day I named her my heir...a men your kind are the best to keep close while on the throne. You were raised by a great men and one can tell" the King toasted for the Strong and the dinner gain the celebrating vibe it deserved. Every once in a while, the princess and lord exchanged looks and neither Rhaenyra or Alicent missed one.

"I was thanking, Ser Lyonel, that a tournament would be a great way of celebrating the new princess" proposed Viserys.

"Well, my king, I see no harm in it. It's been long since you celebrated one. And it's cheaper than a hunt, and equally fun" agreed the hand. "So, is the princess as beautiful as the other princesses, your grace?"

"You haven't seen her? Maybe she would enjoy some music...I'll have her brought here" proposed Alicent, wishing to see her new baby once again. Aegon would be sleeping by now, no need to wake him.

One of the queen's ladies brought her in her arms. She was very small and the three blondes melted when she entered. She was just like them and something about her transmited calm and sweetness. She went from arms to arms. The eating was done but they keep on chatting. When Elaena was holding her, she saw Harwin sitting on her side, looking at the two sisters.

"There's something about this one that makes me love her so much..."she confessed in a whisper. "When Aegon was born, everyone was holding a breath, as if my biggest thread just gained a body. And that body in question was just a wet and crying blonde bundle. But this one...this one is special". The princess pushed his sister into Harwin's arm. He took it carefully. "I haven't told you, but your mother must have been an incredible woman...so smart".

"She was, my princess. Unfortunate it was Larys the one who inherited that part". He joked.

"Don't say that, Harwin". Did she just called him by his name? No "ser" around it? She did, but it was late to back out now. "You are smart...but in the best way, not in a cunning one... you are the loveliest man I've ever met. And the most valiant too, even when it becomes more of a dangerous factor" she was blushing, no doubt about it.

"I think you were too impressed with my controll of horses, my princess" he said, making the princess laugh.

The King was quite drunk, and he interrupted the conversation when he asked Alicent for the baby's name way too laudly.

"I haven't decided yet, husband. I will let you choose" Alice was just not having it.

"What about Elaena?" He said.

"You already have a daughter named Elaena" pointed the Hand. The princess was so puzzle she just stared at his father. Her sister also had too many cups of wine, she didn't noticed until she started to talk.

"Maybeee...she can be name after her older sister who brought her that beautiful egg...but to make it stand apart could be an "H" after the man who risked his life for the cause...". Yeah, she was drunk and Alicent too tired.

"Helaena...I like it..." decided the King. Everyone cheered at the name except the mother, the princess and Harwin, who looked at the princess hidding a grin.

She looked at him. "I wish I could say that tomorrow she'll have a different name but I'm pretty sure that we are going to be stuck with the same name for the rest of out lifes"

"At least I do feel flattered, not going to lie"

"You know, Ser Harwin?" She stared at him. He looked adorable with the baby in his arms, even more attractive than before, sweeter and soft. "Everything would be easier if you stayed in King's Landing...".

He smiled at her. If his queen requested it, he will do it, not second thoughts. "Of course I will, Elaena".

#harwin strong #harwin strong x original female character #harwin x reader #harwin strong x oc #harwin strong x reader #ser harwin strong #game of thrones fanfiction #house of the dragon fanfiction #house of the dragon #ser harwin x reader #house of the dragon imagines #house of the dragon x oc #asoiaf #harwin breakbones #harwin strong imagine #rip harwin

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lemonbalmgirl · 3 months

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Yay! I finished a queer book during Pride month! 🏳️‍🌈

This sapphic manga is so cute. It was originally an online comic on Pixiv, so I'm hoping there may be more chapters there since this was published?

Also, I've reached my reading goal for the year already (15 books). I'm now doubling that, though, since it's only June and I want to push myself.

I've been keeping my yearly goal pretty low, since a few years ago, I only read 12 books all year. Which was really disheartening to realize. Back in college, probably partially because I already had to do so much reading for school, I would easily hit 50 books a year (I have read more in high school, but I wasn't tracking back then).

Once I was done with school and my ADHD became more prominent, it became more and more difficult to focus on and finish books.

Since last year, I've been trying to be more intentional about reading and make it part of my daily routine, although I get some extra reading done when I'm donating plasma.

My daily routine for reading goes like this:

get up

take meds

set tea to brew

make sure the reading chair is clear

bring tea to reading chair

invite Toby to join me

wait 5 minutes while he finds a comfortable spot on my chest

set phone timer

and read!

#personal #reading #books

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matchadobo · 9 months

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have a oc that a part of the kid pirates rignt, tell me more a about her.

YES

first of all hi anon!

i haven't had the chance to actually elaborate more on her storyline, visuals, and characterizations bc of the shithole called school 🙁 i will try to get back on doing stuff for them but i doubt i'll be able to commit since we still have some work even on break 😩

but ANYWAYS

so margaret mulhall 🔫

PRE-MEMBER

i assumed you've already read her first post and their first meeting.

to provide more info, i based her character off of lucille mulhall. to put it simply, she's the first cowgirl originated from missouri. in this case, i made margaret's mother to be lucille. margaret made it her life goal to look for her mother, it is an irl canon event that lucille lives in st. louis so i made that margaret's destination.

margaret lives off as a ship hopper (is that a word) ever since she was of legal age. she's a mercenary who takes on jobs under a certain handler, it is an informal employment. i would cook some bullshit and say this employment is aided by someone who raised her. her father is... well... i haven't cooked up something for that yet 😩

she is scared of dogs LMAO that's why i made an art for it. i just find ppl scared of dogs really cute. most dogs are scared of new ppl too so they're just scared of each other it's the CUTEST thing 🥺.

in terms of personality, margaret is somewhat similar to robin hood. does crime for good? helps people but also breaks the law? a kindhearted criminal? she steals, knows her way around danger, very daring, may or may not have k1lled someone 🫣, slept around some places for certain conditions, and have SEEN some shit. her ideals are way too similar to a pirate tho, fuck the govt and celestial dragons kinda shit. she doesn't have a stigma against pirates, she have worked (mostly betrayed) with them side by side. she just hasn't really sat herself down to assess if she'll join one. she doesn't see the need for it (until she met kidd 🤧), she has a one track mind that is only set on reaching st. louis.

NOW-MEMBER

it'll be narrated in the comic that i'm hopefully planning to release, but here is the rough sketch of the next page that does not probably make sense

but i'm planning to have her join bc she saved kidd from the marines so there's some you-owe-me kinda stuff between them, she only saved kidd to let him have her on the ship and take her to st. louis. she'll only plan to stay on the ship until the victoria reaches the island and in the span of her stay, stuff will build up between margaret and kidd 🥰. once she leaves tho, kid'll begrudgingly ask her to be become part of the crew, chemistry is just too strong in this one😌. let's just say he'll miss her 😞. i'll do better explaining in the comic i'll make I SWEAR 🥺

you guys are free to send asks abt your thoughts on margaret's characterization or anything else that could help my oc! if it's some deets abt the story with her, it'd really help 🥺 i welcome your thoughts 🥰

#anime #manga #one piece #eustass kidd #cha writes #one piece headcanons #eustass kid #one piece oc #one piece x oc #eustass kidd x oc #eustass kid x oc #margaret mulhall #cha colors #one piece original character #cha rambles

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paperanddice · 2 years

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You may have noticed from the posts on Caira and Gorguth that stopping them is effectively mutually exclusive. You can spend the time to hunt Caira down and deal with her immediate allies to prevent her apocalypse from the sky from slaughtering tens of thousands, or you can rally your forces to confront the bodak general and splinter his army of undead and demons so they don't destroy a city. Pulling off both would be an incredible feat, but one most likely beyond any single group. And so, most likely, Atropus will be called to, and the World Born Dead will arrive to devour all life energy from your planet. Now what?

Well, now it's time for a desperate bid. Send a team of incredibly powerful adventurers to the moon's surface, and try to find a way to defeat it. Killing Atropus itself permanently is not a possibility, but by causing problems for it you can force it to concentrate itself into a representative form, conjuring up an aspect to fight you. The exact method of getting Atropus' attention in this way depends on you. Maybe the players begin consecrating the surface of the moon with hallow spells. Maybe they destroy key spots on the moon with powerful radiant rituals. Maybe a 9th level planar binding spell can force the aspect to appear, and remain until you or it are destroyed. But no matter what, the end of an Atropus campaign involves confronting a manifestation of the Elder Evil and destroying it to force Atropus to retreat.

The aspect takes the form of an immense, headless humanoid form, its skin fosilized and constantly dripping necrotic ichor.

Originally from Elder Evils. This stat block is immense, and one that a lot of parties likely couldn't face off against. It is meant to be the conclusion of a campaign spent dealing with undead and creatures associated with them, and a party confronting Atropus should have a lot of equipment dedicated to helping them with this goal, including potentially some artifacts. In my current experience, with my level 15 party, I expect that once they reach level 20 I'd have to give the aspect double or even triple the hp to survive for a real fight, they've already brought down major enemies with 300 hp, but I'm not going to boost that on my own for this release. At minimum, if you think the aspect will need the help, consider giving it max hp for its hit dice. For all high level games, some degree of understanding will be needed. How much damage can the party output, and would the aspect survive a single round of that? If not, give it a bunch more before the fight starts and let it deal some damage in return. Atropus also comes with Lair actions, as befits a creature that is literally a world. These are listed after the plain text stat block below the read more below.

This post came out a week ago on my Patreon. If you want to get access to all my monster conversions early, as well as access to my premade adventures and other material I’m working on, consider backing me there!

Aspect of Atropus Gargantuan undead, lawful evil Armor Class 22 (natural armor) Hit Points 367 (21d20 + 147) Speed 50 ft. Str 30 (+10) Dex 13 (+1) Con 25 (+7) Int 25 (+7) Wis 24 (+7) Cha 30 (+10) Skills Perception +14, Stealth +8 Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison, bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks Damage Resistances acid, fire, radiant Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, exhaustion, frightened, petrified, poisoned, stunned Senses blindsight 500 ft. (blind beyond this radius), truesight 120 ft. passive Perception 17 Languages all, telepathy 1,000 ft. Challenge 23 (50000 XP) Create Spawn. A creature killed by the aspect of Atropus rises 1d4 rounds later as a wraith under the aspect's control. Divine Scourge (1/Day). As a bonus action, the aspect of Atropus can lay a curse upon all divine spellcasters, celestials, and fiends within a 1,000 mile radius. Each such creature is poisoned for 4 hours, and must succeed on a DC 25 Constitution saving throw or take 65 (10d12) necrotic damage. The target's hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. The reduction lasts until the target receives a greater restoration spell within hallowed ground, and cannot be removed by any other means. Immutable Form. The aspect of Atropus is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form. Its hit point maximum cannot be reduced. Negative Energy Aura. The aspect of Atropus is surrounded by a powerful aura of negative energy out to a distance of 30 feet. Undead that start their turn within that area regain 15 hit points and gain resistance to radiant damage until the start of their next turn, while living creatures that start their turn in that area have their hit point maximum reduced by 27 (8d6) until the start of their next turn. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0, and it rises 1d4 rounds later as a specter under the aspect's control. Regeneration. The aspect of Atropus regains 20 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. Actions Multiattack. The aspect of Atropus makes two Slam attacks. Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (4d6+10) bludgeoning damage plus 21 (6d6) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone or pushed 10 feet directly away from the aspect (aspect's choice). The target must succeed on a DC 22 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0. Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 10 ft., all targets in a 10 foot cube completely within reach. Hit: 32 (4d10+10) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (4d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 22 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0. Trample (Recharge 6). The aspect of Atropus moves up to its speed, ignoring difficult terrain from other creature's spaces. The first time it enters a creature's space during this movement, it can make a Stomp attack, targeting just that creature. Spellcasting. The aspect of Atropus casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 25): Constant: nondetection, tongues At will: blight, create undead (as a 9th level spell) 1/day each: circle of death, finger of death, power word kill, symbol (death only), weird

Legendary Actions The aspect of atropus can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The aspect of atropus regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn. Step. The aspect of Atropus moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks. Pin. The aspect of Atropus grapples one prone creature within 10 feet of it (escape DC 25). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained and takes 14 (4d6) necrotic damage at the end of each of its turns. The target must succeed on a DC 22 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0. The grapple ends if the aspect moves. Cast Spell (Costs 2 Actions). The aspect of Atropus casts one spell using its Spellcasting.

Atropus' Lair

Atropus is its lair. The literal moon is the creature, and as such truly killing it is beyond even a maximum level party. At best it can be weakened and driven away by destroying its manifested aspect, which can only be confronted on the surface of the moon itself. As such, the environment inherently benefits Atropus in ways that cannot be avoided. Atropus doesn’t have “regional effects” so much as it has environmental traits, which were discussed in the previous update. Confronting Atropus’ aspect without dealing with this extremely hostile environment is near impossible, and would require exceptional strategy and cunning to somehow draw the aspect away from Atropus itself. Without that, the aspect is even more challenging to face, as it gains all the benefits of the Overwhelming sign, the difficulties of the environment, and its lair actions. In such a situation, the aspect has a challenge rating of 25.

Lair Actions When fighting upon Atropus, the aspect can influence the landscape to take lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the aspect can take one lair action to cause one of the following effects:

• The ground splits open in a chasm up to 100 feet long and 40 feet wide anywhere on the surface of Atropus. Each creature in that area must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw. The aspect automatically succeeds on this saving throw. Success means the target moves to the nearest unoccupied space at the edge of the chasm. Failure means the target falls 1d6x10 feet into the chasm, taking falling damage as appropriate. Failure by 5 or more means the creature falls 150 feet into the chasm, taking falling damage as appropriate. • Bubbling ichor rises up in a line 150 feet long and 10 feet wide anywhere on the surface of Atropus. Each creature in this area must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw. Success means the target moves to the nearest unoccupied space outside this area. A creature that fails the save or chooses not to make it must make a DC 22 Strength saving throw. On a failure, the target takes 21 (6d6) bludgeoning damage, plus 21 (6d6) necrotic damage, and it is pushed to the end of the line. On a success, the target takes half as much bludgeoning damage and doesn’t move. The aspect of Atropus automatically succeeds on any saves it chooses to against this effect, and takes no damage on a successful save. • The aspect takes 50 damage and calls a meteor shower down onto the surface of Atropus. All creatures within a 100-foot radius, 600-foot tall cylinder centered on the aspect must make a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw, taking 35 (10d6) bludgeoning and 35 (10d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The area becomes difficult terrain. The aspect automatically succeeds on this saving throw.

#D&D #dnd #dungeons and dragons #5th edition #homebrew #my homebrew #monster #undead #dnd cr 23 #long post

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ozma914 · 3 months

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Haunted by a Haunted Book Project

Well, I finally finished the first draft of Haunted Noble County, Indiana, which is all well and good, but would be better if the whole thing was done.

Especially after a year. A whole year.

I love researching, and I love history. I'm not a big fan of doing interviews, being what they used to call shy, and then antisocial, and now call introverted. (I'm sure there are differences between the three, but I don't like asking people.) Still, the interviewing hasn't taken as long as I thought, and the researching has taken way longer, so I can't complain.

What I can complain about are the numerous delays in the project that had nothing to do with the project. Don't get me started on Covid.

This is the face of Covid. It's pretty much the same as my tired face, except with a fever.

Anyway, my goal was to be finished by April, and it's now June. I still haven't added photos, or even captioned the photos. I don't have the project finished enough for Emily to go through and show me all the mistakes I've made. I haven't heard back from some of the people I reached out to, which is understandable because they probably haven't heard back from me since August of last year.

As a result, sadly, once again, I have no one to blame but myself. And Covid. Hey, the Chinese planned this whole pandemic to delay my writing career!

No? No, I guess not.

History! Photographed by John A. Harkless, who was responsible for many now-historical Albion photos.

This is the part where I apologize to everyone--and yes, I mean you--who I may have forgotten to get back in touch with in the past year. If anyone reads this who had a story, photograph or other information for me and may have gotten lost along the way, please contact me here, or on the book of faces, or wherever discerning patrons of history may haunt. Yes, I am trying to wrap it up, but there's still time to throw in more information.

On a related note, for anyone I have talked to, please let me know if it's okay to use your name in the book (if you haven't already said). If I made contact with someone but didn't get consent to use their name, they'll go down in Noble County history as "anonymous". After that, if you sign anything you have to remember how to spell anonymous, and no one wants that.

Finally, yes, the project has been pushed back, almost certainly until next year. The traditional publishing industry is a lot of things, some good and some bad, but above all else the wheels grind slowly.

The original Ligonier City Jail. Very cool, especially if you got stuck there during winter.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0058CL6OO

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/"Mark R Hunter"

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4898846.Mark_R_Hunter

Blog: https://markrhunter.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.markrhunter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozma914/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkRHunter914

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrhunter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkRHunter

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkRHunter

Substack: https://substack.com/@markrhunter

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/ozma914

Remember: Ghost are always looking for new books to read over your shoulder.

#indiana #writing #books #history #History Press #Arcadia Publishing #Haunted Noble County Indiana #Hauntings #ghosts #pubishing #photography

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fangirlings-things · 4 years

Text

Rescheduled Lesson

❦ PART. II

Fandom: Enola Holmes

Pairing: Sherlock Holmes x female reader

Word count: 3K

anon said: Can I request a Sherlock x reader where she visited Enola often when Sherlock left on long cases, so they became good friends? And when Enola runs away to find her mom, she goes to stay with the reader, which Sherlock deduces and tries to get her to let him find Enola and talk to her? -&

A/N: this request was amazing and I loved every bit of it!!! I put all my inspiration in this, tried to make the personality of the character good, so I hope you like this piece, love, I did my best!! (also I’m thinking about a part 2? if you guys like it let me know, I would be delighted to write it) (had to repost guys, I'm sorry!!)

also, the tag list for this fandom is open!!!

gif credit: @henrycavilledits

❧ You knew the Holmes family was nothing like the other families that lived in the countryside. The father had died many years before. The two oldest sons had already left home, to live their lives and follow the careers they desired. On that incredibly big house, where once lived a family, there was only a mother and her youngest child left. Perhaps the fact that you yourself was considered a little off by other people, was the fact that made you become friends with them.

You lived completely alone, surrounded by books in a small house. Your life was made of studying, researching and writing texts about science. You loved it, great authors of the matter being your inspiration. You tried to learn their teachings and with luck, wanted others to learn as well. You almost couldn’t believe when one day in the middle of a sunny afternoon, Eudoria Holmes had showed up at your door and invited you to her house, where she asked you to be Enola’s science teacher. She educated her daughter not for society, but for herself, so that she could find her own path when she came to grow up. That instantly made you respect that woman and accept her offer.

Twice a week you would go to the Holmes’s house and spend hours and more hours teaching the girl. Darwin, Copernicus, Newton, Galilei. She was eager to know and you were eager to teach her. She was the first student you had that actually wanted to learn and that was amazing. Made you proud and happy, more than you could say. At the evening, Eudoria would ask you to stay for dinner. You would put lessons aside and talk and laugh together. They were like your family, the one you didn’t had.

You were always excited for the days of teaching Enola to come soon. They were your absolute favorites of the week. In the beginning of the afternoon of one of those days, you had been incredibly surprised by a knock on your front door while you gathered the books you would make the girl read and study. Frowning, because you never had visitors or received letters, you went to attend the door.

And when you opened it, you saw that your visitor was Enola herself.

“Hi, Miss (Y/L/N)” the girl smiled at you, a little forced smile that instantly made your frown grow deeper. She was wearing boy’s clothes, even a hat, and her long brown hair had been hidden inside of it. “I’m afraid today’s lesson will have to be rescheduled”

“Enola, what…” you began, confused. You had seen her dressed in boy’s clothes before around her house, that wasn’t a big deal. She did find them more comfortable, she had told you before. But the fact that she concealed her hair as if she wanted to hide it and the expression on her face, something that you couldn’t quite identify but resembled urgency, was enough for you to get anxious.

“Please, Miss (Y/L/N), can I come in? I promise I’ll explain everything you want to know” she pleaded, eyes locked on yours as she did so. The tone on her voice made you nod and take a step to the side, locking the door once she was already inside. “I had never been here. Your house is really amazing” the girl seemed overwhelmed by all the books and unfinished texts you had around, laying on tables and shelves.

“Thank you” you said, mind still running fast as you tried to understand what was happening. You walked after the girl, that had advanced until she reached the next room of your house, one who only had two couches and a table. “Enola, what is going on?” her face instantly lost the admiration she was having for your belongings. Her eyes went to the floor, and she went silent. That made you sight. “Enola, you promise you would explain. And you know you can trust me”

That seemed to make her come around, because she sighted as you had just did and sat at one of your couches. Or better, she laid down on it, placing her head over a pillow and focusing her eyes on the roof. Her hands were joined over her chest. “I came here because I wanted to hide, Miss (Y/L/N). I’m running away”

Your eyes went wide at that declaration and you sat on the other couch, realizing that would probably be a long conversation. “Enola! Think about your mother! She loves you. Your disappearance will hurt her deeply”

“No, no, I’m not running away from my mother. I’m running away to find her” the girl sat straight on the couch, eyes meeting yours again like they had before at the door. She could see the confusion in your eyes grow by each word she spoke. “My mother went missing a few days ago, Miss (Y/L/N). She didn’t say goodbye or said where she was going. She only left me clues, here and there that I’ll have to use to find her”

Worry got a hold of you, the same worry you had recognized on Enola’s eyes. Eudoria. Where would she have gone? Was she fine? Not knowing you realized, was terrible. As you thought about what Enola had just said, another question got to your mind. “If your mother is missing, who are you running away from, Enola?”

“My brothers. Sherlock and Mycroft. Well, especially Mycroft, because he wants to send me to a finishing school, that prepares young women for society” the clear disgust in her voice would have made you laugh if you weren’t so worried.

“Where will you go to find your mother, Enola? What plans do you have? Do you want me to go with you?” all questions left your mouth in such a rush, that it seemed like you had just spit out the words one after the other.

The young girl smiled kindly and got up, going to sit right next to you on the couch you were on. She grabbed your hands in hers gently and squeezed them tightly. “Thank you for offering to go with me, to support me, Miss (Y/L/N). Is more than my own brothers have done. But this is something I have to do alone, I have to be the one to find her and know why she left. And I think that the less you know, the better it will be”

Oh, that girl. You smiled while you looked at her. Eudoria had raised her to be a force of nature and had achieved that goal, brilliantly. You squeezed her hands back in affection. “When will you leave?”

“At sundown today” she said, so quickly that you realized she had already thought about everything. At least, on that phase of that 'plan' to find her dear mother. “Will walk to the train station, not the closest one but the next, and get on the first train in the morning tomorrow. In this way, I’m quite sure my brothers won’t be able to understand my intentions soon enough as to catch me”

“Very well” you passed your arms around her and hugged her tight, sighting. “Let’s get you some food for your journey, then. If you find Eudoria and she finds out I let you almost starve I’ll get in trouble”

Enola laughed as she hugged you back.

════ •⊰❂⊱• ═══════ •⊰❂⊱• ════

Enola had left at sundown of the previous day, just like she had said she would. Carrying nothing more than money her mother had left her, a bag of food you had given her and her favorite book of yours, Origin of Species, you had watched her walk away into the night alone, as her name backwards spelled.

You had spent the whole night incapable of sleeping, wondering if she was fine and if she hadn’t encountered any dangers as she travelled on foot. You worried so much but all you could do, was hope that she would stay safe and find her mother. Soon.

On the next day, you had spent the morning and the beginning of the afternoon distracted. Tried to complete some of your works, but couldn’t. Your mind would always go back to the gone girl and her well being.

You had frustratedly been trying to read the same page of one of your books for fifteen minutes, without being capable of keeping any attention on it, when for the second time in a long time, you heard knocks at the front door.

You got up instantly, leaving the book forgotten upon the closest table as you rushed to the door, already smiling at the thought at Enola had came around on her idea of going alone and was back to ask you to go with her.

When you opened the door though, you realized that it wasn’t Enola who had knocked. It had been a man. A man you had never seen before.

He was tall, it was the first thing you noticed. The fact that he had no beard, was the second. And then, details of him came rushing into your mind through your eyes. He had short, curly hair, bright eyes and memorable features. He wore a white shirt, a brown vest with small white details in it and a brown suit as well as trousers of the same color. No tie which was insula for men that well dressed.

“May I help you?” you frowned at him, holding the wooden door firmly with one of your hands. To receive the visit of men, had always made you nervous. You lived alone, after all, and the world was becoming a more violent place day by day.

“I hope so” he said, which such confidence on his voice that it actually made you raise your eyebrows at him. His eyes were fixed in you, analyzing your face with much intensity. Far more than you thought it would be appropriate. “I’m Sherlock Holmes. And I suppose you are Miss (Y/L/N), my sister’s science teacher”

You took a moment to watch him again, trying to put into your mind that the man in front of you was the Sherlock Holmes, the detective who was making a name on England, solving the most incredible and difficult cases on his own. After long seconds of silence where you only stared at each other, you cleaned your throat. “I am in fact Enola’s teacher, Mr. Holmes. How did you know?”

“I found her works, studies on great science authors. They all had writings on the borders where she constantly mentioned a desire to please and make a 'Miss (Y/L/N)' proud. It only took me a visit to one of the closest houses to ask who it was and get pointed in your house’s direction” he explained, in an impersonal tone quite fitting to a detective. He saw the incisive tone look you were giving him, filled with suspicion, and smiled slightly as he looked at his feet, before focusing his eyes back on yours. “I came here because Enola ran away from home, Miss (Y/L/N). And I think she would come here to see you if she needed help”

You sighted, looking into his eyes. You remembered Enola’s words, where she had told you Mycroft was the one who wanted to send her to a finishing school, the one who had made her run away. If that had been Mycroft Holmes at your door, you would have denied being her teacher or even knowing the girl, wanting to cut the conversation short. But that was Sherlock Holmes. Enola hadn’t expressed much anger towards him and honestly, he would for sure find out the truth on his own. He was the best detective there was in the nowadays. You tell him, would just spin faster the process and you would be able to send him away sooner.

“Come in, Mr. Holmes” you took a step aside, motioning for him to come in. He did, in slow calculated steps and once he was inside you closed the door, sighting. You expected him to say something, but he didn’t. Not at first. Instead he walked around just like Enola had done, eyes floating through the uncountable books you had, all in a complete mess over the tables, piles and more piles of them . “She was indeed here, your sister”

He turned his head to look at you, a genuine smile on his lips. “I was already certain of that” then he walked towards one of the tables, fingers running through one of works. The paper was a bit kneaded, but he didn’t seem to care. “The works you did with Enola, the amount of things she learned… they were quite impressive”

You crossed your arms over your chest, trying to contain your surprise to know you had impressed the most impressive man of all, Sherlock Holmes. You waited for him to speak again, but he didn’t, just kept on walking through the room and inspecting your things with his perceptive eyes. “I don’t know where she is, Mr. Holmes. She left many hours ago”

He placed his hands on the pockets of his trousers, turning completely to you the resemblance of his previous smile on his lips. “And I believe she didn’t tell you what were her plans?”

“No and if she had, I wouldn’t tell you” you said and went to sit on a chair, at the table he had been studying with his eyes previously.

“Mind if I take off my suit?” he asked simply. You just nodded for him to go on, not giving it much thought. He took off his brown suit in gracious movements, then placed it in one of the other empty chairs close by. “May I ask why you wouldn’t tell me my sister’s plans, Miss (Y/L/N), if you knew them?”

“Enola said your brother wants to send her to a finishing school” you replied, watching as one after the other, he folded the sleeves of his white shirt until they got close to his elbow. Unconsciously, you noticed how his muscles could be seen from under his shirt. “To try to turn such a brilliant, incredibly smart young girl into a 'lady society' would be a terrible mistake. She shouldn’t be forced to do it” at the end of that sentence, Sherlock Holmes had grabbed two books in his hands and after reading the tiles, he went to the shelves and started placing them there. “Excuse me, what do you think you’re doing?”

“I am organizing your books, Miss (Y/L/N). In alphabetical order, of course. Like I’ve noticed you do after a quick inspection” he smiled at you again, placing those two in place. Then, he went to the table and grabbed a few more. “I personally agree with you. I don’t think Enola should be sent to such a place, but she is my brother’s ward. It is out of my hands” he read the titles, then turned around to return to the shelves. “I suppose you weren’t raised as a lady of society also, for you live by yourself apparently and your academic interests”

“You’re wrong” you said with a little smile taking a hold of your lips, and that made him stop organizing the books and look at you with a frown. She shouldn’t be wrong often. “I was raised to be a lady, until the point where my parents died. After that, I started to live on my own, for I had no more relatives. It gave me a chance to become who I wanted to be, instead of whom I was being carved into”

“You chose your own path” he said with a bigger smile this time and when you nodded in agreement, he returned his look at the shelves. “How did your parents die?”

“They were murdered” you tried to swallow the knot on your throat. Even though they had been controlling parents to the most when regarding your future, they were still your parents, and you loved and missed them. “The police never found out by whom”

“The police can be quite… inefficient” he turned back around with his hands already empty. “I’m really sorry”

“Thank you” you said, squeezing your lips in a thin line as old memories came to surface. Things you hadn’t you thought about in a long, long time. “If there isn’t anything else, may I escort you to the door?”

Your polite way of sending him away made him smile.

He placed the books he had just gathered back on the table, grabbed his suit and accompanied you towards the door, not bothering to dress the piece again. You opened the door and he stepped out, turning to look at you once more. His eyes were curious, interesting. Full of something you couldn’t quite identify, so mysterious as his sister’s.

“If you find Enola, don’t stop her from trying to find your mother” you told him, trying to repress the emotion in your voice. “Not knowing what happened… can be quite disturbing”

“I promise, stop her, is not my intention” he looked down at his feet once again, as if he was thinking for a brief moment, before his eyes went back to yours. “I could try to find out what happened to your parents. Who was their murderer”

“I don’t have much money, Mr. Holmes” you told him, your turn now to look down at your feet.

“I never said you would have to pay” he replied and with that your gaze snapped back up to meet his, and that made him chuckle. You couldn’t deny he looked quite beautiful when doing that. “You were there for my sister through much time and when she needed help, when I wasn’t. That is enough paying for me. Think about it, Miss (Y/L/N). After I find my sister and discover where is my mother, I am willing to take over your case. If you want me to” he nodded his head in your direction in a silent appreciation for your reception in your house and began to turn to walk away, but stopped himself in the middle of such movement. “May I know your first name?”

You smiled softly at that. “It’s (Y/N), Mr. Holmes”

“Please, call me Sherlock”

And after that, he walked away.

#imagine #x reader #fanfic #imagines #enola holmes fanfic #enola holmes imagine #enola holmes #sherlock holmes fanfic #Sherlock x reader #sherlock imagine #sherlock holmes x reader #sherlock holmes imagine #henry cavill imagine #henry cavill #henry cavill sherlock holmes #henry!sherlock

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linksthoughtbrambles · 2 years

Text

Not thinking about apples.

Part 3 of Adventure Log+ (Sequel to Link’s Thought Brambles. There’s a lot of context that you’ll lose if you read Adventure Log+ without having read Link’s Thought Brambles. I highly recommend reading in order!) - Edited 1/29/23 to improve voice and tighten up language.

Plan.

We need a smart, solid, fool-proof-certified plan that actually makes sense.

Planning… is not my strength. I come UP with plenty. I execute few. I complete even fewer. I did pretty good on the festival, but Zelda had a huge part in that, too. The two of us together and a lot of manpower made that work. AND coffee! That stuff was good. Could use some right now.

It’s true the end of the festival wasn’t great… but that wasn’t down to our planning. Not really. Some stubbornness- NOPE, not thinking about that! Not here.

Zelda has that look on her face again. The one that wrinkles her entire forehead. She might’ve had it when Rionee galloped up to her at the shrine in Tabantha, but it changed so fast I’m not sure. I’ve seen her concentrate on problems, but usually sciencey ones she enjoys. Not something that could be life and death for us, so long-term we’re stuck with it for months if we get it wrong.

…I’d looooove to eat one of those leftover caramel apples. No one else has reached for one. Resist, Link. Resist. Don’t look and don’t drool. This meeting’s important. Someone’ll go for them once their dinner’s digested. There’s a reason they brought us those, right? They saved some tasty things for the fancy people so they didn’t have to slobber messy food while otherwise busy in public. They can slobber them behind closed doors in peace instead. This is their chance to eat one as much as it's mine!

I want one with the pink peppercorns even though I just ate a whole plate of spectacular goose-potato-onion hash and wow those itty-bitty orange thingies were so good. I’ll ask Zelda what they are later. Too weird to ask in this room.

…Am I one of the fancy people now? I’m sitting at the king’s receiving room table with him, Zelda, and Jeralt. Kind of surprised Ahadis isn’t here.

Well… maybe this isn’t the “fancy” table. I never thought of Jeralt as fancy. He’s captain of the royal guard now but as down-to-earth as you can get. Aurexler, now HE's fancy.

I guess I never thought of father as fancy. Huh.

“I’d already spent a good deal of time on this itinerary.”

Aaaaand I’d stopped thinking about the plan. Again.

“Considering recent events, I must alter it considerably. What I thought I must accomplish a week ago seems, now, less immediate and more suited to Purah and her teams. Please, father, Link, Jeralt—I shall enumerate my goals, but interject your own thoughts.

“The overarching goal is to ensure Hyrule is as prepared as possible for the oncoming Calamity.”

Same goal for the last twelve years.

“We still must accomplish previously existent goals in relation to that. Difficulties the champions are experiencing with their Divine Beasts must be resolved. I’d originally intended to visit the domain first to address Ruta’s gait. That’s still of high priority.”

No arguments there.

“I’d visited Daruk and Revali relatively recently and addressed some issues- ah, that is to say I’d addressed a mechanical issue on Medoh. I’ve no idea what assisted Daruk, but by the time we left he seemed an expert at controlling Rudania.”

Don’t blush, Link. Not important right now.

“We ought to check on Urbosa, though she hasn’t complained of anything specific.”

“Phhhh. Agreed, daughter, though I find my own mind drawn to the problem of this field around our castle.”

“Yes. That may be the most urgent issue. Fi said the field is strengthening. Who knows what it will be capable of in future?”

“So Fi needs energy so she can do something about it.”

Indeed, master. I require either you or the Princess—preferably you—to provide it.

“So how do we get enough? Do I just eat?”

“Eat?”

“Sorry, sire, it’s Fi, she- thanks, Princess.”

“Of course—here-“

“It’s fine. I can see, daughter.”

...We need to access a significant energy source, master. You would need to eat an extremely large amount of food.

“How large?”

Large enough as to make it impractical. You do have physical limitations, and your body can only digest so much food at once. If we waited a long time, it would work.

“Okay… I’m… not willing to do that, anyway. This is already a winter we think some kinds of food’ll be scarce.” I mean… I LOVE food, and I know I eat more than it seems like I should have to. I’m hungry, so it must be doing something, but you know what, Link? You’re going to have some goddess-damned self-control this winter and NOT eat whole pumpkin pies all by yourself because you can definitely survive on a lot less than you can eat… aaaaaand everyone can read this anyway even though I’m not talking, including the king, and won’t my mind just shut up??????

Uuuugh, they’re smiling at me.

“Heheh. Goodness, Link.”

Yeeeaaaah, I know. "So, not food. What are the other options? You said I could convert things, but like what?”

There are a myriad of options, master, but you are still contained in a physical body and limited by its ability to survive exposure to certain energies. For example, you are able to convert solar energy, but just as any Hylian you are subject to sunburn.

“Um. Is that why I like sunshine so much?”

That, I do not know.

“Okay, so… can I hang around outside all day and soak up Sun?”

The rate of energy transfer is too slow. To build up the quantity of energy required would take years.

“...I'm out of ideas. It's not like I can stick myself in a bonfire.”

Forgive me, master. My intent is not to frustrate you. There are few energy sources I know of in this era which either of us would be capable of absorbing in great quantity. I am curious how the Divine Beasts are faring.

“Though we don’t understand the energy sources, the Divine Beasts appear to have plentiful energy for operation, if that’s what you mean.”

In part, yes. I have little knowledge of the beasts' design. I am uncertain how they draw power. I had boarded the beasts in the past as well as with my current master during his visit to Vah Rudania, but that is all.

Ooooh, Zelda didn’t know about that. Hehe, hi. Yeah, I see you looking at me, can we talk about it later? It’s really not that important.

“If you say so, Link.”

“Kmph- I think so!”

“Indeed!”

“Skies above, it is most disorienting to see your thoughts appear on this screen, Sir Link. In your place, I doubt I’d be able to put up with it.”

“It’s not so bad, sire, not now that I’m used to it.”

“Mmmph. Most wouldn’t get used to it, I think.”

I’m just glad I’m not thinking about apples. Caramel. Peppercorns! Table. Table table table table table THINK, Link, think think think window! Uuuuuuh CROWN! Crown frown down town clown NOO not clowns, they’re fricking terrifying, uuuuh surround around astound found wound bound crowned ooooh look at that, that’s crown used twice, nice, rice lice mice thrice slice-

“What in blue blazes are you doing?”

“S-sorry, sire. Just trying to be normal.”

“…This is not normal.”

“Yeah, that’s true, you’re right sire, I just, well, I like rhymes.”

“That explains nothing.”

No, it doesn’t, does it? I can’t explain though because if I explain I am in SO much trouble, not that he doesn’t know about it, not really, but I mean who wants to find out exactly what stone thrown clone blown throne bone alone moan NONO lone-

“Sir Link, would it help you to leave the room?”

“It would make no difference, father. The slate records his thoughts regardless.”

“Auph.”

Yeah, that’s pretty much how I feel about it, too.

“What of the ancient furnaces?”

Huh? “What about them, Princess?”

“The blue flames are a highly concentrated form of energy.”

Blue flames?

“Yes. They burn ceaselessly in two locations, one in northeastern Akkala and one near Hateno in Necluda. The facilities from which they spring appear nearly identical to the main control units within the Divine Beasts.”

Fascinating. With a few exceptions, location names in this era have altered since my previous awakening. Where is Akkala in relation to this castle?

“Akkala is the northeastern-most province of Hyrule, to the east of Death Mountain.”

Thank you, Princess. I would extrapolate that these ancient furnaces tap into the energies of the sacred flames. The remains of the far more ancient Fire Sanctuary may be beneath this furnace you speak of.

“These furnaces did not exist before?”

I cannot confirm that. My previous master was not always privy to the Sheikah’s plans.

“Did they not trust him?!”

To say that would be untrue, but he was not involved in that civilization’s infrastructure. It’s possible the flames were already in use and therefore went unremarked. They also may have been created or accessed during his time or afterward. It is unknown.

“Yet the locations are significant to you.”

Thus far, Princess. One sacred flame burned in the Fire Sanctuary far to the northeast past Death Mountain, and another burned in the southeast—south of a heavily forested area yet west of a large expanse of water, within a mechanized cistern. The third burned far to the west in a free-moving vessel.

“Three flames, yet only two ancient furnaces. The location you describe in the southeast would indeed fit the location of Hateno Village. But there is nothing we know of in the west.”

It may be belowground.

“I suppose.”

If the energy sources are in fact the sacred flames, I am capable of absorbing them directly. Each may still harbor distinctive properties which would leave me unbalanced were I to absorb a great deal without also absorbing an equal amount of the other two. Since one is as yet undiscovered, this presents a problem. I could, of course, expend the energy of only one flame shortly after absorbing it.

Oh, of course!

…Consider reigning in your sarcasm, master.

...They’re all looking at me. “… Sorry.” It’s not like I trained myself to control the snark in my head. Only out my mouth.

Another option would be to collect these energies in other vessels, return them here, and apply all three at once, were the third available.

“It is possible to transfer the blue flames with a torch. A series of lanterns leads from each to a nearby location. They allow the flame’s relatively easy transfer and utilization at facilities at the end of each path.”

Fascinating. How long do these lanterns burn once lit?

“Typically not more than a day.”

How were they constructed?

“We don’t know. They pre-date our own efforts.”

Have any attempts been made to re-create them?

“The team in Akkala has attempted exactly that without success. Purah and Robbie may know more than I do. Or Impa, now I think of it. Regardless, we could deliver some of this energy to the castle for you, or you could absorb it yourself?”

Either is possible. You and my master can also absorb and store a large amount of this energy, if it is indeed that of the sacred flames.

“…May I ask what the sacred flames are?”

They are, in essence, a type of potential energy remaining from the Goddesses’ presence in this realm, in a time so ancient even I did not yet exist.

“I thought potential energy was more of a mathematical model than an existent energy form.”

Mathematical models which make accurate predictions tend to represent reality, Princess, even if the reality seems too strange to be true. The chemical energy you gain by eating can be considered a form of potential energy, for it is simply energy in storage: not currently in use.

I do not know whether these blue flames behave as the sacred flames did; energy may change form. You have already provided evidence the flames have done so.

“What evidence is that?”

They are blue. Yet the ones you’ve discovered would match the flame of power and the flame of courage, which appeared red and green respectively when I last encountered them. Only the flame of wisdom—in the west—was blue.

“These flames were left by the Goddess?”

No, master. The Goddess Hylia did not create these flames. The Goddesses did.

“Goddess…es?”

Yes.

“H-how many Goddesses are we talking?”

Three, master.

“So there’s two more?!”

No.

“Wh- three minus one is two.”

Apologies, master. Hylia is not one of the three Goddesses who originated before the creation of Hyrule.

“What?!” “Holy Hylia-“ “Merciful Goddess!” “Hhhh!”

Yes, your forebears ten-thousand years ago had also appeared unaware of them.

It’s not just me, this time. The entire room is flabbergasted. Four Goddesses. FOUR. And we didn’t know about three of them?

“Fi... is Link correct? Are there four Goddesses in total?”

…

?!!?!?! Holy S@#$- “there’s more, aren’t there?!”

…

“That is SO a yes!”

Not necessarily, master.

“No, no, I’m calling definite bulls@$# this time, Fi. No way. You clam up when there’s something I’m not supposed to know. If there were four, you’d have said so. Right? Am I right?”

“…I’m afraid I quite agree with my appointed knight.”

I may need to alter my protocols.

“OH! Oh ho, so there are at least five! Who’s the fifth one, then? You said there were three Goddesses who came before Hyrule, and for some reason you’re okay with letting us know that, but not that there’s a fifth one out there?”

If I reveal too much, all it will do is hurt you, master.

…The king, maybe she’ll listen to the king? “Sire?”

“…I must admit the difficulty of taking it in. Fi.”

Yes?

Wow. No title? I wonder if that’s why he’s taking so long to answer her…

“Hphhhhhhhh. There is no delicate way to phrase this. Was Zelda praying to the wrong Goddess?”

…Holy sh-

No.

OH thank you for that.

Prayer was inconsequential.

And now his head's in his hands.

What was he hoping for? Either way, he was wrong. I guess if prayer mattered, but to someone else, at least he wouldn’t’ve led her too far astray.

Still… if I was a Goddess, and someone was praying but just didn’t know my name, I’d answer anyway. Seems petty not to.

He’s still holding his head.

Zelda keeps switching between him and the slate, like she’s not sure where to look. Maybe I’d better say something?

“Fi, can you tell us what they’re called? The other three Goddesses you mentioned?”

Farore, Nayru, and Din.

“Wow. Wow-“

“Those names are in the song of the Goddess.”

Yes, Princess.

“…It’s not gibberish.”

No, Princess.

“Would you please translate the words? I assume you know the song.”

I do, and I can honor this request. The translation is:

Youth, guided by the Goddess’ servant Unite the earth and sky and bring light to the land Youth, show the two whirling sails the way to the light tower-

“The two what?”

You have interrupted my flow, master.

…Er. Sorry?

Thank you. The rest follows:

And before you a path shall open, and a heavenly song you shall hear.

Spirit Maiden, guided by blood and memory Nayru, Farore, and Din Trust you with life and the gift of the Moon And skyward a song you and your youth shall sing.

…Is it sacrilege if I think some of it is still gibberish?

Yes, master.

!!!!

…

…You’re joking.

Why would you think so?

I can tell!

How, master?

Your tone went all funny.

What tone?

THAT one you just did!

With all due respect master, you are not the most adept person in this room when it comes to interpreting tones of voice.

Your voice is in my head. I have advantage.

“Fi.”

Ooh. Okay—Princess privilege.

Yes, Princess?

“Spirit Maiden is one of the titles you listed as mine. One you could apply to me in lieu of Your Grace.”

That snapped the king’s head up.

It’s a highly exalted title. The kind of thing usually reserved for the king and queen and only under extremely formal circumstances, like royalty from across the chasm or sea. Not that it’s happened at all in my lifetime—everyone’s too afraid of the Calamity. The highest of high priests/priestesses at the temple of time sometimes get called that, but again only in very formal circumstances.

That is, if my father’s descriptions can be trusted. Sometimes he’s… a little off.

And Fi hasn’t answered her.

“Fi, why didn’t you answer the Princess?”

The Princess did not ask me a question.

“The question was kind of implied.”

Was it, master?

“Yeah.”

…And she’s still not answering- “Fi, is Spirit Maiden a title you could use for Zelda instead of Princess?”

Yes.

“So… the song’s talking about Zelda?”

You are jumping to conclusions, master. Calling the Princess ‘Princess’ does not mean every Princess referred to in a story is her personally.

“Fair enough, so what’s a Spirit Maiden?”

A spirit maiden is a living person able to wield the magics of the Goddess Hylia.

“Okay… so the song’s about the person from an earlier time who was wielding that magic. There’s also a youth and a servant of the Goddess. Blood and… memory?... guide the spirit maiden, and the three Goddesses we just found out about trust her with life and whatever the gift from the Moon is. And she’s gonna sing a song with the youth, ohh and then there was all that weird stuff about showing two whirling sails to the light tower? What’s that about?”

…

“Fi?”

…

“Seriously, why translate it if we’re not allowed to know?”

…Are you certain you wish to know this, master?

“Sure, why not?”

…Very well… the whirling sails refer to a pair of windmill-like sail structures atop two stone pillars.

“…And?”

…The youth needed to turn the pillars.

“…Okay…how about you don’t make me ask for every part of the explanation, and just tell us the whole thing?”

You are unaware of the nature of the knowledge you seek, master.

“Fine, I’m unaware! Enlighten me.”

…

A pair of mock-windmill sails built into the pillars controlled mechanisms to turn them. The youth needed to spin the wheels a sufficient amount to point the large sails toward a nearby navigational light-tower. He did so with a device intended to expel air. The-

“Goodness, that sounds complicated. Why not simply turn them by hand?”

Why indeed, Princess?

Wh-? What’d I do to deserve that hit of irritation-?

Regardless, the youth turned the pillars to face a nearby tower-

I can FEEL it when you get huffy like that!

I do not get huffy, master.

...Okay. Sorry. Please continue?

I appreciate your cordiality, master. The tower then activated and allowed the youth entry to an internal ladder. He was then able to reach the top of the tower-

“Seriously? How tall was this tower?”

…Approximately forty feet, master.

“Wow. Not a strong climber, I guess. I’d’ve just slogged my way up there by hand, no spinning pillars required!”

“It does seem inefficient.”

…Quite.

Do you wish to hear the remainder, or may we move on?

“Oh, for sure, let’s hear it!”

“I concur.”

As you wish… the youth activated the light tower which focused a beam of light upon a thunderhead, opening a path to fly through it.

“That’s it? What about the second verse?”

We discussed that.

“Not all of it. We covered what a Spirit Maiden is and that the three names are Goddesses. The rest of it, about blood and memory, and trusting with life, and the gift of the Moon, and the song-singing—well, I guess the song-singing is pretty self-explanatory, but not the rest.”

Master, do you not agree that the first verse’s true meaning was, in fact, quite mundane?

“Silly.”

Then why force me to recount the meaning of the second verse?

“…You have a point.”

I do.

“…This tangent sprang from our discussion of the flames—that they could serve as an energy source for Fi. Let’s return to that, please.”

Sorry.

Oh. I get a smile?

“You’ve nothing to be sorry for, Link. It is… tempting, is it not? To delve deep into the unknown territories of knowledge.”

Oh. Ohhhh. “I’m not as smart as you, though.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, but let’s return to the subject of greater urgency . The rest can wait.”

Yep. Control yourself, Link.

“As I understand it, Fi, Link and I are each able to collect energy from these flames. Correct?”

Yes, Princess.

“Link’s pouch is able to store energy extra-dimensionally. Could we store blue flames within it?”

It is possible, Princess. If time essentially does not move within it, a lit torch should not go out.

“Excellent. Link, how much can your pouch hold?”

“I have no idea. It’s never NOT let me put something in, not unless it was really huge.”

“How huge?”

“Well. I, ah. You know, like, a… a moblin.”

“A moblin?!”

“Yeah.”

“What possessed you to attempt that?!”

“They start disintegrating when they die. I figured if I could put it in the pouch it wouldn’t happen, and they could study it at the lab. But… you know. It didn’t work. The opening didn’t expand to let it in.”

“Ah. That makes sense, now you explain it. Alright. Let’s attempt a test with an ordinary torch.”

Okay. Hopefully the pouch won’t catch fire.

…Not a pleasant thought. I do NOT want to lose it. Guess we could go back to the woods and ask for a new one, but—oh s$#%, what would happen to all the stuff I have in there if the outside burns?!

“Due to the travel time necessary to collect energy from the flames, I propose we also attempt a shorter-term solution of some kind.”

No one else is thinking about this.

Any solution involving me will dissolve as soon as I leave this place, Princess.

“Yes. I thought we might try to disperse the field temporarily and note any effects.”

Do I let Zelda potentially destroy my awesome pouch?!

“I also wonder if Purah and Robbie might be able to manufacture an object which would serve a similar purpose.”

Maybe I empty the whole thing out first.

“We’d intended to visit the royal lab soon, regardless, and I intend to propose this to them then.”

Prudent, Princess.

…Maybe we don’t test it until we have a duplicate, I bet the Koroks would-

“Sir Link, forgive me, but please attempt to curtail your mind’s wanderings for the moment. It is difficult to follow Fi on the screen.”

“Sorry, sire.” Stupid stupid stupid stop thinking so stupid, stare at the tasty apples or something.

“…Let’s consolidate.”

Yes, please, Zelda!

“Divine Beast Ruta in the Domain. Divine Beast Naboris in the Gerudo Desert. As it happens, I also received word from Urbosa regarding several shrines unearthed there. It makes sense to survey them. More urgent points of interest—the ancient furnaces at Hateno and Tumlea Heights in Akkala. There ought to be a third energy source westward. Fi, if you absorb all three, will that heighten the effects of your magic?”

Yes. I will also be able to absorb extra energy from the final one if tempered by the other two.

“I believe it unwise for us personally to search for this third flame, but we have quite a few parties out on surveys and digs. Father?”

“Yes, let’s send word to them—direct them to begin searching. The teams at Tanagar Canyon and eastern Hebra already are, essentially, but we’ll notify them nonetheless.”

“Alright. Fi, is there any need for me to visit the springs of power and courage?”

Not specifically, Princess. The waters of the springs served their primary purpose before written memory. There may be reasons for you to return at a later date—but traveling there now would net little.

“…As you say. We skip the springs. I did want to visit the survey team on the Great Plateau owing to your declaration of its importance, Fi—of an ancient medical facility.”

It may or may not exist.

“Indeed. The Temple of Time is also near there, and—correct me if I’m wrong—one of our goals is to spread hope throughout Hyrule.”

“Yes, daughter, though readiness is of greater import.”

“Agreed. I… would at some point like to attend a service at the Temple of Time as myself. Not in disguise.”

The heart of Hyrule’s faith. “The Yiga clan might expect that.”

“Perhaps.”

“… Can we think on that one a little more? And if we do it, can we save it for the last leg of the journey? It feels… like it’s the same level of risk as the bailey. That didn’t turn out great.”

“We don’t need to decide immediately.”

…I really want one of those stupid apples.

“I also propose we assist the populace in dispatching monsters as we travel: hope for our people, and incentive for us—yes, Link?”

“Yeah. We should try not to give our identities away, though.” And it means Zelda being near monsters. I’ll be pulling my hair out in tufts. Biting my woah! Table-smack!

“We have all failed to consider something else of concern.”

…Training Zelda?

“Father?”

“Link, your mother and sister need an escort home, and I’ll be damned if I don’t assign at least three men to stay there and keep watch.”

…S%@#. S@#%, he’s right. “Yes, sire.”

“…We’re already undermanned, sire. Ahadis and I have begun restructuring the guard schedule for threes instead of pairs. It’s hell. We need more people here, not less, and after what happened we know even re-assigning soldiers from other posts is risky.”

“Sir Jeralt, I flatly refuse to leave Link’s family unprotected. That assassin did not hesitate to send an arrow toward a young girl’s heart. I doubt his compatriots will be kinder. We let them go home unprotected, and next we’ll find a ransom note demanding Sir Link’s head in exchange for their safety.”

“We could ask them to remain here at the castle.”

“You’d ask them to give up their home to avoid hiring a few more people?”

“I- eh. No, sire.”

“Mmph. Good.”

“Might I make a suggestion, father?”

“Of course.”

“Anyone we send with them must be trustworthy. I’d… hesitate to choose those we know less well. It ought to be people who have been here many years and demonstrated unwavering loyalty and strength of character.”

“…You’re going to suggest members of the royal guard, aren’t you?”

“They are loyal to Link’s father and to you.”

“…Sir Kertiss was a problem.”

“Sir Kertiss is prejudiced, but even that is steeped in loyalty to Sir Lyle. I am tempted to suggest him specifically, since he presumably will be up for hire and certainly will not impact castle rotations.”

…She… is she serious? “Zelda… he hates me.”

“I'm not so sure. He is loyal to your father. His treatment of you stems at least in part from that.”

“He’s an asshole!”

“Yes. A prideful misogynist to say the least. I have little doubt that misogyny extends to chivalry. He would not have intentionally harmed me at the tournament. He will not harm your mother or sister. Perhaps your sister may inundate him with criticism and put him in his place.”

“Or maybe she’ll annoy the s@#$ out of him and he’ll hit her.”

“Link… do you honestly think he’d do that?”

“I have no idea. He was wiling to break my ribs.”

“He was also in the field at the time.”

“He- oh.” Zelda has a point! He was acting like such a nasty f@#$er, but what’s he like if he’s not on this island with a creepy-crawly signal to hate me and Zelda poking at him? “…Okay. Alright, I’m willing to give this a shot, but I want to talk to him AND my mom and Chee about it personally. We’re sending people in threes, right? So he’d only be one of three. If we’re choosing from the guard, I nominate Turro right this second, but do we really want to do that? Jeralt?”

“Hphhh. Some of the men on the guard have been there a long time. Some not. Turro’s been here about six years and got promoted real fast. Damn skilled. Would be useful to have someone who can hit long range reliably. He’d be useful for hunting while they’re all waiting it out at your parents’ home. Cahz and Kertiss were pretty new. Eberoy woudn’t want to go, most likely. Either he’d have to leave his wife until this was over or she’d have to leave her home here. Virn’s good, but he’s less independent than Turro. If we’re choosing from the royal guard specifically, I think I’d have to say Merendith.”

“We could also take someone from my guard. If we’re gone, we don’t have to be extreme about that.”

“Oh yes we do.”

“Link?“

“We can't travel openly after what happened.”

“W-well-“

“No way. Either we travel incognito, or your entire guard joins us.”

…That’s some quiet right there. I wonder if she’s feeling at all like I am. I’d looked forward to traveling alone with her-

“If I travel with a large party, my movements will be obvious. There shall be ample opportunities to attack us, and even if I take the entire guard they would be quite easily outnumbered. It makes far more sense to leave them here--the castle is already short-staffed for the new procedures to be put in place, and their presence will help. We... could still spare someone from that group to go with Link’s family, if we don't want to take too many from the Royal Guard.”

Ohhh, Link. Ideas. Sometimes, you have them. “If we’re not in the castle, the Yiga clan could easily find out we’ve left. We have to still seem like we’re here, at least at first. Your guard rotation still has to happen, and it needs to stay strict, and we need doubles. People who look like you and I, at least from far away. We can… pretend we’re being really careful after what happened at the festival, like we’re not mixing with people much, or maybe that we’re taking a break, staying in our chambers more.” Which isn’t far from the truth anyway. “Farniha’s about your height, and Wenn’s small like me. It could work.”

“…You’re suggesting we disguise them to look like us?”

“Yep. We dye their hair. Wenn might take some convincing, but I think Farniha’ll do it no problem.”

“Wenn will do as he’s ordered.”

“…Yes, sire.”

“Hmph. You’d give him the option, wouldn’t you?”

“…Yes, sire.”

“It’s good to respect those under your command, but autonomy should only go so far. If it jeopardizes you, it isn’t acceptable.”

…Okay.

“Well. With all this in mind… I believe my new itinerary by default should take us toward Hateno first.”

“Wh- woah, Princess, I don’t want to be near my family. That’ll make them more of a target, not less, just like in the bailey!”

“We won’t be us, Link. We’ll be Farniha and Wenn. We shall dye our hair and wear their uniforms.”

Oh man. Rub your forehead, Link. It’s late. You’re tired. Of course, it makes sense! It’s Zelda. Oh- “The people in Hateno’ll recognize me.”

“Not if you keep the helmet on.”

“… Okay. Yeah, okay, I can do that around everyone else. So, we deliver them, we visit the first ancient furnace, we collect energy-“

“And I inspect the shrine.”

“Yep, shrine inspection. That makes the next stop the domain.”

“Indeed. I imagine Mipha would like to travel with us, though she may break off beyond the Dueling Peaks.”

“Maybe. And if we’re headed to the domain next, it makes sense to continue north into Akkala from there. I… think we should avoid the citadel, Princess. Guessing there’d be people there who would recognize you, and while I’m not sure that’d be much of a problem in the domain, it might be in Akkala.” And there's also that general’s wife I’ve heard about, and how she likes to invade everyone’s privacy. I’d rather not be in disguise around someone like that.

“I agree with you, Link. Vayden and the soldier from Carok Bridge infiltrated Hylian ranks easily. It seems unlikely that would occur in the Domain, but we still ought to be wary of any travelers.”

Extremely wary. So wary we don’t even talk to them. Or… no, because then you seem suspicious. Something in between is the right way to go.

I’ll be bad at this, won’t I? I’m not exactly good at saying the right thing at the right time. And I’m terrible at lying.

“It would seem prudent to then return to the castle for respite unless we receive news which diverts us to Daruk.”

Yeah. “Makes sense to come back here, anyway. We’ll need to see if there’s news about a third flame. If not, I figure the desert is the next stop.”

“Yes.”

…Well. That’s it, isn’t it? The Plan. We set up decoys to seem legitimate as long as possible. Some people’ll have to be in on it. Damn, the whole fricking castle might have to be if it goes on long enough, and that’s just not realistic if there’s even a single Yiga clan member still here. But I figure it’ll buy us a few days if our decoys hide out up here, mostly.

…Is anyone going to eat an apple, or am I going to have to leave the room without one?

“Oh- haha, Link. With all that sorted, I believe I shall try one of these caramel apples with ginger.”

“I haven’t eaten a caramel apple since I was a kid.”

“Now’s your chance, Sir Jeralt!”

“...Maybe the one with the salt. Unless either of you would like it, Sire, Link?”

Nnnnnope. “I’m eyeing one of the pink peppercorn ones.”

“Ha. As am I, lad. Shall we?”

You can see they’re not quiiite in their prime because they’re not as fresh anymore but wow is that still good. Don’t let your eyes roll back in your head, Link. You’ll seem possessed by a poe or something. They got the caramel right where it’s still gooey but not so much so that it all ran right off the apple and the pink peppercorns are a little different tasting than black ones and they’re almost pepperminty when mixed with the caramel and then the apple just mellows the whole thing out and it’s almost as good as sehhhhhhhhhhhhlebrations. Celebrations. They’re great! Except when you get shot during one, then they suck ass.

Zelda’s the only one looking, at least. For now.

____

Read Next: How our [k]nights should be.

Follow this link for the post list for this fic.

Follow this link for my fic masterlist.

#adventure log+#botw #zelda #linksthoughtbrambles #fanfic #zelink #breath of the wild #loz #legend of zelda #botw zelda #botw link #king rhoam #fi #original characters #lots of exposition #with caramel apples

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faneposting-my-beloved · 2 years

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D:OS2 Kickstarter lore, initial ideas and more

Doing my usual lore research I reached into the wellspring that is/was the original Kickstarter and pulled out several interesting tidbits we never got to see fully. Though you might find it interesting.

[UPDATE #4 Meet the Lizards]

Lizards are proud: proud to form the world's eldest empire, the world's grandest culture. An imperial dwarf might scoff when reading such grandiose descriptions, but deep down he'd know there is something undeniable about them.

Legend has it that the Lizards were once even mightier still: descendants of dragons, with dragon blood running through their veins. Most don't buy these stories though, saying that the Lizards are simply trying to increase their already sensational reputation for political and military reasons.

Be that as it may, the Lizards and their empire are a force to be reckoned with, even by the rapidly expanding Divine Order, to the latter’s great frustration…

Lizards are a playable race and these are some of the armour-sets you'll be able to equip

Racial Skills: a call to action!

Thanks to your unlocking of the Racial Skills stretch goals, all playable species will now get unique skills. Today we're talking about the Lizards, so what unique skills could they have? If you have a good idea, do share it with us in the comments section! Nothing is set in stone yet on the Racial Skills and we'd love to hear from you.

Here's a couple of ideas to get you going. But don't hold back on us now!

Health Regeneration (Passive)

Bask in the sun and recharge those battle-damaged batteries.

Resist Poison (Passive)

Not only a lizard's speech is riddled with acid, its blood is too. Good luck trying to knock one out with something as crude as cyanide.

10% chance to fall asleep when chilled (Passive)

Cold-bloods get sleepy in low temperatures. We see it happen at Larian all the time…

Automatically hastened when warm/hot (Passive)

Hand them a cup of coffee on the other hand…

+1 Intelligence Bonus (Passive)

No Larian tie-in here, but them lizards though! They're real smart!

Poor Dark Vision (Passive)

Lizards are children of the sun. Take them into subterranean locales and they'll walk from stalagmite into stalactite. Don't laugh out loud though, or the cave dwellers will hear you coming!

Produce Poison (Active)

As in: the ability to fill an empty flask with poison.

Tip for the rest of the party: look away. It's only courteous.

Dragon Breath (Source Power)

It's not only a popular lizard dish, it's a skill too. The result? Instant barbecue! So still a dish.

Dragon Wings (Source Power)

Gives you ethereal dragon wings for 5 turns. With these wings you can levitate above surfaces, you're resistant to fire, you receive a massive speed boost, and you can move over small obstacles.

The only downside? We have to write smitten bird romances.

I Am Dragon (Source Power)

Grow in size and take on a dragon-like appearance for 3 turns. You are massively more powerful. As for the rest, they had better just run.

Carrion Eater (Er… Body Power?)

Because why should maggots always get dibs?

Lizard Lore

As a further source of inspiration, here is a bit of lizard lore.

Machiavellian and cold-blooded in every sense, the lizards are one of the oldest races in Rivellon, and believe themselves to be superior in all regards. They remember the times when humans swung from trees and, as far as they can see, not much has changed since then.

It is a widely-held belief among lizards that they were once a species of dragons, who became tainted after mingling with the ‘lesser’ species of Rivellon. Because of this, the lizards now place a great deal of emphasis on maintaining the purity of their bodies and bloodlines. The decline of the lizard race from their original form has passed into legend, but many still cling to the belief that they are descended from dragons, and that perhaps they can be restored one day.

The lizards’ obsession with bodily purity has led them to structure their entire society around the attainment of perfection -- individuals have been observed to ascend into power not because of their ability, but because they exhibit good breeding. Meanwhile, deviations from accepted physical and aesthetic standards are seen as degenerate, and treated as acts of treason.

The ruling system of the lizards has become tyrannical in its efforts to purify the species; poorer and less influential lizards dread that their offspring will fail to meet the standard, and cause the ruination of their entire clan. This system has kept a relatively small enclave of the purest lizards in power for generations, but there is a growing voice of dissent from some corners of the population that say they are charging headlong towards extinction.

These fears are brushed aside by the lizard elite -- their empire has stood for millennia, and they have witnessed other powers rise and fall, forgotten by history. However, even the most dogmatic of lizards privately concede that the resurgent Divine Order under Alexandar the Innocent is the most formidable rival they have encountered for as long they can remember.

Many are convinced that a confrontation with Alexandar is inevitable, and that they should act now, before the Divine Order moves against them…

[Update #5: Life after death, unlocked! Devline!]

What's that? Three types of Undead?

The spiked mace crashes through your skull, and suddenly, everything is gone. Gone the muddy, blood-stained battlefield. Gone the burning eyes of the warrior who felled you. Gone the acid rush of terror that seized your body as he swung.

Now, there's only silence.

Now, a thick emptiness swells around you.

Now, you are light. Light as mist and light as morning.

You open your eyes, and a gentle fog caresses you. It shifts as something approaches from its swirling depths. A small figure, slight and careful. Can it be? Harlan, your son, taken too soon… can it be?

The Hall of Echoes. You've made it at last. He holds out his hand, and a wave of relief softens your very being. You reach for his hand, and--

Mud. Blood. Terror.

The black eyes of a bedraggled necromancer glower over you. He commands you to stand. You stand. He commands you to follow. You follow. Your body -- your corpse -- bends to his will, but your mind… your mind is still your own.

While none of the races of Rivellon are particularly accustomed to peace, few know the anguish of the Undead.

In order for an Undead to come into being at all, the dying must ferociously refuse the call of the Hall of Echoes. This afterlife, welcomed by most, is a resting place and eternal home for the Source within all conscious beings.

But why would anyone refuse the gentle, insistent pull of the Hall?

Some distrust the myths and fear it as a punishing place for their lives ill-lived. Others might be so tormented by regret or grief that they cannot bear to disembark from the mortal plane. Others yet-- woeful ones indeed-- are ripped from the Hall by necromancers most foul and become Raised Ones.

The Undead on Rivellon must constantly resist the eternal tug of the Hall of Echoes. In doing so, however, they lose the thing most precious to them: their memories. Kept out of Eternity long enough, these wanderers become little more than automatons, confused as to their purpose, desperate for reprieve. They are called the Faint Ones.

There are rumors, though, of a race of civilized Undead far to the north who call themselves Chosen Ones. The legends say they dress in finery, discuss philosophy, and seek no Source from the souls around them. While no explorer has ever documented its location (or more specifically: lived to mark it on a map), there are some who insist the rumors are true.

Undead Skills: Tell us what you think!

Now that you’ve unlocked the Undead as a playable race, as well as Racial Skills, we’ll be hard at work determining which fantastic skills will come naturally to this curious race of Rivellonians.

Inspired? Share your insights in the comments! Our Skills Wizard Nick has had a little inspiration of his own. What do you think?

Regenerate while Frozen, can’t heal while Burning.Cold preserves the dead, after all.

Immune to Fear. Immune to Bleed.

There are some advantages to living in the hollow, fleshless margins of the living.

Hand\Foot Grenade.

Cause you’ve got a bone to pick with those goblins…

Bleed Poison.

There’s nothing life is more allergic to than death.

Source Addiction. (Passive)

Undead start out with +20% max hp due to ignoring pain and some wounds, but (very) slowly deteriorate to -20% max hp due to decomposition. The bonus can be reset via Source Revivification (Source, Active).

Grave Chill (Active)

Drastically reduce the surrounding temperature, downgrading each status: Burning -> Warm, None->Chill, etc.

Necromantic Command (Source)

Take control of target skeleton or zombie for 3 turns (goes into summon slot, replacing existing summons). It is destroyed at the end of the duration.

Soul Devourer (Source) Suck the soul right from the living body of a character. Without a soul, the target devolves to animalistic instincts, attacking nearest characters until death. Doesn’t leave a body, doesn’t spawn a Faint.

[Update 7: Stretch goal unlocked… and new stretch goals announced!]

Your new home in the Great Beyond…

When a being dies, depending on the life they've led, the Source within them will go to one of two destinations; the Architect's Forge (where they'll be reincarnated) or the Void (where they'll cease to exist). Before reaching these two final destinations however, the soul will arrive at the Hall of Echoes, the domain of the dead. And if the next stretch goal is unlocked, then you will be able to visit the Hall of Echoes at will, for it will become your homestead!

We have many ambitions for the Hall of Echoes and have been discussing ideas of what players might be able to find there. Nothing is set in stone and we'd love to hear your ideas so please do let us know what you think would be cool additions.

Here's a few of the ideas we came up with:

An arena in which you can test your mettle against your companions (or a variety of creatures)

A campfire for waiting companions

Powerful figures - attracted by your presence, who make you all kinds of offers

Characters you killed in the world may appear here, haunting you or begging you for deliverance - those who follow the path of the Void will even be able to coerce these poor souls into doing their bidding

A spectral anvil on which you can craft unique equipment

A magical artefact that allows you to craft special skills

A bridge to the Void - an eerie, surreal and VERY dangerous place where special loot/spells/dark Source secrets can be found

A bridge to the Gods, where you can visit avatars of the Seven

The doorway to the Forge- what could happen if you step through the door?

Spirits with special requests, and special rewards…

Black mirrors that show you visions of other planes

Undead creatures that can be convinced to do dark deeds for you

[Update #8- Day of the Dwarves]

Meet the Dwarves: The Birth of an Empire

The dwarves are natural born empire-builders. They are organised, cunning, pragmatic, and if need be, brutal. Indeed, it's not unheard of for them to wipe out an entire city to set an example for others. Next time, they won't be late paying their taxes…

The dwarves are religious, but very practical about it. They tend to favour personal house gods over the pantheon of the Seven, and these house gods are often revered ancestors that have become family tales of legend.

They highly favour 'decorum' in public to the point of prudishness, but what goes on behind closed (bedroom) doors is another matter entirely. Public and private expectations often differ wildly, which makes it hard for outsiders to gauge dwarven motivations, let alone become part of their society through friendship or courtship.

The dwarven empire being what it is, it's hard to imagine the loosely affiliated group of clans that once was. These clans suffered the humiliation of being conquered and forced to serve their overlords. Subjugation united the dwarves, however, and under the leadership of the tenacious and tactically astute Tenax, they managed to overcome their enemies and emerge from their thraldom a veritable empire. Never, so Tenax vowed, would the dwarves be humiliated again. And never again would they be disunited.

Tenax has long since become the most revered of all dwarves: the father of their nation, and the first of many just and noble emperors of his line.

The Dwarven Empire takes its strength by assimilating the cultures it conquers into its own-- and learning from their unique magic, weapons, and fighting-styles.

In Recent Times

As generations passed, the empire grew strong. Yet, as even more generations passed, it grew complacent also. The line of Tenax was replaced by the ruthless House of Haudrauf, a family of wealthy, power-hungry rulers eager to get the empire firmly under its thumb.

The last emperor was a weak-willed dwarf who mismanaged the economy greatly, preferring grand scale personal projects over essential structures such as roads, aqueducts and harbours. Strategically, he dropped the ball by alienating allies, leaving the empire's enemies snapping at its heels for the first time in centuries.

Most noble households kept supporting him as a matter of course, but the people grumbled and urged the emperor's popular sister to remedy the situation. Backed by the Divine Order, this is precisely what she did: a coup was staged and her brother ousted.

This move had the nobles in an uproar, but in a shrewd political move, the new empress declared a pact with the popular Divine Order, ensuring support of the Order’s vast military. Many nobles were quickly accused of Sourcery and purged.

Tenax's throne was once more occupied by a powerful and ruthless ruler, but the recent troubles left deep scars within the dwarven civilisation. Economic woes coupled with bloody bouts of purging led many dwarves to leave their homeland behind in search of brighter prospects.

Though the empress remains a popular leader, her alliance with the Divine Order proved to be divisive, especially the enforcing of the strict religious doctrine the Order is synonymous with.

Resettling often proved to be tough for the dwarven expats, though. Hard workers, but headstrong and imperious, they often clash with local populations. If there's one thing a dwarf doesn't like, it's to be told what he has to do.

As it stands, some dwarves take a very dim view of the empire's current situation and many fear that Tenax's vows will be broken. Humiliation: nevermore. Disunion: nevermore. How long will these tenets remain?

[Update #9- Meet the Writers! Meet the mystery patron! Reddit Ask Us Anything! Twitch stream today!]

He steps carefully into the room, raising his staff to illuminate the shadows. His eyes fall on the broken chair, the torn picture, the tailor's mannequin: remnants of a life abandoned.

He has been chasing the Sourceress for days. His prey was cunning, but the Divine Order's dogs could smell Source, and escape was impossible.

Outside, his soldiers shift as their master explores a crumbling cottage. Their minds, alive with thoughts of fireballs and the clashing of swords, are keen to return to the hunt.

It's easy to find those who want to fight. If they think they can best you, they'll attack without a thought. If they know you will destroy them, they will run. And when they can run no more, they will hide, cower, and pray that your judgement will pass them by.

Hope is key. A hopeful enemy will never stop fighting. An enemy with hope is a dangerous thing.

He lays down his staff and leans against the shattered window frame. His back to the empty room, he uncorks his flask. Yes, an enemy with hope is a dangerous thing. Dangerous, but predictable…

He feels the shift in the room almost immediately as the illusion of the tailor’s mannequin disappears and the Sourceress reveals herself, desperate to seize her advantage. He twirls, hurling the flask and drenching his target. With a flick of his wrist, the water freezes, locking the her firmly in place.

"Demon! Wretch! You can't control the Source!" the Sourceress shouts. "It fills every living thing; nothing will remain if you drain it from the world!" A rare smile cracks his lips as he picks up his staff.

"I will remain…"

His staff sparks to life, filling the room with a green glow; the power of a thousand other purged Sourcerers surges inside him.

Moments later, it’s over. The soldiers stir as the door creaks open and Bishop Alexandar the Innocent emerges, his face glowing with vigour. Behind him, a figure slowly drags itself forward. Its shoulders are slumped, its face drawn, and its eyes dead, but it is still recognisable as the Sourceress.

"A good hunt, Your Grace?""Invigorating."

Alexander nods towards a wagon-cage, filled with other dead-eyed unfortunates. "Store it with the others. Burn the cottage. It reeks of Source."

"Of course, Your Grace. Should we take these wretches to Fort Joy?"

"I'll take them myself. I have other business there."

"Of course, your Grace. Do you hope to return to the Cathedral soon?"

"I do not deal in hope."

The Bishop mounts his horse with ease. "If you are to survive in this world, you must only be certain. Hope will kill you. Even if you don't know it yet."

Sourcerers live in fear of Divine Order magisters, for under the rule of Bishop Alexandar the Innocent, a terrifying new practice has taken shape: purging. Caught Sourcerers are, by magical means, purged of the Source within them, leaving their spirits ripped in half. Half remains within its rightful owner; the other half is imprisoned within a special relic-- one only the Bishop himself can provide.

This relic, infused with Source, is then used to dominate and control the Purged One. Some praise the work of the Divine Order as a brutal but thoroughly necessary countermeasure against the Source threat. Others look upon such a harrowing practice with disgust. But the opinions of a few common folk can do little to stop the Order’s war machine from churning. The Bishop is on a mission to purge all Sourcerers within Rivellon, and he will not stop until his work is done.

[Update #10- Into the Hall of Echoes; PayPal launched; reddit AMA next week!]

What is the Hall of Echoes?

A mysterious realm between reality and the Void, the Hall of Echoes is called a heaven by some, a hell by others. Upon their deaths, all souls all drawn toward the Hall; those who resist remain on Rivellon as undead. Souls successfully pulled into the Hall naturally drift toward the Forge, where they will be reborn, or the Void, where they will be consumed. Those who remain in the Hall face a pleasant reality, perhaps indescribable to mortal sensibilities. They must decide, or drift, of their own accord toward the Forge or the Void.

Nearly all souls in Rivellon-- save those who remain as undead-- travel through the Hall of Echoes.

One of its most unique features is its ability to shift, chameleon-like, to suit the needs and desires of its visitors. When your party is eventually invited to the Hall, you’ll find that it may morph to suit your deepest desires, be they for a skill trader, a home for your companions, or perhaps a lost soul from your past…

The Hall shifts and changes to suit the needs of its visitors.

What’s more, rumors hold that the Hall holds not only a portal to the Void, but also the gateway to the Gods themselves. Long have the Seven reigned over Rivellon, but eons have passed since they allowed a mortal into their realm… ---

We already knew D:OS2 was meant to be huge originally but that shows the full scope of the project I think. It's interesting to see that companions were meant to be swappable originally, and that the HoE was meant to be much more prominent. And three Undead origins? My oh my.

[crossposted from Reddit because me is a lazy bum]

#dos2 #divinity original sin 2 #nerd talks lore #divinity lore #nerd digs lore

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robininthelabyrinth · 3 years

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Associates - Part 5 - ao3, pt 1, pt 2, pt 3, pt 4

“So,” Jiang Cheng said, rolling the jar of wine between his hands. “Who wants to put money on all our reconciliations being part of one of Nie Huaisang’s schemes?”

“Me,” Wei Wuxian said at once.

“Hey,” Nie Huaisang protested. “Jiang-xiong! Wei-xiong! How mean! Not everything I do is a scheme!”

“I will bet as well,” Lan Wangji said.

Nie Huaisang turned to him at once. “Lan Zhan. You traitor!”

“Be careful,” Lan Xichen said mildly. “He might bite you.”

Now it was Lan Wangji’s turn to turn to glare.

“No, no, unfair!” Wei Wuxian laughed. “He’s not allowed to bite anyone but me anymore!”

“Ugh, must you always –”

“I really didn’t scheme!” Nie Huaisang interrupted Jiang Cheng, waving his hands around. “I didn’t! Lan Zhan was the one who approached me, remember? I didn’t even know that he was acting as both Sect Leader and Chief Cultivator until he told me, and I certainly wouldn’t have counted on him coming to me for help – no one ever comes to me for help!”

“Clearly an oversight on all our parts, Nie-xiong,” Wei Wuxian said. “Anyway, who would’ve thought you’d take one little offhand remark from me so personally? Me, of all people! I never mean anything I say!”

Nie Huaisang huffed and reached for his fan, only for Lan Wangji to catch his hand mid-gesture and return it to his wine jar.

“I’m not a child in need of pacification, you know,” he informed Lan Wangji, but picked up the jar instead.

Lan Wangji looked satisfied.

“What was your plan, then?” Jiang Cheng asked, drinking from his own jar. “I mean, for after you were done – Jin Guangyao gone, your brother avenged…”

“Well, assuming I survived –”

“Weren’t you?”

“I was going up against san-ge; I wasn’t taking anything for granted! He might have been a terrible person, but he was ridiculously efficient.”

Nods all around. Even Lan Xichen mostly looked nostalgic rather than heartbroken.

“Anyway, I didn’t have one,” Nie Huaisang said, then looked at all of their disbelieving looks. “I didn’t! I already told you that I didn’t do it for power or anything…maybe I’d get married and have some kids to pass on the family line, I don’t know.”

“I don’t know,” Wei Wuxian said solemnly to Jiang Cheng, who nodded back just as solemnly. “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know –”

“Wei-xiong, I am going to throw this jar in your face.”

“Lan Zhan will catch it,” Wei Wuxian cackled.

“He probably will, too,” Nie Huaisang said, flopping down dramatically on the table. “Er-ge, Jiang-xiong, they’re teaming up on me!”

“Oh no,” Lan Xichen said dryly. “Whatever shall we do.”

Jiang Cheng muffled a snort.

“I never really had life goals,” Nie Huaisang said, drawing sad circles on the table with a finger. “I just want to have a good time. I want to paint, and read books, and spend time with friends…trust me, this whole –” He waved a hand at them. “– reconstituted friendship thing took me as much by surprise as everyone else. I fully expected to die alone if anyone ever found out that I was involved, which of course Wei-xiong did almost at once –”

“Well, I am a genius,” Wei Wuxian bragged.

“He also wasn’t very subtle towards the end there.”

“In short,” Nie Huaisang concluded, ignoring them all and sitting back up. “Blame Lan Zhan if you want to blame anyone.”

“I took the first step,” Lan Wangji said placidly. “You took the next five.”

“I did not – hmm. Okay, maybe I did.”

“I knew you were scheming!” Jiang Cheng exclaimed. “Just how much of it did you plan?”

“Sometimes things just happen, Jiang-xiong!”

“Not when it’s you, they don’t!”

“They do!” Nie Huaisang pouted. “I know you all think of me as a planner, but really, most of the time, I just try to see what’s the best way to use whatever circumstances I end up in. Or do you think it would’ve taken me as long as it did?”

“Didn’t Chifeng-zun used to say the same thing?” Wei Wuxian said nostalgically. “I feel like I remember him saying something like that.”

“He did,” Lan Xichen said. “‘All you can be is prepared: a plan will only last until execution, and after that it’s just a question of who can better react to the circumstances at hand.’”

“Nie-xiong would be a good general,” Lan Wangji opined.

“Lan Zhan, you take that back.”

“Mm. No.”

“You brat. You think you’re the only one who bites? I’ll bite you.”

“No biting my future husband,” Wei Wuxian said. “No one else gets to bite him, just me. It’s going to be in our vows.”

“It had better not be,” Jiang Cheng said. “I will break out Zidian if I have to.”

“Oh, like that’s a real threat. You break out Zidian every time the wind changes.”

“Wei Wuxian! You -!”

“I’m pretty sure that’s a Lan Zhan original, actually,” Nie Huaisang said thoughtfully.

Jiang Cheng looked at Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji looked back, not denying it.

“…I hate you. Personally.”

“Mm. Mutual.”

“Can we get back to the subject of Nie-xiong and his marvelous military prowess?” Wei Wuxian interjected, possibly having learned the benefit of stemming explosions rather than causing them during the period of time he spent dead.

“Can we not?” Nie Huaisang whined.

“I don’t know,” Lan Xichen said thoughtfully. “Getting me out of seclusion was an organized charge worth of any military campaign.”

“Well, someone had to do it!”

“I’m pretty sure you set me up deliberately so that I’d talk to Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Cheng said.

“…you were going to do that anyway! I just gave you an excuse!”

“You convinced me to go after Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji said. “And presented me with the most effective way to do that.”

“I…!” Nie Huaisang opened and closed his mouth, then groaned and put his forehead down on the table a second time. “I didn’t mean to scheme! Really!”

Everyone laughed at him.

“Well, you don’t need to worry. I’m all schemed out now,” he said pitifully. “No more schemes for me.”

“That may be a problem,” Lan Wangji said. “Scheming will be helpful when you become Chief Cultivator.”

Nie Huaisang shot up from the table. “When I what now?!”

“I have decided that the role should be rotated between the Great Sects,” Lan Wangji said. “To encourage inter-sect unity and to avoid power accruing into any single sect’s hands in the future.”

“You just want to have more free time to roll in the sheets with your husband!”

Lan Wangji nodded.

“Is shamelessness infectious?” Jiang Cheng asked Lan Xichen. “Wei Wuxian hasn’t been back all that long, and Hanguang-jun’s face is now as thick as a wall.”

“I’m sure it isn’t,” Lan Xichen replied. “Otherwise, wouldn’t you have been the first victim?”

“I don’t want to be Chief Cultivator!” Nie Huaisang shouted. “I don’t! I’m all full up! I’m running my own sect now, too – you can’t do this to me!”

“Get help,” Lan Wangji said. “As I did.”

“Merciless! Lan Zhan, you’re just absolutely merciless!”

Jiang Cheng snickered. “It’s no more than you deserve,” he told Nie Huaisang, picking up his wine and taking another sip.

Nie Huaisang turned and glared back at him. “Brave talk from the person who’s going to be helping me.”

Jiang Cheng choked.

“Did you miss the part where Lan Zhan said he was going to rotate the assignment?” Nie Huaisang asked maliciously. “Clearly it’s better to start getting you up to speed right away…”

“You did rather walk into that,” Lan Xiche remarked to Jiang Cheng, who glared at him.

“I didn’t agree to that!” he snapped.

“Who else am I going to ask?” Nie Huaisang asked, leaning back. “Lan Zhan and Wei-xiong are going to be in bed, er-ge’s already helping me run my sect –”

“Wait,” Lan Xichen said. “I’m what? When did I agree to that?”

“About the same time Jiang-xiong agreed to become the next Chief Cultivator,” Nie Huaisang said cheerfully. “Besides, I’m your favorite younger brother besides Lan Zhan, don’t deny it!”

“I don’t have -”

“Anyway, it’s good practice! It’ll take both of you to help Jin Ling manage when it’s his turn, won’t it?”

“All three of you,” Wei Wuxian put in. “That brat’s a trouble magnet. Do you know what happened at his last night hunt?”

“Oh we all know what happened at his last night-hunt,” Jiang Cheng grumbled. “How did something that simple get that out of hand?”

“Well, Jiang-xiong,” Nie Huaisang said, smirking at Wei Wuxian. “According to the Lan sect rules, it’s undoubtedly something to do with the people he associates with.”

“It is,” Lan Wangji said before Jiang Cheng could respond. “His uncles.”

Jiang Cheng opened his mouth to retort, then frowned and looked at Wei Wuxian, who also frowned.

“Wait,” he said, clearly thinking about it. “Jiang Cheng and I are his uncles from jiejie’s side, and Mo Xuanyu was also from his father’s side, and Lan-da-ge was sworn brothers with Jin Guangyao, which by some token makes him also an uncle…”

“And since Lan Zhan is er-ge’s brother, that makes him an uncle, too,” Nie Huaisang said. “Plus theoretically the same is true for me, through my da-ge.”

“…that’s a lot of uncles.”

“It is,” Nie Huaisang said, starting to grin wildly. “Clearly we should start an...association!”

#mdzs #nie huaisang #lan wangji #lan xichen #jiang cheng #wei wuxian #my fic #my fics #associates

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lostandsearching · 3 years

Text

Her Loss

Pairings: Maria Hill/Fem!Reader, Natasha Romanoff/Fem!Reader, Wanda Maximoff/Fem!Reader

Summary: Y/N is forever searching for her, the half of her soul that will free her form the pain in her heart. But what does she do when the roads fork into different paths and into different arms. How does she differentiate from true love and fleeting lust? Can she find the arms of her destined or will she simply doom herself and let them slip through her fingers.

Warnings: WandaVision elements used, swearing (maybe?)

Word Count: 2600+

A/N: Here’s chapter 3 and we’re following our favourite little witchy! Just a shout out to @theperfectlovestory for being so patient and reading through my chapters. If you ain’t read her work, you’re missing out! As always, reblogs and feedback are welcome. Enjoy :)

Chapter One | Chapter Two

Tossing and turning, she shifts around in bed uncomfortably. Having been able to sleep the night before, exhaustion catching up to her, she is faced with another restless night. Her sleeping has improved over the months. The nights she cried to sleep was no longer a regular occurrence but she still had her difficulties.

The bed was always too unfamiliarly empty no matter how much time had passed. There was no weight by her side causing a dip in the mattress, no strong arms wrapped around her waist encasing her protectively and no cool body to nestle herself against. Her empty bed serves as just another reminder of everything she’s lost. The fates had been cruel to her, delivering her time and time again into loving arms only to rip them away from her far too soon.

Having accepted that sleep will not welcome her tonight, she looked towards the wall clock on her right. ‘It’s only four but I guess I can enjoy the quiet and watch the sunrise for a little while’ muttering to herself. She clambers out of bed throwing on a large dark blue jumper, his jumper, and a pair of jeans careful not to make any noise and stir the children next door.

She loves Clint’s children dearly and wholeheartedly. They accepted her, a stranger, as family without hesitation or fear of her abilities. Little Nate went so far as running to her with the widest grin on his face to proudly proclaim that he’s also named after her brother. This only brought happy tears to her eyes as she engulfed him in a hug. Yes, she loved them dearly and she couldn’t be more grateful to the retired archer and Laura for opening their home to her but sometimes it was too much.

The happy shrieks of laughing children reverberating off the walls, the gentle and loving touches between Laura and Clint, the pure love and pride in Clint’s eyes as he took in his family at the dinner table would sometimes be unbearable for Wanda. This was supposed to be the life she had with him. A home, he had secretly bought for them, in a place called Westview with two children at least. They would have dinner together as a family, watch their children grow up like no time has passed at all, even go trick-or-treating wearing silly family costumes. Her life would have been filled with love, laughter and warm embraces but he was gone, taking her dreams along with him.

Wanda quickly threw on her slippers and crept as quietly as possible out of the farmhouse, trying to avoid rousing the slumber of the ever attentive Hawkeye. He may need hearing aids but Wanda would bet anything that he wore them to bed to avoid being taken by surprise. One misstep on a creaky floorboard would have him rushing out with bow and arrow in hand, ready to protect his family from any intruder, only for her to flounder a lame excuse at her sneaking around at an ungodly hour.

Lady luck was on her side it would seem and she escaped the confines of the home without incident. She is instantly greeted by a cool and gentle breeze caressing her skin. She sits on the steps of the home looking up at the clear night sky as the sun teeters on the horizon, teasing the darkness with a warm glow. She lets her mind wander back to over a year ago, to the events that unfolded after her return from the now dubbed Blip.

One moment she had Vision’s lifeless body cradled against her as she sobs, only to be suddenly greeted by a strange man calling her to arms, Vision’s body nowhere to be found.

“The fate of the world needs you to come with me now if we are to have any hope in defeating Thanos” and with that he opened a portal and passed through, Wanda nipping at his heels.

She thrust herself into the chaotic battlefield, remnants of the destroyed compound strewn about, with only one goal in mind. He took the love of her life, he took her life and he’s taken her home. Thanos has taken everything from her and now she’ll make him pay.

She flew in engaging Thanos, bombarding him with all the rage coursing through her veins. Angry, red wisps encase the tyrant threatening to rip him apart but as she was within a hair’s breadth away from finding her revenge, hell fire reigned from the skies knocking her off her feet. The battle for the gauntlet waged on being passed from Avenger to Avenger in hopes of getting it to some rickety van in the distance.

When all hope seemed to be lost, the gauntlet fixed around Thanos’s hand once again with an arrogant line about inevitability escaping his lips, their one and only chance arrived.

“Stark! Now!” a sound shouts commandingly before a woman encompassed in light crashes into the purple titan throwing him back. In the few moments after the order, Tony flew into action and disabled the gauntlet remotely allowing it to fall from Thanos’s hand and to wrap itself around the ready fist of Captain Marvel.

“Yeah, I don’t think so” she retorts with a head tilt and a cocky grin painted on her face. ‘Snap’ the battlefield is once again being covered in ash but it is Thanos’s army that is falling to dust with himself crumbling soon after. Being exposed to gamma radiation in space for years and receiving power from the space stone made her more resilient to the after effects of using the infinity stones. Painful as it was, she would recover.

Wanda on the other hand wasn’t sure she would recover herself. Not only had she lost Vision and her home, in what felt like a matter of fleeting moments, she lost the chance at avenging him by her own hands. ‘He’s gone, this will have to be good enough’ she finally relents to herself.

It was only after the battle had ended, when Bruce and Captain Marvel, she later learned, had been tended to that she found out the true price of her, and the half the universe’s return. Natasha Romanoff had given her life in exchange for the soul stone, she gave her life so the world could be set right.

The icy cold Black Widow had held her at arms-length after Wanda had entered the older woman’s mind at Ultron’s behest. At the battle of Sokovia Wanda tried to remedy her mistake and prove herself but lost her first home and the life of her brother, Pietro, instead. Clint quickly took it upon himself to care for the young witch and urged Natasha to give Wanda a chance. He believed she already paid a heavy price for her mistake, she doesn’t need to be punished anymore.

With many gruelling training sessions under the watchful eye of the Black Widow, a tentative bond slowly grew, one of mentorship and then eventually friendship. Natasha grew to care for Wanda like a younger sister, although she would never out rightly admit of her fondness to the other Avengers. Wanda learnt to appreciate that the harshness delivered in Natasha’s training had served to keep Wanda alive, to give her the tools to protect herself from their dangerous job.

She had lost another loved one, Natasha on a planet and in a time she couldn’t reach, she needed to get one of them back. She approached the only man she knew that would have the unending finances to find Vision’s body. Although she still doesn’t trust Tony Stark, his hubris being the reason for her parents’ death and then his pride being the reason she was locked away in the Raft like an animal, she believed that his intentions were only ever good, even if his methods were questionable at best. He swore on his daughter’s life, much to the surprise of Wanda only having learnt of Morgan, that he would find Vision for her. She will try to trust him once more.

The compound needed to be rebuilt and Stark needed to build another time machine so that the stones could be returned to their original time, cutting off the branches, at least that’s what was explained to her.

It took no time at all, considering Stark’s wealth and that the world was also eternally grateful for the return of their loved ones, for the Avengers compound to be rebuilt. Surprisingly, especially to Stark, she continued to stay at the cabin whilst the new time machine was being built. She couldn’t possibly go back to the compound with both her love and her sister being gone.

“Please bring her back, I can’t lose anyone else. I don’t know what I’d do” she pleads with her arms around the super soldier. She pulls back from their embrace, tears threatening to fall.

“I’ll bring her back Wanda, whatever it takes” Steve promises with finality and with a gentle squeeze of her hand, he steps into the portal.

Wanda stood there with bated breath, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around herself. She squeezes herself tightly as if holding back a terrible force and its impending explosion from within, should Steve fail. It isn’t until Bruce speaks that she tempts fate by opening her eyes, fixed on the platform once more.

“5…4…3…2…1. Ha! It worked!” he yelps, fisting the air with joy.

Wanda couldn’t believe the sight in front of her, Steve kept his word. Forest green eyes land on hazel green ones. She wasn’t too sure what happened, one moment she was standing and the next moment, she was crumpled on the floor sobbing. She finally let the tears free fall, allowing the anguish, loss and small reprieve to wash over her. ‘She came back, someone came back’ a mantra repeating itself in her mind begging to be believed.

With all the agility and grace attributed to the Widow, Natasha leapt out of Steve’s arms to engulf the younger woman in hers. As is always in the Avengers’ lives, the joy of a win is forever marred with sorrow at the cost of gaining it.

The compound having already been built, Wanda finally returned with Natasha by her side. The Avengers home was no longer filled with mirth as it once was, trauma, loss and exhaustion hangs heavy in the air. Clint had chosen to stay at the compound temporarily, with his family, to spend time with Wanda and Natasha. Tony and Rhodey chose to retire, Captain Marvel had long since returned to space but promised to visit when she was in the galaxy, Thor chose to leave the Avengers to join The Guardians in space and Vision was gone.

It was a week after Natasha’s return, a week at the compound that Wanda finally got the call she so desperately needed.

“Hey witchy, how are you liking the new digs?” Tony jokes. Wanda couldn’t help but roll her eyes as anger began bubbling beneath the surface.

“I am not in the mood for your jokes Stark” her thick Sokovian accent slipping past the cracks of her control.

Tony lets out a heavy sigh before responding. “OK kid, this isn’t a social call. I promised I’d find him but I don’t think you’re gonna like what I’m about to tell you” he tries carefully.

Her eyes are consumed with whirls of red while her hand holds the phone in a vice-like grip. “Where is he Stark?” she says through gritted teeth.

“I tried to get his body released to me this morning, but they refused. I could spend every dime I have and liquidate all my assets, they still won’t let him go claiming that he is government property since he signed the Accords.” frustration clear in his voice.

“I will get the best lawyers on the case but it will take time be…”

“Where” she interrupts with a bite in her tone.

“S.W.O.R.D”

After the events of meeting Hayward and seeing what he had done to Vision, Wanda knew she had two choices. She opted for the latter. She called Natasha as soon as she left S.W.O.R.D’s offices making her way back to her car.

“Wanda, what’s going on? You ran…” Before she could finish her questioning, she is interrupted by Wanda’s broken voice.

“S.W.O.R.D have Vision’s body and they wouldn’t let me take him home to bury him. They’re tearing him apart like an OBJECT! He gave his LIFE and they won’t even let what’s left of him find PEACE!” her anger is replaced by breaking sobs wracking through her body, ending her ability to speak any further.

“Come home now. Clint and I will fix it” She commands calmly and confidently.

Just as Wanda was the female assassin’s younger sister, she was also the archer’s daughter. No-one messes with the two deadly assassins’ family and escapes unscathed.

True to the Widow name, Natasha seduced and hacked her way into S.W.O.R.D’s data server and extracted details on questionable S.W.O.R.D activities including Hayward’s isolated server with files and data on his less than legal proclivities.

Clint, being true to his ethos, was crawling through S.W.O.R.D ventilation shafts, planting well placed audio and visual recording devices, courtesy of Stark himself.

With all the pieces at hand, Natasha only needed the perfect person for the execution. Her love for Wanda saw her doing the unimaginable for the first time. She asked for help.

“Maria, I need you to do something for me. I need you to get Vision’s body from S.W.O.R.D. Clint and I have all the data you’ll need to make it happen” her steady voice not betraying the pounding in her heart.

“Why would I get on S.W.O.R.D’S radar exactly?” Maria responds emotionlessly. She would have done it without question of course, but she can’t let Natasha know that. After all, she has a reputation to maintain.

“Because I will owe you a favour” Natasha retorts through clenched teeth. A pregnant pause fills the air before Maria responds.

“Send me everything you have and give me 48 hours” without another word, Maria ends the call and Natasha releases a breath she wasn’t aware she was holding.

Maria, always a woman of her word, saw to it that 48 hours later Vision’s body was being returned to Wanda at the compound under S.H.I.E.L.D escort. Wanda may not have given her lover the death that he asked of her nor the vengeance that he was owed, but she could give him the burial that he deserved and the farewell she needed.

All the Avengers, including Rhodey, Tony and Thor, returned one last time to pay their respects, to honour their fallen ally and friend. Wanda laid to rest the love of her life and yet another piece of her heart.

“You know, you still aren’t as quiet as Nat” he teases taking a seat on the step beside her. “Penny for your thoughts?” he gently prods.

“Thinking about him” Wanda whispers, still unable to say Vision’s name since the funeral. “Thinking about what you, Nat and even Tony have done for me since”

He turns to look at the young woman and sees not only pain in her eyes, but a steady determination that wasn’t there before. He keeps quiet, allowing her to gather her thoughts without interruption.

“I think…no, I know I’m ready to go home Clint” she says with growing confidence. She finally turns to face the archer. She sees time, suffering and loss etched on his aging face but those are all muted by the brightness in his blue-grey eyes full of love and pride.

Wanda has survived the loss of her parents, her brother, her first home and her lover. She’s tired of surviving and she is finally ready to go home to start living.

“I’ll tell Nat so she can get a jet ready and prepared for you” and with that, they spend the last few moments together, sitting in silence and basking in the warm glow of the sunrise full of hope and gentle promises.

Chapter Four

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thedudewiththedragontattoos · 4 years

Text

Downtown Revamp - A complete overhaul of Downtown from The Sims 2 Nightlife

It’s finally here! This is going to be a long post, please read everything before you download, as there is quite a bit of information to go over! Let’s get started!

First, a picture of the finalized Downtown!

Click here for a relatively complete imgur album of all the lots!

*The pics are not in order. I seriously cannot be bothered going through 140 pictures. Sorry!

*Please note that some of the venues may look different in the final download than the pictures. This is because after building everything I went through and picked/replaced all of the CC that I felt wasn’t 100% necessary to use in the hood, thus some of the color schemes of the lots may differ, especially on interiors.

What is this?

If you haven’t been following me for the past few weeks, I took on a project to completely renovate all of Downtown from The Sims 2 Nightlife. This means all lots have been completely remodeled and updated. No more fugly Maxis lots! I had three main goals for this project - First, to update everything to look good and be fun to play, second to have each lot offer a unique “experience”, and third, to keep the original feeling of the lots in tact.

This comes in two versions - a Subhood version that you can add to your existing hoods, like you would with a traditional Downtown, and a Main Hood version, so you can play my updated Downtown as a main hood if you’d like!

General Information:

I renovated every single lot (except four lots which I removed from the hood, more on that later). Downtown had a special way of reusing the same idea for multiple different lots - I stopped counting how many dark vampy dance lounges with raised or lowered dance floors there were. Three freakin bowling alleys? As I mentioned earlier, I wanted each lot to have its own reason for you to come visit, and there were four lots that I ultimately felt offered nothing and wouldn’t be missed if they were taken out. The following lots are not in this Downtown:

Lost in Love Hedge Maze

P.U.R.E.

The Corner Shoppes

Comandgo Emporium

Aside from those four lots, every lot has been renovated - Including Residential lots!

This is not populated. There are no townies and/or Tricou ghosts.

There are a few unavoidable NPC’s that have spawned when I made this such as a busker and the New Year’s Toddler. There are also a few stray animals that decided to spawn, but those could not be avoided. All in all, don’t worry about this adding tons and tons of NPC’s to your game - I did my best to ensure the hood was empty.

This hood does include custom content. Sorry if you don’t play with it, but there’s just some things that I couldn’t go without. I tried to use only what I felt was necessary to make the hood look and play nicely.

This was built in the Ultimate Collection, so unfortunately I don’t know exactly what is “required”. Recommended at the very least to have NL, H&M, BV, FT, UNI, and AL.

Custom Content info & Download links/Instructions below the cut :)

UPDATE: You can now download all Downtownies (Except dead Tricou’s) easily to add to this hood! Check out the post and download here!

Custom Content:

Firstly, a HUGE thank you to all of the following CC creators who have so kindly allowed me to include their CC in a single download folder. Below are links to the individual pieces that were used, along with their creators blogs/profiles as well. There are also some important pieces of information and disclaimers about certain sets and defaults below. Please read everything before you bork up your game and blame me.

Custom Content used in this hood/Credits:

**You do NOT need to download the following items one by one. These are credits. All but ONE of them are included in a single download folder included with both hood versions**

*Those with a * next to their name are Default Replacements.

Pub Bottle Recolors and *Clothing Rack Defaults both by @withlovefromsimtown

Better Nightlife, Tarmac Hood Deco, and Matching Road Floor Tiles by @criquette-was-here

A few recolor sets from @cluedosims AKA @shastakiss

Community Phonebooth by nicvncnt

*Linden Trees, Seasonal AL Pond, Tower of Communism Skybox, and The Emerald City Skyscraper Set all by @lowedeus

Skyfix by @simnopke

Hood Deco Buildings by @dulcinean-alien

Criquette Horizons by @witheredlilies and @criquette-was-here

*Terrain Default Replacement by @dramallamadingdang

Invisible Driveway Recolor by Roddyalexio

*Invisible Stop Sign Default Replacement by Psychosims

4T2 City Living Murals by @moocha-muses

Simlish Neon Signs by @polllinationtech

Some (excluding the DFR) items from the Bespoke Build Set by @honeywell-mts

Public Bathroom Deco by @nekosayuri

Vampire Gravestones by @tony-veis

*Low Poly Tree Defaults and *Edited Defaults of Criquette’s Rural Road by @peppermint-ginger

I do not claim any of the included CC as my own. If I mistakenly included CC that you created and you do not want it included (Though I contacted those I was unsure about) please immediately reach out to me and I will remove them :)

Additional credit to the amazing and dear Mootilda for this extremely helpful tutorial :,)

Important CC Info:

DISCLAIMER: There are SOME default replacements in this CC folder. They have been marked in a separate folder with “-DFR” in front of their names. If you have your own defaults, simply do NOT add them to your downloads.

Note about Bespoke Set: This does NOT include all of the items in the Bespoke Build Set. If you already have it, do not add these folders to your game. If you do have it and plan on getting the rest of the pack later on, just delete these two folders and install those from MTS. The items included in this folder are the following:

Windows

Doors

Wall Coverings

Floor Edging

If you do not wish to use the entirety of BBS, then just use the items in the folders I have provided, as these are the ones that are necessary in Downtown :) Thanks again Honeywell!

The Roads that I use in this hood do not have a grass median between the road and sidewalk. The way my DFR’s work is that that space needs to be filled in once the overlays are placed. If you do not use a DFR OR if you use something different, you may have to remove the filled in section. You’ll know what I mean when you load it up. Also, if you don’t use these defaults, there may be random rugs in the road, that is just the game replacing unavailable content.

If you don’t plan on using the Phone Booths that are included, you will want to go back through the lots and add back the EA default phone booths. I am not sure if your sims will be able to get back to their home lot if you don’t download the custom ones, since I deleted the original vanilla booths.

Excluded CC:

I used these recolors of Numenor’s stairs. You WILL need to download these (be sure to properly download them) as they are NOT included, since Numenor does not allow this.

CC Download Instructions:

CC is included with both versions of the hoods.

Instructions: Download the zip file for the hood version you want, unzip it with your preferred zipping program, and extract the contents into your downloads folder. Don’t forget to check your Default Replacements!

Download Instructions:

Instructions:

If you want the Subhood version - Download the DTWN Subhood zip, unzip with your preferred program, and extract it to the following folder, depending on which version of the game you have:

DELETE THE D001 Folder, or move it to a safe location. This is the original Downtown.

Ultimate Collection: C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection\Double Deluxe\EP2\TSData\Res\NeighborhoodTemplate

Disk: C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Nightlife\TSData\Res\NeighborhoodTemplate

Once this is installed, load up the hood that you wish to add the new Downtown subhood to, and add it as you would with the vanilla Downtown. Note that you will know it’s the right one as the thumbnail will be different.

If you want the Main Hood version - Download the DTWN Main Hood zip, unzip with your preferred program, and extract to the following folder, depending on which version of the game you have:

Ultimate Collection: Documents\EA Games\The Sims™ 2 Ultimate Collection\Neighborhoods

Disk: Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Neighborhoods

Hood Download Links:

*Links include CC

Main Hood

Subhood

If you have trouble downloading, let me know and I’ll throw in an alternate link :)

TOU: I guess I need my own TOU now. Please don’t be an asshole, don’t steal my lots or hood and claim it as your own. Use common sense. I am fine if you renovate one of my renovations and want to post it yourself, just give me credit and link to this original post. Also, do NOT redistribute the cc folder included. This is meant only for Downtown, only saying this as I wish for the creators to get all the credit.

Thank you all once more for your interest in the project! I can’t wait to see what you all do with this! Please feel free to tag me in screenshots, renos of my renos, etc...

Additional thanks to everyone at PleasantSims’ discord for the interest and motivation for this project, especially to Sabrina, Melting Magnetz, Crosimmer, Yeetus, and much more!

Keep an eye out for my next project. Thinking of moving on to Bluewater Village or a Vacation Hood!

Enjoy and have fun :D

- Mike

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twiceasfrustrating · 3 years

Text

Absolutely Nothing

I said I wouldn't post my new fic until after SWBQ is done, but I want to begin posting it before S4 drops. It won't update consistently atm, but it's there... I will only be posting the first two chapters to Tumblr. Everything else is going on AO3 because Tumblr is not longfic friendly.

Rating: Teen and Up

Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Category: Gen

Fandom: Shall We Date?: Obey Me!

Characters: Main Character, Lucifer, Mammon, Leviathan, Satan, Asmodeus, Beelzebub, Belphegor, Diavolo, Barbatos, Simeon, Luke, Solomon, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Original Angel Character(s)

Additional Tags: Other Additional Tags to Be Added, War, Trauma, Abuse, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Canon is like a vampire, it can't enter this house unless I let it, Emotional Baggage, Lies, Manipulation, Ships not intended but I'm not stopping you

Summary: War is not unknown to the three realms, but that does not make them any less a tragedy of strategy. Though relations between the three have never been favorable, they have never truly gone to battle with each other. At least, not until now. The heavens have been planning for a long time and have finally decided to execute their machinations. Now it is time to see how every piece will play out this bloody battle.

A/N: These tags are for the overarching fic, not the first two chapters. Only Lucifer, Simeon, Micheal, and Gabriel show up in the first two chapters.

Chapter 1: I Will Not Go With You

“We’re heading for a war,” Lucifer warned, “and I want you to come with me.”

Simeon solemnly blinked a few times before closing his eyes. The weight of the choices laid before him pricked at the edges of his mind. He’d known this was coming. He’d known for a long time that this question would eventually be asked of him and for just as long he’d known what his answer would be, “I must decline.”

“Why?” Lucifer spat out, “Simeon, you have to know what’s about to happen. If we don’t fight then Lilith-”

“I am not stopping you from this rebellion.” He opened his eyes and looked to the pages stacked neatly in the corner of his desk, carefully flipping through the avalanche of writings he’d collected over the years. Somewhere, buried deep in the pile, he vaguely recalled his moment; where his brother would ask him to do the impossible. He’d hidden it away from prying eyes, afraid that others would find it and interpret it as he had. Though, even if they had read it and understood what the contents were, it was nigh impossible to change the events that were foretold.

He pulled the page from the pile, taking care so the others above it would not collapse onto the delicately inlaid wood of his desk, and perused the contents held within. The paper was so old that it had begun to grow fragile to the touch and discolor at the edges. Simeon desperately wished that time had chosen not to show its touch on this particular relic he would rather have forgotten about. It was frightening how long he’d known about this day and he would rather pretend he was shocked when Lucifer had come to him. Sometimes, having a glimpse into what would eventually be was a cruel reality.

That brother, who would come in need of his fellow, will find no quarter. So shall he return with hands left empty, but convictions emboldened by the forge of his stature. He shall take with him those who share his resolve and lead them to where metal sings and cries. Blood shall be shed but on one side, though the cost of the blood spilled shall

It was an old, short paragraph he wished he could forget. Though he could never truly put it out of his mind, because he knew it was left unfinished and his mind and pen longed to see the end of the story. However, his heart and will would prefer not to know every detail of this particular future. For so long, he’d clung to that final shall and hoped that not knowing the entirety of the story would somehow keep it from unfolding. However, his pen only put the stories to page. He was not responsible for the events that inspired him to write.

“You will have to make do with those who are already on your side. No one else will turn their back on Father for your cause.” It was the only warning he could give. In those words he hid the message that Lucifer should tell no one else. If war was approaching, then it was better he have the element of surprise.

Lucifer could only stare at him in disbelief, “Is that your answer?”

“It always was.” He placed the paper face down atop the pile, “I cannot aid you in this, Lucifer.”

“Then you would fight against me? You would condemn Lilith in the same way as our Father?” His voice shook, the rage building inside of him clearly beginning to boil over even as he tried to contain it.

“I will not betray my family.” Simeon’s face remained unchanged as he pushed his chair away from the desk and rose to his feet. Despite the malicious aura that began to circle around his fellow Seraphim, he approached with an unguarded stance until they were only an arm’s reach away from one another. No matter how upset Lucifer may become, Simeon would not fear him. Though, he did fear *for* him, “You and she are still of my kind and that means I will not meet you on the battlefield.”

Lucifer’s eyes widened at the declaration. This time, it was his turn to fear for the other, “You can’t stay out of this. You know they won’t allow you.” If he did try to remain on the sidelines, Simeon would still be seen as a traitor. Not in the same vein as him and his siblings, but a traitor nonetheless, “I won’t ask you to fight if you really refuse to lift your blade, but you can’t stay here.”

“As much as you and Lilith are my family, so are Micheal, Raphael, Uriel, and Gabriel. I cannot leave them.”

“Simeon…”

Simeon’s lips pulled back into a smile and he let out the shortest of laughs, “You worry far too much, Lucy. You are aware that I am still a Seraphim, are you not? Even if I do not step onto the battlefield, I do not believe I am in nearly as much danger as you are putting yourself in.” He wanted to reach out and touch his brother one last time as the fear of the unknown overtook him, but he kept his hand within his own space. He did not know what would happen at the end of all of this, but he knew it would not be the same and reaching out to hold onto what they had would only pain them both.

Lucifer looked over the other angel’s shoulder, toward the pile of papers where Simeon had placed one face down. Countless writings that revealed the future to their author and Lucifer did not envy that gift. Others often wished to know what would be, but he had seen far too many times the burden placed on Simeon for having such a skill; the amount of times he had been made to see both grace and tragedy was carved on his face, just behind that smile. That is why, despite knowing that whatever was on that page was related to this very discussion and his ultimate goal, he would not pry. It was not as if knowing the future allowed it to be changed anyway.

“We’ll still be on opposing sides, you know?” No matter how much Simeon proclaimed not to betray his family, that was an unavoidable truth.

He nodded, “I am aware.”

“And you refuse to go against your family?”

This time his confirmation was wordless.

Lucifer took in a deep breath, “Then once the battle begins, I believe we can hardly be considered family anymore.”

Large blue eyes shot up to look at his pale face. It seemed that Lucifer had said something Simeon hadn’t expected, “What?”

“You will not betray your family, but you know they will not allow you to remain neutral in this. As soon as the drums of war beat, it is fine to stop thinking of me as your brother.”

There was a long moment of silence before Simeon could reply, “You cannot ask me that.”

“I am not asking. I am stating a truth,” one that would hopefully allow Simeon a way to follow his morals and gain some leniency if he continued to insist on this path, “I refuse to be your brother from that moment on.”

“Please... you cannot ask that of me.”

“I am not asking anything of you. I am simply stating where we will stand.” And now he needed to leave before the hurt welling in Simeon’s eyes tugged at his heart anymore and shattered his resolve.

He dipped his head in a polite bow, “Thank you for your time, Simeon. I do hope we may speak like this again.” He turned on his heels, refusing to truly look at the other angel again. His only goal was the door, where he opened it wide and stepped through the threshold.

“Lucifer! Wait!”

It took far more will than Lucifer would ever care to admit as he shut the door behind him without saying another word, and even more to walk away.

-----------------------

Chapter 2: Traitor

“How long have you known?” Micheal nearly growled as he stared down Simeon where he kneeled. His pale blue eyes ran wild with rage and it was clear he was just barely holding himself together. That was to be expected after everything he had just been through. Lucifer was unapologetically his favorite brother so it was unimaginable the distress he was in right now as he came to terms with having lost a member of his family. They had been like two halves of a whole, and now they were fractured.

“How long have I known what?” Simeon asked, feigning ignorance.

“That Lucifer would lead a rebellion against Father!” Micheal’s voice raised so loud that the room literally shook around him.

“Calm yourself, Micheal,” a melodious voice shushed him and lithe hands rested on his shoulders to hold him steady, “We’ve lost enough of our siblings today. There is no reason to lose yourself and risk losing another.”

“You would call him our brother after that disgraceful scene, Gabriel?” The disgust in his voice was clear and overwhelming, “He knew this would happen and refused to warn us or lift a finger. Everything we lost today is because of him.” Simeon had to know about today. He was blessed with the gift of prophecy and spent his time writing what was to come. If he had simply shared whatever he knew about today, Micheal knows they could have prevented the rebellion. He knows that he could have convinced Lucifer to stay somehow. Instead, he was left to face his own brother on the battlefield. He could still recall the cold eyes Lucifer had looked at him with as if they barely knew one another. That sight would never leave the darkest parts of his mind.

“You are blinded by your pain, Micheal.” She removed her hand from his shoulders and moved to stand over Simeon, “He is clearly as much our brother as ever. If he were against us he would have joined Lucifer, but Father has deemed that he is still worthy of his halo. Is that not enough for you?”

Micheal chuckled darkly before answering, “Uriel nearly lost an arm and he’s one of the lucky ones.” Even with so few numbers on their side, the rebellion had a gifted Dominion that made the most of their small force.

“And everyone harmed will heal, but we gain nothing in dividing ourselves further, and our brother has already been punished for his transgressions.” She took a knee before Simeon, reaching out her hand and running her fingers through his silken hair, “Will you not put our brother’s worries at ease, Simeon?”

Simeon knew the threat in those words. As kind as Gabriel pretended to be, she was someone he feared far more than Micheal. Not because she was stronger, but because she knew exactly how to most hurt those who upset her. As such, he had no interest in declining her wish, even if what she was asking for was for him to show his shame.

He took a deep breath before unfurling his wings behind him. They shimmered golden in the neverending light of the Celestial Realm, a blessing bestowed upon him by their Father that reflected his very essence. Every angel had such a blessing; different colors, shapes, a range of sizes, and lays of their feathers all differed from angel to angel all dependent on their Father’s grace. That included how high in their Father’s favor they were, and it was obvious at a glance just how out of favor Simeon had fallen. His six beautiful wings, the blessing afforded to all Seraphim, had been reduced to a simple two.

Gabriel’s eyes filled with pity for him but Micheal’s face twisted in glee and disdain, “Is that all? You betray us and all Father does is reduce your rank.” The laugh that left his throat was so dry that it sounded like it hurt, “You must really be beloved to get off with such a light sentence.” If it was up to Micheal himself, Simeon would face the same punishment as Lilith.

“Still your anger, Micheal. As you can see, Father has spoken.” She raised to her feet once more, her nails pulling painfully at Simeon’s hair as she stepped away from him, “Simeon is still of our kind and as one of our subordinates it is our duty to shepherd him.”

A wicked smile crossed Micheal’s face as he continued to look down on Simeon and his now unsightly form that marked his betrayal, “You may be correct, Gabriel. It is only right that we guide lost sheep, especially those of our own flock.”

#obey me #Absolutely Nothing #mine #obey me simeon #obey me lucifer #hosted on AO3 #obey me michael #obey me raphael #original character

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