#Ask Inanna

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

(i’m not sure if you’re open for requests rn so feel free to delete this if you aren’t)

i was reading your hcs of a mc with a ton of stuffed animals and in it you mentioned that mc and muriel probably wouldn’t trust inanna with them and it reminded me of something

there was one time that either my sister or i had left one of our stuffies outside and we found out the next day that bobby (my childhood dog) had been protecting it from the coyotes during the night, cuddling with it and generally treating it like her pup

i would like to request a drabble of the same thing with one of mc’s stuffies and inanna. mc misplaces it outside and inanna protects it all night cause she knows how important it is to mc, surprising mc and muriel when they find her the next morning

(side note: i’ve been reading your stuff for literal years now, and i love it all! i hope you have a good day/night!!)

Inanna is, honestly, a little concerned for you. She knows full well that this stuffie is not alive, but you're clearly attached to it like it is and she doesn't understand what kinds of dire circumstances led to you forgetting it on the ground outside. However, her family is who she loves, and this little stuffed creature is who you love, so she may as well pull her weight as a little thank-you for the treats you bring her.

Not only does she curl herself around it and protect it through the night, she starts looking after it whenever you're not around to take care of it. You left it hanging from the clothesline to dry on wash day, and went off to do a little foraging? She's lying down right underneath it and will catch it gently in her mouth if it gets blown off the line. You leave it in the hut to go on a walk? She'll lie next to it.

You keep finding it in its usual spot but covered in leaves and moss because Inanna has started carrying it with her when you're not around and she has things to do. It wouldn't be right to leave it by itself when it's clearly designed to be held, now would it? That's not what family does.

You don't solve the mystery until Muriel calls for her help tracking a wounded animal, and she appears with said stuffie carefully balanced along her neck between her ears and shoulder blades.

[sorenblr]

Inanna as the next Dx2 demon. This time with her descendant Ishtar plotting to usurp her while the other Mother Goddesses fight and retrieve fragments of Inanna to curry favor as Inannas Heir/attempt to strike down Ishtar and prove their loyalty(Athena).

Inanna as the next Dx2 demon

[quitefair]

Ilmatari gang Ilmatari gang Ilmatari gang I gotta know about Ilmatari gang!

ohohoh....

the document in itself is like fragments and notes, but in all honesty, i should just take the opportunity to finally talk about all these guys.

under a cut because it's entirely self indulgent. and got incredibly fucking long.

So Marduk's clan is a group of dragonborn that left Tymanther some 50 years ago, eventually settling in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. Along the way, some of them stumbled upon the Church of Ilmater, and took up vows in His name. Father Anum was one of them, the cleric that would become the elder of the clan years later.

I use the word clan here, but this particular clan is not your typical dragonborn community in that they aren't blood-related. You'll find almost every scale colour from chromatic to metallic to everything in between.

The clan runs a sick house/soup kitchen in the name of Ilmater in the Lower City, open to all who need it. Not all of them are sworn into the service of the Broken God, but most have some loyalty to Him, in their own way. Once in a while, the paladins and clerics of them are called out in service of the Church, hunting cultists and conjurers of evils that threaten the peace of the city.

It was on one of those raids that Father Anum, then still a lay-brother of the church, infiltrated the hideout of a small cult of Tiamat. After having cut down the cultists, his party uncovered a set of five dragonborn eggs. One for each of Tiamat's chromatic heads.

Anum was compelled to bring the eggs back to the city, despite his bretheren's call to destroy them. They were innocents in this, he argued. How could you blame these eggs for what the cultists were going to do with them, whatever that was?

So he brought them back, housed them in the rookery at the sickhouse, and one by one they hatched into tiny squeaking babies. Black, followed by white. Followed by blue and red at almost the same time.

But the 'green' one refused to hatch. I say 'green' because that's what the cultists assumed, in their attempt to gather chromatic eggs for their draconic goddess. Anum knew better though, knew that the green that covered the egg was just a patina, a coating of oxidation that concealed the true metallic nature of this egg.

It took the bronze egg several more months to hatch, and only after the eldest of the clutch, the black dragonborn with his fiery green eyes, took it upon himself to snuggle up with the egg every night. Watched over his little cousin with the patience of Ilmater himself, until one crisp autumn day, the egg finally hatched.

Anyway. Enough rambling. Here's the Ilmatari gang, in decreasing order of age.

*~*

Enki

Black Dragonborn | Monk | Way of the Open Hand | Broken One

Although he's the oldest, he doesn't fucking act like it. Always quick with a smile and a laugh, dragging the others into wild shenanigans, he's the trickster of the lot, much like his real life namesake.

Has broken more bones than he can count. Kneecaps can tell when it's going to rain.

Despite his chaotic personality, he looks out for the rest of the kids like they're his own. Gives sound advice too. The others adore him, though they won't say it to his face.

Enlil

White Dragonborn | Ranger | Hunter

Stoic, surly, prefers his own company most of the time. Dragonborn faces are hard to read, but you'll be hard pressed to find any emotion other than practiced nonchalance on Enlil's face.

His familiar is a raven, as yet unnamed.

Out hunting most of the year, bringing back game for the soup kitchen's pantry.

Inanna

Blue Dragonborn | Bard | College of Creation

Luthier, owns a shop in the Lower City.

Loves making things, hyperfocused to a fault. Often disappears for weeks on end when working on a new project, and has to be dragged out of the shop by one of her many cousins.

Gula

Red Dragonborn | Cleric of Ilmater | Life Domain

Works at the sick house, specialises in labour and childbirth, but has a hand in all other forms of magical healing.

Exasperated, overworked, absolutely cannot stand Enki's shenanigans. Will flip him ass over teakettle if he's annoying her. (Which is very often.)

Marduk

Bronze Dragonborn | Paladin of Ilmater | Oath of the Ancients

It's my girl. The youngest of the lot, and acts that way.

The others may bicker and fight with each other, but they agree on one thing. Everybody loves Marduk and would die for her.

So yeah. Thats the Ilmatari gang.

[magerywrites]

Hey, this is a little odd, but I wanted to say? That "The Empress and the Falcon" bit you posted back during the Nasuverse Head Game Tourney a while back is a great piece of writing, and also insanely hot, thank you for writing it.

This ask is "only" several months old, so I'm getting faster, but: if you're still around, don't worry, I don't think that's odd at all. I'm just glad somebody outside the, like, three friends I DMed it to originally when I wrote it read it and enjoyed it! It was a fun piece. Thank you for the praise.

[transtheology]

Hi, I'm a multigender trans intersex person (bigender transmascfem androgyne, sometimes agender) and I've been feeling a calling towards some kind of occult / pagan / witchcraft practice but am having a very hard time finding anything that will honor both my multigenderness and my intersex body/variation. I was wondering if you knew of any resources or specific practices that might be accepting of this? I had a friend tell me to try out Wicca but it seemed to be very binary-focused in everything I read. Thank you so much for your time!

Wicca is definitely pretty binary focused. Its also diverse and there are many different ways of practicing Wicca, but the fundamental theology is based in a strict binary of the Mother Goddess and the Horned God, and a lot of its beliefs are based on this balance of male/female. As a result much of early Wicca (and some modern Wicca) was very homophobic & gender-sex essentialist (there's also Dianic Wicca, which is goddess-centric and therefore very popular with TERFs). There are trans Wiccans & Wiccan paths which are less binary (or less strict about it), but I wouldn't blame you for not wanting to engage with it.

With Witchcraft, there's a lot more room because "witchcraft" itself isn't its own spiritual tradition as much as a practice or skill you can engage in. In a very general sense Witchcraft is "doing x thing to get y result (through some spiritual/supernatural/mystical method)," so how much you get into cissexism and binary thinking is really dependent on how you see things. For example, a Wiccan might have a very binary view of magic & spiritual energy, but another person might not consider gender at all when doing magic.

A lot of European & WANA (West Asia North Africa) polytheism has some genderfuckery somehwere in its mythology. Inanna/Ishtar in Sumerian/Akkadian/Assyrian polytheism is one example: you might be aware that She had transfeminine devotees called the gala, and she was described as having the ability to "turn a man into a woman and a woman into a man." She has a myth where she descends into the Underworld to confront her sister Ereškigal and gets trapped there. To get her out, Enlil/Ea creates either two sexless beings (gala-tura and kur-jara), or one androgynous being/eunuch (Asušunamir) to save her.

There's also Cybele/Magna Mater in Rome, who also had transfeminine devotees called galli. In Greek polytheism, there is Dionysus, who was heavily associated with gender non-conformity, having been raised as a girl in some versions & having the epithet Androgynos. Aphrodite has the form Aphroditus, who has a beard penis and was worshipped by male and female devotees through crossdressing rituals, and generally her role as Aphrodite Pandemos, a love goddess for all people, has made her popular with queer polytheists. There is also Hermaphroditus, the child of Aphrodite and Hermes, who became intersex/genderqueer when he joined bodies with the nymph Salmacis; a pool formed where this happened that was said to have the ability to androgynize anyone who bathed in it. They were, as you can imagine, heavily associated with androgyny and the union of male and female. In Norse Heathenry, Loki has been seen as an androgynous figure; he transforms into a woman/female animal in multiple myths, and in the Hyndluljóð he eats the heart of a woman and gives birth to several creatures.

There are definitely other deities who have androgynous aspects who I'm forgetting, but in general you can find a lot of genderqueerness throughout polytheist religion. Although there are still transphobic & intersexist witches/pagans/polytheists, and those who use ancient patriarchal practices to justify their behavior. In general I'd recommend seeking out specifically trans & intersex pagans/polytheists/witches and learning from their practices to see what calls to you. Even beyond ancient practices, a lot of modern trans & intersex polytheists worship modern, specifically trans forms of otherwise binary deities. so don't feel the need to limit yourself to just what people in the past practiced. I hope this was helpful.

[starsasunder]

HURT / COMFORT : STARTERS // ACCEPTING

@seatedsacrifice sent: “I am fine. I do not need your help.” / Inanna :3

Brows furrow and lips press into a thin line as she considers the viera male opposite her, tail twitching as she freezes in place. Having spotted a small cut on his cheek, she had instinctively reached for her star globe, its bright glow illuminating the space between them. It is a humid summer evening and the stars are bright overhead, but beneath the towering greatwood's boughs, darkness reigns, making it easy to get caught on brambles or vines as they trek through the underbrush.

"Even so, I would offer it nonetheless," she murmurs, but does not cast the small spell of healing she had been preparing out of respect for his wishes. "It's just muscle memory at this point, that's all. The plants here are unfamiliar, and I can never tell which will be poisonous and which won't."

A lie, and a poor one at that. Her father had trained her well, and even when she was unfamiliar with a plant she could usually recognize any signs of danger. Folding her star globe and replacing it in its holster across her back, she sighs softly as darkness descends around them once more and turns to start back up the winding path up the forest slope. "It's probably fine... We still have a lot more ground to cover if we are to find your mysterious, night-blooming flower before sunrise."

[athirstygoblin]

Happy birthday to Tari! Can we get 3 and 11 for the Apprentice Asks, please? I wanna know more about the familiars lol

3. Do they have a familiar? Why did you choose that animal? How did they meet?

Tari's familiar is a fallow deer fawn called Sachi.

I chose this animal specifically because the Fallow Deer still retains its spots when they grow up, and I thought it's a cute nod to Tari's freckles.

As for how they met, it was shortly before the game's events, a month or two at most, when she found him caught in a poacher's trap. She rescued him and brought him home to nurse back to health. Since Sachi sadly didn't have a herd to look after him, he immediately took a liking to Tari and views him as his new mama.

11. How do they get along with all the animals in the game? (Faust, Malak, Chandra, Pepi, Inanna, Camio, Melchior and Mercedes)

Faust

While Tari is usually uneasy around snakes, Faust is a big exception. She loves the little cutie and much like Asra can undestand her.

Malak

Tari is fine with the raven and vise versa. If only he'd stop showing up out of nowhere and scaring the living daylights out of her.

Chandra

A very elegant and beautiful bird, much like her human master. Chandra had shown fondness for Tari and for little Sachi as well.

Pepi

The cutest kitty in the world, according to Tari. She loves to play with Pepi and bring treats for her, and enjoys bringing Sachi along whenever she visits Portia so that the two could play together.

Inanna

Tari absolutely adores Inanna, even though the latter initially scared her at first. In turn, Inanna has protective tendancies towards both Tari and Sachi, which is very useful towards the more hostile familiars and animals they may come across.

Camio

He's just... a very loud bird... he needs to like... tone it down a little.

Melchior and Mercedes

Tari is content to live and let live with Mercedes and Melchior, but is very skeptical about having Sachi near them, considering the borzoi were intially bred to be hunting dogs. (Not very didntidoitforyou of them.)

Thank you so much for the ask ^^

[chryzure-archive]

🐾 💌 💕❌ for the ask game? teehee

🐾 Favorite duo/group dynamic trope

i loooove the “older brother figure saddled with a bunch of little gremlins” group dynamic. yes, having a long-suffering mom-type, or dad-type (or grandpa-type) is fun, but there’s something unique about the brother figure that’s just mildly baffled about everything… chaos ensues, he wants to help, but also he’s a brother, so he lowkey worsens things because of his warped sense of older-brother-humor… do you get the vision? yes, this is about simeon being stuck with shenanigans happening around him, but most importantly, this is cassian being an older-brother figure deliberately fucking around.

i also enjoy the duo dynamic of two people having their own language/references that are utterly baffling and impenetrable from an outsider’s perspective… down to silently staring at each other as there’s a silent convo occurring via facial expressions, to obscure movie references, to a reference to some very and weirdly specific situation that happened on that one thursday night seven years ago when it was raining… i think silent, secret languages are so funny and endearing <3

💌 What's your favorite genre to write?

i like writing magical realism with lots of drama, and many horror elements. also, i guess technically fantasy with body horror elements (i stand by the fact that there’s no effective horror fantasy that doesn’t lean heavily into body horror) and lots of relationship drama. basically i adore writing relationship drama with the added tension of otherworldly forces at play.

💕 What's a genre/trope you'd like to write more?

HORROR COMEDYYYY, but like. effective horror, as opposed to horror as a garnish. no, i want people to laugh at my works and to also be scared to fall asleep at night. i would love to dabble in that more, but currently… relationship drama is my best friend <3

❌ What's a genre/trope you don't like to write?

i cannot stand sci-fi… i’m sorry, don’t put me anywhere near it… i don’t like space, i don’t like aliens, i don’t like any of it… none of it is fun to write :((( stargate au gets a pass bc i’m twisting it into a more fantasy “guillermo del toro” au, so it’s not even sci-fi at its core anymore.

you’ll also never catch me writing “immortal x teenager” NOR WILL I EVER WRITE “love interest is out of control and scary bc of Magical Reasons and puts the one they love in danger/vaguely assault-esque situation”…. that’s not love. that’s an abusive dynamic and disgusting.

[magerywrites]

Ladies. Gentlemen. Enbies. Nascent Armoured Core Six puppygirls. We have a tragedy on our hands. A category five code red containment breach.

It has come to my attention that there are people in the notes of this poll trying to use the Epic of Gilgamesh to justify Enkidu out-heading Ishtar.

The Epic of Gilgamesh. The story about, among other things, how arrogance and hubris against the gods will only lead to disaster and true wisdom is found in accepting that humans can never aspire to the domain of the divine. The story that literally uses Enkidu’s death to support that message.

We need to nip this in the bud. It’s kind of like citing Fate/Stay Night to justify saying that being a hero is lame and you shouldn’t want to save anyone. Neither Archer nor Gil are meant to be right. It’s pretty foundational to the entire story.

Furthermore, using the Epic itself as a reference point for understanding anything about Ishtar is fraught with flaws. The version Fate/Grand Order and Fate/Strange Fake rely on—the Standard Babylonian Version—presents a view of Ishtar so dissimilar to any other representation across any part of her mythology that scholarship has suggested the Epic's compilers were reflecting the existence of "anti-Ištar sentiment at that time" (Beaulieu, 2003). In fact, the original Sumerian version of Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven has nothing to do with romance, but is instead Inanna's attempt to stop Gilgamesh rampaging as he pleased through her temple in Uruk.

Beyond this, it's one piece of mythology out of dozens that feature her. I wrote an entire essay on the subject of Ishtar's sexual skills as attested to in her mythology for this tournament and feel obligated to note that in it I referenced twenty-nine different texts from the relevant time periods, including myths, prayers, kingship inscriptions, and the like... and I could have cited more if I'd had the time.

The Epic is a good story—it's a great story!—but it is exactly that: a story. Pull open the Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL) and read through the courtship of Inanna and Dumuzi (did you know there's a section in it called the Song of the Lettuce where Inanna refers to Dumuzi as her "well-watered lettuce" among a whole series of funky pet names?), or myths like Inanna and Enki or Inanna and Ebiḫ to get a sense of what she is actually like in stories that aren't, arguably, deliberately biased against her.

If you do, you might come to understand how I managed to put down five thousand words about Ishtar's immaculate head game and why I am so normal about her to begin with.

(I would like to be clear that I don't write this to deny Enkidu's sexual skills; as you may already know, a recent discovery revealed that Enkidu actually joins Ereshkigal in the "fourteen days and nights of sex in one myth" club. Rather, I seek, as always, to correct some significant misconceptions about Ishtar that propagate throughout the fandom due to Fate's take on her and the fame of the Epic itself.)

Side D, Round 4 (Match 2)

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

Do you think you could do like a characterization of the Familers?

Everytime I try to think about their personalities and how they would interact with each other, or M6, or Mc I just feel like I don't get it right. Like I've got like the very basics but that's like it

Malak is a crazy

Chandra is spoiled

Faust is a wildcard

Ianna is protective

Pepi is energetic

Idk Lucio’s familars ( i cant spell one of their names) but they are kinda like wild dogs, they do whatever they want

EVEN THEN, I still feel like some of these are wrong or don't cover most of their character or I'm mischaracterizing them on accident.

Could you maybe do some more Familers mini headcannons?

Like what do the Familers do when M6 is sad?

What do they do when Mc is sad?

How do they interact with each other on a day to day bases?

( I think you might have done one of these actually )

But I have more

What do they do when M6 or/and MC gets hurt?

What do they typically do during the day and/or What do they do when they aren't with M6?

How would they respond if M6/Mc was in a dangerous situation/attacked | How are they when M6/Mc is ill?

Some of these are probably answers in their routes but it's hard to remember/recall. I do wish they were in their respective routes just a little bit more than they are so I could get a could grasp of their personalities.

What I really want is just like a written out basis of what they are like? I don't even need the Mini headcannons ( but I do like them) Their personalities is just what I have a hard time grasping because it not like right in front of me or I'm not constantly reminded of it like the Li’s that I just forget or mischaracterize them.

So if you ever have the time and or patience, I would love if you could just write about their personalities or just more about them in general. They are right hand to the Li’s and I love them so much and I tried using the wiki but I don't trust it because apparently some of the info is just flat-out wrong. I love reading you headcannons and mini headcannons because I feel like you do the Li’s justice and this account is keeping the Arcana fandom alive. I'm very sorry that this is a really long ask and my grammar my be wrong in some areas.

I'd like to thank you if you've read through everything. I hope you keep making Arcana content in the future as me and many others really do enjoy your content and takes on the characters.

-🃏

Hi friend!! I hope you're ready for the full scale essay under the cut XD

(also, you are more than welcome to request some mini-hcs with the M6's familiars - please feel free to submit them individually so I can sort and try to answer them ^.^)

The devs don't go hugely into detail about how familiars work, exactly, but here's what we know: First, how in-tune to magic you are does affect how involved your bond is, but people still have familiars whether or not they have a lot of magical ability. Second, the bond makes the most sense if you think of it as being similar to a "soulmates AU" setup. The person and animal involved have a natural connection with the potential for a full-fledged familiar bond, but how that manifests changes depending on the effort and type of bonding that happens.

There's also a consistent pattern when it comes to vibes and personality, with the familiars being very similar to their respective humans. I'll go familiar by familiar from here ^.^

Malak:

Julian and Malak are (unfortunately) not very in touch with each other. Julian doesn't speak of him much beyond referring to him as "the raven", and while it's clear that they're more in sync than the average human and animal would be, Julian tends to find it more uncanny than comforting. Malak, in turn, tends to get quickly annoyed by this when his genuine attempts to help and protect and connect get consistently thwarted. He shares Julian's values and habits, constantly keeping watch (anxiously or otherwise) over his person and the people important to him, and often flying beak-first into situations that seem out of control with little regard for his own well being. Malak and Julian have the capacity to cover each other's blind spots. Julian is quicker at analyzing and navigating social situations that sometimes send the bird into a frenzy, while Malak is aware of magical happenings that Julian is completely blind to.

The two of them share an anxiety about the world being a constantly dangerous place and noble mindset focused around doing the right thing and protecting the people they love. The big difference is that Malak doesn't doubt his own abilities - as generally anxious as he acts with all his ruffling feathers and screeches, the raven doesn't hold himself back because he thinks someone else could do better. If anything, he's often pushing Julian to get over the self-deprecation and join him already. Unfortunately, neither of them has figured out how to listen to each other yet, which means more often than not they just get on each other's nerves. Given MC's ability to help Julian navigate things of a magical nature, they could very easily become the communication bridge between the two.

Faust

It's pretty heavily implied (if not canon) that Faust is the child of Asra's parents' familiars, Chimes and Flamel. She was given to Asra as an egg and hatched on one of their birthdays, and the two have been inseparable ever since. They have an incredibly strong bond, enough for them to send memories to each other, have conversations, communicate across long distances, and even share emotions. Faust loves Asra, herself, and MC almost equally, and in Asra's route she happily becomes MC's companion when Asra isn't around to do so. She also appears to have her own capacity for magic, frequently blipping from one realm to another as she pleases.

The best way (in my head) of describing her vibes are that one honorary younger sibling who is also the instigator best friend. While she's borne witness to Asra's toughest moments, she's received such excellent care and attention that she doesn't seem to have nearly the same levels of trauma - or maturity. Reading about her feels a lot like what I imagine reading about a teenaged Asra with a much kinder life would feel like - whimsical, mischievous, creative, impulsive, unpredictable, and carefree to the point of recklessness. She's still learning what it means to have limits (re: going off on an unannounced adventure, only to be caught and held hostage by the Devil) but when push comes to shove she's suprisingly dependable (re: sabotaging the ritual, right under the Devil's nose).

Due to her being so accessible to MC's character, she has a level of plot influence and general content that comes closer to a main character than the other familiars. It gives fan work more content to work with, but also less space to take its own creative liberty.

Chandra

Chandra is always hovering, and yet rarely directly involved. We know that Nadia used to be able to speak with her similarly to how Asra speaks with Faust, but she doesn't remember how. There's a wall between the two of them that they both seem to want to breach, but given the circumstances, they just haven't found the time and resources to do it yet. However, it's clear that they know how important they are to each other - Chandra seems to live at Nadia's beck and call, despite seeming so distant, and Nadia dedicates much of her personal time and interests to caring for her. They rely heavily on each other as allies in uncertain times (re: Nadia trusting Chandra in multiple routes to be her eyes and ears and carry her most important messages).

Chandra certainly has Nadia's independence, initiative, and desire for companionship. She's often seen on alert on the fringes and ready to step in and help take control of chaotic situations. However, where Nadia responds to a desire for companionship by initiating connection, Chandra is more reserved. She's present, she's paying attention, but she's not actively connecting until she's invited. She, like Nadia, has become accustomed to living in a Palace filled with with intrigue and uncertain loyalties, and it plays out in her reticence. She's much more likely to communicate interest by watching intently from a distance than by approaching and interacting. Over time, if MC is able to help Nadia find the way to communicate with Chandra again, they'll likely become her confidante in her efforts to be a good familiar.

Inanna

The best way to describe her and Muriel is trauma bonded. (Which, given Muriel's past, is arguably the bond that lets him receive the support he needs from her best.) They're both loners, both uninterested in connection until it's proven to be worthwhile, and both deeply distrusting of other people's motives. Inanna is Muriel's breaking point twice. First, when he's expected to kill her in the Coliseum (how they met), and second, when she's horribly injured trying to protect the heart of the forest. Both of those moments with her push Muriel to recognize his priorities and actually act on them. As a result, they have a deep mutual respect for each other - and a stubborn emphasis on still being their own people (or wolf). Muriel refers to her as his friend more easily than as his familiar.

Inanna as a character, however, seems to hold onto some of the traits that Muriel has buried under his trauma. She's more adaptable than he is, quicker to accept change, and considerably more hopeful and optimistic. She's faster to act (often the one prompting Muriel to follow through, when he'd rather continue thinking), and she's nosier. Where Muriel analyzes and then quietly judges while respecting someone's decision, Inanna analyzes and then does her best to assist any kind of good change. Whether that's leading MC to Muriel when he's injured and would rather be left alone, or expressing the affection towards them that he's still trying to hide, she acts like a big sister. Independent, a bit of a bully, fiercely protective, and loyal beyond measurement. She doesn't need to bond with MC through Muriel, she can do that herself.

Pepi

Portia met Pepi on Mazelinka's ship, as she was on her way to hunt down her older brother and beat some sense into him. The two of them bonded instantly, and when the time came for Portia and Mazelinka to part ways, Pepi gave up the life of a ship cat to stay by Portia's side. Portia doesn't seem to be fully aware of Pepi being her familiar and sees her as more of an uncannily well-bonded pet. At least, until her own route, where Pepi learns how to speak. Up until that point Portia just seems to see Pepi more as an unusually intelligent cat that she likes to talk to. The two of them are each other's family, Pepi always ready to lend a helping paw with unruly birds, and Portia always happy to spoil her with snuggles and treats.

Pepi has Portia's optimism, love of mischief, and dauntless attitude. However, they differ somewhat in how they view themselves. While Portia struggles to see herself as the main character of her own story, often fading into the background in order to support someone else, Pepi is more than happy to take center stage. This cat can and will prioritize her own needs and preferences if she thinks nobody else is going to do it, and it often lands her in trouble (re: stealing your heartsong festival gift, seeking out nap places that give her access to forbidden fishies, etc). She's quick to make her own friendships, and when you and Portia start your new life together, she'll consider you one of her family as well. Thanks to her retained ability to speak (upright ending) you'll never have to go without a conversation partner again.

Mercedes & Melchior

Lucio, unfortunately, didn't realize these two were his familiars until after he'd met you. While a large part of his menagerie building was his search for a familiar, he failed to notice how those two in particular were so attached to them. Thankfully, they're never on their own given how closely they stick to each other. Their lack of a strongly developed magical connection with Lucio doesn't really stop them from being able to communicate. They vibe with him on a similar act-first-think-later wavelength, having such little interest in impulse control that it's impossible not to know what they want. All you know is that they're hellbent on accomplishing it and on getting out of whatever consequences they invite with a pair of large, shining puppy eyes.

Besides their impulsiveness and chaotic nature, Mercedes and Melchior share Lucio's tendency to live in the moment and focus on life's pleasures. However, they also have the emotional intelligence and undying loyalty all good dogs do. When Lucio was "dead" they spent three years guarding his wing and trying to find help for him, and when you join him in his search for answers, they'll remain with you and empathize with you regardless of the dangers involved (re: one of them going with Lucio to get help, the other staying next to you and whining when Valdemar has you strapped to a gurney). They instinctively track your emotional state and are often the reason Lucio notices how you're doing as quickly as he does. For all their bratty behavior, their doggy bodies are overflowing with love for the people they care about and nothing makes them happier than being with them. Don't mistake love for respect, though - they take orders from nobody.

[moonmaenad]

learning about Ereshkigal means learning about her sister Inanna/Ishtar and coming to recognise that both parties had a side in the Inanna’s Descent myth

[m-musings]

Headcanons: Cuddling with the Arcana Men

A/N: I love obsessing over a dead fandom, don't you? anyways, arcana time let's do thissssss (and yes, I am aware Asra is nonbinary, I just didn't know how else to address this group with them in it, so I figured men was the most appropriate seeing that Asra will use he/him pronouns on occasion but in the actual headcanons, I use they/them)

Word Count:599

Warnings: none just fluff :)

Asra:

Laying down and cuddling with Asra is always enjoyable!

They'll light up some colorful lanterns before hand and make sure your bed has any pillows and blankets you may want or need.

Once you're all settled down, Asra will scooch in closer just so they can feel the warmth that emanates from you.

They will tell you fantastical stories, using their magic to create scenes in midair as a way to entertain you as you smile up at them with an amused grin.

As you cling onto them, they smell like the most intoxicating combination of tea leaves and cinnamon, which can be very soothing if you've had a bit of a rough afternoon.

They will soak up any and all attention you give and will reciprocate that love tenfold as they squeeze you tightly to their chest.

Their favorite times are when the two of you have nothing to do so they can spend the entire day just relaxing with you in the calming silence of the shop.

Julian:

Julian is a lil bit awkward to cuddle with in the beginning.

He's just so damn tall that sometimes his limbs are a little odd to maneuver around.

But once you two figure out the positioning, he's a great cuddler!

After a long day at the marketplace or a fun night at the Rowdy Raven, it's so relaxing to lean up against his chest and listen to his heartbeat.

He loves to trace shapes across your skin as you two enjoy the peaceful quiet of your room.

Sometimes, he'll even sing you soft songs as you drift in and out of consciousness.

Also, If he falls asleep while you are cuddling, you are not getting up for the rest day. I'm not sorry to say you are now stuck in a bear hug with a very handsome doctor.

Muriel:

Cuddling with Muriel is just so nice!

Once he gets over his initial apprehension, he will melt into it like its second nature.

He's always so warm and cozy which is perfect for cold nights in the Vesuvian forest.

If you ask him to, he will hold you so close and never let go for as long as you so want.

And if you're having a bad day, he'll hold you just slightly tighter as a way to reassure you that he's there for whatever you need from him.

Muriel will also pat the bed beside the two of you so that Inanna will jump up and snuggle with you two.

As you wrap your arms around her, Muriel will engulf the both of you in his, creating the perfect cuddle puddle and optimal nap conditions.

Lucio:

Lucio will designate entire days dedicated to the two of you just spending time together in your home.

He also is always sure to take off his prosthetic so that you are as comfortable as possible.

As he holds you in his embrace, he will regale you with stories from his younger, wilder days, which leads you to giggle at his dramaticness.

On the days where he's a bit more subdued, he will invite you to lay directly on top of him while he just leans back and relishes in the moment.

Just like with Muriel and Inanna, Lucio's dogs will also join the two of you while you're chilling together!

Mercedes will lay next to you while Melchior will lay next to the former count on the opposite site of the mattress.

This leads to a chaotic but comforting tangle of appendages where you are able to let go of the stresses of the everyday.

[ramp-it-up]

Altered

Pairing: Mob Boss! Bucky x Boss! Reader

Word Count: 3.4K

A/N:  This comes directly after Queen of Heaven and is in the called This Thing of Ours AU.

Warnings: As usual 18+ ONLY; MINORS DNI. Not Beta’d, all errors my own. Reader is a switch (dominant and submissive) , graphic depictions of sex acts, teasing, masturbation, hints of pegging, dom/sub play, oral sex (f recieving) slapping, Switch Bucky, restraints, spit play, edging, anal play, p in v, raw sex (wrap before you tap) use of ‘Puppy’ pet name.  This time Bicky turns reader out. More PWP.

I no longer operate a taglist. Follow @rampitupandread to be notified when I post.      

I Do NOT consent to my work being reposted, translated or presented on any other blog or site other than by myself.

Bucky sat in your office dumbfounded. He looked up at you with those blue blue eyes incredulously. The contract you’d drawn up was a joke.

“You can’t be serious?”

“What is the problem, Mr. Barnes?”

You sat back across your desk from him and crossed your legs. Bucky mirrored you on the other side, clearly irritated.

“The terms of this contract. It is not the same one I brought over. It is entirely different, and gives you concessions and earnings not in the original agreement. You’re trying to rob us, Ms. YLN.”

Bucky had called you the next day after his night at Queen of Heaven to set up a meeting only to be greeted by your voicemail. He’d texted and you’d been slow to reply.

Finally, he was sitting across from you, more than a week later. And his patience was wearing thin. You were definitely trying to play him.

Bucky narrowed his eyes at you. He took in your hair, your face, your eyes. Then he recognized the shirt that you were wearing.

It was definitely altered, but it was his, the one he’d left at the club that night. The JBB embroidered on the pocket was a dead give away, but he’d been so excited to see you again that he just now noticed, 15 minutes after he entered the room.

“Nice shirt.”

Bucky couldn’t guess what you were playing at, but he wasn’t in the mood for games.

You were waiting for him to notice. You didn’t set the meeting until the tailor was done with his shirt.

You stood up, looked down at yourself and smoothed your fingers down your torso, stopping at your breasts, giving him a clear view of your braless nipples, then smoothed down the rest of the garment.

Bucky licked his lips and shifted in his seat.

“Found this piece at the club. Now I’ve changed it, and it’s mine.”

You looked right at him as you moved around the desk and sat on the edge near him, giving him a flash up your short skirt to the promised land as you crossed your legs again. There was something clothing your pussy, but it was very skimpy, because what he saw was a flash of white and your fat pussy lips.

Bucky stared at your Jimmy Choos and followed your ankle to your leg all the way up. He wanted to part those legs and lick his way to your cunt, but he was resolute.

“Need something to drink, Mr. Barnes?” You cocked your head at him. “Thirsty?”

You were playing with the collar of his shirt and the look in your eye was playful.

But Bucky wasn’t about to be played.

Bucky stood up, took the embroidered pocket of the shirt you were wearing between his fingers, causing you to almost gasp at the proximity.

He wasn’t the only one excited about your meeting today.

“Huh. You’re right. It’s not the same.”

He leaned close to you and you held on to the edge of the desk for dear life. Those blue eyes pierced you to your soul.

“You can have it.”

The menacing sneer made you wetter than the memories of the other night. You wanted him to fuck you up. Damn him.

He buttoned his jacket as he turned to walk away.

You found yourself calling after him.

“What? No negotiation?”

Bucky stopped, grateful for the excuse. He didn’t want to leave you just yet, but you were playing hardball.

He could be hard too. Bucky turned around slowly and gave you the chance to admire him in his tailored suit, broad shouldered, and (now you knew) big dick glory.

Damn.

“Negotiate? You’re busting my balls here.”

He waved his hand toward the contract. As you held back a smart retort.

“No one gets that kind of deal with Valkyrie. We own this town. It’s our terms or nothing.”

The cocky arrogance of Bucky at business did something to you. This energy was the shit.

You stood up and bent over your desk to get the contract. Bucky started to sweat.

“You said I was trying to rob you. But you are trying to strong arm me. I’m not some innocent little small business owner, Mr. Barnes. Three Rivers is a force.”

Bucky walked back toward you, wanting to fall at your feet. But Sam and Steve would have his head if he let this contract go through as written.

The look on your face was lethal and Bucky felt like he might need to be punished for what he was about to say. The thought made him smile.

“We know what Rumlow has been doing to some of your deliveries. We can protect you, Inanna.”

You reached up and slapped him. Hard.

“Do NOT call me that here. Unless I specifically instruct you too.”

The fire in your eyes was irresistible, and Bucky watched them as he relished the pain in his cheek. He was hard as fuck.

Who was he changing into?

“Sit.”

You glared at him. He didn’t move.

“Please.”

The ask was uttered through clenched teeth, and although he tried to play it off, Bucky sat, anticipation running through his veins. He ran his damp palms up and down his pant legs and practiced his impassive stare.

But inside, Bucky felt giddy.

You leaned against the desk, desperate for James Buchanan Barnes. You stared at him, trying to figure it out.

He was certainly handsome, his body hard, his penis… impressive. But you’d had that before.

The fact that he seemed to want the freedom of being topped intrigued you, but that wasn’t new either. What was new was your desire to switch. You wanted him to take you like none other. You’d dabbled before, of course. But you had never felt like this with anyone else.

Bucky was staring at your feet in those heels, imagining them up over his shoulders.

You cleared your throat.

“What would you change, Mr. Barnes?”

Bucky dragged his eyes up your form and widened his legs. There was no mistaking his erection. Your mouth began to water.

“Almost everything. We up Valkyrie’s percentage by 50.”

You scoffed and threw your hands up.

“If you think I’m going to give you a controlling interest in my company, you’ve lost your damn mind!”

Bucky smirked, glad to see that he’d gotten you worked up.

If he only knew.

“You stand to multiply your earnings by at least 600%. That’s worth it.”

You leaned forward and stared him in the eye.

“Fuck you and Valkyrie, Mr. Barnes.”

Bucky bit back a response. But his eyes gleamed as he stood, buttoned his jacket and turned to walk away again.

This man was driving you insane.

“10 percent.”

Bucky kept waking, but replied.

“40.”

“20 percent.”

“30.”

You groaned. That would give Valkyrie a 40% stake in your company. But he was right, you needed the insurance on deliveries and you would make a lot more money, despite the split.

“Shit. It’s a deal.”

You went to your laptop to amend the paperwork and printed it out.

Bucky strolled back to your desk as you signed, watching your cleavage through the opening in his shirt.

Then, he leaned down and signed, your eyes drawn to the veins in his hands. You almost sighed.

Almost.

Bucky looked up at you as he placed his copy of the contract in his inside jacket pocket.

“Nice doing business with you, Ms. YLN.”

“Call me Inanna.”

Bucky gulped at the sudden change in the air.

“Sit.”

Bucky obeyed and he watched you pull your skirt up to reveal your teeny tiny white thong flanked by your puffy pussy lips and your glistening thighs. You wanted him. He wanted to jump for joy, but he just settled back in the chair, ready for what you had to give him.

“Let me see you stroke it, James.”

He was in shock at what you were asking, but he moved quickly, bringing his cock out and dry stroking it slowly.

You leaned over him and spit on it, giving him lubrication. Bucky stroked faster as you pushed two of your fingers in his mouth and then pulled them out to circle your clit as you perched on the edge of your desk, your thong pulled aside.

He wanted to be that thong so bad.

You watched his hand and the precum glistening at the tip of his swollen penis. You watched his face and heard his sounds and it almost got you there.

Almost.

“I think I like you moaning like a little bitch, James.”

Bucky’s eyes were glazed over and riveted to your fingers. He opened his mouth and moaned louder for you.

“Ohhhh. Inanna…”

“Fuck, James!”

You came watching this desire flare between you. His hand was moving at the speed of light and you could tell he was getting close. So you did what you had to do.

“Stop stroking, James.”

Bucky’s eyes went frantic, but he grunted and did as he was told. Watching and praying as you moved closer to him, unbuttoning his shirt from around your breasts.

“The next time you’re in Queen of Heaven, I will be inside you.”

You took your panties off and held them in front to his face. He closed his eyes and inhaled as you said, “Open.”

You stuffed your panties in his mouth and looked down at him as you ran your fingers through his hair.

“You want that, don’t you Puppy?”

Bucky nodded vigorously, the tension leaving his body as he inhaled and tasted you.

"Now keep your hands behind you James. I shouldn't need to tie you up. "

You winked and straddled Bucky’s hips, your pussy leaking onto his cock, so close, but yet so far.

Bucky felt the heat radiating from where he wanted to be and he desperately hoped that you would bend your knees.

“Or do you want to have your cock inside me, James? Split me open? Make my sloppy cunt even more so?”

You played with your pussy in his face, as he drooled all over your panties.

Bucky’s eyes watered as he moaned. Being inside you was his only goal in life.

You watched his lust blown eyes watch your hand working between your folds. Then his eyes dragged up your body to your breasts. He wanted to devour you, you could tell. This feeling of power was like none other. And you knew it was because of him.

You took your panties from his mouth, then moved your pelvis to his face as he moistend his lips.

“Lick it, James.”

Bucky looked up at you with those blue blue eyes, as if asking permission. You were pleased immensely and you shoved his head forward, and that was when he eagerly went to work with his mouth.

The sound of him licking you while simultaneously feeling his wide, wet, rough tongue delving into you was pure heaven.

“Mmmmmmmmhmmmmm.”

He had your legs trembling and unstable as you clutched your nails into his hair.

“Suck it.”

Immediately, he went to work, pulling your clit just the way you liked it.

“That hot mouth, James. Those lips. Right…. There…. Yessss. Eat it up, Puppy.”

You didn’t care that you were being too vocal, exposing to many of your emotions, he had you caught up. You considered deviating from the plan and taking his cock as you ground your cunt into his face.

“Such a good boy. Such a good little slut for my cunt.”

You pulled his face out of your pussy and stared down at him, eyes dilated, and mouth slack. He was totally fucked out.

“Let me finish you Inanna. Please.”

The way his broken voice made you clench around air.

“Hmmmmm.”

You bent down, legs straight around his and your ass in the air as you looked into his eyes.

Bucky’s fingers itched to grab that ass. He mused how funny it was that he’d been this sexual with you, but not that intimate. He wanted more. You could read him like a book and you surprised yourself with your matching desire for intimacy.

This was new.

Bucky tried to kiss you and you dodged him. His eyes flashed. He wanted those lips.

“You are so delicious, Inanna. Taste yourself.”

“No James. You don’t get these lips.”

You whispered it, your mouth a hair’s breadth away from his.”

And then you stood up, pulling him toward your cunt again.

“But you can have these. Go ahead. Match all of that big talk with action.”

Bucky tried to keep his eyes open and on you as he brought you to the brink, watching your eyes close and your hands move to your breasts, plucking and stretching your pierced nipples as Bucky moaned and lapped you your juices in between sucking the shit out of your clit.

You bit your lip and moaned your way through your orgasm, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of how hard he’d made you cum. You didn’t scream like you wanted to.

When you finished cumming, Bucky looked up at you and you knew he 'd take you apart and put you back together if you let him go at that moment.

And so you didn’t.

You couldn’t let him. Bucky knew it, but that didn’t stop him from trying to ask.

“Inanna…”

“No.”

You cut him off, knowing what he wanted. Your eyes were on his cock as you put your hands on his shoulders and leaned over to whisper in his hear. He turned his head so that his lips were near yours, making you want to chase them. But you held your resolve.

“Stay.”

Bucky stayed. But he noticed the hungry look in your eyes as you watched his long thick cock bob. You licked your lips as he pushed his pelvis up, hoping beyond hope for some kind of relief.

You shook your head, trying to clear your head of these silly notions, and when you looked up at him, he saw the need.

You hated how he smirked and you didn’t punish him for it.

You just pulled your skirt down and buttoned up his shirt, moving behind your desk. You picked up your phone.

“Goodbye Mr. Barnes.”

Bucky groaned low in his throat. You were dismissing him and his dick was hard yet again. But he stood with all the dignity he could muster and painfully put himself into his pants again.

He leaned down to retrieve your panties and as he walked away, he smelled them, remembering the taste of your copious cream when he ate you out. He licked his lips then he heard the signal.

“Hello Ralph. I’ve decided on a new color for the trucks. Green. Very Green.”

Bucky strode back to where you were and was behind you in a flash.

As if overpowering an adversary, Bucky took your arm and bent you over your desk, pulling your skirt up back up around your waist. He looked down at the vision which was your lovely ass.

He pulled himself out of his pants again, lining up and playing in your wetness. It felt so good.

You struggled not to wiggle your ass against him like a simp, but you needed him.

“Did you say green?”

“Yes. Sir.”

Bucky plunged inside you with no prep, just as you were praying he’d do. The stretch was glorious. It had been so long since a real cock had been inside you that you almost didn’t know what to do.

“You’re so gotdamn tight Inanna. Fuck!”

Bucky’s cock pumped inside you of its own accord as if it were drilling for oil. He was deep in your guts, almost, but not quite, painfully stretching you out. It felt so good.

But then he pulled right back out. And you whimpered. You actually whimpered!

“Did you like that Inanna?”

You stayed silent, not wanting to admit it, until Bucky slapped your ass, hard. He watched his hand print begin to raise on your behind as you whimpered again.

“I asked you a fucking question. Did you like it.”

“Yes, Sir!”

Bucky grinned at your distress. Then, he knelt on the floor to pull your thighs apart so that he could lick the puckered hole he now had access to. He licked and swirled your ass as you writhed on your desk.

Bucky came up for air to give you some information.

“I should take this ass right here, right now.”

You whimpered and cried at the previews your mind was giving you at that scenario.

“Yes, you should, Sir.”

You whispered it as Bucky stood back up. He grinned at the state he had you in. Then he leaned over you, cock sliding against your leaking core, but not where you needed it.

“I should leave you like this. Mentally begging me to fuck you in whatever hole I choose. Like you left me the other night.”

His menacing whisper caused you to clench. God you loved this feeling.

You squeezed your eyes shut and bit your tongue to keep from begging out loud. You never begged, but this man was testing your limits.

Bucky felt your pussy moving and he cursed.

“Fuck! You felt so good. I’m going to take this cunt that’s weeping for me.”

Bucky leaned back and lined up.

“Your word Inanna?”

“Green!” You choked it out. Your face heated at the fact that you wanted him so much.

Bucky slid back inside you where he was immediately at the precipice.

“Fucckkkkkk!”

He pulled out yet again.

“Please!”

You turned your head and screamed, finally begging as you desperately searched his eyes. He saw the desperation there.

He shifted so that you could see him taking his cock in hand and start to jack it.

“Do you want this? Tell me why I should give you what you want?”

Bucky looked down to see your core clenching around air and he licked his lips to keep from drooling. You didn't know if you answered him yet, but you were beyond caring how if you looked weak. You had to have him.

“Fuck it, what you want is what I need.”

Bucky grabbed the base of his cock and his balls and slipped inside your wet passage. His thumb caressed the rim of your asshole and you began to pound, milking his cock without him even moving. He groaned and started fucking you on him like a toy, his fingers digging into your hip harshly as he moved you back and forth.

“Such a good pussy. I’m going to use it. I don’t care if you cum.”

That was the biggest lie Bucky ever told.

“Shiiiitttt.”

Bucky’s hips were canting faster as he plowed inside you.

“What if I fill you up with my cum. What then? What color would you be then, Inanna?”

"G-green, Sir!”

“Are you MY cum hungry whore?

“Yes...Yes sir!”

“Mmmmmmm. What if I fill you so full that…. Fuck!”

Your eyes rolled back in your head as Bucky pounded you exactly right. Your fluids leaked down your legs as his voice commanded you.

“You better not cum.”

“Mmmmm. Ah! Ohhhh!”

Bucky was in another world, feeling you around him, raw and wet and tight and hot.

“Don’t want you to cum. No….Don’t dream about it, and I’m not almost always on hard every second of every minute since the other night.”

Bucky’s hips lost their rhythm and you grabbed your desk and arched, pushing his thumb deeper inside you.

You exploded around him which caused him to pull out and jack the hot drops of cum on your ass, growling like an animal.

Bucky pushed his spend into your tighter hole with his thumb, fucking you there for a minute as you quivered around air, still feeling the aftershocks of your orgasm.

“I want this ass, Inanna. Maybe next time.”

You were a whimpering, quivering mess on your desk as you heard Bucky grab a tissue from your desk and wipe his hands, then put himself back together again.

This time he made it to the door, glancing at the gash made in the wall by his knife days ago. You gazed at it too. You decided to keep it, as it was a change that he made to this place.

It would be permanent.

“It was a pleasure doing business with you. Ms. YLN. Until next time.”

[magerywrites]

I'm a little obsessed with the fact that Inanna-Ishtar has colorful eyes, I'm not kidding, one of her epithets is Ninigigun which means "Lady with colorful eyes"

This ask is almost a year old, which shows how efficient I am at tumblr, but in case you are still around, friend—I am just as obsessed with this now as I was then too. It's such a lovely turn of phrase; as an appellation it captures a sense of beauty and splendour, but without trying too hard.

(And beyond that, the idea that Inanna-Ishtar effectively has the LGBTQIA+ sharingan sends me every time. I really need to get around to commissioning art of it. It would be so good.)

[thescarlettbitch]

Inanna / Ishtar masterpost

Inanna / Ishtar is the deity that I am devoted to, and there is a lot of misinformation out there about her, so this is a masterpost about her and her mythology, which does involve sex and rape, and revenge. Read with care.

Edit: I forgot certain points I wanted to add, so instead of editing and adding them in as an after thought, find them here :)

Lineage

Sources disagree on who her parents are. Some say Enki or Nanna, both male presenting, but most often she is depicted as the granddaughter of Enlil, and the niece of Enki. Her mother, as stated in Inanna Prefers The Farmer, is Ningal, as it is the only story that discusses her mother. Perhaps she is the daughter of Enki, Nanna, and Ningal. Regardless of who her parents are, she is the twin sister of Utu, and the sister of Ereshkigal. In the story of Gilgamesh and a few others, she is also portrayed as Gilgamesh's sister. She is married to Dumuzid.

Myths

Inanna and the Huluppu Tree: "A young woman who walked in fear of no man, and would not be owned, Plucked the tree from the river and spoke: “I shall bring this tree to Uruk. I shall plant this tree in my holy garden.”"

Enki, God of wisdom, planted a tree by the Euphrates at the beginning of time. Eventually, the tree was taken by the Euphrates. Inanna came, picked the tree, and decided she would nurture it so she could carve her throne and bed from it. Many years passed, and a serpent who couldn't be charmed made it's home in the tree. Then the Anzu-bird raised his family in the tree. And the dark maid Lilith made her home in the trunk. No matter how much Inanna wept, the creatures would not leave the tree. Inanna called to her brother, Utu, God of the sun, for help. He refused. She went to her brother, the great hero Gilgamesh, and he helped. He struck the serpent who couldn't be charmed and the birds flew away and Lilith fled to the wild uninhabited places. From the trunk, he carved her throne and her bed. From the roots, Inanna fashioned a pukku for her brother, and from the crown a mikku for Gilgamesh.

Inanna Prefers The Farmer: "No, brother!

The man of my heart works the hoe.

The farmer! He is the man of my heart!

He gathers the grain into great heaps.

He brings the grain regularly into my storehouses."

Inanna asks her brother, Utu, who she will marry. He tells her to marry Dumuzi, the shepherd. She responds that her heart is with the farmer Enkimdu. Utu tells her no, Dumuzi is the better choice, but she says no, Enkimdu is. Dumuzi and Enkimdu fight over this, but eventually Inanna is swayed and marries Dumuzi, in a rather erotic scene.

Inanna's Descent: "Then Erishkigal fastened on Inanna the eye of death.

She spoke against her the word of wrath.

She uttered against her the cry of guilt.

She struck her.

Inanna was turned into a corpse,

A piece of rotting meat,

And was hung from a hook on the wall."

Inanna goes to the underworld for her sister Ereshkigal's husband's funeral, having been the cause of his death. Inanna tells her priestess Ninshubur what to do should she not return. Dress in a single cloth like a begger, go to the temple of Enlil and beg for his help. If he does not help, go to Nanna. If he does not help, go to Enki. Inanna arrives at the gates, and as she passes through each of the seven gates, a garment is removed until she stands naked. The Anunna pass judgement, and Ereshkigal turns Inanna into a rotting corpse with the Eye of Death, and hangs her on a hook on the wall. On the third day, Ninshubur follows instruction. She dresses in a single cloth like a begger and goes to Enlil. Enlil denies. She goes to Nanna. Nanna denies. She goes to Enki. Enki creates the Kurgarra and the Galatur, neither male nor female, and gives them each the food of life and water of life. He tells them how to get on Ereshkigal's good side and to take the corpse from the wall and give it the food and water. They do, and Inanna rises, but the Annuna prohibit her from leaving. She must put someone else in her place. The Galla, demons from Ereshkigal, try to take Ninshubur, Shara, and Lulal, but Inanna spares them, as they mourned her. Then they find Dumuzi, dressed beautifully, with women around him. Inanna was betrayed, her own husband did not mourn her. The Galla take him away. Eventually, Inanna misses him, and sets a deal. For half of the year, Dumuzi will be on the wall in the underworld. For the other half, his sister.

Inanna and the God of Wisdom: "“In the name of my power! In the name of my holy shrine! Let the me you have taken with you remain in the holy shrine of your city. Let the high priest spend his days at the holy shrine in song. Let the citizens of your city prosper, Let the children of Uruk rejoice!”"

Inanna goes to Enki, and Enki treats her with butter cake and water and beer, lots of beer. Enki, while intoxicated, gives Inanna the Meh, the various humanities. She takes them and flees with Ninshubur. Enki, now sober, sends his servants to get the Meh back. Ninshubur protects the Meh for Inanna. They go back and forth six times, until Inanna gives the gifts to her people, and Enki resigns himself.

Inanna and Utu: "She makes perfect the great divine powers, she holds a shepherd's crook, and she is their magnificent pre-eminent one."

Inanna is given reign over fertility and sex, but she knows nothing about that subject. Utu and her go to the underworld and Inanna eats the fruit from the tree of knowledge, gaining that information.

Inanna and Su-Kale-Tuda: "He recognised a solitary god by her appearance. He saw someone who fully possesses the divine powers. He was looking at someone whose destiny was decided by the gods."

Inanna had had a long journey, so she rests on earth beneath the shade of a tree in a garden. The farmer Su-Kale-Tuda sees her sleeping and rapes her, then flees to his father. Inanna wakes up, seeing what had been do to her, and vows to find the man who did this. Su-Kale-Tuda confesses to his father, who tells him to hide. Inanna turns the water of the realm to blood, she sits on a storm cloud and drowns the world, then sends a dust storm, then stopped trade entirely within the world. Unable to find him she cries to her father, Enki, demanding his help. Enki turns her to a rainbow so that she stretched across the sky, and saw everything. Su-Kale-Tuda still tried to hide, but he could not hide from her any longer. She found him, and her first words are lost to time (some words translated to "How ......? ...... dog ......! ...... ass ......! ...... pig ......!") Su-Kale-Tuda tried to defend himself but Inanna told him "You will die, but the world will remember your name. Rapist."

Symbols:

Lions - she is often depicted with lions harnessed, to symbolize her power over the king of beasts

Roses - roses are symbols of beauty and sex, and their thorns represent the war side of her. At one point, the rose/rosette eclipsed the eight pointed star as her main symbol

Doves - another symbol of beauty and sex, in one of her temples was a mural of a dove emerging from a large palm tree, leading many to believe she was able to take the form of a dove.

Lapis Lazuli - the only precious stone I have seen be named as something she wears, specifically referenced in The Descent Of Inanna

Eight pointed star - the symbolic meaning is lost to time, but it shows up frequently in her depictions

Hook shaped twist of reeds - a symbol of fertility, and was her cuneiform ideogram

The planet Venus - many hymns credit her as being the personification of the planet

Carnelian - one of her epithets means "precious carnelian"

Thank you for reading, and I hope to make a similar masterpost detailing Mesopotamian mythology as a whole.

Edit: I did, you can find it here.

[starsasunder]

What Liminal Space Are You? for inanna <3

after hours rec center pool

this feels like the only right time to come here. the way the green blue of the water goes with the purple blue of the sky through the big glass windows. swimming alone in a giant pool in the middle of the night. you feel like you're in a different world. the moonlight reflects off the tiled walls and floors. too bad you can't stay here forever

tagged by @seatedsacrifice

tagging: @ofaetherium, @aetheryic, @crystalmarred, @osnowfall, @abstractmage, you !