#Alice Improvisation

[finleyforevermore]

A collection of out of context quotes from Off-Book: The Improvised Musical Podcast because it is criminally underrated and more people need to know about it:

"Relax, you're at the lake-[WHEEZE]"

"My name's not Vanessa, it's Li'l Fossil!"

"Who do I gotta eat to be king of this town?"

"I'm an empath, but I'm not good at it."

"It's hard to be married to a guy that everyone respects."

"I'm going to smoke several packs of cigarettes!"

"Congratulations, you successfully stole that baby!"

"Everyone get your sweaters off."

"I was about to be inwardly sad, but outwardly brave."

"What do you mean "he's fine"? He's dead!"

"She's as stupid as that Sally Fields!"

"We're all gonna die soon."

"Buy a stupid little sack for your baby!"

"When you're looking at a microwave, that's not a microwave, it's basically dirt!"

"It's you!....say what you are!"

"When you were born, you came tumbling out."

"You can't just call upon a Ratatouille, like, a Ratatouille has to happen to you, you know?"

"Which war was it?"

"Tombathy, if I wanted a silver gear, I would have been born a poor person!"

"I don't know you anymore. I'm famous now."

"I gotta take a sip of liquid death-"

"But honestly, you know what might solve that?: patricide."

"How does a hot chocolate man have his own camera?"

"You can't stop the war that's about to begin!"

"My best friend is a 6 foot tall mouse!"

"I haven't heard you call me 'treasure' since 1992." "Yeah, that's probably when you started calling me John."

"Julia Roberts knows how to not upstage."

"Yeah, fuck you pigeon, I don't like you at all."

"Which came first? My dreams or these eggs?"

"No, it's because my father broke everything that started with K in the house one Christmas."

"No one's ever seen your face except for your wife? How did you grow up?" [....QUEUE SONG]

"I now pronunce this high school...dead."

"Stop that baby! She's headed to the stairs!"

"You wanna know the story with Santa and his marriage?"

[stelmao]

wanted to show the baby alice doll i commissioned from my friend on twt :)

[bkenber]

Joe Swanberg on the Making of 'Drinking Buddies'

WRITER’S NOTE: This article was written back in 2013. Filmmaker Joe Swanberg has been a major figure in the Mumblecore movement, a subgenre of American independent film which is characterized by low budget production values and naturalistic dialogue. Among his films is “Hannah Takes the Stairs” which stars Greta Gerwig and was actually shot without a script. The way Swanberg works, he gives his…

[narliee]

"The ep 1 kissing montage was specifically scripted to be all improvised, [...] because I wanted those moments to feel really real and spontaneous. And often when there's just kind of meaningless chatter between scenes or during montages, that's usually improv." - Alice Oseman

[deiim]

between aemond and daeron, vizzy t was desperate to name a kid daemon and i imagine alicent only manged to prevent it by threatening to fling herself off meagor's holdfast so he had to improvise

[ireneaesthetic]

Pointing out little moments and details of scenes that need to be remembered.

lake scene • episode 6

before diving into it, bare with me! the lake scene wouldn't be the lake scene if it wasn't for edvin and omar fr: the uncut version of the convo wilmon has was 8 minutes long and all improvised when it was shot. edmar just got told to say what they thought wilmon wanted to say and boom! this lake scene happened. no one is doing it like them.

oh alice is the cherry on top - the 'oh alice we're growing up', the melody fits the setting and the warm colors just right. the perfect song for the perfect scene.

talking about song - wille's song was written right after this scene as lisa said: 'i could see simon walking back home that night, sitting down by his keyboard, birds singing outside, the sun already up and finally it dawning in him: it shouldn't be a revolution to love someone'. do what you want with this info!

without further ado, let's get into it :)

the little smirk after wille stumbles is cuuute. terms are not the best but it still takes something so simple to lighten the mood.

wille's carrying his blue blanket with him can only mean they went to his room to take it before heading here - and so in the time between scenes they talked and thought about the lake to forget everything, planned to bring a blanket to lie down on and enjoy the sunrise, just the two of them :')

you can see the weight of the situation suddenly hitting him.

it's so bittersweet - the lake has always been their happy place but the mood is much darker now, they're sharing what they think is the last big moment together at sunrise.

they try to keep the convo as light as possible but they know too well how much this hurts.

the single tear streaming down.

the different reactions are what get me the most: wille seems almost relaxed in letting the emotions take over compared to simon who's very controlling over it - he blinks and bites his lip trying to stop more tears from falling, he averts his eyes.

simon's not so accepting whilst wille looks resigned.

the scene makes the best out of the limited time bc nothing feels rushed at all: there's no music at first to create that alone time intimacy properly and it keeps getting better with the camera focusing on the way they look at each other shot after shot.

wilhelm breaking the silence with it takes a fool to remain sane is the sickest thing isweartogod.

such a monumental and fond throwback. it's the first memory they have of each other but it's also the first one we have of wilmon too. it brings everyone back to that very first time.

this shot is incredible. young royals will always hold a special place in my heart and i want to remember wilmon just like this.

you would never tell they saw and touched and explored each other's body more than once by the way they're both so shy to undress and wilhelm has to tear his eyes away from simon.

they're still my favorite losers <3

it's also the first time simon undresses himself without wille's help. i think the essence is - to be completely bare and show the most vulnerable version of themselves, to get rid of all the layers and weights they carry around, to let it all behind for this one last time together.

the sparkle in simon's eyes when he looks at wille is so sweet. it's more of a bitter taste that comes with this scene, but in a list of moments that are a perfect example of how much they simply enjoy each other's company, this is definitely one of those - simon says 'when it was us it was good' at the end and it is very true.

all i see here is the plain and simple version of them, they feel so much and everything about this scene is telling us that they just needed to found the right place and the right time to let it out - the nostalgia, the sorrow, the sadness, the silly energy too. it's all so pure.

'they undress, they walk down into the water naked, and they are rebirthed'. lisa once described this moment using these words and they're probably the most accurate. it reminds me of the thing i wrote earlier - taking the white clothes off feels like freeing themselves of every burden and then stepping into the water as a form of sanctification of it.

whether you see it in a religious or a non-religious way, it is a very beautiful image.

the eye contact game is going stronger than everrr.

they're too pretty to be real ugh.

the splash of water :')

this is extremely beautiful and the transition between the two is perfectly made.

it's such a loving gesture - we can't really tell which one of the two is done before but it's the fact simon does it twice that matters: he follows the instinct to do it once but it's still not enough so he feels the need to do it again.

this shot was one of the stills that came out for promo before the season's release and i remember being completely blown away by it.

i claimed it and said this scene would be one of the core ones of the show and well, i guess i was right!

the whole water sequence is a visual representation of simon getting further and further away from wilhelm. both times he turns around to look at him tho - it's not what he wants to do but he has to do it for their sake.

also! one pov is from into the water and the other one is from the shore. idk if it's casual or hides an actual meaning but it's fun to point out sooo

too many single tears were shed for my fragile heart to handle.

this pretty much sums up the way i felt at the end too.

pain is written all over simon's face but i was not prepared for wille's sobs and his shoulders uncontrollably shaking. stab me.

he just keeps watching simon slip through his fingers and he's left to wonder what's supposed to happen now?.

from wille's words - 'how can you just be over me? i thought it would be us' - we learn that he's convinced simon is already over them and he's alone in struggling to accept it and move on (oh if only he knew).

he breathes but this is more of a this is it sigh - now it's time for me to learn how to let him go.

[lennadanvers]

Pure Imagination: sitting on top of his amp

Pairing: Eddie Munson x female!Reader

Practice makes perfect. That’s what people say. Eddie thinks practice makes thinks automatic. Boring. He kinda likes the thrill of not being sure if he has what it takes to make it right- he’s used to feeling uncomfortable, on the brink of being not enough.

The rest of Corroded Coffin, on the other hand, enjoy knowing that their next performance will always be the best. And Eddie may think it’s boring to play the same song twenty times in one afternoon, but he loves his friends too much to bail on them.

Besides, now that he can play all the songs even while asleep, he can put his attention somewhere else. To hell with Jeff’s cue. His hands will do what they have to do, right on beat. Meanwhile, his head can focus on more stimulating thoughts.

Like you.

Eddie loves a good audience. And there is no better audience than you. He’d know. You were there once, at the talent show.

He was far less experienced than now. He loved playing the guitar just as much, though. You were in the third or fourth row, not that far from him. Eddie was nervous. You were laughing with your friend, but not at him. When he stepped on stage, you stopped talking and started paying attention. The smile was most likely the remnants of whatever had made you laugh earlier, but Eddie likes to lie to himself and believe it was for him.

When he started playing, you didn’t look away from him once. He supposes it would’ve defeated the purpose of a show, but still. His fingers felt your eyes. His arm. His neck, his cheeks. Eddie hoped you’d think the blush was because of the heat from the lights and not because of you. To this day, he’s a little ashamed you saw him with the buzz cut.

He doesn’t regret it, though, because you made him feel important.

Eddie wants to return the favor. That’s why he plays looking at the amp. It’s easy to picture you there. Back in high school, he noticed you like to sit on furniture. The art class tables, the kitchen counter at someone’s house party… And his amp, hopefully.

He starts playing and the beat paints you there. You’re sitting crisscross, hands on your knees. Eddie improvises a little and your fingers follow, little taps that echo his heartbeat. He shakes his hair and you laugh, and he’s happy. Truly, really happy. Who cares if he’s trapped in a dark garage. Who cares if no one will really appreciate his art when they play at the Hideout. Eddie, for once, doesn’t give a crap.

He can still pretend you’ll catch his guitar pick. He can convince himself you’ll keep it in your wallet for good luck, or that you’ll make it into a necklace. Eddie can convince himself you’ll keep a piece of his music hanging next to your heart. It’s easy to believe a part of him will always be warm, on top of your skin, under your t-shirt in a space that is exclusively yours.

It feels natural to be exclusively yours. His music is. His inspiration, too.

If Gareth wants to play another million times the same song they already perfected, great. Amazing. Eddie will happily take any chance to play for you.

A/N: me?? Posting Pure Imagination again?? Who is this diva?! Sabrina said "short and sweet" so that's what I did. I won't let this series die- instead I'll drag the suffering for as long as possible (that is to say it's taking longer than expected to finish). Anyway, hope you like it! If you want me to add you to the taglist, just comment or send an ask.

Btw, I used dividers for the first time to introduce a new series (The Heartbreak Chronicles, in case you want to check it out), and I was thinking maybe I should find a divider for this one too. Maybe something Alice in Wonderland related? Or just Eddie in general? Pls let me know if you have any suggestions.

Masterlist here

Taglist: @whataboutbibi , @hellfirenacht , @daisyridleyss

[secondlina]

It's webcomicday! I make those!

NAMESAKE -  is about saving the universe while improvising with portal & phenomenal cosmic powers, necromancy, and a literature degree. 

Emma Crewe doesn’t care for books, but has the power to literally be lost in one.

When Emma lands in another world following a library fire, she discovers she’s a Namesake — one with the power to open portals to other worlds via the power of their name: strange, fantasy, and fairy-tale lands we know thanks to literature, cinema, and folks tales. The rules of Namesakes are quite clear - Alices always go to Wonderland. Wendys always go to Neverland. However, Emma finds herself in Oz, where she is expected to act as the latest in a long line of Dorothies. She instead unveils a magical conspiracy plot that’s more than 100 years in the making.

While Emma is stumbling down the Yellow Brick Road, her younger sister Elaine discovers she’s a Writer — one gifted with the power to make stories come to life. Will Elaine be her sister’s key back home?

Aided by magic-wielding twins from Oz, a half-Cheshire Alice, a devilishly charming Jack, a sword-wielding Lost Girl, a hungry card soldier, and a confused Canadian, Emma must walk through many stories to find everyone’s happy ending.

Teens + / For fans of Wicked, Kingdom Hearts and Witch Hat Atelier. UPDATE Tues/Thurs.

namesakecomic.com

CROW TIME -  is a comedic comic strip about a shameless murder of crows and the consequences of their shenanigans on the fantasy lands they roam.

All Ages / For fans of Calvin & Hobbes, Sarah Scribbles and Dungeon & Dragons! UPDATE Mondays.

crow-time.com

[djsangos]

//the paint dried just in time! anyway here it is lol, happy munday!

"we have american mcgee's alice liddell at home" the american mcgee's alice liddell at home:

(please ignore my unbrushed hair and disaster living room/kitchen lmao)

no makeup or anything yet because it's just a test run and... it's pretty decent all things considered! i didn't realize that the pinafore was a good couple inches longer than the dress though, so... i might just leave it, i've already painted it and i'm not sure i'm up for adjusting it when i barely know like 2 stitches.

featuring the Vorpal Letter Opener i got for 8 bucks at market day because the vorpal blade wasn't in the budget:

and bonus cat jumpscare because i was using her tree to prop up my phone and she was Most Displeased:

[elenor222]

Pairing: Takeru Danma (Hatter) × Reader

Fandom: Alice in Borderland

Summary: You enter the borderlands and meet Takeru who takes you under his wing.

Words: 2.3k

(includes smut)

The fireworks in the sky glowed. It was an exceptional day in Shibuya. Not saying there weren’t usual chaebol show offs in play, but nonetheless it brightened up the sky glimmering orange in your eyes. Suddenly, it was coming burning down. The sun was too close, heat was shattering the ground your feet was on.

You blinked.

Blue was dissolving the pink sky. There were no stars. You stared for a moment longer. Where had the fireworks gone? You turned to other people to wonder if it happened in a blink of eye for them too. You were left dumbfounded. Shibuya was devoid of any body. Your breath hitched; Shibuya was never empty. No matter what.

You ran to the nearest stores looking for anyone you could find. Then when you couldn’t find anyone, you scrambled to the train station, followed by the food chains. You wondered if this was a sick joke. How as it even possible to get so many people to comply with such?

What if you were the last person on earth and were destined for something beyond? Your panic was too much to comprehend such greatness. You wondered if getting home would be the best decision. But you couldn’t. the trains couldn’t start by themselves ofcourse.

You were still sulking in the streets when the giant billboard screen in Shibuya lit up.

Game:

2 of clubs

You backed up a little. What was this? Was there actually someone? In hindsight, you saw a few men appear. They looked at you with caution. You didn’t know if you could blame them. You scanned the room, making eye contact with an intimidating man. He looked older and tired. But there was this undeniable gleam in his eyes. His hair was fine too. There was a man beside him, possibly a friend. He looked scary. Muscular and bald. Aren’t they the ‘will kill you’ types? You shuddered.

Yet you still made your way to them, having no choice. They looked the least threatening out of the bunch. There was also this hunch, no matter what you did, you would end up as companions. Or something you couldn’t possibly place your finger on.

“New?” the lanky man asked with an improvised smile.

You didn’t understand what it meant but you nodded nonetheless. They shared looks of acknowledgement, with each other. This character, who introduced himself as Takeru, placed his hand on your shoulders and led the way to the massive building. You were surprised by such friendliness to say the least.

Like both men, you collected your phone with their instructions and were instantly recognised. This disoriented you. You were explained the rules of the game. Hunting, they called it. You grimaced. You have always been much too fragile for your liking. Seeing the frown on your face, Aguni who was introduced by Takeru spoke for the first time.

“You’ll be fine. As long as you stick with us” that didn’t sound too comforting in your head. Aguni loaded his gun. No one had said anything about violence before. It was all too much to take in at once. You knew you had to play along. At least for now.

You chased and ran with them, taking in your surroundings. Formulating the turns of the hallways and memorising the patter. You had taken a gun from one of the dead players, like Aguni suggested you do. You may have gagged while doing do but were soon relived.

Once you had separated from the duo, you understood the main game of the borderlands. Kill or get killed. You were getting cornered for not having anyone to vouch for you. They were claiming you were the dealer of the game and demanding answers. Hell, you didn’t even know what a dealer was.

There was no point in saying you were not; they wouldn’t believe you anyways. Your mind went back to Takeru and how his hands had claimed your shoulders. You didn’t know the number of bullets the gun held, but you shot. Once, twice and thrice. Only when you clicked the fourth time the gun gushed. You were out of bullets with two men witnessing you killing three. You quivered.

You ran with blood in your hands. You were out of breath; never did you think you’d have to run for your life. You crashed into Takeru’s chest. He held your arms and looked in your eyes. Could he see the lifeless frames reflecting?

The men had stopped but still held the knives pointed at you. Aguni tried reasoning but soon raised his gun taking aim, once he confirmed the hatter wanted you to live. The men lunged at you, barely scraping your skin when Aguni shot at them. Your eyes went wide. You had killed 5 people. Takeru pulled you closer to his chest. A trail of blood was flowing by your collarbone. You let a tear escape when the man patted your back. You wrapped your arms around his neck. Aguni muttered something about you slowing them down but you couldn’t care less.

You put your head in the nape of Takeru’s neck and thought about your life back home, all the people you loved and all who loved you. A mutual understanding had passed between the both men, because soon Aguni turned to the dark hallways to finish the game while you stayed there, reasting your body on the man you met a few minutes ago.

The game was finished. You had returned to your senses too, face a shade of crimson. You pulled away from the man and profusely apologised for delaying their game. He looked disappointed that you had left his embrace. But his face twisted. Aguni was back. They were to go home, and you were coming along, Takeru declared. Aguni sighed.

You were glad to have a place to rest but wary at the same time. Why save you? Wouldn’t you just slow them down again? you tried to brush those thoughts of insecurity away for the night as Aguni briefly explained the games to you. You were suited for a heart it seemed.

They took you to a lavish hotel, which they called the beach where you met a few others. You liked Kuzuryu, you decided. He didn’t pretend that he was happy to see you. His face had contorted to a grimace when he saw you. Mira had whispered it was always so, and you did not play much of a part in it.

Takeru was the leader it seemed. You looked visibly weirded out by the cult, and so did Aguni. You would stay as long as it helped you and no more.

You took your place in your assigned room and washed yourself. Takeru’s smell seemed to linger on your body far too long for your liking. His smell was sweet. Like a daiquiri. You glanced at your cut and decided against taking risks of infections. Surely, they would have some band aids for cuts.

In the normal world, you would be worried about the mark it would leave. But Aguni’s body had plenty and so did the rest, you were sure. they had learnt to live with these bruises. you would too. Even if it killed you now.

you roamed the hallways in search for the kit when you stumbled across a door left slightly ajar. Light was peeking through the gap. You held the doorknob unsure whether you wanted to open it not. Someone pulled the door from the other side; and you were pulled along with the it.

For the second time that day, you were met with Takeru’s hard chest. He let out a breathy laugh.

“Hello princess”

You lingered a moment too long on his chest trying to conceal the red in your cheeks. You greeted him looking at his dark eyes. The room was beautifully lit in the dim shades of the sun. you wondered if Takeru was the sun for you.

His hold on your waist had tightened just a little when you started to ramble about how you were trying to find a damn band aid when you ended up on his room. His heart felt so full, ever since he first laid his eyes on you a few hours back. He was looking at your face with a kind of soft wonder. Would you still be in his arms if you were in the real world? Would you not be afraid of who he was?

Though awkward, you didn’t want to leave his embrace. His body had a familiar kind of warmth to it that made you think, if you were to die, it would preferably be in his arms.

Soon your voice had died and he removed his hands with a chuckle. You doubted if he even heard a word. He suggested he bandage your wounds himself. And you couldn’t deny.

So, you let him. You sat on the edge of his bed frame while he tended to your wound. He caressed your skin when he saw you flinch from the medicines he applied on your wound. He looked up once he was done.

His eyes were so bright. So dreamy. You could stare at them for hours. His nightgown had left his chest open for you to gawk at. You inched your face closer, sharing breaths. He stared back with the same light and intensity.

He connected your lips and you felt warmth spread all over you. His lips were a little chapped and the kiss was haste. He inched back searching your face if this was something what you wanted. He wouldn’t be mad if you in fact, did not. He could remember the first day he was here, how empty he had felt even with a friend by his side.

You whined pulling him back in. he smiled into the kiss, letting your lips guide him. Your hands explored his chest, drawing circles across his shoulders. With a particular hard tug of his lips, you dug your fingers in his back and he let out a moan.

“Oh princess” he whispered as he put his forehead against yours to collect his breath. His hands went to back of your neck. Your pussy tingled at the name he just called you.

“Do you want this?” he looked at you with hopeful eyes.

“please”

He turned you both pulling you in his lap as he reconnected your lips with hurry. He couldn’t waste a moment of this. He was finally feeling something. Maybe he would’ve never met you in the real life. But he was glad, he did here. You kiss him back with just as much hunger.

There is a heat forming at your core, you move your hips against his. The relief makes you tilt your head back. He takes the chance to kiss your neck. You smell of almonds and oud he notices. Just what he likes.

You tug at his robe while his hands fumble with your blouse. A string of pearls remains dangling on your neck as he removes the blouse.

He stares deep in your eyes. “beautiful”

He pushes you on the bed looming over your frame. Your nipples harden looking at his heaving body. He kisses your left breast while mauling the right. He bites your tits looking up for approval. You moan pornographically. He continues his toying with your body. He’s made up his mind to get to know every part of your body by the end of the night.

He switches his assault to the right breast while his hand travels down to your core. you’re wet already. He asks if he can, you can only nod. The pressure is too much to endure. He cups your heat as you hold your breath. He gently opens up your core and finds your bundle of nerves. He rubs slow circles watching you whimper from the motion.

“more”

“What’s that princess?”

“please, fuck me”

He plunges two fingers in your heat. Your body opens up to his hands without any deliberation. He continues to rub your clit with the third finger. He watches you squirm and kisses you as you come undone. you’re grasping for air. Face a beetroot red. Your nails leave marks on his skin. He savours the feeling.

He lays beside you to catch his breath for a moment. Turns out, you’re not the only one overstimulated.

“Ride me” he says after a while of staring up at the celling. You didn’t need to be asked twice.

You turn at him with a smug look on your face. You get up rolling your hips onto his. You fully open his nigh suit and grasp at his dick. He would surely allow you the pleasure to choke on it right?

You lick it, then suck it, gagging on his length, all while looking his face.

“Fuck princess”

He pulls your hand, and you guide his dick to its rightful place. Your pussy welcomes him home, milking it. You clench at the fullness you feel. Both of you gasp at the out worldly sensation. You start to bounce on his cock once you adjust to his size.

You bend to his face, letting him suck on your tits. He rubs his face on them. Your necklace hits his nose. He wonders where were you all his life. This wasn’t just sex to him, and he wondered if you felt the same. His cock was twitching inside, he looked at you. You had felt it too.

“Inside Takeru” you kissed him.

So, he came inside you, coating your walls and leaving a thick trail of cum when he pulled out. You laid on his chest, basking in the after-sex glow. You talked of the butterflies in your garden and the wild nights of his life and kissed all night.

You had each other today, no matter if you didn’t survive tomorrow.

Authors note:

AHHHHHHH, this was so much fun to write. Got me out of the writing slump. Like always, likes and reblogs are appreciated <3

[arkanis-englishupdates]

SUMMARY OF ALL ARKANIS POVs

DAY 01 — 03/09/2024

At the beginning of Arkanis, all players were divided into two groups, the RED and the PURPLE. The red team go to Valigma on a ship, while the purple team go on a plane.

Unfortunately, due to a distraction from the ship's captain (cof cof A distraction called Felps cof cof), the ship ends up crashing into the neighboring island of Valigma, which strangely was surrounded by a dome.

By solving several puzzles to release specific items, which were placed on pedestals, the dome was broken. Sheriff Jorge then appears in a small boat and arrives at the group, informing them that they needed to leave that place as soon as possible using the waystone he brought, giving no further explanation. The group, without much choice, chooses to do what the sheriff says and use the waystone, being teleported to the Valigma's City.

With the purple team the story was very different. Everyone managed to board with ease (despite being informed at the last minute that their baggage would be received within 300 business days), landing safely at Valigma airport. The group is then taken to a waystone located outside the airport, being teleported to Valigma's City.

All players were then able to get to know each other and, in the case of the red team, explore the city. Everyone got cell phones and got to meet the city hall employees, being able to explore the city. Unfortunately, due to the separation of everyone into two groups, both groups are afraid of each other, choosing to only trust the people they were with previously on the trip to Valigma. Now Felps is wanted by the city banker to pay the costs of the accident.

During their explorations, players managed to find old books and diaries located in houses in the city. Bagi, Felps, Guaxinim and Meiaum also managed to find a hidden room behind the airport, along with more books. Pac, Mike and Bagi interrogated Secretary Alice, resulting in a harsh scolding from Mayor Jota.

While all the investigations were going on, each player began their own search for a location for their bases and homes:

Funbabe started living at Secretary Alice's house. Coreano made a hole to store his things while exploring. Bagi settled in an abandoned house and invited Matt to live with her, he accept. Felps, Guaxinim and Meiaum made an underground base. Wuant proclaimed a piece of land for his base, which was later stolen by Gabepeixe and Yayahz. Mike made an improvised base to spend the first day. The rest still don't have a fixed or built base/house.

Maethe and Quell did not participate in this day.

[A separate post about all the secret books and diaries players have found.]

[liver-f4ilure]

2023 Prague Shootings

(NOTE: I’m working on the Academy Maniacs post I promise!)

—

David Kozák was born August 12th 1999 in Hostouň, Czech Republic. Little is known about his early life.

After graduating high school Kozák started studying at the Charles University in Prague, specifically studying the history of Poland. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree and successfully defended his thesis, earning an excellent grade from his professor, František Stellner.

—

According to Czech police chief, Martin Vondrášek, Kozák had a gun license and owned 8 firearms at the time of the shooting. In the Czech Republic in order to obtain a gun license one must get a medical examination, amongst other things. Kozák’s friend, only named ‘Alice’, had become concerned with Kozáks mental state in summer of 2022. Due to this, Kozák underwent 4 psychiatric visits. During which he stated his suicidal tendencies before later stating his murderous thoughts aimed towards his parents and unassuming people. By the Psychiatrists advisory, Kozák visited the Psychologist once in December of 2022. In Czech Republic, psychiatrists must forward their reports to the patients general practitioner, if it is known to them, however Kozák did not disclose it, so no report was issued.

With this lack of knowledge, Kozák was able to obtain a gun license with the only rule being that he must wear glasses.

Police stated that Kozák had been planning the shooting for a while. On his search history was research about mass killers, including the ‘Forest Killer’ a spree killer in Prague who killed 3 people. He had also researched the teaching schedules of classes on the fourth floor and downloaded the schools layout and other surrounding buildings. Lastly, he made note about the possible amount of students in each classroom.

Kozák had told multiple friends about his gun purchases, especially Alice whom he told about undergoing shooting practices and his plans to start exercising saying that he’ll need to lift heavy bags in 2-3 months. Kozák also received a gift of CZK 300,000 (13,000 USD) from his grandmother and withdrew CZK 400,000 (17,000 USD) from his savings account. Both of which he used to purchase ammunition and other related equipment.

—

On December 15th 2023, Kozák was believed to have murdered a 32-year-old man and his 2 month old daughter in the Klánovice forest. He was one of many suspects in the case but it has not been confirmed.

On December 21st 2023 Kozák murdered his father, Stanislav Kozák, at their home in Hostouň, accomplishing his ideas of murdering his parents. Kozák then drove to Faculty of Arts, Charles University. He entered the main building and began shooting at students and teachers, he killed 14 people and wounded 22 others. Kozák also fired at police and bystanders from the fourth floors balcony, like he had planned. The attack lasted 20 minutes before Kozák shot and killed himself on the balcony.

His (used) weapons were 9mm semiautomatic pistol (Klánovice forest) .380 ACP Škorpion semi automatic pistol (Hostouň) 9mm Glock 47 semiautomatic pistol, Sig Sauer semi automatic pistol (classrooms) .308 ZEV AR-10 semiautomatic rifle (balcony) and a 12 gauge Francolin Guardian pump action shotgun (suicide/balcony)

—

In the aftermath, Kozáks home was searched and there police found a letter confessing to the murders in the forest, as well as improvised explosives. In a post- Mortem examination Kozáks personality was found to be “schizoid with narcissistic and antisocial traits and a very solid IQ”. Police determined the motive was simply that he felt misunderstood and that the attack was revenge to society.

—

As of today the shooting has been the deadliest shooting in Czech history.

—

-Vivi

[finleyforevermore]

EPIC: The Musical Dream Cast

Drew Sarich as Odysseus

Art by @gigizetz!

Matthew Patrick Quinn, Paul Jordan Jansen, Norm Lewis, or Josh Groban as Zeus

Art by @bambiilooza!

Ato Blankson-Wood or Omar Baroud as Eurylochus

Art by @anniflamma!

J. Antonio Rodriguez as Polites

Art by @platzart_ on Instagram!

Donna Vivino or Talia Suskauer as Athena

Art by @/bambiilooza!

Kristin Stokes as Aeolus

Art by @/gigizetz!

Adam Lambert, Dave Malloy, or Heath Saunders as Poseidon

Art by @/bambiilooza!

Jeanna de Waal as Circe

Art by @/gigizetz!

Mason Alexander Park, Matt Rogers, Levi Kreis, or Zach Reino as Hermes

Art by @/gigizetz!

Olga Merediz as Anticlea

Art by @mircsy!

Damon Daunno, Reeve Carney, Fra Fee, or Dónal Finn as Tiresias

Art by @ximenanatzel on YouTube!

Krystal Joy Brown as Penelope

Art by @/gigizetz!

Eva Noblezada as Scylla

Art by @artist-hermes!

Colin LeMoine as Telemachus

Art by @/gigizetz!

Jordan Fisher, Okieriete Onaodowan, or Leslie Odom Jr. as Antinous

Art by @duvetbox!

Nabiyah Be as Calypso

Art by @/gigizetz!

Chibueze Ihouma or Mike Faist as Apollo

Art by @/bambiilooza!

Paul Pinto as Hephaestus

Art by @Tamattuta on YouTube!

Jai'Len Josey as Aphrodite

Art by @/gigizetz!

Nicholas Christopher as Ares

Art by @saiiibaki!

Emmy Raver-Lampman, Allie Daniel, or Solea Pfeiffer as Hera

Art by @/gigizetz!

THEATRE CREDITS:

Drew Sarich - Quasimodo in Der Glöckner von Notre Dame, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Emcee in Cabaret, Javert in Les Miserables

Josh Groban - Pierre in Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812

Matthew Patrick Quinn - Hades in Hadestown

Norm Lewis - Erik in The Phantom of The Opera

Paul Jordan Jansen - Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Ato Blankson-Wood - Cliff in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

Omar Baroud - Cliff in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

J. Antonio Rodriguez - Orpheus in Hadestown

Donna Vivino - Elphaba in Wicked

Talia Suskauer - Elphaba in Wicked

Kristin Stokes - Annabeth Chase in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

Heath Saunders - Ensemble/Understudy in Great Comet, Ensemble/Understudy in Company

Adam Lambert - The Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

Dave Malloy - Pierre in Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812

Jeanna de Waal - Princess Diana in Diana: The Musical, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Glinda in Wicked

Mason Alexander Park - The Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit kat Club

Matt Rogers - Off Book: The Improvised Musical Podcast

Levi Kreis - Hermes in Hadestown

Zach Reino - Off Book: The Improvised Musical Podcast, Dropout's Welcome to Mountport, Play It By Ear

Olga Merediz - Abuela Claudia in In The Heights

Damon Daunno - Orpheus in Hadestown

Reeve Carney - Orpheus in Hadestown

Fra Fee - The Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Mole in The Wind in the Willows

Dónal Finn - Orpheus in Hadestown

Krystal Joy Brown - Eliza Schuyler in Hamilton

Eva Noblezada - Eurydice in Hadestown

Colin LeMoine - Orpheus in Hadestown, Fiyero in Wicked

Jordan Fisher - Orpheus in Hadestown, Anthony in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Evan in Dear Evan Hansen, John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton in Hamilton

Okieriete Onaodowan - Pierre in Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812, Hercules Mulligan/James Madison in Hamilton

Leslie Odom Jr. - Aaron Burr in Hamilton

Nabiyah Be - Eurydice in Hadestown

Chibueze Ihouma - Orpheus in Hadestown

Mike Faist - Riff in West Side Story, White Rabbit/Alfred Hallam/March Hare in Alice By Heart, Morris Delancey in Newsies

Paul Pinto - Balaga in Great Comet

Jai'len Josey - Pearl in The SpongeBob Musical

Nicholas Christopher - Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Aaron Burr in Hamilton

Emmy Raver-Lampman - Elphaba in Wicked, Angelica in Hamilton

Allie Daniel - Fate/Hermes understudy in Hadestown

Solea Pfeiffer - Eurydice in Hadestown, Eliza in Hamilton

[darklinaforever]

My god. What did you smoke to think that was well written ?! At what fucking moment ?! And lol ! If people really think that this kiss will have an effect on the Daemyra couple, people are completly dreaming. That Rhaenyra will have a serious relationship with Mysaria ? Even less ! It is very likely that this stupid kiss will not even be discussed in the future. Also... at one point in the video, the girl tries to say in relation to those who would have reacted badly to the kiss : "But don't straight people also kiss when they are sad ?" THE FUCKING CONNECTION ?!

And the rest is WORST !

Except that fucking yes ! There could have been official sapphic content in HOTD without these shitty relationships that are Rhaenicent and Rhaesaria ! Why ?! BECAUSE THERE ARE CANONICAL LGBTQ+ COUPLES IN THE HISTORY OF DANCE ! INCLUDING SAPPHIC ! But obviously you're not complaining about the non-adaptation of canonical queer relationships which are therefore not doomed to go nowhere or break up like Rhaenicent and Rhaesaria ! Why are you happy with representation that won't go anywhere and the erasure of canonical queer relationships ?! Are you stupid or what ?!

And yes, Rhaenicent is what we call queerbaiting ! Pure and simple ! How can you even dare to say otherwise with such aplomb ?! The writers and actors are constantly contradicting each other about the Rhaenicent relationship ! Open your fucking eyes !

Pigeons, that's what everyone who supports these two shitty ships are ! And no, I'm not sorry to say it, and I will never sorry. Wake up people, damn it !

And you know what could have been good to confirm Rhaenyra's possible bisexuality, even if I don't think she's bi in the source material ? LAENA VELARYON ! HER FUCKING BEST FRIEND ! AND NOT WITH THE TWO WOMEN WHO RUINED THE BEGINNING (ALICENT / yes yes, in HOTD, Alicent is still Rhaenyra's abuser, because Daemon, outside of the OCC strangulation scene, never really abused her) AND THE END OF HER LIFE (MYSARIA) ! BUNCH OF IDIOTS !

Also, instead of fundamentally choosing to make Rhaenyra a bi person when she probably isn't in the book objectively speaking, well just adapt the true queer characters of the dance ? No ?

No one complains that the real queer characters and relationships aren't adapted ?

You prefer that we transform a potentially straight character into bi to make her be in relationships that will go nowhere because she will never leave her man ? Well you really are pitiful.

I'm so tired of the attempts to defend Rhaenicent and Rhaesaria, two shitty relationships that were poorly written in HOTD but when you take Fire and Blood become downright insulting.

Also, another thing I find ironic. The fact of always trying to say in defense of these two ships that we don't care about the source material that is Fire and Blood. Listen to me, you idiot, without Fire and Blood there is no HOTD. So you shut up about the neglect of the source material because you just come across as even more stupid than you probably are. But strangely, to talk about the so-called infidelities of Daemon, present precisely in Fire and Blood and not HOTD of these same fans, well there are people ! While these infidelities did not take place in HOTD and may never take place. And beyond that, at no time have these so-called infidelities been proven. At no time. And if you have a functioning brain in terms of reflection and analysis, it is necessarily probable that these infidelities of Daemon with Mysaria and Nettles are purely false. But of course, the fact is that most of these people are condemning Daemon for something he hasn't done yet and may never do, in the only material that matters to these people, namely HOTD. But strangely, Rhaenyra's infidelitie, no one cares about that. On the contrary, it's apparently great because it's sapphic "representation". Rhaesaria is representation ? An improvised scene that comes out of nowhere and has no impact on the storyline ? Let me laugh. And apparently, Rhaenyra would be justified, because Daemon strangled her at the end of season 1. You know, that other scene that came out of nowhere and made no sense. But obviously, critical thinking is dead in this type of person.

Put Fire and Blood aside if you want to justify these two shitty ships, but the reality is that they don't need Fire and Blood to be bad. They are simply poorly written in the context of HOTD alone.

These two ships make me so fucking sick.

[damneddamsy]

renegade | aemond targaryen x oc (part v)

-> (18+, sexual themes, mdni)

Celebratory feasts with the royalty had always been nasty business. Like all the others before, the temper of the sons intermixed with the impulsivity of the daughters, would be documented in blood and destruction. This particularly small gathering of families was one hosted to commemorate the union of Prince Aemond and Princess Aemma, improvised quite similar to their secret wedding. It wasn't short of inordinate food and drink, the table replenished to make up for the wedding feast that never occurred.

Aemma was a mire of misery, plagued with a terrible headache as a result of insomnia, and barely focused on the brewing consternation between the families. The Hightowers had sharpened their aims on her. Aemond, on the furthest end of the table, had crises of his to take notice.

Halaena did; she squeezed Aemma's thigh to get her attention. "You're too fragile. Retire for the night."

Aemma bared an appreciative smile and laid her hand atop Helaena's. "Thank you, Hel, but it would be impolite. Especially with the grandsire in attendance."

A weakened King Viserys raised his shivering glass in a toast, his words an effortful rasp. The room quietened to heed his word.

"A toast to a true Targaryen wedding in secrecy, my good Hand tells me. My son, Prince Aemond, to my granddaughter... Aemma." Her name was a pained whisper. "As spirited as the woman she was named after. Congratulations."

The table lifted their glasses with mumbles of half-hearted 'congratulations'. Jace and Luke remained frozen, staring daggers into their plates. It was Daemon who exclaimed a loud 'hear, hear!' for everyone else. Aemma sent him a grateful smile.

Aemond offered up the slightest of nods and sipped from his glass, finally glancing at Aemma. Awareness flickered in his eyes when he saw the way she restlessly cupped her neck. They were seated too far apart for him to reach across and comfort her.

Aemma, upon her turn, dutifully flourished a convincing smile. Her voice came out clearer than she expected. "Your blessing warms our hearts, Your Grace. We are much obliged," she said on behalf of her and Aemond.

"Yes," the king breathed heavily, "let us hope your union will bridge the rift in the House of the Dragon."

Aemond cleared his throat and carelessly raised his glass, heedless of the fact that the king was yet to conclude his toast. Aemma watched him, curious rather than shocked.

"I'd like to raise a toast," he announced then met her gaze. "To my sworn friend, now wife. Aemma, I'd relinquish life itself for your ideals. Perhaps it is only an appropriate time to inform everyone that in nine days, my wife and I are to voyage across the Narrow Sea and start a new life on our own."

Daemon was the first to react. He downed his whole cup. Then it was a rush of brief, confused reactions. Alicent had settled back on her chair, gritting her teeth. Rhaenyra was speechless, watching Aemma's face guardedly. When she was presented with a favourable joy, she returned a little smile. Jace and Luke were intently eyeing their mother's response in disbelief. Aegon, somewhat proud of the iron balls on his little brother, sipped his glass silently. Helaena listlessly played with her spoon.

"Unexpected," the king sighed, almost pained.

"And what of yours and the princess' commitments to the realm?" Otto regarded, the most conscientious on his part.

Aemond was anything but contrite. "Find another second prince to finesse and another princess to breed."

"Aemond," Alicent cautioned. "That sort of talk is unfit for—"

"Our decision is final," he mentioned, loud enough to suppress his mother's voice. "The plans have been laid, pacts have been struck. My wife has but one condition—to seek her mother and His Grace's blessing on our safe travels."

The king gasped out, nodding through a tremor. "Aemma."

Aemma leaned toward him with an accepting bow of her head. "Grandsire."

"I see... no reason to restrict this decision. Does your mother, your future queen, agree to this?"

Aemma expectantly glanced at Rhaenyra whose expression remained unsullied. She had asked for so much from her mother, this seemed like a steep ask. To be apart from her for who knows how long. But her mother had promised her once to allow her to follow her heart and live as she pleased. She only hoped the princess remembered her oath.

"Prince Aemond," Rhaenyra called instead, flitting her prudent eyes to him. "This is all rather sudden. I have to ask: why the hurry?"

Aemond simply stared back. "I dislike idling."

"I can understand the haste in taking my daughter to wife. I will accredit it to the thrills of youth and passion. But this," she tapped her finger lightly on the table and tilted her head, "this seems like subterfuge. A dire one. Do you mean to stymie my heir's ascent to the throne under the veil of expedition?"

Jace made a scoffing noise out of his nose, smirking to himself. His mother had finally struck gold.

Aemond's jaw flexed. "'The basest of accusations."

"Still a conceivable one."

Aemma interfered, pressing down on the bridge of her nose, attempting to restrain an explosive headache. "Might I suggest we confer this in private? This is a festive gathering, certainly no place to—"

"No, Aemma. I must speak this for all to hear. They all question our precocity to accomplish this," Aemond said through his teeth then glanced back at her mother. "I swear this to you upon my devout esteem for your daughter. If she is ever to be installed as heir and the time of her reign arrives, I will ensure she acts in good conscience. I will stand with her, queen or not."

Rhaenyra's unblinking stare outmatched Aemond's, who had to look away to attend to Aemma's exclaim.

"You owe no explanations," Aemma said to Aemond, bewildered. Then she addressed the table, her tolerance slipping. "This is not a court session. There is no justice to be offered. All we ask is support. Support from our families, do you not understand?"

"You ask us to offer support in making yourself scarce from orders of the court?" Alicent finally spoke up, her tone adamant. "As prince and princess of the realm, your regiment is necessary to the throne. Abscond all you wish, your place remains here."

"Then we will abdicate," Aemond declared abruptly.

"Aemond, please," Aemma tried to calm him.

"Are you mad?" Rhaenyra hawked at him, grated to a passive growl. "Surrender my daughter's birthright!"

"Cease this insolence," Otto shouted at all of them.

His Grace bashed his staff to the ground to silence the table. "Again with the dissension! One night of..."

The sounds were tuned out, and Aemma rested an elbow on the table and stroked her forehead. The discomfort was almost unbearable now. Her stomach rolled and the world shifted beneath her.

She felt a cold hand on her cheek followed by Helaena's quiet voice. "Come. Let us leave now."

Aemma didn't even have the strength to nod or thank her. As she wobbled to her feet, with Helaena's hand secure around her forearm, in their periphery, Daemon and Aemond's chair dragged out in unison.

"Send for a maester," Aemond commanded first.

Daemon had halfway crossed the floor to Aemma. "Allow me."

"I'll take her," Helaena cautiously declared to all, her voice final. She repeated it to herself while their audience drew in a breath. "I'll take her."

X

It was Princess Helaena who forbade anyone from entering the princess' chambers that night and the day after, except for the maester with his concoctions and the servants with their timely meals. The timid princess proved to be as inflexible as her brother and Her Grace when need be. Even Princess Rhaenyra stepped aside to her orders.

No one heard or knew what occurred during those hours between the two princesses, but it was said to be the last moments of respite that they would share as the eldest daughters of two distraught bloodlines. There was a time when Princess Helaena's daughter, Jahaera, had joined them inside, hanging in the air as a sweet reminder of their childhood.

Prince Aemond, increasingly aggravated, patrolled his wife's doors to receive his sister the next night, ready to make an entrance inside. He would not have any more of this detachment.

Helaena placed a restrictive hand on his shoulder. "She needs to rest."

He desperately tried to see between the cracks in the heavy doors. "What is the meaning of this, sister? It has been a day. I'm being driven to the edge."

"It seems that it has been days since our Aemma has had a proper night's rest," she divulged, leading him across the door towards the balcony that opened into the sprawling floors of the Holdfast. "Everything has transpired so quickly. Unbeknownst to her, anxiety plagues her mind. I can share her worries a bit."

Aemond swallowed hard. "Of our journey?"

"No. Of that both of us are confident," Helaena murmured, her mind miles away. "It's her brothers. Caught in the crossfire. You know how that feels."

Immediate anger spiked in him. "Mad cunts," he hissed. "You'd think I've degraded their sister, the way they see it."

"Take yourselves and leave in peace," she said, preoccupied with her thoughts. She finally looked at him, her eyes beseeching. "Don't stop, no matter how much it entices you to stay. We have given this malice to more."

"Helaena." It was strange for him to say his sister's name, almost a gentle consolation. He knew of his sister's mind and her vulnerabilities in marriage. "You're the only family I'll be leaving behind."

She flashed him a smile. "Strangely, I believe that. There lies greatness ahead of you, little brother. And my life is here; in beasts and bone." She tilted her head to Aemma's door. "Go and see. Try not to wake her."

Her room reeked of the stables as he silently entered, so different from the tasteful lavender Aemond had come to crave, and surely enough, Seasmoke the direwolf was loyally relaxed at the foot of the bed. His sister must've brought him in secretly to put Aemma's mind at rest with an old companion. Aemond scratched the whining wolf's ears, who skipped off the carpet to rub at his waist for some praise. He had once been clueless about accepting attachment from a beast other than his dragon, but Seasmoke had grown on him.

"Good boy, Seasmoke. Sȳrī gaomagon," Aemond appreciated in a whisper. At least the beast had provided some semblance of comfort in his name. (Well done.)

"Demās, lykirī," he instructed. Seasmoke complied, perching back on his hind legs. (Sit, calm down.)

Seasmoke had become impressive, both in height, speed and strength. During their years in the Keep, Aemma and Aemond raised the wolf to be a loyal friend, their living toy of sorts. After Aemma departed and bestowed him to Aemond, he trained a vicious watchdog out of the animal, under the request of the Kingsguard, a fearsome hound that would stand for battle as a dragon. Now that Aemma had returned, Seasmoke must've regressed to what he had once been, what he truly was, just meant to comfort a lonely soul.

Behind them, Aemma slumbered calmly, hiding her eyes away from him. Merely some years ago he had laid beside her, on an evening like this, neither of them mortally wounded, vowing to write to each other every day, sharing a relentless embrace.

Tempted to her bare bedside, Aemond undid the buckles to his sword and dagger, and shed his overcoat and shoes, but hesitated with his eyepatch. He inhaled a shaky breath. This girl had persevered against her family for him, she had weathered a storm to wed him; a wayward eye wasn't going to send her screaming. He was determined when he skimmed it over his head and tucked the straps into his pocket.

He pushed the curtains aside and sank in next to her, mindful of her slumber. Aemma appeared just the same as when she was awake, implying that she lacked the deceit in her to conceal her emotions from everyone. What you see is what you get. Guileless, untamed, and real.

Unable to withhold himself, he entwined his fingers between hers, until he could feel their wedding scars unite once again, and brought it to his chest safely. He rolled onto his back and let his vision go black. Nothing weighed him down, held him back, or restricted him. It could've been moments or even hours, he had never felt such leisure. This was what awaited the rest of his life.

X

"So that is the infamous sapphire. Like Symeon Star-Eyes?" Aemma's velvety dulcet woke him.

He snapped his head toward a moonlit Aemma, who was fascinated and well-rested. She lay on her belly, silvery hair mussed from sleep, a pillow under her chest and arms while letting her hand rest with him. She looked like a painting, with the waving curtains behind her and the sky's reflection on her warm skin.

He stroked a finger from her cheek to her chin. "How's your head?"

"Intact," she jested.

"I see."

"Can you?"

He pinched her chin. "So much wit in such a little girl."

She giggled. "Not so little anymore, my friend."

He brought the back of her hand to his lips, hiding a softened grin. He'd forgotten he had written to her about the sapphire in his eye. It was absurd to think this bothered him now.

"You remembered my letter," he said, his voice thick from sleep.

"I remember every letter," she corrected. "My favourite stories of the warrior prince and his vicious dragon." She mimicked the soar of Vhagar's wings with a quiet 'whish'. "Soaring into the clouds. I used to read it and imagine myself instead. Quieted so many of my troubled nights."

He reached out to stroke a hand at her scar. "Because of this."

She dropped her head into the pillow to muffle a groan. "It ruins everything. As if bleeding every moon doesn't suffice, I've to experience an arrow through my head all the time."

He grunted his exertion to lean over and kissed her tousled hair. "You poor lamb."

She sourly jerked her hand out of his. He chuckled at this and pushed a few more kisses into her hair.

"Next moon, I'll have an antidote ready for your use."

She lifted her head, curious. "Since when do you dabble in potions?"

"No potions." He stroked her, all the way from her waist to her insteps. "Me."

She snorted. "What might you do? Vex me to distraction?"

"I have my secret ways."

Swayed by the surreal feel of her underneath him, he began to spread his kisses over the arc of her neck, the wing of her shoulder, down the lune of her spine, all while his sneaking fingers gathered up the soft linen of her nightgown to stroke her even softer thigh. Aemma twisted a little to witness him press a kiss at the dimple between her hips. Grinning, he sloped up to catch her in a kiss, taking her by surprise.

When he felt her thighs clench under his touch, he impatiently pulled away and flipped her on her back until she was all splayed out for him.

"It's about time I peeked at my stakes, hmm?" And then Aemma watched him bend between her legs for said stakes. 

"Aemond," she tried to mutter through the nervous lump in her throat.

"Ssh, my love. Trust in me."

His singular eye was deep-set, way too intense for words while the other glimmered dimly under the candle lights. So, unreadably intense. When she brushed a hand through his hair, he sank his teeth into the soft skin of her inner thigh and pulled. A slow moan came rumbling out of her.

His sinful motives started with his fingers climbing upwards on her thighs, lips following close behind. Her blasted nerves couldn't see him without turning every shade of red, but her audacity was gratefully more persuasive. 

She watched him through parted, gasping lips as he propped her knees on his shoulder, long fingers drawing back the hem of her nightdress until it was bunched around her abdomen. Obscene, she thought as he kissed her, right there, right through the material of her underwear, his tongue giving it a taste. A nice, long taste.

They locked eyes while he still tasted her slowly; delectably. Again, her own tongue went dead and her eyes rolled to the back of her head.

"Fuck," she dragged out a hiss. She palmed her mouth, shocked by the expletive.

Aemma could feel his whispering chuckle—right into her sex—and the sense that his forehead met the bed linen to muffle it.

She bit on her pointer finger, sheepish. "Sorry."

"No, please," he laughed deeply, "I enjoyed that."

Every part of her stiffened when she felt him nudge her again, her hands gripping at his hair. His plush hair, the strength of his nape, and then his flexing jaw. She didn't feel her underwear leaving her, but he was right there, within reach, his hands perching her knees in position. 

"Jaes," he murmured, "just beautiful. All this for me." (Gods.)

She raised her head once again to have a look and instantly wished she hadn't.

"I've dreamed of this..." he drew out in a reverie.

Aemond indulged, sucked, licked, and bit at her like a king on a feast. She moved his rumpled hair out of the way to see him there—slow, soft, loving thrusts into me and his single violet eye half-closed in heady bliss. Just tasting, savouring, remembering. And she felt it at her core, skin prickling up at the sensation. 

She clawed her hands up his hair, giving out the most pretentious cry for more. His hands went from wild to desperate; smoothing the inside of her thighs, sliding under her dress to caress her breasts, brushing up her neck. The noises he was making with his mouth on her; it was an explicit, incessant reminder of something tense. Something that would not stop edging.

She was about as close as 'fuck' is to a vulgarism when he pressured that immaculate, mind-blowing, soaked-up spot. So soft, so searing, so good. She inhaled an inhuman breath, toes flexing in the air as his suck-eat pulsations increased—and the slow climb was the best part. She knew she was coming up onto something wonderful.

She hoped he heard how soundly she was making love to his name for him. "Oh, please. Please, gods—"

She didn't get to finish that. His hand glided across her breasts, and her neck, and curled around it. She let her head hang back when he made the most luxurious sound she had ever heard him give out as he pushed two of his long fingers into her mouth. 

Impulsively, she circled his wrist—there was nothing more than she wanted to be filled. She wanted Aemond everywhere she could physically feel, even mentally if possible, and she made love to his fingers as best she could.

"So fucking good, Aemma," she heard his quiet, hot and heavy growl, muffled with a mouthful of her. "So good..."

The broad, rugged muscles on his shoulder put on a show for her under his shirt, crumpling and rippling, adding to his speeding-up tongue. Another hot flush of red charged up her body.

Then his tongue brought over fellow fingers, and they barely had work cut out for them. She was way too compressed and close to care, and she gave out a wordless cry as he pushed those long, thick fingers in at a speed she couldn't place a term on because that would be immoral. Deep, fast strokes and the size of his fingers were, she hoped, comparable to other parts of him. She sucked back a moan that bubbled to her lips. 

And that was the end-all, be-all. Aemond came onto his stakes, and Aemma went bursting apart. In the vigour of her world focalizing on that single spot between her legs, she crushed Aemond deeper into her, her fingers tight fists in his hair and her mouth agape in a choked scream. Behind her eyes, there were specks of little floating suns, a need to hold him even tighter, and the colours started to drain from around her. 

The first thing Aemma saw when radiance returned was the flushed, compelling, beaming, smiling face of the man who owned all of her. The upsurges of pure pleasure did not wane and she wallowed in it. She listened to him come up for air, kissing his way up again, rolling his tongue around her belly button, and momentarily intensifying her climax. 

"I've never seen someone look as enchanting as you did, moments ago," he whispered into her ear, burying his face into her neck.

She blinked, attempting to find the pace of her breathing. "That was..." she drawled with an unchecked hum.

"Not the end," he finished for her, rising on his knees. "Just a taste of what's to come."

Aemond was hypnotic, aglow and leering as he peeled off his shirt, wrists crossing at his abdomen. And it made every wicked something in her head want to come true. Her eyes gradually mapped down from his broad shoulders, her trembling fingers tracing at his rigid muscles, the jagged streaks of combat bruises, hungrily lapping up past his weathered, masculine strength, and the ultimate V muscle that was almost an arrow pointing straight to his...

He chuckled softly, catching her wandering hand. He stroked the base of her fingers, knuckles, and joints, conducting them with tiny lightning strikes.

"Always so curious."

She managed a mischievous smirk. "Then come here and indulge my curiosities."

"Gladly, dearest."

And his hands began to roam everywhere, as if stricken by her command. Strong, pinching, teasing, feeling, tracing, heading from north to south on her body. Resting his arms on either side of her head, grinning like the devil, his fingers slowly traced down her arms, that minute touch resonating in her sex.

"You amaze me," he murmured.

Despite all that teasing, she felt him. Her eyes snapped open to his, dark, wide and studying her. It was a simple bump, poising against her, tough and ready. He rested his forehead against hers.

He moved in; slowly, gently reverently. There was resistance, a whole lot from her, bringing forth a subdued, mellow pain. Since she had never done this before, she placed this as the pain of familiarizing—her body slowly climatizing to the feel. The feel of him, the weight of him, his wickedly strong muscles moulding against her. His energy was intense and unfathomable compared to her weak knees and lead tongue. 

"Aemma," he called to make sure.

Just then, she flexed harder around him. His light eyes blazed like reams of fire.

"Too afraid, are you?" she challenged.

"Never," he laughed under his breath.

It couldn't all be coincidences, with the timing and his body, because they were flawless. He was welcome as he pushed on further, gaining his fill of her. His face strained, forehead wrinkling, eyes briefly flickering shut. She took all the credit for making that happen. She accepted him gladly, adding a small inherent squeeze, and flashing her dark eyes at his. 

What should she be telling him? Could she ask him how he was feeling? If he was okay? Was she okay?

His grin was monumental. "You have taken me so well, my love."

She was utterly derailed. He felt so good. It was an inaccurate term to use—he was paradisiacal. She didn't think anyone could have felt this whole even with this age-old action. He was all hers at that moment. And if she were being honest, damnably honest, he was all up inside her. She could feel him inside, so deep, a space of her that she didn't think needed to be freed before.

His hips rolled into hers at a delicate speed, laboured and painstaking. All the evidence of teasing disappeared, jaw taut with tension.

"Breathe through it, Aemma. I'm here," he guided softly.

She gulped, unable to answer. Truly, she didn't have enough air to make one. To be fair, she was stretched to capacity. She couldn't take the weight of him. Flickers of white light appeared in her vision and it wasn't until his face started to blear that she realized she wasn't breathing. She breathed noticeably louder, splitting the beautiful, magical stillness between them, trying to exhale while enduring the stings around her ribs.

"Aemma?" he asked, slightly panicked now.

So when his unease swivelled to hazy apprehension, she choked out and gripped his arms closer—"Wait, stay with me. I can do it."

He stroked a thumb at the edge of her eyes, kissing the slant of her nose. "Ssh, I'm here. Whenever you are ready. We've got the rest of our lives."

She whispered an eager plea, "I want you. I want it all."

Their eyes held for a glorious moment and engraved an intrigue between the lines as their breaths fused in the intensifying silence. Neither of them backed down, never repressing and taking it all. He was still very much inside, growing harder with every passing moment. 

She was buzzing alive, practically convulsing, as his pressures gradually climbed in speed, still so soft and careful.

Which drew a languid, roguish smile alive on his handsome, sweat-matted face. He lifted a quizzical eyebrow, moving his hips in, in, in. Circle, push, circle, push—a giddying pattern that had her reeling off the wire. 

His vast hands were around her throat, establishing dominance, guiding himself entirely into her, tongue plunging forward for a breathy kiss. Her fingers and nails ploughed into his back, nearly drawing blood, when he did. He didn't even flinch or care, bearing it all.

He pulled away from that hungry kiss, hips rolling into a more punishing, daunting rhythm—and oh. She couldn't think. He was pushing her higher and higher until she felt little sparks start to explode from the tips of her fingers, elbows and toes. But, the feeling was only getting louder. His groans were so low, so dark in her ear. 

"There's my sweet girl," he whispered silkily, hitching her knee around his hip. "You want me?"

She nodded desperately. "Yes."

"You have me. You always have," he promised.

Her gasps were timed to his moves, thrusts gaining sweet, beautiful friction. Her fingers twisted into his hair, seeking an outlet for his beautiful, unbearable pleasure. It was building, getting close to that sensation again, oh so close...

She relaxed her stiff spine, sinking into the mattress and feeling him ram right into that spot. She bit her lip to contain a ridiculously high-pitched noise, willing her eyes open into his, burning like onyx flares in the violet night.

He glanced up, eager. Ready. Prepared. His arms curled as if attempting physical exercise, resting beside her head. When a soft wheeze left her, his lips were at her ear, reassuring her, relaxing her tense muscles. His head ducked again, almost inspecting them. 

"C'mere. I have you now," he breathed out. "Eyes on me, alright? Only me."

Awestruck, excited, a bundle of nerves, she watched him. 

Powerful thighs bearing hers, Aemond pressed her hips back until she was gently propped up on the pillows, hungrily attending to his all-consuming flow and determined muscles covered in sweat. She was completely restricted now, not needing to slake her appetite, because, as he had said, he had her. He sank and sank, again and again, abdomen crunching with his power, unearthing, slamming, her sweet spot tingling, and just like that, she came apart.

All white shots of lights, ringing noises, toes curled and pointing, and his name a clement prayer on her lips. Until her black-and-white world fled back into colour, he began to move again.

He kissed a tear away from her temple before his watchful gaze began to hunt hers—for hope? Promise? Something worth it? She simply stared back, mouth twisting in sweet agony as he continued his now quickened pressures. Her name was all he could breathe or think. With every muscled laboured, thrusts more unyielding, face rigid, power intense, eyes hazed over—Aemond came. Firm and heavy, falling limp over her. 

They fell back together, utterly spent, wrung out, exhausted and essentially immortalized. Whatever the true definition for that held. Between the film of fierce pleasure and indulgence, she decided that had a hold upon heaven. Tremendous, dark heaven.

Two big, lavish, beautiful, majestic climaxes and they basked in the afterglow together. She turned her head to clutch him at his neck, grab him forward to kiss his lips sweetly. Delicately, quietly, more and more, until her breathing steadied.

Aemond stroked her nose against hers, all sated by sex. "Pleasure becomes you, my love."

Aemma sighed dreamily, tracing the hollow of his cheek. "You've made your astounding mark on me. Can we go again?"

He pulled back to stare, dumbstruck. He didn't see a trace of humour in her eyes.

"You could take the bed this time," she offered.

He scoffed in disbelief. "Amazing. I applaud your energy, dearest wife. Have you ever swung a sword before? I could do with a new sparring partner with that sort of verve."

She laughed. "You could never best me if I were your partner. I'd have you on your back in an instant."

"You have me on my back right now, darling. Rode you half to death, did I not?"

He grunted a chuckle when she playfully smacked his chest.

Aemond continued to mumble. "In all honesty, I truly did not think I would survive this with you. I expected my heart to give out because of... hmm." He rubbed at her waist, his voice still thick with desire. "These legs, these eyes, these lips, those lips—Seven hells, this is my fantasy fulfilled."

She put a hand over her face to hide a blush. "You can simply get away with saying things like that?"

When he flashed her a smirk, she shook her head dubiously and tried to close his evading mouth with her hand.

"Just as you can simply get away—with requesting to use my cock—as your—let me speak!—your toy?"

"Aemond!" she hissed.

He laughed. "Ssh. Lay closer."

He pulled her into the curve of his arm, curbing her chagrin. Aemma sank her chin into his shoulder to watch him shut his lone eye and become at ease.

He felt her fingertips glide near the blemishes in his eye socket. Her cold fingers upon the hot skin, it was paradise. He tried hard to stay still when she got too close to inflammation that continued to cause agony on certain days. She must've sensed something amiss because abruptly her touch disappeared.

"Would it make you feel less lonesome if I took my eye out for you?" she asked, tongue in cheek.

A side of his lips lifted. "Perhaps. Make it my wedding favour."

She gasped, laughing. "You brute. You like that?"

"I wouldn't dare," he calmed her, drawing her closer to him. "Then again I can make even with your brother's."

He expected her to sense the sincerity in his voice, but such was Aemma's perspective of him. The conciliant, faithful friend who respected her. He worked hard to seal up that vengeance in front of her. What doesn't concern her will not break her. Not while he lives and breathes.

True to herself, Aemma let it slide harmlessly, treating it as good fun. He heard her laugh. "Can you imagine—little Luke, running about with an eyepatch?"

He barely broke a smile. "You'll never know."

X

read part vi here!

seasmoke the direwolf, watching this go down like: mom? dad? wtf are you guys up to 👁️👄👁️

I hope you all felt their love as much as I did <3