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sanjoongie · 1 year ago

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𝘾𝔬ןⲒ𝒂ꮁ 𝒂ոᑯ ⳑ𝐞𝕒ꮪһ

❤A/N: Second submission for Revember is for my moonshine @downtoamagicalland who, after many years of being a scorpio stan, decided one was punchable 😢 ❤Pairing: Xu Minghao (Seventeen) x Reader (f) ❤Au: Historical au, Emperor au, Concubine au ❤Genre: smut, angst ❤Trope: the act of true love (self sacrificing for your love) ❤Warnings: bdsm (collar and leash), public fondling, exhibitionism, nipple play, aphrodisiacs, fingering (f), penetrative sex with no barrier ❤Rated: 18+, MDNI ❤Word Count: 1,529 ❤Summary: when you become the concubine for the emperor, knowing it'll hurt your love, knowing that it'll save him, you didn't realize how much power the emperor would have over your body ❤credit to @cafekitsune for the banner!

You walk into the throne room, glad for the heavy makeup on your face, for your entire skin was on fire. The Emperor walked by your side, daintily holding a leash that clipped to a collar around your neck. The deep red robe that wrapped around your nubile body had a neckline that plunged down to your belly button. The message was clear: you were Minghao’s and he was here to show it off.

You kept your head straight, refusing to stare in Seungcheol’s direction. It would only hurt you to see the shame on his face, to see you paraded around as the Emperor’s new concubine. Seungcheol would never know that you had done it for him, to keep him safe, and you meant to keep it that way. Seungcheol would never stand for you to be the one to take the brunt of a punishment.

Minghao swept his robes in a dramatic fashion and sat on his throne. You curled up at his feet, more for warmth in the large throne room than anything. “General Choi, report.”

You leaned your head against Minghao’s knee, in order for your hair to shield your face. Minghao’s hand went to the crown of your head, threading his fingers through your loose hair almost subconsciously patting you. It still shamed you to act this way, but it was preferable to the torture of staring at Seungcheol at this moment.

You could tell by the shoes that Seungcheol had approached the throne. His low voice sent energy zooming through your body but you had to contain yourself. Any reaction to the previous love of your life would only serve as your punishment for the both of you. Seungcheol reported of the famine in the south and how the eastern flood had been quelled. The general of Minghao’s army worked only to help the people of the empire because his heart had always been in the right place.

Minghao yawned loudly. He jerked your leash and pulled you up onto his lap. “Lord Wen, please tell me there is a feast or banquet I can look forward to, I am bored to tears with this talk of the small people.”

Junhui bowed deeply and began to prattle off on the social calendar. And that’s when Minghao’s hand found its way inside your robe. His well manicured nails circled your areola, making your nipple tighten with stimulation. You schooled your features but the tea you had drank earlier was taking effect. Your breathing became quickened as Minghao played with your nipple in front of the entire court. And when he flicked it, the tiny, pitiful moan that escaped your lips was scandalous.

Junhui’s prattling faltered, but Minghao motioned for him to continue. Your gaze eventually drifted over to Seungcheol and that was a mistake. His eyes were burning with anger and his fists were tight at his side. Your heart went out to him and you wished you could stop what was about to unfold but you knew the result would only be in Seungcheol’s death.

Your glance cost you the rest of your dignity for Minghao’s hand was now fully massaging your breast, tempting and teasing and working you up. And when Junhui was done with his list of social gatherings and plans until the next full moon, Minghao released you and you sat back down at his feet. Except now your body was burning with need. You had only thoughts of Minghao taking you in your room; only, it was hours before the court meeting was adjourned. It took everything in you to not mount Minghao right there on the throne.

How you managed to keep your spine straight and your eyes to the front as Minghao walked you out of the throne room deserved recognition but alas you would get none of that. The minute the door to your room closed, Minghao was winding the leash around his hand until you came face to face with your Emperor.

“Did you see how angry Seungcheol was?” Minghao said in a melodic voice, “It was perfect.”

“Your highness,” You panted, hands digging into his lapels. Your lower lips were soaked with your slick and your body ached for more attention.

Minghao’s slow smirk was answer enough. You hated how your stomach dipped, shame and desire flooding your senses. “Did that little display heat you up, pretty flower of mine?”

“Please,” You whimpered, wetting your lips and standing on your tiptoes to press your lips to his.

Minghao placed a finger in between your lips to halt you and you whined at being denied yet again. The tea you were dutifully drinking, the pretty one with the blooming passion flower that drove your sexual desires into overdrive, was working its magic. Minghao always wanted you wet and panting for him. “Sit on the bed, pet.”

The emperor instructed you to lay back on your bed. You lifted your robes until your bare cunt was on display. He bid you to spread your legs, and your lower lips, revealing to him just how much you craved him. He knelt between your thighs, if only to place a chaste kiss on your mound. When you cried out, denied any more stimulating sensations, his tongue came out for a sharp, kitten lick directly to your clit and then he moved up your body.

Minghao’s eyes became hooded, his broad shoulders looming over you in the lantern light. “I’m sure he gave you soft moments but nothing more than that.” He was referring to Seungcheol, of course. “But you--” Minghao paused to pull open your robe aggressively, so that your breasts bounced free for him, “--delight in my roughness.”

Mingho sunk into your heat as he gripped both of your breasts in each hand. He pinched and tugged your nipples, fighting to get every last inch of his cock inside of you. You were mewling and arching your back into touches, drinking it all in. The emperor owned your body but he also made you crave his.

“If he only knew how you call out my name in the darkness of night and the first light of the day. How you can only be satisfied by me and me alone. Wouldn’t he be angry, my pet?” Minghao continued to taunt you.

You wrapped your legs around Minghao’s waist, enjoying the grind of his pelvis against yours. You needed more! More of him, more of the pleasure he provided, anything to wipe away the thoughts of your sweet love.

Minghao abandoned your breasts, content in watching them bounce as he fucked you. Instead, he pressed one hand to your stomach and held one at your hip. “Such a tiny thing, I can feel my cock pressing against your stomach. And yet you somehow manage to take all of me every time. Is it because you’re the perfect little flower, just for me?”

You let out a wanton moan as you feel your climax begin to build. “Your highness--” You choke out.

“Say my name, pet,” Minghao cooed, correcting you.

“Mi-minghao,” You stuttered as his thrusting became rougher and deeper.

“Again,” He said in that flowing, melodic voice.

“Minghao!” You cried out once again.

“You’re insatiable for me,” Minghao grunted, the squelch of your pussy speaking for itself. “I’ll fuck you full of my seed, get you plump with a baby, and then fuck you some more. All for my satisfaction to watch your love fail. How exquisite.”

The two of you came together, tongues engaged in a lazy tango, lust swirling in your gut still, even after one orgasm. You knew that Minghao would not be sated with one orgasm, his seed already spilling out of you, but you were also sure that you could do with a few more yourself.

You pushed Minghao to his back, his long black hair flaring around his delicate face prettily and the emperor chuckled. “What’s this, pretty flower?” he smiled, “Still cock hungry for me?”

You drew your nails down his chest, satisfied when a low groan left his mouth. “You didn’t torture me in front of your lords only to fuck me once, Your Highness.”

“That’s my pet,” Minghao purred.

A clearing of a voice near the door interrupted your lust-cloud moment. “Sorry to intrude, Your Highness, but the general has been standing out here for a quite while now…”

The guard finished his sentence lamely and all the blood drained from your face. Had Seungcheol been there the entire time? Had he heard how you begged for it, how you enjoyed it, how you looked for more…?

You glared down at Minghao, who was still deep inside of you. He smiled up at you with a kitty-cat like satisfied smirk. “Tell the General I’ve changed my mind. I’ll speak to him another time, perhaps.”

Your heart ached as heavy footsteps could be heard leading away from your room. You had to remind yourself that you did this for him, despite how much you were breaking his heart.

Minghao, however, would not let you dwell on your thoughts. “Come, pretty flower, show me once again how sweet your cunt can be for me.” special thanks to @starlitmark for making my revenge fics look so pretty 😍

#kvanity #kwritersworldnet #cultofdionysusnet #svt smut #svt minghao smut #minghao smut #the8 smut #revember=revenge+november #seventeen x reader #minghao x reader #topaz's work

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thirteenducks · 2 years ago

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dinner & diatribes

(zhongli x wife!reader) [NSFW]

༻❁༺ content: fem!reader, established relationship, ~5k wc

༻❁༺ tags: dom!reader, sub!zhongli, accidental stimulation, masturbation, handjobs, orgasm denial, teasing, zhongli has dragonesque tendencies including a rut season, reader is only a little mean about it <3

For all of his wisdom and eons of knowledge, Zhongli's not quite certain what to do when he ends up achingly aroused at a dinner party with his wife. The plan from here: survive, and retain his pride at all costs.

Zhongli’s long, gloved fingers were curled so tightly around the glass in his hand that it was a miracle it hadn’t cracked yet.

Curses. To be in such a state, in a public place like this, with her and all of our friends as witnesses...

He let an obscenity softly slip out under his breath.

It was partially his own fault, Zhongli told himself. After all, that dress had been handpicked by him to adorn his beloved tonight. His eyes naturally gravitated to her the way they always did, admiring the beautiful flush that animated conversation had brought to her cheeks, though it besieged his mind with thoughts he’d rather not be having at the moment.

It’s a good thing you retired, you old bastard. These are hardly thoughts fitting of an archon at any time, let alone at a banquet with his wife and dearest friends.

Zhongli took a shaky sip of his wine and bit back a low groan, wishing it would cloud all of his senses the way it did his thoughts. His discomposure, to his dismay, was growing by the minute. Under the table, he could feel the uncomfortable tightness in his suit trousers every time he shifted.

Earlier that afternoon, he’d felt the telltale stirrings of something in his subconscious. As he helped his wife prepare for the evening, fastening her necklace of jade, his more base desires had urged him to leave a mark on her lovely exposed neck, as if her garments and the arm wrapped around her waist were not enough to announce her as his. He had heard the rush of blood in his ears, had felt the outbreak of sweat on his forehead, and yet he had done nothing to prepare.

And now, Zhongli would pay due penance for neglecting to keep on top of his calendar.

Curse the limits of this human body. In his archon form, he wouldn’t be considering bringing himself off in the restroom of a reputable establishment to stave off a rut, of that he was certain.

While excusing himself to the men’s room was the quickest way to relief and thus the most tempting course of action, it would never be enough; Zhongli knew his vessel too well to pretend the issue would be resolved that easily. If memory served—and his always did—this might go on all night, regardless of how many times he...

He drummed his gloved fingers anxiously on the expensive tablecloth. No, temporary release was not the solution. Besides, he’d rather relive the wrath of Osial a thousand times than walk across this dining room with his arousal prominent in his trousers.

This brought him to the next scenario, which required letting his beloved know of his current... predicament.

It wouldn’t be too difficult. He was worked up enough that a gentle pass of her lovely hand over his lap would convey his message just fine. He pushed past that dangerous thought before he could dwell on it for very long.

While she would most assuredly be understanding, as she was in all her husband’s matters, Zhongli’s pride protested just a little too much to really consider going through with it. The promise of leaving early under the guise of sudden sickness was enticing to his weary mind, but at home, he could hide nothing from her. To show such vulnerability, even to his wife, would be a trial indeed for an ex-archon.

He sighed, bringing his eyes back into focus from a few decidedly unsophisticated fantasies of what she might do in response. Tch. Stay lucid, Morax.

Only one option remained. He fought back a grimace at the thought of it, but if he was to end the night with the same grace he began it, he would have to suffer through the rest of dinner and endure until he was safely at home behind a locked door. Such a show of restraint actually might kill him, he thought, but what other choice did he have?

A woman’s voice from across the table interrupted his internal monologue; Yanfei had asked his opinion on a popular betting game. In the interest of appearing like his normal self, who never passed on an opportunity to impart knowledge, he suppressed the sound that was forming in the back of his throat and attempted to compose himself.

Surreptitiously pressing one hand to the obvious outline in his pants and curling the fingers of the other into his palm, he gathered himself enough to give a believable response, if not quite of the usual length.

His friends seemed satisfied enough with his answer to leave him alone for the time being. He begged a prayer to the heavenly principles that his wife wouldn’t happen to look over on a whim and see her husband with a hand slotted between his legs and a thinly veiled blush.

The marginal friction it provided was simultaneously heaven and hell, but he couldn’t stay like that forever. Not when he might be discovered at any moment. He dug his nails into his palm harder, leaving crescent marks even through his glove, and bit his inner lip as he released his shaft and placed his hand limply on the table.

As he was fighting to stabilize his lust-shrouded mind, Zhongli felt a soft hand on his flushed upper thigh. He turned to his right, his cock twitching in mingled surprise and pleasure, and cursed internally. There, looking so lovely that she hurt to behold in his current state of mind, was his wife, who turned her body toward his and met his eyes with a look of gentle concern. Did she know...?

To his quiet dismay, her thumb began to move in circles against his thigh in what he assumed was meant as a comforting gesture to a husband she believed to be feeling ill. (He was. Please, attend to your sick husband, he thought.)

Unfortunately, her ministrations were having quite the opposite effect on Zhongli’s hormone-riddled vessel. The circles became larger, spanning the skin from his inner thigh to his trouser pocket. As her movements got bolder, she began stroking his leg like she would be stroking a different part of his body right now, if he had his way, and oh— if she would just move her hand a little to the left, please. Please.

But no, they were still at this accursed dinner and he had a reputation to maintain, he reminded himself staunchly. He fought off a headache as his southern head pulsed in mocking synchrony.

It was pathetic how easily he melted under her touch in any circumstance. With this added to the already considerable strain on his self control...

At the moment, Zhongli was barely fighting the urge to buck his hips into his wife’s hand, to grind against it for any source of satisfaction he could get.

He gripped the edge of his seat with the hand hidden from her view, knuckles turning white with exertion, and coerced his features into a calm smile. She returned it and fell back into conversation with someone on her other side, but kept her hand on his leg, tracing shapes in the fabric and driving her poor husband absolutely out of his damn mind.

He slipped into a dazed state for a minute, feeling nothing but her soft touch and the rubbing of the sensitive head of his cock against the seam of his pants.

The scraping of a chair across the table brought him back half to his senses, and he bit his cheek hard, the pain momentarily clearing his mind. He looked up from the clock his eyes had been fixed to on the far wall of the restaurant just in time to see most of the table gathering their belongings from the coat rack and hugging their goodbyes.

Mercifully, her hand then eased from its maddening position on his thigh as she arose to give her farewells; “—for the both of us, as my husband is unfortunately not feeling his best right now,” he heard her explain as she ushered the Liyue Qixing out the door with many sweet compliments to their families. He could collect himself only enough to smile and give a gentle wave as they and the rest of their dinner companions exited the parlor into the brisk night.

He then had only to wait for the check to be delivered by the waitress before he would be on his way home, one minute closer to relief, to having her under him and—

He bit back a curse. He was still here. Childe had yet to finish his umpteenth glass of expensive Snezhnayan wine and seemed to be in no rush to leave the company of Morax and his darling wife, much to his friend’s chagrin.

Liyue customs stipulated that the hosts of the table may not leave until after their last guest had quit the table, a fact that was all too inconvenient for Zhongli as he recalled it bitterly. Why did he establish that rule? That surely must have been one of Guizhong’s.

But, he thought, he had made it this far. He would not make a fool of himself now, even if it ended up being the final nail in the coffin for the man known as Zhongli.

Now that there were less prying eyes, he took the opportunity to shove his left hand between his thighs under the table and waited impatiently, biting his cheek at intervals until he drew blood. He could taste it, metallic and sharp on his tongue, and it shamed him enough to keep his composure.

And still the bastard wouldn’t leave.

Zhongli had always been in an uneasy truce with the Cryo Archon while he reigned, but at the moment he felt like socking her in the face on her subordinate’s account. Was he waiting to pay the check? Or did he just unconsciously enjoy watching his friend wallow in agony?

If the former were the case, there was no need. Even if his wife had not brought his wallet with her when she left the house that evening– always two steps ahead of her husband’s mistakes– her purse was just as able to cover the cost of dinner. So much planning and preparation had gone into tonight, he recalled with an edge of bitterness, only for his own hormonal cycle to throw a gargantuan wrench into his well-earned enjoyment.

His thoughts momentarily went blank as the tightness in his pants throbbed in time with his rabbiting heartbeat, sending whatever blood his cock could spare rushing to his cheeks and shivers down his spine. Principles above. Zhongli would never go out at this time of year again while he walked this mortal earth, he vowed.

Body desperate, mind cloudy, conscience resigned, he dimly wondered whether he could get away with rocking his hips against his hand in his current slouched position.

Before he could give in to his base urges, the check finally did come and it was paid and sent away with as much grace and elegance as the poor man could contrive while barely fighting off the desire to thrust into his own hand.

As the waitress left the room, bidding them a ‘restful night’ (Zhongli would have scoffed if his mind was clearer), his beloved yawned and stretched her arms out. He watched almost in slow motion as she let a hand drop under the table to his lap, inches from the pronounced outline in his pants, with a noise of tired contentment that went straight to his dick. He jolted from the sudden touch so close to where he needed it most, slamming the hand holding his coin purse onto the table with a conspicuous jingling of coins.

The noise drew Childe’s attention from the animated story he was telling, and he glanced from Zhongli’s tightly clenched hand to his pained expression, raising an eyebrow.

He was spared an explanation by his wife. “You’ll have to excuse my husband, he’s feeling a little off at the moment,” she murmured, caressing his amber tresses with her manicured fingernails, her knowing eyes trained on his. Zhongli could do nothing but close his own and pray that she didn’t move her other hand any lower on his lap. “I’m afraid the soup did not agree with him tonight... in any case, we shall be departing shortly to get him to bed, poor dear.”

If he was listening rather than lost in fantasies of pressing her into their mattress, he would have thought that an excellent choice of words.

Childe took the hint and pushed himself back from the table, giving his regards to both of them and gathering his belongings. To his credit, though having stayed far past his welcome in his friend’s eyes, he did not tarry long with his goodbyes.

And if the harbinger did make a noise that sounded too little like a cough and too much like poorly contained laughter on his way out of the building, Zhongli internally thanked him for keeping his suspicions to himself.

“Are you able to stand, my love?”

Her voice was a balm to his frayed nerves on any other night, but he had pushed past his limits tonight. As it was, Zhongli was undeniably coming apart at the seams. It would be a miracle if he held it together until they arrived at their home, let alone convinced his companion he was merely feeling the effects of some ill-prepared dish.

He sighed. Pride be damned, there was certainly no use in concealing what would soon come to light by more embarrassing means than these.

“Beloved, I’m afraid —” His words slid into a choked moan as she moved her hand sharply to hold him, right there, applying steady yet unmoving pressure in a way that nearly brought him to tears from mixed pain and pleasure.

“Ngh - I- You—” He swallowed a low, guttural sound that originated from his hindbrain and turned to face her, eyes clouded with lust. “You knew. I should have- ah - guessed.”

She smiled, caressing his cheek with one hand and while pressing into him with the other. “Of course I did, love. Should I not notice when my husband is in distress?” she purred. In a gentler tone, she added, “Is this helping? I don’t want to make it any more difficult for you...”

He took a moment, steadying his breathing and focusing the rest of his spent energy on her soothing presence.

“I- Mm. Yes, I- I think so.” The heat and gentle pressure of her hand had abated some of the tightness in his pants for the moment. Gingerly moving his thigh from its locked position, he found that he could put weight on it without losing his balance.

He made a motion to get up and she moved with him, adjusting her hand so that he could stand as comfortably as possible. She gathered the rest of their belongings, Zhongli standing stock-still while she tucked his wallet back into his coat pocket. He tried not to focus on the warmth of her hand over his chest and the thrumming heat that rose to meet it.

Finally, after a certain man’s longest night in centuries, they moved from the accursed dining room out into the Liyuean night. The light breeze cooled his flushed cheeks as they stood in comfortable silence in the doorway of the restaurant, watching the muted streetlights sway in the city below.

Until now, the thought of logistically how to maintain this compromising configuration while walking about the streets of Liyue Harbor had not yet crossed the foggy wasteland behind Zhongli’s dilated pupils, and it was clear by his hesitation in beginning the journey home.

“You know... you could always duck into an alleyway, if you’re that desperate,” she giggled, relishing the annoyed blush that spread across her husband’s face. Both of them knew he’d never agree to such a scheme— he, the former Geo archon, rutting in an alley like a stray tomcat...!

He barely allowed himself to entertain the thought. Restaurant bathrooms were one thing, but the moonlit streets of the city he raised from the ground? Not while he still retained an ounce of pride.

Still, the matter yet remained.

She glanced at his face, seeing the restraint that was causing his brow to knit and his jaw to tighten as he considered their options. It did cause her pain to know that her beloved was so uncomfortable, yet her own desires weren’t impervious to the thought of his growing sexual frustration and the feel of the warm length pressed against her left hand.

The ghost of a whine escaped his lips and she was shaken out of her own reverie by his obvious need for her to take initiative.

“Well then, my love, let’s get you home. Shall we?” She smiled up at him as she undid his coat buttons and wrapped one shoulder of the ample fabric around her, shielding his predicament from the world as long as she stayed close to his side. Thus prepared, she took his trembling hands in hers and tugged him along next to her as they fell into step.

Much to Zhongli’s relief, stay close she did. As they started down the restaurant steps, she felt one of his gloved hands release hers and snake around her cloaked waist to cling to her, desperate for stability.

As aware as she was that she had this powerful man in the very palm of her hand at the moment, she valiantly resisted the instinct to tease and test his resolve to maintain respectable appearances while in public.

At first, she succeeded. Until he started being unfair and moaning under his breath in the lewdest way imaginable, that is.

They were halfway to their residence and Zhongli was trying oh-so-hard to keep it together, for her sake and for his own, but for fuck’s sake, the way her hand would involuntarily stroke him when he took a step, sliding up and down his clothed shaft and making walking ten times harder than it needed to be—

“Ngh~ My-My dear, I- Mmph.”

She chanced a glimpse of his face and momentarily lost her balance, causing both of them to stumble and her husband to whine lowly at the loss of friction.

Between the sounds coming from the beautiful man next to her and the look of utter pleasure melting his expression, she decided she couldn’t keep her vow. Blushing, she gripped him harder in retaliation, which earned her a gasp.

“Please, darling, I- o-oh,” he whispered, trying very hard to glare at his assailant through the haze of lust that clouded his gaze.

Craving the gentle sounds escaping him more than her conscience could fault her for, she began moving her hand a little more purposefully with each step, rubbing him through his pants in a gentle rhythm until an uncharacteristically weak hand caught her wrist.

“N-No. No more.” He looked simultaneously aroused, angry, and pleading; he was far too close to the edge to conceal anything. “I beg, darling.”

That settled it. Slowing her pace to nothing, she ceased her teasing to instead hold him gently as her face buried itself into the warm crook of his neck. They stood there in the darkened street for a peaceful moment, no sound breaking the silence aside from the distant sounds of the commercial district and Zhongli’s panting breaths.

“My apologies. I got carried away,” she murmured into the fabric of his collar. Her breaths ghosted across his collarbone and made him shiver, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Can you keep going? Should we stop here and rest?”

He exhaled shakily, relieved at her change of heart. Had she known just what fantasies of taking his wife against the nearest wall, decorum be damned, were currently making his blood run hot, he was sure she wouldn’t feel near so much remorse for her earlier actions.

Against all odds, they arrived at their doorstep in one piece. To the empty Liyuean night, they appeared to be a newlywed couple returning from a nice night out on the town, though the husband looked to have had a few drinks too many by his mannerisms.

Zhongli fumbled with the key in his breast pocket with his other hand braced against the doorknob, almost dropping it in his uncharacteristic haste. His companion gently took his hand in hers and guided it to the lock, sliding it open with a click. A gentleman even in his current state, he ushered her in ahead of him before passing through the familiar doorway.

That disciplined façade was dropped as quickly as he could shut the door behind him. Barely remembering to turn the lock behind him, he slumped against the wall of the entryway, panting.

Sensing his inability to move on his own, she took his arm and half-carried him to their bedroom, cheeks heating from the very vocal response his body gave to her touch. He’d moan for her again like this when he was feeling better, she vowed, already planning her method of attack.

He slumped onto their freshly made bed as she propped him against the headboard and watched through clouded eyes as his wife started to undo the lacing of her intricate gown.

Feeling his gaze on her, she gave him an apologetic smile as she worked on removing her clothing. “I’m sorry, dear, I promise I’ll be there in a moment. This lace is so delicate,” she murmured, glancing down at it as if certain it would tear any second now.

She had meant to attend to him straight away, but she couldn’t bear to ruin the beautiful dress he had picked out for her, nor the jewelry that had caught her eye on their honeymoon so long ago. They were gifts from him, pieces of his love, and she could feel that love in his gaze whenever he saw how she treasured them; she knew how much it meant to him that she treated them with such care.

On most nights such as this, Zhongli would be the one removing them from her body with a tenderness that spoke to his patient nature. Tonight, however, her husband’s low and breaking voice called out from where he lay on silk sheets behind her, less composed than she had ever heard him when she wasn’t performing some act of pleasure on him.

“Please, my dear, my-my gem, I-” He swallowed thickly, biting back another moan that rose in his throat. They were getting more difficult to swallow by the moment. “I need- I won’t last much longer without-”

The desperation in his tone nearly made her fold, but she was determined not to ruin his gifts. No matter how he moaned, she thought.

As she pulled the dress over her head and moved quickly to hang it up, she heard a rustling of fabric behind her and the sound of clothing hitting the floor. By the sound of it, he’d succeeded in removing his coat, at least.

Her name fell from his lips like both a curse and a prayer as a tie and pin clattered onto the nightstand.

“Ngh- You...” he cut himself off, panting, as he unzipped his pants enough for the impressive tent in his boxers to spring out of them. “Leave me no- ah! - choice, then.” He was palming his cock with abandon now, working himself desperately through the damp material like his life depended on it. She turned from the closet just in time to see him finally ridding his erection from its confines and gasping as the cold air met his flushed, weeping head.

If he had been suppressing his sounds of arousal before now, no longer. They tore from his throat like an erotic music box, some high and needy, some like the rumbling of far-off thunder.

He tore his gloves off in annoyance, apparently not getting the friction he sought, and discarded them to the floor in a way she’d never seen him do as he stroked himself faster, chasing release.

It didn’t take long to work up to his peak, with the state he had been in all evening. His head was thrown back against the headboard, incoherent sounds forming at his lips, and in that moment, his wife thought him the perfect picture of a debauched god.

“Zh- Dear, I...” Half-conscious, she dropped the earring in her hand onto the dresser and took in the finest piece of art she’d ever seen before her. It was certainly something to witness a man like him in his moment of sheerest vulnerability. Knowing how much he needed her touch just then, she forsook the rest of her jewelry and rushed to him.

It was her name on his lips as his hips began to buck wildly and his breath hitched, tears forming in golden eyes trained on her as she knelt next to him. She pressed her forehead to his own, caressing his face and murmuring words of praise.

The knot snapped all at once, his whole body twitching and flushed and heavenly.

She held his face as he came down from his intense high, breathing heavily and holding her gaze through half-lidded eyes. An impressive amount of release decorated his bare chest, while some had landed on the unbuttoned dress shirt that still clung to his shoulders and arms. His beautiful face was covered in a thin sheen of sweat as she kissed him softly, carefully, his lips red from abuse by dragonlike fangs. Before she closed her eyes, she mentally burned the image into her brain forever.

Humming quietly as his breathing began to steady, she retrieved a towel from the cabinet of her nightstand and began tending to his slicked stomach and hands, gently cleaning the remains of his pleasure with care. Bent over his chest, she felt arms around her waist pulling her up, some of his usual strength having returned to him after his initial release. She let him. Straddling his lap in her lace undergarments, she settled herself against his hips as she helped him remove his shirt and let it fall next to the bed.

Another obstacle between them having been removed, he pulled her in by her jade necklace, meeting her lips halfway in a soft, passionate embrace. Momentarily satisfied, he shifted to target the side of her neck, trailing a line of burning kisses until he got to the offending piece of jewelry that had kept her from his side for so long.

As his warm lips met cold metal, Zhongli brought up an elegant hand and expertly unlatched the chain, laying it on the nightstand with far more control than she would have expected of him— though she caught the subtle shake in his hands as he pushed his legendary self-control to its limits.

It had been mere moments since he had come, but his body was already responding to her proximity, cock hardening at an amazing rate as she started to rock her hips against him. He groaned in response, hands coming up to grab at her thighs, feeling the effects of his rut kick in yet again.

A bead of sweat rolled down his abdominal muscles and through the neatly-trimmed trail below his navel before disappearing into gold-hemmed boxers. She watched its progress, in no hurry to quicken her pace, and migrated her fingers from his flushed cheeks to the amber strands of hair that stuck to his forehead. Smoothing them back, she smiled at him and massaged his scalp with her fingernails, eliciting lovely sounds from her husband’s parted lips.

He took the opportunity while she gazed at him so lovingly to capture her lips with his own, elongated canines nipping at her as she deepened the kiss.

Once his wife had succeeded in lulling him completely, her hand dipped between them suddenly to grab at his length and Zhongli gasped prettily into her mouth. She smirked against his lips. Fingers dancing along his shaft that flushed a beautiful gold with arousal, she teased him enough that she could feel his heartbeat rabbiting against her hand and his breathing hitch in his throat.

Taking pity, she finally moved her forefinger up to his sensitive head and swirled the bead there into his soft skin, slowly building in intensity. Before he could wince from the overstimulation, she resumed a rhythmic pace on his shaft that caused his head to fall back against the headboard with a thunk . Finally, finally, she had her hands on him and he was getting the friction he needed so desperately all evening. He could cry from relief.

Then, just as he started to feel the knot in his abdomen build once more from her steady attention, she pulled her hand away with a butterfly kiss to his nose and he whined, pulling back from her with a pitiable look in his eyes.

“-Really, darling?” His words spoke to his annoyance at being denied, but his face betrayed him, as did the breathlessness of his tone. “ Please stop teasing or I’ll- ah- ”

She cut him off with a gentle kiss to his tip that forced him to inhale sharply. Her grin was akin to a Chesire cat’s. “Or you’ll what, dearest?”

Zhongli huffed gently, his hips rocking against hers traitorously. He made no reply.

She placed a hand lovingly to his chest, tracing the markings that streaked his torso from collarbone to hip. They flushed gold under her wandering touch, thrumming with power and arousal, as well as barely-contained anticipation.

As she finally brought her eyes up to his, gaze swimming with endearment, he allowed himself to hope that his torment was over for the evening. His wife’s more teasing tendencies surely must have been satisfied by now. She did love him, didn’t she? She must feel some sympathy for her partner of so many years. She must.

“Now, let’s get you out of these pants, hmm?”

Oh, thank fuck.

His last thought was of gratitude before she helped him kick off his trousers and his mind finally, mercifully, went blank.

◇◇─◇──◇─◇◇─◇──◇─◇◇─◇──◇─◇◇

Later that night, when the hormonal effects had mostly subsided and he lay with his exhausted wife on his chest, playing with her hair while she rested, he made a few mental notes in whatever part of his brain was lucid.

One was to buy a calendar for his office. The second was to evaluate the removal time coefficient of a gift before buying it in the future. The final was to invest in a more durable set of sheets.

And if any other thoughts crossed his mind before he succumbed to his own exhaustion, they were lost to the Liyue night.

｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─ ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─ ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆｡ﾟ

A/N: this is my first work on here! thank you for reading! <3

#pls enjoy my tribute to flustered stoic men #i wanna see em fall apart #love that old man <3 #zhongli #zhongli x reader #zhongli x you #genshin x reader #genshin x you #genshin fanfic #genshin smut #genshin impact #genshin zhongli #genshin x female reader

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whyeverr · 28 days ago

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As the lanterns disappear off into the smog, the magic of the Mid-Autumn full moon shifts to everyone's favorite topic: ✨event planning and logistics!✨

With the unfortunate timing of this year's autumn full moon on the night before their annual Halloween festivities, we are suddenly three holidays deep on the social calendar.

"Seriously, Dawson. I can't thank you enough for hosting the Halloween party this year. Are you sure you don't need help decorating? I'm happy to—"

"Tyler. When are you going to have time to help? We still have to pack up all the leftover food, wash every dish we own, and put the banquet tables away. Then we can start setting up the ofrenda."

"Oh. Right."

#cherry is off to get right to some pan de muerto baking i'm sure #definitely nothing to do with negative moodlets from so much time spent around their ex #nope 🙂‍↔️#rebuild a city #ts4 bacc #5_22 #ts4 #ts4 gameplay #cherry woodard #max wild #dasia wild #dawson kelley #tyler fuentes #octavia li

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 10 months ago

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I've been dreaming of the Benevolent Sovereign of the Oasis.

Sun and shadow. Two existences, locked in a perpetual cycle, unable to be without the other.

It hurts to part ways, but reunion is that much sweeter.

How does a moment last forever? How can a story never die?

His eyes flutter open, and the instant his awareness hits, so, too, does the lightning in his veins. He throws his covers off and scrambles out of bed. His phone is in his hand in seconds, the calendar app opened.

It's just as he anticipates.

“Today’s the day!!”

Kalim's exhilarated shout stirs the entire mansion. Various hired help glance up from their tasks—private chefs in the middle of their prep work, housekeepers tending to the laundry, gardeners watering the flowers—and tut or sigh.

"There goes the young master again," they’d murmur amongst themselves. "He's so excitable."

It's not an unusual occurrence, but this time is especially special. The notice had gone out months in advance, the most skilled laborers called in from all corners of the world for the event. He had counted down the days, cancelled all his meetings.

Just for this.

Kalim breaks into a sprint down the corridor, his sandaled feet pounding the polished floors. He skids around a corner and continues his frantic pace, almost knocking over a valet. The servant stumbles, but Kalim grabs his hands and pulls him up into a spin.

"It's today, it's today!!" he squeals, earning a blank stare from the valet.

"Yes, sir. The staff are all aware. The preparations are well underway, so you needn't be concerned."

"Gahahah, everyone's already hard at work this early in the morning!" Kalim’s boisterous laugh bounces off the high ceilings. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Oh no, please leave the work to us... Y-Young master? Young master, where are you going?!"

"I'm going to check up on some things, don't mind me!!" Kalim calls back. He has already taken off, leaving the valet stunned.

"... Well, he's certainly become more proactive."

Kalim sticks his head into the dining room. The table is large enough to host his entire family plus several guests, but today it is set only for two. The seats are intimately situated across from one another, their best plates, silverware, and cloth napkins set out to welcome the diners.

The centerpiece, an ice sculpture of a viper with its hood flared out, sparkles in the morning sunlight. It would be a puddle by now, had it not been enchanted to never melt.

Servants are busy setting up a banquet: crisp vegetables, steamed fish, crusted breads, seasoned meats. His stomach tosses uncomfortably when he passes the seven kinds of curry laid out in a row--but he reassures himself with the reminder that his guest is sure to love them.

The kitchen didn't skim on the beverage selection either. There are sparkling juices, rich soups, spiced coffee, and black tea, accompanied by a large pot of white sugar with which to sweeten it. For dessert, fresh fruits (no dates!), flaky layered pastries, ice-creams, and cakes dipped in sugar syrups, topped with crushed pistachios and candied orange peels.

"Care to sample, sir?" a servant asks Kalim. They offer a trey of appetizers, each with an odd stone-colored dollop.

He obliged, popping one into his mouth. "Mmm! What's this gray stuff? It's delicious!"

"The head chef's secret recipe, young master. He thought to bring it out of his recipe cards today in honor of the celebration."

"Wow, he's really going above and beyond for this!!" Kalim glances at his staff. Now the orchestra is filing in with their instruments, and a massive roast duck on a bed of fried garlic and scallions is being laid out on the table. Another team is stringing up lanterns, and a skilled animal tamer enters, hauling a crate of colorful parrots. "Everyone is. I really appreciate it.

"... Oh, hey!" He snaps his fingers, a spark in his eyes--as though he has just come up with a great idea. "I know! Since you've been putting your all into this, I think it's only fair you get to get off work early and have a chance to relax too!"

"Erm, sir--that's very generous of you, but we aren't even done setting things up yet. The decorations especially..."

"It's fine, I've got this!" Kalim turns to the rest of the workers calls out, waving his arms. "Hey, everyone! You're free to go! Grab some nice food from the kitchen on your way out. I can handle the rest!"

The staff look confused, but not one of them protests. Some shrug and immediately exit, others anxiously wait for their peers to go before they follow. Before long, the room is cleared.

"Alright, let's do this...!"

Kalim produces his magical pen and waves it in an arc. Golden sparkles rain down, animating nearby objects.

Plates, forks, spoons, and knives march to the long table themselves. Flowers settle into crystal vases. Banners and lanterns float up, pinning themselves in place.

There we go.

"Squawk, squawk, squawk!!"

Kalim follows the cacophony to the cage of parrots left behind by the animal tamer. They're scrambling around, looking longingly at the decorations that had been raised to the ceiling.

He brightens with understanding. "Oooh, I get it! You want to get out and stretch your wings too!"

Kalim hesitates, turning the choice over in his head. "'Hmm, well... Technically, you're not supposed to be released until he gets here."

A showy spectacle--that is how Kalim envisions it. A whirlwind of flashy feathers to welcome him back. But the longer he looks at the wide, wet eyes of the parrots, the more the sadness swells in his chest.

Poor little guys, bound to a cage.

"... Okay, I've decided! You can come out and stretch your wings, I'll just need you back on the ground before the big surprise. Then you can fly all you want when he gets here."

Kalim kneels, fiddling with the lock on the cage. The door easily slides open, and--

FLAP, FLAP, FLAP!!

The entire flock rushes out, sending Kalim flying back onto his bum. He braces against the powerful beating of wings, the talons and beaks nearly scraping his skin.

A voice cuts through the noise.

"Kalim!"

Someone tackles right into him, forcing him to the ground. The world violently tilts, and suddenly Kalim is staring at a ceiling swarming with golden lights and a vaguely shaped shadow looming over him.

"I thought you had matured a little since I departed, but it looks as though you still have your moments where you're hopeless without me. I didn't think the first thing I'd do when I got back was protect you, but here we are."

He blinks rapidly. His vision slowly corrects, lines drawing together and forming a crisper image.

That face.

He recognizes it.

His old friend, dressed in sandals, khakis, and a bright yellow T-shirt embroidered with pink tropical flowers. He wears a cap that resembles a cartoon character--a dog with floppy black ears. The man had entered with suitcases, which were dropped by the door the instant he jumped to Kalim's defense.

"Jamil...!"

Kalim yanks him into a hug. His face turns, tears welling in his eyes. "Y-You came!! And you came so early...!!"

"Of course I did. I promised you I'd return home after my travels," Jamil sighs, patting his emotional friend's back. "I was planning on surprising you first, but..."

He gives the dining room and its extravagant flourishes a glance. Parrots are roosting in the banners, popping the balloons, or stealing vegetables and fruit from the flatters.

"... It looks like you've beaten me at my own game," he says tactfully.

"Yeah!" Kalim sniffs, wiping at his tears. "I... I wanted to welcome you home with a huge celebration!!"

"... Idiot. I didn't come back for any of this. Not food, not music, not pets, not decorations. There's one thing that the Scalding Sands has that no other place in Twisted Wonderland does: my best friend."

"Awww, Jamil...!" Kalim's eyes wet again. He lets out a happy sob, reburying his face in Jamil's shoulder. "It's good to have you back!!"

He sighs deeply. Despite this, Jamil still manages a smile. "It's good to be back with you, Kalim."

#twst #twisted wonderland #Kalim Al-Asim #Jamil Viper #Scarabia #disney twisted wonderland #disney twst #twst countdown #twisted wonderland countdown #I've been dreaming...#twst imagines #twst scenarios #twisted wonderland scenarios #twisted wonderland imagines #twst anni #twst anniversary #twisted wonderland anniversary #twisted wonderland anni

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brf-rumortrackinganon · 1 month ago

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Do you think C&C will attend Catherine's Christmas carol service this year? They went in 2022 but skipped 2023

I'm not sure.

I feel like they might, since Charles himself went through the kind of hardship and received the kind of outpouring of support, empathy, and kindness that the theme talks about. I hope they do since it would be a nice show of support for Kate.

But on the other hand, they might not. The Qatar state visit is earlier that week (12/3 - 12/4) and depending how "on" Charles has to be, that may not be enough recovery time for him.

Y'all, I can't believe how close to Christmas we are. (I mean, I should. I dragged my tree out of storage today.)

I just looked at the royal calendar and here's what we've got coming up:

12/3 - 12/4: Qatar State Visit. I think the banquet will be on 12/3 so yay! Tiaras! (I think it will be unlikely that Kate attends any portion of it but if she does, I think it'll be the welcome ceremony since the kids will be in school and the banquet might go on too late in the evening for her since she'll want to conserve her energy for Friday.)

12/6: Together at Christmas.

Week of 12/16: Windsor Luncheon at Buckingham Palace

I think we'll see the Waleses' Christmas card around 12/6 as well. Last year, the photo was published the day after 'Together at Christmas.' I think they might go for the day before this year.

Lastly is the Diplomatic Reception. My guess is it will be the week of 12/11 since the first week of December (when it's been held the last 2 years) is already pretty packed.

#waleses #christmas

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furiarossa · 4 months ago

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Do ghosts have any holidays?

The festivities of the Ghost Zone are countless and of various nature. Some of them are exclusively local, each area having its own culture (which sometimes is a mirror of a corresponding human ethno-geographical area, with which a continuous exchange of information occurs, thanks to magical nodes and possible artificial portals), but there are some events that tend to be celebrated more extensively.

Due to the nature of the ghosts, it can happen that the festivities of the Ghost Zone make no sense to those who live on the material plane, appearing violent or in general of questionable taste.

+ Most important dates +

November 1-2: placed immediately after Halloween (which is the first day in which the "veil" that separates the spirits from the Material World becomes momentarily more permeable) the "feast of the dead" is one of the most important moments of the Ghost Zone culture. Halloween is a holiday for the nobles (the overlords or feudal lords, together with the major spirits), but the people mainly celebrate the night between the first and the second day of November: the reason why Halloween is not chosen as an official holiday is because the "first day belongs to the first", that is, the strongest spirits, those who usually have specific reasons to visit the material plane, have the right of passage. Some spirits bring small gifts to children, others join in the celebrations of humans, consuming food together with them (even if not all lemures are able to digest them, they are however able to taste them), others still indulge in wild dances. The celebrations take place simultaneously in the Ghost Zone and in the Material World, where festivals are organized in which the sky is "opened" like a screen, to observe the Moon and the stars as humans see them, an observation accompanied by music and banquets (often organized by a feudal lord).

Fifteenth day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar: The Chinese celebrate the so-called “Hungry Ghosts Festival” (which in Chinese is known by different names: zhōngyuánjié中元节, guǐjié鬼节 or yúlánpénjié盂兰盆节 for the Buddhist translation) , while the ghosts celebrate the “Generous Chinese People” festival. Popular Chinese belief says that on this night the spirits of ancestors return to Earth to visit them, and that being hungry after a long journey, it is necessary to feed them; furthermore, the ritual burning of papier-mâché objects that reproduce material goods of common use takes place, in the hope that they can be used in the afterlife by loved ones. The spirits of the Ghost Zone do not consume the food that is offered to the deceased, but, unexpectedly, the heat from the combustion of papier-mâché objects, as well as sometimes sakè. Also, this is a time considered "supernatural" for the spirits: many of them swear that they have actually seen the ancestors of humans, which is why there is a stigma around tasting the food left as an offering, because it might belong to someone else. Have you ever seen a ghost who is afraid of ghosts? During the Festival of the Generous Chinese People, it might happen!

Birthday of the Ghost Monarch: date determined, of course, by the birthday of the person wearing the Ghost Crown at that time. The spirits are forced, often against their will, to celebrate another year of their ruler's life, participating in parades in which the banners of the monarch's "house" are waved, chants, ritual battles and heart-rending screams (which, although strange for people of flesh, are almost always very welcome to ghosts in positions of power).

August 31st: the Baby Ghost Festival is celebrated, a time when all the inhabitants of a phantomhive hunt down paralarvae, newborn or slightly larger spirits, with the aim of predicting the future from the first larva that is captured. The first adult spirit that captures a paralarva is rewarded and crowned "seer" for a day, then the characteristics of the paralarva will be analyzed (through criteria such as color, size, mobility and type of core) to determine what will happen. Sometimes the parents of the paralarva in question are annoyed by the fact that their baby has been scared, and this can lead to uncontrolled fights between the "seer" and the parents of the baby, often accompanied by the howls of the fans, who think they can get further details about the future from the outcome of the fight.

Independence Day: of extremely variable date, it represents the first day of a period of sleep of the Phantom Monarch, since sometimes these entities can sleep (not always naturally, but often induced) for very long periods of time. Independence Day is one of the most important among the various international celebrations and is celebrated with public speeches, songs and fireworks.

Of course there are many other small festival and holidays, but they're limited to phantomhives and there are too many to talk about in a single post!

All the ghost worldbuilding posts!

The “Ask us about ghost worldbuilding” post

Our ask is open

#danny phantom #ghost worldbuilding #worldbuilding #holidays #sci-fi worldbuilding #fantasy worldbuilding #text post #alternative universe #ex-novo #project regis irae #my danny phantom #ask #answered asks

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theroyalsims · 11 months ago

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QUEEN AND PRINCE JACQUES' BRIDGEPORT TOUR ENDS WITH SWANKY DINNER

How time flies when you're having fun! Her Majesty and Prince Jacques ended their three-day tour of Bridgeport last night.

HM and HRH were the guests of honour at the banquet thrown by The President of Bridgeport. The soiree was held at the Bridgeport House, which serves as the President's official residence. The grand presidential mansion was decorated in Brindleton Blossoms, Brindleton's national flower. Instead of rolling out the red carpet, HM and Prince Jacques were treated to a special blue carpet welcome, again, a nod to Brindleton's colour.

(Above: (L) Pres. Hellers toasts HM and Prince Jacques; (R) The Queen and Prince Jacques caught sharing a laugh before dinner.)

The A-list event was attended by some of the biggest names in Bridgeport and Brindleton. Case in point, the entertainment for the evening was none other than global superstar, Brianna, who serenaded the royal couple with some of her biggest hits.

(Above: Global icon Brianna provided the entertainment for the evening. The legendary songstress stunned in a strapless teal dress from couture brand Riod, which she paired with statement gloves.)

The President also gave a toast to The Queen and The Prince, and thanked them not only for their historic visit to the country, but for further tightening the bond and friendship of the two nations.

The dinner marked the end of a jam-packed tour for HM and HRH. For the second day of their trip, they visited the stock exchange, a library, a museum, and even managed to stop and pose for a photo at the Bridgeport Harbour.

(Above: The Queen and Prince Jacques pose for a photo at the Bridgeport Harbor following a quick visit to the Bridgeport Stock Exchange on the second day of their tour.)

However, some reports from Bridgeport claim that the Queen looked "exhausted" during the white-tie event. That's not entirely surprising, looking at their very busy calendar alone - plus, these two aren't exactly spring chickens anymore!

Nevertheless, Her Majesty still managed to dazzle, thanks to her sparkly ombré gown which perfectly matched her ruby and diamond jewels.

(Above: HM wore a pink and red ombre dress which matched her jewels including the versatile ruby and diamond Brindleton Foliage Tiara.)

A lot of royal fans were surprised to see HM wearing the Brindleton Foliage tiara for the occasion, seeing as she hasn't worn the piece in a while. Nowadays, she tends to opt for the big guns like the Brindleton Nest Tiara and this 300 year-old stunner.

The Queen and her Prince have reportedly landed back in Brindleton, ready to resume their duties after a day of rest.

#ts4 #theroyalsims #ts4 simblr #simblr #ts4 royal simblr #ts4 royals #ts4 royalty #ts4 royal family #ts4 royal story #ts4 royal legacy #emilia #jacques #bridgeport #mystory

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whencyclopedia · 8 months ago

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The Assassination of Julius Caesar

Veni, vidi, vici! This was the simple message the Roman commander Julius Caesar sent to the Senate in Rome after a resounding victory in the east against King Pharnaces of Pontus - a message that demonstrated both arrogance as well as great military competence. "I came, I saw, I conquered!" also represented his future as leader of the Roman Republic. Although praised at first for both his military skills and ability to lead, he gradually began to bring fear into the minds of many of those inside as well as outside the Senate. Finally, a plot arose; friends soon became enemies and a brutal death came to a dictator.

Military Success & Reforms

Gaius Julius Caesar had returned to Rome in triumph, hailed as a hero. During his time as a Roman general, he claimed to have killed almost two million people in fifty decisive battles. Although loved by the citizens of Rome, he caused, in many ways, worry among those in the Roman Senate - especially the old elite, the Optimates. The man who was soon to be hailed as dictator for life (dictator perpetuo) transferred his skill as a military commander into the ability to lead the Republic. Seeing the need and demonstrating that he truly loved the people of Rome, he decreed a number of significant and necessary reforms - reforms that further endeared him to the Roman citizenry. Always loyal to his army, one of his first endeavors was to offer land to seasoned veterans. Next, he gave grain to the urban poor and planned to move these same poor to the newly acquired colonies in Anatolia, Greece, and North Africa. He limited the terms of the provincial governors while increasing the size of the Senate. He created a new calendar (still in use today) and provided both gladiatorial games and banquets as entertainment. The city of Rome had suffered violence and corruption and was plagued by high unemployment. Caesar not only provided jobs through public work projects but also cleaned up the dangerous city streets. He even built a public library.

While these reforms made him popular among the commoners, they brought panic to many of his enemies and even some of his friends. To these men, their beloved republic no longer existed, especially after Caesar was named dictator for life in February 44 BCE - a completely unconstitutional act. They believed they no longer had a voice as Rome was quickly coming under the control of a would-be tyrant. Caesar's extreme arrogance and vanity (he was very self-conscious about his balding head, for example) offended many in the Roman Senate. This arrogance was most evident upon his victorious return to the city after the defeat of fellow Roman commander Gnaeus Pompey in Greece. Adorned in triumphant garments and a laurel crown - something many people saw as unnecessary - Caesar rode into the city. Wars in the east had been against foreigners, but his victory in Greece saw the deaths of what many considered as their own sons and daughters. One tribune Pontus Aquila even refused to rise as Caesar passed - something that angered the conquering hero.

#History #FirstTriumvirate #JuliusCaesar #MarcusJuniusBrutus #WHE #[#]

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themakeupbrush · 2 years ago

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Miss Universe Guatemala 2022 National Costume:"Immortal Guatemala - Jaguar of the Americas"

Showing the world the beauty of Guatemala, a country that has 3 thousand years of cultural wealth In the framework of the National Palace of Culture, which is identified as the symbol of the City of Guatemala and the country in its architectural context monumental. This stage allowed our National Queen to be photographed in the Flags, Banquets halls and in the main stands of the compound. The suit is a representation of iconic elements of the country, the Mayan calendar, the pyramid of "The Great Jaguar," the jade. It has a back where the face of the jaguar is highlighted, the universal symbol of Mayan culture. Traveling in time, and with the colonization of Spain, highlight Solomonic columns that adorn the outfit, highlights the national flower "Monja Blanca", surrounded by leaves of the national tree, the "Ceiba Pentandra". Within modern art stands one of the most important works of the artist Efrain Recinos, the National Theater of Guatemala. It includes the marimba, which adorns the bottom right of an outfit that celebrates the richness and splendor of an immortal Guatemala. The suit is complemented by a carpet that represents the Lenten fervor of Guatemala at the Mayor Week, which was recently declared “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.

#miss universe #miss universe guatemala #miss universe 2022 #national costume #national costume contest #pageant

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adragoninshiningarmour · 7 months ago

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Hey, Lord Lucemon. It's your month of the year again!

Lucemon: To be quite honest, every month should be my month of the year. And quite soon, they will be. I will definitely be doing away with the old calendar system.

Leviamon: Grrrr. It's not fair! Why does he get his own month?! Where's Envy Month?!

Lilithmon: I wouldn't be opposed to Lust Month.

Belphemon: Or Sloth month... I could do whatever I want for a whole month...

Beelzebumon: Banquets and wild parties every night... I'm in!

Barbamon: Fools. Every month is Greed Month!

Demon: ...

#Digimon #Lucemon #Seven Great Demon Lords

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triptychgrip · 3 months ago

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A non-exhaustive list of things Yuuri and Viktor would write fanfiction about

Viktor would write a “fix-it” fic* to make up for his “Oops! Watch the nosebleed!” failure to catch Yuuri at the Chu-Shikoku-Kyushu regionals. He’d do so not only because of his own guilt around prioritizing his designer suit (which he’d throw away in shame), but also b/c Yuuri’s fans would never let him live that moment down, lol. I think Phichit would create a calendar appt set to repeat every September 25th (until the end of time), to remind Viktor of how he heartlessly let Yuuri fall to the floor, complete w/ exaggerated GIFs and memes. Kenjirou would probably join in

Because he is just as extra as his fiance (and feels bad for not remembering it), Yuuri would get Christophe/Yurio/Mila’s help to write a fic in which he DID remember the Sochi banquet. In this iteration, not only does he thrash Yurio in a dance-off and sweep Viktor off of his feet, but he — very shyly and very awkwardly — knocks on Viktor’s hotel room door the next morning, carrying an assortment of Japanese hangover remedies

After about a month goes by with no word from Yuuri post-Sochi, Viktor would take any breaks he can afford when not training for Europeans or Worlds to write the most extremely fanciful fanfic as an outlet for his pining/heartbreak, because…well, duh. Each of these stories would include extremely plausible reasons for why Yuuri just couldn’t contact him (none of which, obviously, involve the fact that he was trashed beyond belief). His favorite one includes the fact that Yuuri is actually a highly trained assassin working for the Japanese govt, who decides not to get in contact with Viktor because he doesn’t want his enemies to put a target on Viktor’s back. Oh, the gallantry!

As Viktor approaches his 30th birthday, Yuuri would note his increasing reluctance to acknowledge the milestone. Taking Georgi’s predictably dramatic advice, he’d surprise Viktor with a time travel fanfic*, one that is admittedly a bit trite in its “I’ll love you no matter what age you are, Vitya” theme, but that delights Viktor, nonetheless…especially when he notes that Yuuri only has eyes for him, even though his younger, 18 year old self is outrageously flirty with his fiancé. (Georgi, failing to note that this isn’t supposed to be an angst fic, would beg Yuuri to up the ante on the crying)

When Viktor tears his meniscus during the 2011 off-season, Yuuri writes a fic in which they meet by way of Viktor being sent to a famed healing/rehabilitation clinic in Fukuoka. In this fic, Yuuri actually would decide to go home to Hasetsu in the off-season, meaning he would not only get to know Viktor, but also reunite with his sweet poodle 😭

Seeing how anxious Yuuri is during the planning of their wedding, Viktor — in a very sweet but misguided way — decides to write him a crack-y fanfic in which just about everything that can go wrong on the day of, does go wrong. This is sort of meant to be a “see, Yuuri?! Even with all of that terrible stuff happening, the day still turned out perfect, because I got to marry you!” kind of thing, and even though Yuuri nearly has a panic attack while reading it, he ultimately does derive comfort from it (and he also triple checks that Otabek as their DJ does not actually intend to play any risqué music at the reception that will send his elderly relatives into states of catatonic shock, as happens in the fic)

Bonus: After losing some kind of drunken bet, Yurio writes a fic that he then forces Yuuri and Viktor to role-play. In it, all of Viktor’s hair falls off the day after Onsen on Ice. Ashamed to be seen like this by Yuuri, Viktor hightails it back to St. Petersburg and grovels at Yurio’s feet for forgiveness

If you’ve read my “fic-ception” series in which Yuuri and Viktor jointly write (and publish) a sappy/smutty friends-to-lovers and role-reversal story starring their fictional selves, you probably aren’t surprised to hear that this very meta concept has completely taken over my brain.

While writing Put It In Reverse For Thirst, I couldn’t help but ideate around the kinds of things Yuuri and Viktor might explore in the wondrous world of fanfiction, both before they got together, and afterwards.

Above are just a few of the ideas that came to mind…I’ll probably make a part 2! What else do you think they’d write fanfic about? I think the possibilities are endless.

*these are ideas I have in the works for potential stories. My WIPs folder is a disaster

#yuri on ice #yuri!!! on ice #yuri on ice headcanons #yuri on ice fic-ception #victuuri #viktuuri #yuri on ice fanfiction #how meta can get this get

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sphinx-myth · 4 months ago

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hellenic holidays

Holidays are an important part of Hellenic religious life across all of the Mediterranean– whether Greek or Roman. For the sake of modernity, relevant Graeco-Roman holidays will be adapted to the contemporary Gregorian Calendar.

Ianouarios (Latin: Ianuarius, Eng: January)

Kalends (January), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, January 1: First day of the New Year, in honour of Janus. Large celebrations done, and charity is highly encouraged. Prayers to Lord Asklepios also recommended.

Phebrouarios (Latin: Februarius, Eng: February)

Kalends (February), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, February 1: First day of the month.

Parentalia, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, February 13 – February 21: Literally “Ancestors Days” or “Days of the Ancestors”, Parentalia is the February festival celebrating the deceased ancestors of the family and the pater familias. They are offered flowers, wine-soaked bread, violets salt, and wheat. Often they are providing a true sacrificial banquet, but these are di inferni, spirits of the underworld. They are those who dwell below, and proper care must be made in sacrificing to them.

Anthesteria, Greek era, Gregorian calendar, February 19 – February 21: Athenian festivals dedicated to Dionysos and the dead.

Lupercalia, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, February 15: Holiday intended to avert evil spirits and miasma, as well as spread purification; which releases health and fertility.

Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries, Greek era, Gregorian calendar, February 17-23 (Sign of capricorn): Serves as reminders of the Greater Mysteries, in honour of Deo and Kore.

Martios (Latin: Martius, Eng: March)

Kalends (March), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, March 1: First day of the month.

Navigium Isidis, Hellenistic-era Egyptian, Gregorian calendar, March 5-6: Festival in honour of Isis marks the opening of the sailing season.

Dionysia, Greek era, Gregorian calendar, March 9 – 16: Holiday dedicated to Bacchus.

Liberalia, Roman era, Gregorian Calendar, March 17: Another holiday dedicated to Bacchus.

Hilaria, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, March 15 – March 28: Numerous day celebration dedicated to the Mother of the Gods and Her lover Attis/Gallus.

Quinquatrus, Roman era, Gregorian Calendar, March 19: When the Temple of Athene on the Aventine Hill was consecrated. Feast day to Athene.

Aprillios (Latin: Aprilis, Eng: April)

Kalends (April), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, April 1: First day of the month. Dedicated to Aphrodite.

Genéteira tis Rómis (Natale de Roma), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, April 21: Day commemorating the founding of Rome by Quirinus, known as Romulus when embodied in a mortal form.

Serapia, Hellenistic-era Egyptian, Gregorian calendar, April 25: Day commemorating Serapis, the ruler of the underworld.

Maïos (Latin: Maius Eng: May)

Kalends (May), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, May 1: First day of the month.

Lemuria, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, May 9, 11 and 13: A trio of solemn days for the malevolent and restless dead, for maintaining their memory is as paramount as those of the benevolent ancestors. Sacrifices are offered as propitiation in order to keep the peace and avoid ill luck from these infernal spirits.

Thargelia, Greek era, Gregorian calendar, May 22 – May 23: Celebration in honour of Artemis and Apollo.

Iounios (Latin: Iunius, Eng: June)

Kalends (June), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, June 1: First day of the month.

Flight of Aineías, June 11: According to calculations by Eratosthenes, today is the day the city of Troy was sacked in 1184 BCE. The burning of Troy would be the end of the Trojan War, but simultaneously it would be the birth of a new beginning. Ultimately, Troy’s fall would give rise to the eternal city of Rome centuries later, as many of those who laid the city’s foundations had been descendant of the Trojan refugees led by the pious Prince Aineías who fled the destruction, such as Aineías’ descendant Romulus. Today is a day that feasts should be held to commemorate the flight of Aineías and the survival of our ancestors, but simultaneously a day of mourning for those innocent who perished, whether during the Trojan War or any war.

Prometheia, Greek era, Gregorian calendar, June 17th: Festival dedicated to Prometheus bestowing reason to mankind.

Vestalia, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, June 7th – 15th: Festival specifically in honor of the Goddess of the house, Vesta, and the spirits of the store chambers, cupboards, and the penates.

Death of Julian, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, June 28th: Mourning day marking the death of the divine Julian.

Ioulios (Latin: Iulius, Eng: July)

Kalends (July), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, July 1: First day of the month.

Panathenaia, Greek era, Gregorian calendar, July 17-24: https://sites.google.com/site/hellenionstemenos/Home/festivals/panathenaia-ta-mikra

Neptunalia, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, July 23: Held in honour of Poseidon. Plea for rain.

Augoustos (Latin: Augustus, Eng: August)

Kalends (August), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, August 1: First day of the month.

Sol Indiges, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, August 9: Minor holiday to King Helios where sacrifice is offered.

Vinalia Rustica, Gregorian calendar, August 19: A rustic harvest festival dedicated to Zeus and Aphrodite, celebrating the grape harvest, vegetable growth and fertility

Vulcanalia, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, August 23: A propitiatory sacrifice during the hot month of August to Hephaistos (Vulcan) in order to protect the home and livelihood from the ravages of fire. Traditional practices include sacrificing small fish into bonfires so that humans would not be harmed.

Septembrios (Latin: September, Eng: September)

Kalends (September), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, September 1: First day of the month. Ceremonies dedicated to Jupiter Tonans (“the Thunderer”) on the Capitolium, and Juno Regina on the Aventine.

Greater Eleusinian Mysteries, Greek era, Gregorian calendar, September 6-12 (Sign of cancer): In honour of Deo and Kore. Called great when the Goddess departs, (At least, the other equinox is in mythology the time of the kidnap of Kore, which is the descent of the souls.)

Apollo Campus Martius, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, September 23: Anniversary of the rededication of the Temple of Apollo in the Campus Martius; Leto is also honored

Oktôbrios (Latin: October, Eng: October)

Kalends (October), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, October 1: First day of the month. Dedicated to the deity Pistis (Fides in Latin).

Thesmophoria, Greek era, Gregorian calendar, October 2-4:

Khalkeia, ancient Hellenistic, Gregorian calendar, October 7:

Noembrios (Latin: November, Eng: November)

Kalends (November), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, November 1: First day of the month.

Feastday of Julian, Later Roman era, Gregorian calendar, November 8: Feast day dedicated to the coronation of Flavius Claudius Iulianus Augustus, the great reformer of Hellenism, as Caesar of the west.

Dekembrios (Latin: December, Eng: December)

Kalends (December), Roman era, Gregorian calendar, December 1: First day of the month. Dedicated to Poseidon and Pietas.

Saturnalia, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, December 17-23rd: Festivals that goes on for numerous days in celebration of the Winter Solstice with a particular focus on the golden age of Saturn.

Opalia, Roman era, Gregorian calendar, December 19: Festival in honour of Ops

Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, Later Roman era, Gregorian calendar, December 25th: Winter Solstice celebration dedicated to the birthday of God.

#source hellenicfaith #hellenic polytheism #hellenic #hellenic pagan #hellenic holidays #paganism #deity worship #roman deities #greek deities

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