#But they have to in order to survive that’s the inherit tragedy of being a vampire

[leafatlaw]

that finale actually made me so angry

[thewiddershinsme]

Finished Anastasia by Sophie Lark! Random thoughts with full spoilers below:

-you can definitely tell the author likes the 1997 animated Anastasia movie, there are some elements that feel inspired by/paying homage to that film (Damien/Dimitri similar sounding names, him calling Anastasia “Anya”, the music box, Rasputin’s greenish hue at times, and my favorite the white bat called Bat (Bartok!)). Even the illustrations bring that movie to mind.

-this is not a historical retelling by absolutely any means whatsoever (it is about as accurate as My Lady Jane - which is actually a good comparison cause that show also creates a magic filled alternate reality and the main premise is a doomed historical figure survives), but there are obviously real places and people mentioned which sent me down the Wikipedia and YouTube documentaries rabbit hole. So despite this being a complete fantasy novel, I actually learned a bit by looking up the real world history on my own! I’m embarrassed at how long it took me to realize that Felix was a real person (and it was his Wikipedia entry that made me suspicious about the novel’s ending)

-I never was crazy about Damien himself (though his death touch was nice and angsty and added a whole new layer of obstacle to their romance) but I liked him and Anastasia’s relationship (even more post Revolution) I just wish had a few more moments and interactions when they were growing up together in a show don’t tell way. But I was so so looking forward to the complete grief stricken angst and breakdown as regret when he found out about Anastasia’s “death”; and it happens in the time skip! I love that trope, and was so annoyed it happened off screen.

-Anastasia’s relationship and interactions with her family was well-done. It really showed that even though her family was extremely flawed and in the wrong, they all desperately loved and protected each other (which I think is part of the tragedy of the last Romanovs, that they were well known to be a close and loving family but absolutely terrible autocratic rulers. They would’ve been happier not being the imperial family).

-the big spoiler: time travel solves (mostly) all. I suspected this was gonna happen when historical figures that are known to survive the Revolution were all killed off in the first timeline. In all honesty, I didn’t mind it. This was a fantasy story, the time manipulation element has been part of the plot from the beginning so didn’t come out of left field, and the foreword directly stated Anastasia was going to have her happily ever after. And as mentioned above, the more I read the more I realized in order for her to have a happily ever after, she needed both Damien and her family. I actually had more trouble accepting that Anastasia became Tsarina. I mean, it was a big thing that the girls could not inherit the throne, that was why Alexei having hemophilia and being sickly and likely to die was SO MAJOR politically, cause her dad just couldn’t “decide” to give the throne instead to one of the daughters….except that is exactly what happened. And not even Olga, the eldest child, but the youngest daughter! That part (weirdly enough out of all lol) broke my suspension of disbelief for a bit, but after some time I realized that it was the best ending for the AU to give the throne to the person that had lived the terrible alternate future and could lead Rusya to peace and prosperity for all (since no Revolution happened in the new timeline). I just had to headcanon it that it got passed through the Duma due to Anastasia’s time walking capabilities (which the heir was always supposed to have but she was the only one of her siblings to inherit). And I did like the symmetry of Damien (who was supposed to Attaman) leaving to become the Rusyan consort, while Alexei (who was supposed to be Tsar) instead becoming a Cossack. And you know what, it is still bittersweet that Anastasia lost the version of Damien that she first married, and all the moments and understanding and memories they had built together.

-so, this book felt like a fanfic, and I mean that in the best possible way. There were illustrations (which were gorgeous) and a soundtrack (with tracks interspersed throughout the novel so you know what part each song corresponds with). It does not replace the Anastasia 1997 movie in my heart of hearts (which will probably always be my favorite Anastasia retelling) and did not ignite a new obsession (which was kinda hoping it would). But this was very obviously a passion project, and I enjoyed reading it, and have already lent my copy out to someone else. In a couple years will definitely re-read it again.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention that Rasputin being a vampire was a twist that completely took me by surprise but I thought was a very clever fantastical take on Alexei’s dependence on his “healing” powers

[semi-imaginary-place]

My favorite Tolkien Legendarium characters:

In no particular order:

Finrod: he's just a good boy. I think his numerous friendships interesting too with men and dwarves, I really enjoyed "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth" in particular. I found his story to be moving and was cheering him on the whole way. I am invested in Finrod.

Maedhros is a subversion of the hero of germanic epics. He's brave, noble, determined, and loyal; he's a warrior and scholar, in line to inherit the throne. There's are usually good characteristics but his loyalty and determination make him unable to forsake the Oath and his bravery means he goes through with decisions that make things worse. His story ends up being a tragedy and there's something compelling about that subversion, and how far he fell from the highest of points in Valinor.

Maglor: I like the Feanorians in general, probably my favorite story in the Silmarillion (well I mean there is no Silmarillion without the Feanorians). With Makalaure you have this artist who probably didn't have much responsibility or worries who ends up a war general and in the end is the only Fearnorian to survive the First Age.

(Sam and Legolas get honorable mentions. Sam for being the main character and hero of Lord of the Rings and Tolkien's message character, (book) Legolas because he's such a fun character. He runs across the snow while everyone else is trudging along waist deep in it, he sings silly songs, and he falls out of trees.)

[rockislandadultreads]

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes

Food anthropologist Miriam Quiñones-Smith's move from New York to Coral Shores, Miami, puts her academic career on hold to stay at home with her young son. Adding to her funk is an opinionated mother-in-law and a husband rekindling a friendship with his ex. Gracias to her best friend, Alma, she gets a short-term job as a Caribbean cooking expert on a Spanish-language morning TV show. But when the newly minted star attends a Women's Club luncheon, a socialite sitting at her table suddenly falls face-first into the chicken salad, never to nibble again.

When a second woman dies soon after, suspicions coalesce around a controversial Cuban herbalist, Dr. Fuentes - especially after the morning show's host collapses while interviewing him. Detective Pullman is not happy to find Miriam at every turn. After he catches her breaking into the doctor's apothecary, he enlists her help as eyes and ears to the places he can't access, namely the Spanish-speaking community and the tawny Coral Shores social scene.

As the ingredients to the deadly scheme begin blending together, Miriam is on the verge of learning how and why the women died. But her snooping may turn out to be a recipe for her own murder.

This is the first volume of the "A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery" series.

Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez

A young father and son set out on a road trip, devastated by the death of the wife and mother they both loved. United in grief, the pair travel to her ancestral home, where they must confront the terrifying legacy she has bequeathed: a family called the Order that commits unspeakable acts in search of immortality.

For Gaspar, the son, this maniacal cult is his destiny. As the Order tries to pull him into their evil, he and his father take flight, attempting to outrun a powerful clan that will do anything to ensure its own survival. But how far will Gaspar’s father go to protect his child? And can anyone escape their fate?

Moving back and forth in time, from London in the swinging 1960s to the brutal years of Argentina’s military dictatorship and its turbulent aftermath, Our Share of Night is a novel like no other: a family story, a ghost story, a story of the occult and the supernatural, a book about the complexities of love and longing with queer subplots and themes.

The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro

Alejandra no longer knows who she is. To her husband, she is a wife, and to her children, a mother. To her own adoptive mother, she is a daughter. But they cannot see who Alejandra has become: a woman struggling with a darkness that threatens to consume her. Nor can they see what Alejandra sees. In times of despair, a ghostly vision appears to her, the apparition of a crying woman in a ragged white gown.

When Alejandra visits a therapist, she begins exploring her family’s history, starting with the biological mother she never knew. As she goes deeper into the lives of the women in her family, she learns that heartbreak and tragedy are not the only things she has in common with her ancestors.

Because the crying woman was with them, too. She is La Llorona, the vengeful and murderous mother of Mexican legend. And she will not leave until Alejandra follows her mother, her grandmother, and all the women who came before her into the darkness. But Alejandra has inherited more than just pain. She has inherited the strength and the courage of her foremothers—and she will have to summon everything they have given her to banish La Llorona forever.

Vanishing Maps by Cristina García

Celia del Pino, the matriarch of a far-flung Cuban family, has watched her descendants spread out across the globe, struggling to make sense of their transnational identities and strained relationships with one another. In Berlin, the charismatic yet troubled Ivanito performs on stage as his drag queen persona, while being haunted by the ghost of his mother. Pilar Puente, adrift in Los Angeles, is a struggling sculptor and the single mother of a young son. In Moscow, Ivanito’s cousin Irina has become the wealthy owner of a lingerie company, but she remains deeply lonely in the wake of her parents’ deaths and her estrangement from her Cuban heritage. Meanwhile, in Havana, Celia prepares to reunite with her lost lover, Gustavo, and wonders whether age and the decades spent apart have altered their bond.

Cut off from their Cuban roots, yet still feeling the island’s ineluctable pull, Ivanito and his extended family try to reimagine where - and with whom - they belong. Over the course of a momentous year, each will grapple with their histories as they are pulled to Berlin for a final, explosive reunion.

[scalamore]

My friend and I wanted to ask why Bellua took Lari, they seem to be not interested in the throne... and it got me thinking too, maybe because of their pro-imperialist mindset?

So the novel never gives us a direct answer on WHY they took her from her parents, but here's what we know: From manhwa Ch 75ish, when Lari learns she's adopted, she hears that her father is in the capital again and goes to him to talk about that and apprehend why she was never told that information until she forced it out of Lehan. As we know, Trash dad is trash because he lies all the time, but this is what he says, and assuming he's mostly truthful: When she became part of the family, she was still young, still needing to drink milk (suggesting a few months old - consistent with history). At first, he didn't consider her a daughter (because she's Akan's daughter, not his). He saw her as a child he was sponsoring, instead of adopting (true). After Lehan was born, they considered pairing up the two (true). If she married into House Belois through Lehan, then by that marriage, she will truly become part of House Belois. Until then, he didn't want to burden her with the significance and weight of being part of House Belois. (lie!!). He tells her that he wanted to think of her as a member of the family, as someone protected within the wall of the County/Family. He wanted her to stay blissfully unaware, and happy. By saying that he WANTED to think of her as a member of the family, that implies that he never thought of her as a daughter, but rather a daughter in the future after marriage.

This is consistent with what Lehan thinks in the novel version of Ch 86: That it made no difference if they were related or not because he adored/cared for/treasured her that much, she was the most important person to him, and if he lost her, it would be a devastating tragedy (again, the language suggests he loves her, but it's vague enough to not make a clear conclusion). But the manwha version, in chapter 112 makes it absolutely clear that Lehan truly cherishes her, and wanted to protect her as someone who would become his family. (basically what Novel version said, but more obvious/directly.) Again, Manhwa Lehan admitted how he basically loves her and never thought of her as a sister, but rather romantic love.

It's clear that he learned the truth about Lari early on, and Trash dad probably already told him of his plans to have Lari marry him to enter the family. So Lehan knew this whole time. Yet he still never told her, because he wanted to keep her in the dark, yet he still accepted all her feelings as "her beloved younger brother", until the time was right to reveal his real feelings (presumably after the rebellion). It never came across to anyone in House Belois of how LARI might feel about this, to suddenly be expected to marry the person she thought was her younger brother this whole time, to realized he loved her as a woman and had romantic feelings this whole time. Lari, understandably, will have severe issues in converting her "sibling love" to "romantic love". Because she doesn't love Lehan or see him in that way.

So going back to the original question, House Belois likely stole Lari away from the palace in order to give her a second chance at life, If she was to stay with her parents and siblings, she would have for sure died. But to pretend she died from an illness and sneak under the radar quietly to the south, she's able to survive now. Also, Trash dad was Akan's closest aide, and Amanda was good friends with Cecie. It makes sense why they would want to adopt/sponsor Lari, and when they gave birth to a son, to unite the two and properly have Lari join the family, as she is the daughter of their good friends, the former Empress/Emperor. That was the plan, assuming Crazy Emperor remained in power, or Arnulf, or Grand Duke Ventibolt, or Duke Arnbach inherited the throne afterwards. The issue, is that the lowly commoner, Rupert, who was born from two "savage" Willetans, with no drop of actual Vellnelni blood, will be the next Emperor. As part of the pro-Imperialist faction to an obsessive degree, Trash dad WILL NOT accept a fake to become Emperor. He is willing to stake it all on a rebellion to put someone more appropriate on thone... like Lari. He is so obsessed with blood purity, that he is willing to see House Belois fall in his pursuit of "a pure throne". Then the plan changes.

Now, with the information that Rupert will become Emperor, and House Belois will fall in the pursuit of treason, in TL2 they started preparing around the time Rupert is confirmed Crown prince - so they have a 2-3 year head start in accumulating money and building their military force. They assumed that if they prepared well, then they will win through a strong surprise attack against Rupert. With their victory, the public will support them for their good deeds, accept Lari as the rightful ruler as the daughter of Akan I and her husband, Lehan as the Emperor, and House Belois will usher in a new era with their power. Because their noble bloodline will set everything wrong with the Empire, right again. So when Lari is upset in Ch 55ish, 59ish, and 77ish because both Lehan and Trash dad don't believe her when she revealed to them about TL1 - it's their deception. They don't believe in her regression, but they will take the information that Rupert might become Crown Prince/Emperor in consideration, and will use that to further their own agenda, as well to firmly push her deeper into ignorance from their side.

And if it wasn't evident enough, Trash dad never loved her as his own daughter. He saw her as a tool at best, the most useful when she is to marry into the family. (Also the moment she tells him she loves Rupert, will protect him from now on, and broke ties with House Belois because of how they treated her, he throws a fit and basically throws her away because she's useless to him >_>)

[secrettyrant]

QUINLAN KELLY is THE MAJORDOMO and 48 years old. Originally from THURLES, IRELAND they have been with the circus for 15 years. They look like CILLIAN MURPHY and possess the ability of PERCEPTION SHIFTING. They are known to be PERCEPTIVE, FOCUSED, and DUTIFUL but can also be MANIPULATIVE, REMORSELESS, and OPPORTUNISTIC.

CHARACTER THEMES: Sacrifice, Duty, Deception, Forgiveness, Revenge, Survival, Trust, Power, Control

SUMMARY OF ABILITY: Quinlan’s ability of perception shifting allows him to subtly alter how others perceive him and his surroundings. With a focused shift, he can blend into his environment, becoming difficult to notice, almost invisible to the untrained eye. This ability allows Quinlan to subtly alter how people perceive him. He might look slightly different to each person who sees him, allowing him to evade recognition or change his appearance with just slight modifications (eye color, height, posture). It’s an illusion-based ability that doesn’t physically change him but makes people see what he wants them to.

Quinlan Kelly was born and raised in Thurles, Ireland, into a large Irish traveler family.

Only Quinlan and his younger brother, Callum, inherited abilities. Quinlan had perception shifting, while Callum had an ability to manipulate shadows.

Growing up, Quinlan and Callum used their abilities to navigate the life that came with being part of the traveling community, avoiding trouble and protecting their family from outside threats.

Their family had always managed to keep a low profile, but the brother's gifts eventually attracted the attention of the Pursuers.

When Quinlan was 33 and Callum was 28, tragedy struck. The Pursuers discovered their family and launched a brutal attack, targeting Quinlan and Callum specifically. The brothers fought back fiercely, but the situation quickly escalated.

In the chaos, Callum was killed. Quinlan, devastated and overwhelmed by guilt, barely escaped with his life using his ability to shift his perception, making himself invisible to the Pursuers.

With Callum’s death and knowing the Pursuers would now come after him and the rest of his family, Quinlan made the decision to leave everything behind. He chose to go on the run alone, believing that staying near his family would only endanger them further.

Quinlan wandered across Europe for several years, searching for a place to hide, but always moving on when the threat of discovery grew too great.

One night, while passing through a remote area, Quinlan stumbled upon the Night Circus. He saw it as his opportunity to escape his past and find a new purpose.

The circus welcomed him with open arms, and Quinlan gradually integrated himself, using his perception-shifting abilities to manage situations and observe the inner workings of the circus.

Quinlan quickly rose to the position of majordomo, responsible for the overall coordination and protection of the circus, using his abilities to maintain order and ensure its secrecy.

[snapmite1998]

Star Wars Fanfiction story ideas for 2025

Anakin Skywalker: Destiny is a fascinating alternate storyline that explores the ramifications of Anakin never succumbing to the temptations of the dark side. Despite Palpatine's successful execution of Order 66 and his rise as Emperor of the Galactic Empire, the survival of key Jedi, coupled with the efforts of steadfast senators like Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, and Padmé Amidala, forms the backbone of a burgeoning Rebel Alliance.

Without Anakin's fall, his steadfast loyalty to the light serves as a powerful rallying symbol for the surviving Jedi and disheartened citizens of the galaxy. Still known as the Hero With No Fear, Anakin becomes central to efforts to galvanize resistance against the oppressive regime.

In this narrative, the Rebellion moves swiftly to recruit a diverse array of allies:

1. Former Enemies:

- Separatist Holdouts: Former leaders and military personnel from the Confederate systems who have recognized the deception orchestrated by Sidious might find common ground with the Rebels, motivated by a shared enemy.

- Bounty Hunters: Skilled mercenaries like Boba Fett and Bosk could be enticed by the promise of significant rewards or new opportunities in a galaxy free from Imperial dominance.

- Crimson Dawn: Under the command of former Sith Lord, Maul, who still desires revenge, sees the bigger picture that's painted on the galactic canvas and sets aside his quarrel with Obi-Wan Kenobi to devote his criminal empire to aid the rebels in overthrowing his former master and his empire. Crimson Dawn has amassed a sizable fleet and army to back the Rebel Alliance as well as secure supplies, fuel, rations, black market weaponry and other vital resources needed to fight the Empire thanks to the aid of the Galactic Underworld.

2. Old Allies:

- Clone Troopers: Discovering that the inhibitor chips controlled their actions during Order 66, many could be swayed to join the Rebellion, seeking atonement for their programmed betrayals.

- Smugglers and Outlaws: Legendary figures such as Han Solo and Lando Calrissian might be persuaded to lend their unique talents to the Rebellion's cause for freedom.

- Droid Army: Battle droids under the command of Super tactical droid, Kalani, will have spent the years amassing any surviving battle droid armies, fleets, and supplies. Having learned of and being offered a chance to fight the Empire by the Rebel Alliance, the droids are at first reluctant, especially when Kalani calculates that the rebels chance against the Empire is less than one percent. However, upon learning of the significant number of Jedi, clones, former Republic fighters, and other formidable forces backing the rebels, Kalani agrees to join and utilizes his droid army to the rebel's cause.

Padmé Amidala, in this alternative arc, would wield her political influence to rally support within the Senate and among disenfranchised star systems, while remaining close to Anakin and offering strategic insights. Their bond, untainted by tragedy, provides both hope and strength to the cause. She and Mon Mothma work in tandem, using their diplomatic skills to forge crucial alliances.

Meanwhile, the presence of Jedi Masters who survived the Purge, such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and others who were covertly operating or simply evaded capture, adds a formidable dimension to the Rebellion's resistance. They lead clandestine missions to sabotage Imperial operations, freeing enslaved planets and recruiting Force-sensitive individuals to reignite the teachings of the Jedi Order.

Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa Skywalker grow up under the tutelage of their parents, Anakin and Padmé, becoming prominent figures in the Rebellion far sooner. With Luke showing significant prowess in the Force and Leia inheriting her mother's diplomatic brilliance as well as training in the Jedi arts alongside her brother, the siblings embody the new hope for the galaxy, restoring a sense of balance and unity.

The climax of the tale would likely see a grand confrontation between the forces of light and dark, culminating in a battle that determines the fate of the galaxy. Anakin, facing his former mentor turned fierce rival, could be positioned for a climactic duel with Darth Sidious. His inner strength, bolstered by the love and support of his family and comrades, might enable him to finally vanquish the Sith Lord and bring an end to the tyranny of the Sith.

In "Anakin Skywalker: Destiny," the resilience and determination of the light side, amplified by the unyielding spirit of the Rebellion, could lead to the ultimate defeat of the Galactic Empire and a new era of peace and justice for the galaxy.

Ahsoka Tano: Maternal Guidance

In "Ahsoka Tano: Maternal Guidance," Ahsoka Tano, now one of the last surviving Jedi after Order 66, takes on the monumental responsibility of raising the progeny of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. Tasked with guiding Luke and Leia in the ways of the Force, Ahsoka's mission transcends not only training them to stand against the Empire but also working to bring their father, Darth Vader, back to the light so he can fulfill his destiny.

A Different Path

Following the tragic events that led Anakin Skywalker to become Darth Vader, Ahsoka, sensing the birth of the Skywalker twins through the Force, manages to rescue them with the help of allies like Bail Organa and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Retreating to a secluded but safe location, Ahsoka dedicates her life to nurturing and training Luke and Leia, ensuring they grow up with both their mother's compassion and their father’s innate strength in the Force.

Ahsoka's Teachings

Ahsoka blends the wisdom she gained from her former mentors, Anakin and Obi-Wan, with her own unique insights developed during her journeys:

1. Balanced Training: Ahsoka emphasizes a balanced approach to the Force, teaching the twins both combat techniques and the philosophical underpinnings of being protectors of peace and justice.

2. Emotional Resilience: Understanding Anakin's fall was partly due to unresolved emotional struggles, Ahsoka focuses on emotional and mental resilience, ensuring Luke and Leia are well-equipped to face their fears and doubts.

3. Strategic Agility: Drawing from her experiences in the Clone Wars and as a rebel operative, Ahsoka imparts tactical and strategic acumen, preparing the twins for various scenarios they might face in their fight against the Empire.

Building the Rebellion

As the twins grow, Ahsoka collaborates with key Rebel leaders:

- Mon Mothma: She connects with Mon Mothma to garner political support.

- Bail Organa: Bail provides resources and intelligence, while also nurturing Leia’s political and leadership skills.

- Former Allies: Ahsoka reaches out to surviving Jedi and Force-sensitive individuals, strengthening the Rebellion's core with seasoned warriors and new talents.

The Journey to Redemption

Ahsoka, keenly aware of the conflict within Darth Vader, believes that there’s still good in him. She instills this hope in Luke and Leia, crafting the narrative of their destinies entwined with their father’s redemption. They embark on various missions to weaken the Empire while sending messages of hope and reconciliation to their father.

Confrontation and Redemption

As the Rebellion's efforts culminate in a climactic confrontation, Ahsoka, Luke, and Leia face Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine:

- Luke’s Encounter: Luke, carrying the belief in his father’s goodness, faces Vader, gradually breaking through the defenses of the hardened Sith Lord.

- Leia’s Diplomacy: Leia, with her mother’s diplomatic prowess and Ahsoka’s training, sparks a broader Rebellion within the Empire, encouraging defections and unrest.

- Ahsoka’s Wisdom: Ahsoka confronts Vader directly, reminding him of the hero he once was, the Anakin Skywalker she knew and admired.

The twins, combined with Ahsoka’s unwavering faith, eventually ignite Anakin’s buried sense of justice and love. In a moment of profound realization, Anakin turns against Palpatine, sacrificing himself to destroy the Emperor and end his dark reign.

Fulfillment of the Prophecy

Ultimately, Anakin Skywalker’s redemption fulfills the prophecy, bringing balance to the Force. The fall of the Empire leads to the dawn of a new era:

- Luke’s New Jedi Order: Luke, with the wisdom imparted by Ahsoka, begins to rebuild the Jedi Order, one that emphasizes balance, compassion, and understanding.

- Leia’s Leadership: Leia becomes a pivotal leader in the nascent New Republic, ensuring the ideals of freedom and justice are upheld.

- Ahsoka’s Legacy: Ahsoka, having seen her mission through, continues to serve as a mentor and guide, her legacy forever intertwined with the restoration of peace and balance in the galaxy.

In "Ahsoka Tano: Maternal Guidance," the journey of the Skywalker twins under Ahsoka's mentorship becomes not only a tale of rebellion against tyranny but also a deeply personal and emotional quest to restore their father, heal family wounds, and bring enduring peace to the galaxy.

General Grievous: War God

In "General Grievous: War God," the formidable cyborg warlord survives his fateful battle in "Revenge of the Sith" and escapes into the shadows. With newfound freedom from the Sith's control mechanisms, Grievous begins to unravel the powerful potential of his cybernetic enhancements and embarks on a path of resurgence.

Breaking the Chains

After narrowly escaping death, General Grievous retreats to a hidden stronghold, utilizing his tactical acumen to remove any remaining fail-safes and control devices placed in his cybernetics by Darth Sidious and Count Dooku. With his chains broken, Grievous is no longer a pawn of the Sith but a self-directed force of vengeance and ambition.

Rallying the Kaleesh

Returning to his homeworld of Kalee, Grievous rekindles his legacy as a revered warlord among his people. His survival and the tale of his cybernetic resurrection invigorates the Kaleesh, who once again see him as their War God—a figure of near-mythic prowess:

- Kaleesh Warriors: Grievous recruits fierce Kaleesh warriors, combining their native ferocity with his extensive knowledge of galactic warfare.

- Top-Secret Cloning Project: Recognizing the limits of organic recruiting, Grievous initiates a clandestine cloning program, utilizing the genetic template of the most formidable Kaleesh warriors. These clones, embedded with advanced combat knowledge and tactics at the genetic level, recognize Grievous as their divine leader and embody his militaristic ideals.

Building the Army

Under his command, this new force is a fusion of tradition and technological might:

- Elite Clones: Enhancing his forces, the clones are rigorously trained and genetically optimized for warfare, and they revere Grievous not just as a leader but as a deity.

- Refined Battle Droids: Grievous reinvents the droid army strategy by integrating improved programming and tactics, ensuring the droids are more autonomous and adaptable in the field.

- Hybrid Tactics: Combining organic cunning with droid precision, Grievous develops new military strategies that catch the Empire off-guard, striking fear and causing significant disruptions.

War Against the Empire

With his newly forged army, Grievous wages a relentless campaign against the Galactic Empire, targeting key installations, sabotaging operations, and liberating systems from Imperial rule:

- Shadow Operations: Employing guerrilla tactics, the forces of Grievous launch swift and deadly strikes, vanishing before the Empire can retaliate effectively.

- Erosion of Imperial Control: The relentless attacks weaken the Emperor's grip on various systems, fomenting rebellion and dissent, inspired by Grievous' unwavering campaign.

The Climactic Battle

The ever-escalating conflict culminates in a decisive showdown between General Grievous and Darth Vader. Both legends in their own right, their final confrontation is a clash of unstoppable force and immovable object:

- Psychological Warfare: Vader seeks to dominate through fear and intimidation, whereas Grievous counters with strategic brilliance and his deified status among the Kaleesh.

- Brutal Combat: The duel sees both warriors pushing their limits—Vader's raw power and mastery of the dark side versus Grievous' unparalleled lightsaber skills and cybernetic enhancements.

Fate Decided

The outcome of this ultimate confrontation determines not just the fate of two legendary figures but the future trajectory of the galaxy:

- Grievous’ Triumph: Should Grievous emerge victorious, it signals the rise of a new foe against the Empire, potentially leading to further fracturing and eventual rebellion on a larger scale. Grievous would aim to supplant the Emperor, ushering in an era of militaristic dominance led by his war god persona.

- Vader’s Victory: If Darth Vader prevails, the Sith Lord reasserts the Empire's supremacy, but perhaps learns a crucial lesson about the vulnerability of their rule. This victory might harden Vader's resolve to root out and crush any sources of rebellion more ruthlessly.

In "General Grievous: War God," the enigmatic cyborg transcends his initial role as a mere Sith puppet to become a central figure in the struggle against Imperial tyranny, blending elements of mysticism, advanced warfare, and personal redemption into an epic tale that sees the galaxy once again on the precipice of monumental change.

[evilminji]

Okay but that would mean? That LIKELY? Either:

-> 1) By complete coincidence, there is a LIVING God with that as a NAME, much like being named Duke or Baron.

Or?

-> 2) Pariah... kinda... may have killed both Diana's Uncle and possibly his wife, her Aunt (or forced them from the Zone entirely as he stole their Titles, which >.> Big Yikes. We got a Two Legitimate Royals situation) and then took their Title. Mean Hades and Persephone are not NAMES but titles. Which? Makes sense at least for Persephone. Because she USED to be called Kore(?) I think?

It WOULD make sense out of the conflicting myths of the underworld if it legitimately was just different dynasties. Filtered "game of telephone" style through human oracles and mystics, who could KINDA talk to the dead, who MIGHT know what's going on, in the same way a farmer in rural Korea MIGHT know the complexities of the American elections due to his terminally online son-in-law.

Either way? I doubt anyone would have told Diana about it! Either because it's just a nothing bit of trivia she doesn't need to know OR? It's a HIGHLY and DEEPLY traumatic memory of the time their brother, his wife, and possibly their children, were MURDERED by a Mad Usurper in a cruel and mocking parody of their own struggle against their Insane Titan Father, which they BARELY survived, only to see it then visited upon the calmest and fairest amoungest them.

Who then TOOK HIS NAME as mocking trophy.

The Hades Diana knew was cruel and lives in basicly Greek Hell, serving a Greek Satan.

That is a FAR cry from ACTUAL Hades. Who was known far and wide as an INCREDIBLY fair man. Before him, kings and beggars stood equal. He was the end of suffering and the punishment for those who thought they could escape it and do as they pleased. He ADORED his wife and named his dog SPOT. The man was basicly an accountant.

Didn't like to party. Somber. Married the most terrifying woman he could find. Liked things neat and orderly. Gave those who came before him due prossess and fair if a archaic punishment.

Then came Pariah.

And we would LIKE to think he escaped. Maybe hid, with his wife and doggo, on Olympus. But...

The King can not run. He died once, fighting his father. A man as mad as this. He would not have run from the Usurper or his armies. Would have stood with his wife, his loyal, and fought.

I do wonder, if Clockwork wept. Chained by the Observants his Son ordered to keep him away. Unable to ever make amends for the madness Time itself struck his flesh with, in life. Unable to defend even a single one of children. Forced to watch his son and daughter-in-law die eternal, at the hands of a man he would NEVER forgive. Would NEVER bow too.

History is a bloody thing. Filled with tragedy and regrets.

But? Now there floats a boy named Hades. Beloved by a man that once was Kronos. And if they could see through time, as he could, Clockwork knows his Son and Daught-in-law would adore him too. Would be pleased to share a name.

Knowing his son, he would play many a terrible joke. Someone call for Hades! He would announce. Oh but which of us do you mean~? He would laugh himself sick. His wife joining him. They WERE after all, the ones who though that naming a spotted, three headed ghost hound "Spot" was the HIGHT of clever word play.

As for Danny? He will forever be running into places Pariah's cruelty and atrocities have scarred. Never met with relief, only warriors and wariness. But... it's going to be okay now. They are avenged. You will be safe. I am sorry for your lose.

He is not your Uncle, Diana. Yet? He also IS. The summoning worked because he IS, in a way, your Uncle Hades. Just not that Uncle. The original. He was mortal. Became something more. Was adopted by your grandfather, who is doing much better by the way. And inherited a frankly fucked up title.

Diana has questions. Starting with "what ELSE has been kept from me?" And working it's way through decades of what she thought she knew. Including! It turns out, that she is all but GUARANTEED to enter her uncle's domain to join Pandora's pantheon, because she is Neverborn!

Born of clay and divine magic! Her soul just... popped into existence!? She needs to sit down. At least this explains why she has always been more... MORE then her sisters. She was literally born of an Idea and power, imprinted onto ectoplasm.

.....yes. Yes she WOULD like to visit New Themyscira and Pandora's Pantheon. She understands he can only escort her to the Pantheon, it is much the same here in the living world. Clone? Oh! She has an AUNT! It will be delightful, traveling together.

(JLA Dark is LOSING THEIR SHIT. No! No DO NOT go into the DEATH DIMENSION! NEVER go into the Death Dimension!!! Wonder Woman, what the ACTUAL FUCK!?!?)

Ghost King Isn't the Only Title Danny Has

Okay, so you how monarchs can have multiple titles? Like how the heir to the English throne is both Prince/Princess and Duke/Duchess of Cornwall? And how monarchs can get titles and epithets that just stack onto their preexisting names/titles? Like "Catherine the Great" or how Daenerys gets her famous list of "Stormborn, the Unburnt, Mother of Dragons, etc."?

Well, there are dozens upon dozens of names for the Infinite Realms. The Ghost Zone might be what Amity Park calls it, but there have been hundreds of names for it throughout history. The Afterlife, Sheol, Heaven & Hell, Purgatory & Limbo, Valhalla, and so on and so forth.

So when Danny finally gives in and lets himself be crowned, he doesn't just become the Ghost King. Oh no. He is crowned "King Daniel Fenton, First of His Name, Protector of the Infinite Realms, Defeater of Pariah Dark, Liege of Fright Knight, Ice Mage of the Far Frozen, and Hades of the Underworld."

And then a few months later when Danny inevitably gets summoned and pops up on the Justice League's radar, there's some serious side-eyeing going on because 'Diana, why didn't you mention your uncle looked like a teenager? Why does one of the most powerful gods like to hang out in teenaged form anyway?'

Just... give me an unknowning Danny accidentally inheriting a niece along with the crown, and that niece just so happens to be Wonder Woman.

[deadcityhq]

CHARACTER NAME: lestat de lioncourt CHARACTER FACECLAIM: sam reid CHARACTER AGE/DOB (if relevant/they're not old af): november 7th, 1760. changed in 1781 at almost 21 years old. 263 years old now technically. CHARACTER PRONOUNS/GENDER IDENTITY/SEXUALITY ETC: he/they, genderfluid, bisexual/biromantic/polyam CHARACTER FANDOM (if relevant): the vampire chronicles, admittedly with a few twists and inspo based on the new show too OC OR CANON: canon CHARACTER TYPE (for example: werewolf, shadowhunter, warlock, demon etc): vampire brat HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN IN NEW YORK/WHY ARE THEY THERE ETC: about three months IMPORTANT CHARACTER INFORMATION TO NOTE AND SHARE (this could be important headcanons for initial plotting, mini bios etc, supporting docs): born in france, lestat was the youngest of three sons-- five other children having not survived childhood. as the youngest child, lestat stood to inherit no lands or fortunes. as such, lestat set about forging his own path in life. from 12, he began education in a monastery and decided he would enter the order as a brother when the time came. however, this was opposed to his father and brother's ideas, and they proceeded to pull him from his education.

another attempt at building his own life came around the age of 16, when lestat disappeared with a travelling group of italian actors. he fell in love with performing. however, it didn't last long. as days later he woke up to the actors gone and his brothers to take him home.

it isn't until his twentieth year that lestat finally finds true freedom. he meets and befriends and violinist named nicholas, and upon his mother's insistence that lestat know freedom, he travels to paris with nicolas.

here, he gains a job as a backstage assistant in a theatre, while later being offered a shot at going on stage and becoming a professional actor. however, it is not long into this that something drastic happens. a change lestat was wholly unprepared for, when a man named magnus enters his life.

magnus kidnaps lestat and very soon after, he is made into a vampire. however, his maker quickly commits suicide and lestat is left to grapple with eternity on his own, adapting to his new life. however, as magnus' only fledgling, he inherits all his wealth. and so, lestat buys the theatre he used to perform at, but tends to avoid contact with the human world he was once a part of, including nicholas.

it isn't until a while later that lestat's mother, gabrielle, arrives in paris, dying, that a further change occurs in lestat: he forges his own first fledgling, changing his mother into a vampire to save her.

for months, they travel and live together, eventually taking in nicki and changing him too. many different events occur over this time, including lestat meeting and coming to know of armand and then by extension, marius. inevitably, this leads to lestat being fed some of marius' ancient blood to regain his strength after burying himself in the ground for a time after his mother leaves him.

shortly after meeting marius, he takes him to see those who must be kept -- akasha and enkil, the first vampires and rulers of their kind who appear as living statues. marius explains then how vampires came to being, and the next night, when lestat is alone, he visits akasha and enkil to try and wake them inspite of marius' warnings against this.

his plan actually works, and akasha allows lestat to drink her blood as she drinks his. that is until enkil awakens in a jealous rage and attacks lestat. thankfully, lestat is saved by marius. marius then tells lestat to leave the island and although reluctant, lestat agrees. and this… is where he comes to new orleans. and meets louis de pointe de lac.

from here, the events unfold as is known: lestat, louis and later claudia spend some 60 years together, before going their separate ways. their time together is beautiful, but clouded with tragedy and pain. it ends rather messily, with lestat thinking louis dead for some time. but then, then--

lestat comes back to the world. a longing to reconnect, and, well, he's heard all the talk. the stories floating around of so many different disasters occurring over the years. maybe he wants to take a look, maybe he wants to even contribute to the chaos. so in the end, he decides what better way to dip into the world, than with theatrics. and so, in mid/late 2023, his band is formed. and now, lestat resides in new york city, the place that seems to be becoming quite the centre for shenanigans right now. hopefully, he'll be able to make his own waves too.

THREE AESTHETICS THAT REMIND YOU OF YOUR CHARACTER:

the feel of vibrant red rose petals against skin

sounds of a lively party, with music coming from a few doors down

the fear of never being able to keep a hold of what you love most

admin andy app.

[garudabluffs]

The Meaning of Terrorism OCT. 26, 2023

When tragedy strikes, we should be careful about how we describe it.

Terrorism, like war, is a word we tend to use almost as a reflex to describe anything that horrifies us. But words can lead us to choose policies, and we should be aware of how we use them.

READ MORE The meaning of terrorism - The Atlantic

{{the Grim Reaper Posse Vigilantes Party doesn't care what your politics are. Murder and Mayhem prevail - doesn't matter the outcome of any war - they'll be back in a country near you sooner than anyone imagines - The rules of engagement as far as they are concerned? War is a free-for-all : civilians and combatants alike decry collateral damage and innocent bystanders who suffer regardless/irregardless of the reasons or rationale for the conflict between nations/governments/territories/mapped-by-flags populations... stockpiling weapons of mass destruction while destroying and decimating dwellings and residences human beings occupy to survive,thrive,and form communities to enable commerce and communication- - - eventually the weapons of death to others of our kind be deployed to devastate and defeat those who value life and liberty over hatred & cruelty. Those whose ill-will towards others results in bearing armaments & weapons to overpower the meek who might one day inherit the Earth? decide what might next be World War 3's eventuality.... the conflagration of climate change happening vs. nuclear war vs. some virus parasite disease or comet/meteor/asteroid annihilating species including homo sapiens... the warmongers are most likely to cause the demise of human civilization - the only consolation being the end of war,FINALLY

What’ll it be: Settlement or Nuclear Annihilation? February 28, 2023

"As the unrelenting war in Ukraine grinds continuously and more deeply into the proxy war it has been from the start, another danger lurks: nuclear war. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his country’s nuclear forces put on “special alert.” U.S. President Joseph Biden has since declared the world is “faced with the prospect of Armageddon.” UN Secretary General António Guterres recently said we are “just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation.”

The West’s efforts to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine have neither stopped the fighting nor compelled Moscow to reconsider the ongoing war.

Russia’s assault on Ukraine has increased the risk of a wider war between nuclear powers, and the possible deployment of nuclear weapons. The world has not been so publicly reminded of the possibility of nuclear confrontation since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. In October, Politico,  a respected voice in politics, policy and power, noted, “the probability of the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine has risen from 1-5 percent at the start of the war to 20-25 percent today.”

There are those who would suggest we’re caught in an epic WWIII-like undertaking.

History has taught us that even though the warring factions may be rational actors, unexpected miscalculations can lead to catastrophic outcomes."

"Insistence on a military solution in Ukraine increases the chances of a nuclear Armageddon. Such a polarizing mindset moves the Doomsday Clock perilously closer to the pitch-black darkness of midnight. Now is the time to seek a diplomatic way to avoid the nightmare of a nuclear war possessing the destructive power to create global famine and to kill billions of people.

The question remains – as it has for too many decades – what’ll it be: settlement or nuclear Armageddon. One holds hope. The other devastation."

READ MORE https://gppreview.com/2023/02/28/whatll-it-be-settlement-or-nuclear-annihilation/

[atwistedtalehq]

CHARACTER NAME: lestat de lioncourt CHARACTER FACECLAIM: cody fern CHARACTER AGE/DOB (if from enchanted forest, general age okay): november 7th 1882 / changed august 18th 1903 CHARACTER PRONOUNS/GENDER IDENTITY/SEXUALITY ETC: he/they, bisexual/romantic/polyam CHARACTER FANDOM: the vampire chronicles / merged into ouat monsterland OC OR CANON: canon WHICH LAND ARE THEY FROM (examples: earth, enchanted forest, wonderland, monsterland [frankenstein, dracula, vamps etc], neverland): monsterland CHARACTER BIOGRAPHY: lestat was the youngest of three sons– five other children having not survived childhood. as the youngest child, lestat stood to inherit no lands or fortunes. as such, lestat set about forging his own path in life. from 12, he began education in a monastery and decided he would enter the order as a brother when the time came. however, this was opposed to his father and brother’s ideas, and they proceeded to pull him from his education.

another attempt at building his own life came around the age of 16, when lestat disappeared with a travelling group of actors. he fell in love with performing. however, it didn’t last long. as days later he woke up to the actors gone and his brothers to take him home.

it isn’t until his twentieth year that lestat finally finds true freedom. he meets and befriends and violinist named nicholas, and upon his mother’s insistence that lestat know freedom, he travels with nicolas.

here, he gains a job as a backstage assistant in a theatre, while later being offered a shot at going on stage and becoming a professional actor. however, it is not long into this that something drastic happens. a change lestat was wholly unprepared for, when a man named magnus enters his life.

magnus kidnaps lestat and very soon after, he is made into a vampire. however, his maker quickly commits suicide and lestat is left to grapple with eternity on his own, adapting to his new life. however, as magnus’ only fledgling, he inherits all his wealth. and so, lestat buys the theatre he used to perform at, but tends to avoid contact with the human world he was once a part of, including nicholas.

in fact, it is during this time that lestat first gets a glimpse at other worlds: a mistake one night, leaving him falling through a portal to another world.

earth.

and somehow, later, others from his life back home come through and connect with him: his mother being one of these.

it isn’t until a while later that lestat’s mother, gabrielle, arrives in paris, dying, that a further change occurs in lestat: he forges his own first fledgling, changing his mother into a vampire to save her.

for months, they travel and live together, eventually taking in nicki and changing him too. many different events occur over this time, including lestat meeting and coming to know of armand and then by extension, marius. inevitably, this leads to lestat being fed some of marius’ ancient blood to regain his strength after burying himself in the ground for a time after his mother leaves him.

shortly after meeting marius, he takes him to see those who must be kept – akasha and enkil, the first vampires and rulers of their kind who appear as living statues. marius explains then how vampires came to being, and the next night, when lestat is alone, he visits akasha and enkil to try and wake them inspite of marius’ warnings against this.

his plan actually works, and akasha allows lestat to drink her blood as she drinks his. that is until enkil awakens in a jealous rage and attacks lestat. thankfully, lestat is saved by marius. marius then tells lestat to leave the island and although reluctant, lestat agrees. and this… is where he comes to new orleans. and meets louis de pointe de lac.

from here, the events unfold as is known: lestat, louis and later claudia spend some 60 years together, before going their separate ways. their time together is beautiful, but clouded with tragedy and pain.

over the years, there are a couple of occasions where lestat and louis reunite, but never for very long. perhaps… that is due to change.

especially now lestat is drawn back to storybrooke, a place where he can practically feel the magic coming through.

OOC INFORMATION: 

MUN NAME/ALIAS: alex

MUN AGE: 28

MUN PRONOUNS: he/him or they/them

[spacerockfloater]

Team Black stans proclaiming themselves the champions of feminism will never not be funny to me, especially when they make posts like…

… in which they’re accusing Alicent for the death of her grandson because she was having sex, not the monstrosity that is Daemon who arranged for it to happen. This is OP’s twitter account, by the way.

People will seriously call themselves feminists and put the blame on the women they despise for actions taken by their beloved men, the man being Daemon, of whom you’re an unapologetic supporter OP, who is the worst fucking piece of misogynistic and abusive shit on this show!

You’re actually such two-faced snakes, lol! You never cared about women’s suffering. You only care that Rhaenyra received so much backlash, even by Emma D’Arcy who portrays her.

And since that was brought up, I’m so sorry to inform you that I’d consider the shit Rhaenyra pulled distasteful even if she was a man. Like, breaking news everybody: people who live in societies where law and etiquette dictate that having multiple sexual relationships simultaneously/ having children out of wedlock/ lying about your child’s parentage is looked down upon, actually don’t like it when someone has multiple sexual relationships simultaneously/ has children out of wedlock etc! Shocker, I know. Acting as if both we, the audience, and the people of King’s Landing weren’t criticising Daemon, Lord Flea Bottom, for being a whoremonger, let alone all his other outrageous acts. Additional breaking news: people are willing to overlook one immoral action (having sex out of wedlock after you become a widow), but draw the line at… fourteen(?) (having sex out of wedlock with two different men in less than one hour, coercing someone who said “stop” and tried leaving, using them for sex even if you knew they’d never finally agree had they known beforehand that they mean nothing more to you, having one bastard kid, having two bastard kids, having three bastard kids, fucking your uncle at his wife’s funeral, fucking your uncle on your baby daddy’s/ lover’s funeral, orchestrating your husband’s death/ disappearance in order do marry your uncle, lying about your children’s parentage, demanding your baby brother who was disabled by your own kids be tortured, robbing a man off of his rightful inheritance, killing him for speaking the truth…)! Like, come on. We don’t hate Rhaenyra because she had sex before she was married. We hate her because she’s high-key morally corrupt.

Disliking Rhaenyra for being a serial social norm breaker yet denying she has done so because she aims, not to abolish said norms, but to benefit from them despite not following them and liking Alicent for being a dutiful and faithful wife/ mother/ friend/ daughter/ leader/ citizen in spite of all the atrocities she was subjected to that would have driven any sane person to violence long before she actually succumbed to the pressure is just personal preference. Criticising Rhaenyra because we see her as a selfish liar and supporting Alicent because we see her as someone who remained strong despite everyone around her treating her like dogshit is just personal preference. It’s not that we like it when women specifically suffer, it’s that we like it when characters who suffer still manage to pull through. Breaking news yet again: people enjoy tragedies! As if Aeschylus tragedy “The Persians” isn’t the oldest surviving drama in the world. The reason we view Alicent as a tragic figure who deserves a moment of comfort, even if said comfort is also considered immoral, is because she is constantly thrown in situations she did not ask to be and even if she follows the rules, she is still treated unfairly and hated. The reason we don’t view Rhaenyra as a tragic hero is because she keeps putting herself in these situations and then demands that she is given what she wants despite not following the rules. Literally every decision she’s made since S1 E4 has had catastrophic consequences for her.

Disliking one woman, because she repeatedly chooses to ignore a code of ethics you believe should be followed by all genders, does not make you a misogynist, just as clapping every time a woman commits an act, the sole purpose of which is to serve her even at the expense of others, does not make you a feminist.

“The core theme of the show is that women suffer under patriarchy” and “Rhaenyra made many problematic decisions that had no correlation to her being a victim of misogyny whatsoever” can both be true.

HotD presents two individuals who suffer at the hand of the same patriarchal system set to make them suffer when they rebel (Rhaenyra) AND when they're complacent (Alicent). That is the central issue and the tragedy of Alicent's unjust & now hypocritical vitriol towards Rhaenyra.

"Rhaenyra the entitled whore, Alicent the deserving saint" is not only a repulsive mindset and textbook misogyny, it's also so far removed from the point being made by making them parallels in this adaptation. People who buy into it are simply not interacting with the core themes of the story.

[katzkinder]

was talking with friends about what's necessary for an Eve to be successful at their position and what an individual Servamp might need from their particular Eve, and of course this came back to talking about Wrath arc since that's the most polarizing for some reason when it comes to who should have been Freya's Eve, but also Tetsu and Mikuni got involved, which is... Gonna be fun to ramble about LOL

Alright so ripping the bandaid off real fast, Tsurugi... Would make a bad Eve. I love him but it is so so true, he would be a TERRIBLE Eve, because until Mahiru entered his soul and helped him confront his loneliness, he lacked the most important thing for being an Eve: the ability to make his own decisions.

If an Eve is a Servamp's reason, the one who pulls them back from the brink, what do you think will happen if someone becomes an Eve who can't do that task? Someone like Tsurugi, who has only ever blindly obeyed the orders given to him without question? What do you think would happen if he made a Contract with the Servamp of Wrath, who is shown having Eves in positions of power before, who dislikes senseless death and murder, if she were tied to a man who only knows how to look to his superiors for who he's supposed to kill next?

If he had become her Eve, he never would have been able to grow beyond the him who looked at Mahiru and blithely talked about the reality that the outcome of the war would decide whether he was a hero or a mass murderer. He literally could not even think for himself enough to question whether he was right or not.

That is. Really fucking bad lmao.

Especially since even if Tsurugi survived the trial of wrath (he wouldn't, because he's a footsoldier who only knows how to do as told and Freya needs someone who can equal her, not be consumed by her), when it came to rescuing Shuuhei from Shamrock? He would not have pulled his blade like Iduna made Freya do (and even Freya herself is shocked by the decision Iduna made. She's clearly not used to having her Eves, while in battle, show mercy or make decisions that don't end in bloodshed). He would have killed Shamrock, saved Shuuhei, and doomed everyone because he just offed one of Tsubaki's inner circle and sent him on a made quest for revenge, AGAIN, thoroughly ruining both the plot and Servamp's narrative cohesion.

Anyway all of that *gestures above* is also why I think Tetsu ended up NOT being an Eve this whole time. He, like Tsurugi was, is completely dependent on others to tell him what to do. He doesn't think when things don't add up, he simply accepts whatever he's told at face value, and that... It ended badly for him, suffice to say. He was used by Hugh and, like a dog that's been kicked, had no idea what to do when hurt by his master via betrayal.

Which brings me to Mikuni. He is the OPPOSITE of Tetsu. He is someone who commands his Servamp without ever taking Jeje's thoughts into account. And while he's a decent Eve of Envy, WHOO MAMA Y'ALL he would be so so bad as the Eve of Lust.

He and Lily are just too similar and if they didn't live together since Mikuni was a fetus, they would not get along at all lololol. Even now, because they're so similar, there's no like... cross talk? Between them?? There's no one who steps back and says "hey what the hell that's fucked up" when one or the other wants to do something Stupid.

And basically what I'm getting at here is that being an Eve for one Servamp is not necessarily a qualification where you are just Super Suited For Being An Eve.

Because the Servamps and Eves are individuals, so their own differences lead to combinations which are either lightning in a bottle (Kuro and Mahiru) or destined for tragedy (Mikuni and Lily)

We should all be very grateful that Mikuni never inherited Lily like he was supposed to :) Those mean bitches would have caused so much chaos together and I love that for them, but I don't want the world to end ya feel

[robininthelabyrinth]

Jin Zixuan knows what he wants, and that’s to be the next pretty but useless Madam Jiang. All that he has to is 1) pass his title of heir to his new brother, 2) convince JYL to fall back in love with him, 3) not embarrass himself. Three easy enough goals, right? -🙃

ao3

Untamed

Jin Zixuan was almost – almost – not surprised to open his eyes and find himself sixteen again.

Instead of, you know, dead.

Honestly, it just seemed like the perfect capstone of his life of happenstance: born an idiot, raised an idiot, continued to be an idiot, realized he was an idiot, remained an idiot but a better class thereof, and somehow despite all that managed to hit the jackpot of luck not only once but twice – the first in being born in the right womb, the second in convincing Jiang Yanli to give him a second chance despite the aforementioned unbroken streak of lifelong idiocy.

Possibly because of. She thought he was cute.

Anyway, as if to make him pay up for that amazing streak of luck, just when he’d finally achieved all the things he’d ever actually wanted – a wife that loved him and who he loved in return and a son to dote upon – he had, for the first time in his life, grown up and decided to not be a complete idiot…only to immediately die.

Being reborn seemed pretty much part and parcel with the whole stupid tragedy.

Not that he regretted inviting Wei Wuxian to come visit. That’d been the right thing to do, and Jiang Yanli had been so happy – it hadn't even been his fault; it had been Jin Zixun’s ambush that had ruined it all, really. Jin Zixuan wasn’t even entirely sure what it was that had actually killed him, whether it was a stray arrow or a misplaced sword or even the Ghost General gone berserk, but he was sure that if his stupid cousin hadn’t decided to attack, Wei Wuxian would have come and left in peace.

If he hadn’t rushed out by himself to try to fix things, to make sure the one thing he’d ever managed to do right by Jiang Yanli worked out well, then maybe he wouldn’t have ended up leaving her and Jin Ling behind.

Alone.

In Lanling City.

He shuddered even to think it.

Jin Zixuan knew that there were people who loved their sects – passionately, devotedly. Jiang Cheng had been one of them, defying death itself to resurrect the Jiang sect in his parents’ honor and reestablishing it as one of the Great Sects. And then there was Lan Xichen, the steadfast and honorable, who had sacrificed everything, even honor, to make sure his sect’s books survived what they had feared would be the end. And all this was to say nothing of Nie Mingjue, who had come to power painfully young and had played the game of politics that he so despised in order to stay the course, to avenge his father and keep his sect strong…

Jin Zixuan did not love his sect.

He did not love his city, he did not love his people. He had wondered if it was a failing in himself, but then looked at the rest of his family and realized it was just his blood running true. Lanling Jin had a soul of rot and a heart of stone, each one of them careless and indifferent in their own way – his father couldn’t give a damn about his sect except in the sense that it aided his personal power, his mother the authority it gave her whether through her husband or her son, his cousins the impunity they could derive from it…

Jin Zixuan had told Jiang Yanli about it when she agreed to marry him, worried that she'd change her mind when she learned the truth but even more worried that she'd wake up one day to find herself trapped and disappointed in him. But she was as ever the luckiest thing that had ever happened in his life: she’d said that she would be fine because she had him by her side, and he would be fine because he had her, and they would balance. He’d accepted that argument – and then, of course, he’d gone and died, like the idiot that he was.

And yet, somehow, he’d been reborn, granting him another chance to change his fate, and this time, this time, he wasn’t going to deceive himself.

After all, it seemed pretty clear from his last life that he was never going to not be an idiot, and that fate wasn’t too happy about him trying to stick his nose into politics or major events.

This time around, he wasn’t going to struggle against his destiny – Jin Zixuan was going to accept it.

He was going to be absolutely useless.

He sat up in his bed, observing that he was in the Cloud Recesses, and that his eye hurt; it must be not long after his fight with Wei Wuxian, which meant his engagement was broken. He’d have to win Jiang Yanli again – still, he’d somehow managed it last time around, so that wasn’t what he was worried about.

No, the main problem was definitely how he was going to manage the whole “be useless” part of his ambitions – and for that, he needed the advice of an expert.

“Nie-er-gongzi, can I ask you for some advice?” he asked.

Nie Huaisang blinked blearily at him. “Jin-gongzi? It’s the middle of the night.”

“It’s important,” Jin Zixuan said apologetically. “It’s something that only you can help me with.”

“…me?”

“Yes, you. I need to learn how to be a good-for-nothing.” Jin Zixuan thought about it. “Also, I need to get in contact with Meng Yao. He’s at the Unclean Realm now, right? Someone needs to inherit Lanling Jin, might as well be him.”

Nie Huaisang blinked owlishly at him.

“…okay.” He pulled open the door. “I think you’d better come inside.”

[emblemxeno]

Fire Emblem Fates: Personal Arcs and Thematic Parallels for the Royal Siblings

Introduction

As we all know by now, the royal siblings of Fates are all mirrors and contrasts with one another.

Xander and Ryoma are the wise and kind elder brothers who have the weight of their kingdoms’ futures on their shoulders, however Xander is an anxious stoic entrenched in state of denial who worked hard to get as strong as he is, whereas Ryoma is a charismatic natural talent, a huge hothead and has major prejudice issues.

Camilla and Hinoka are the caring elder sisters, with Camilla being overbearing and feminine and Hinoka being stubborn and tomboyish. 

Leo and Takumi are the intelligent younger brothers who face massive self esteem issues (in regards to their older brothers) and jealousy (in regards to Corrin), but while Leo’s problems are hidden under a layer of cold pragmatism and isolation, Takumi’s are front and center since he is very emotionally volatile. 

Elise and Sakura are the sweet and compassionate little sisters, with Elise being excitable and cheery and Sakura being shy and timid.

However, these aren’t the only parallels that exist between the siblings. More parallels are discovered when you look at the story closely. Especially when you lock down each of their personal arcs. Furthermore, close analysis reveals other interesting parallels, namely for Leo and Hinoka in regards to their brothers, Xander and Ryoma.

Themes, Arcs and Developments: Hoshido & Birthright

The development for the Hoshido siblings and the Birthright path is belief in others, collaboration and tolerance. The siblings start off separated from each other, with Takumi and Ryoma going missing and Hinoka having already left to go find them. 

Corrin’s belief in others gets tested through being double crossed by Zola, and the possibility of there being a traitor in the party. Nevertheless, his doubts don’t consume him, and his belief in himself and others gets him through tragedy. Many times in the story, trust and working together gets brought up, like during Chapter 14 where Corrin asks if anyone’s reluctant to move forward with the invasion, but his siblings reassure him. The same thing occurs when Corrin learns about the Rainbow Sage; at first he says if he needs to go alone, he will. But again, his siblings make sure to come with and support him. This dovetails into how the siblings personally develop as well.

Through Corrin accepting Sakura’s pleas to come with them, Sakura goes from meek and unsure princess to a strong willed young woman who’s able to punch Iago in the dick. Through being reassured and believed in by his family, Takumi goes from a prickly skeptic to a confident and heartfelt prince. Through learning of Nohr’s plight and accepting that he can’t do everything alone, Ryoma goes from a stubborn and prejudiced high prince to a tolerant King who seeks to break boundaries and misconceptions, walking hand in hand with his former enemy. The siblings enjoy their newfound perspective and the peace that comes with it; the peace their mother cherished.

Themes, Arcs and Developments: Nohr and Conquest

The development for the Nohrian siblings and the Conquest path is moving on to the future, where justice lies and change. Nohr and the siblings are set in their ways; doing what needs to be done to survive. Upon his return to Nohr, Corrin seeks to change that necessity and bring an era where Nohr can seek glory through mutual respect, not oppression. His willpower gets tested constantly; at times he succeeds in settling things peacefully, at other times he fails or his plan backfires. Still he moves on, working behind the scenes toward his own path of justice, along with his siblings who have done the same for much longer than he has.

Through Corrin’s leadership and conviction, Xander is shown the truth, and from that leaves behind his entrenched way of thinking. He grows from a scared crown prince set in his ways, into a benevolent King promising to bring prosperity to his kingdom through his own sense of justice. Camilla is able to cut away from the same mindset, no longer being afraid of the monster her father has become. Her love for her family outgrows her fear of Garon, the fear that was established during the aftermath of the Cheve rebellion. Elise starts out naive and innocent, but playing a part in the tragedies that unfold gives her perspective. When she first meets Sakura, she’s childish and selfish, but later comforts the Hoshidan princess during a time of great pain. At the end of the route, the two are fast friends as a result of Elise’s compassion. The siblings enjoy the light they are able to bring to their kingdom and the future they seek to walk towards.

The Outliers

But in all that, there remain two siblings whom I didn’t really name specifics for: Hinoka and Leo. This is because, other than the general development of the siblings as a collective and the themes of their routes, they don’t really change too much. Leo starts as the pragmatic executioner who imparts the course which Corrin begins to take, and remains as such later in Conquest. Hinoka is the stoic and determined princess whose concern is the protection of those she cares for, and she remains as such later in Birthright. Neither seems to have personal growth to accomplish other than the general themes of their routes. 

That is, until you look at the routes in which you oppose them.

In fact, a new form of development occurs for all of the siblings when you oppose them, and with that, come new parallels.

Opposing Paths and New Parallels

Xander and Ryoma remain each other’s mirror and contrast. On the respective paths that you oppose them on, they are the notable threat to overcome later in the game. You encounter both of them in earlier chapters as well, and both of their maps are escape objectives; this shows in gameplay how much stronger they are compared to Corrin and how it is the smarter decision to pull back and regroup. They both can’t forgive Corrin for betraying their kingdom and family, but while Xander accepts Corrin has turned traitor, Ryoma is intent on bringing him back by any means necessary. Upon Elise’s death at his hand, Xander falls into despair and forces Corrin to strike him down. Ryoma on the other hand, sacrifices himself to spare Corrin the hardship of striking him down when he realizes his brother is still the kind soul he thought he was. 

The elder brothers are the ultimate test of Corrin’s resolve, to see if he’s ready to finish the path he started. The loss of these two are a tragedy, and the impact is felt in many ways.

Takumi and Elise gain new mirrors and contrasts with each other. For starters, each of them get inflicted with illness and reveal a truth they wouldn’t otherwise have awareness of during their delirium. It’s the suffering of these two that gets highlighted the most on routes you oppose them. Elise is miserable from her family being broken apart, and has to escape her home just to find some semblance of joy. Takumi meanwhile, lashes out more and more against Corrin, becoming more volatile and suffering from constant headaches. Elise only fights you once (and even then she’s an optional fight), while Takumi fights you the most out of any other sibling. Both of them end up losing their lives through indirect means; Elise throws herself in front of Xander’s sword in a bid to get him to stop fighting. Takumi throws himself off the Great Wall of Susano-o, blinded by rage, frustration and sadness. 

Takumi and Elise are major victims of this war and the path Corrin chose, victims who expressed their misery in different ways.

Camilla and Sakura are each other’s mirror and contrast. These two probably have the most difficult parallels to pin down, but they are there nonetheless. When Corrin chose Hoshido, Camilla lost her security; her family is broken apart and she can’t do anything to stop it. She is forced to accept that Corrin has left her to join Hoshido, and finally comes to terms with it after her second encounter. When Corrin chose Nohr, Sakura lost her solace; her country is being invaded, she had just lost her mother and now her older sibling is choosing to go back to the kingdom responsible for her suffering. She is forced to suck it up and defend her home on the from the front lines. Instead of development coming naturally due to positive reveals and encouragements, both sisters are forced to change in order not to break entirely. 

Camilla and Sakura are loving sisters who now have to accept a harsh reality during and after a war they had no control of.

Bear the Crown, Bear the Development

That leaves Hinoka and Leo, and this is where they each get major development as opposed to their native routes. 

Hinoka and Leo were spared by Corrin after thinking they were gonna be killed, and eventually the thrones fall to them when the war concludes. After all, Hoshido favors kings over queens so if it wasn’t Ryoma, it would be Takumi. Nohr has an age based inheritance, so if it wasn’t Xander, it would be Camilla. Leo and Hinoka never dreamed it would be up to them to lead their kingdoms. When they bear the crown, they bear the weight of a responsibility they never expected.

However, when looking at it closely, it seems they also bear the character development their older brothers would’ve had.

Leo has battled feelings of inadequacy and jealousy in regards to his siblings already, but Corrin choosing Hoshido causes those feelings to surface. He’s angry and hurt over it all, but hides that under a layer of cold-bloodedness. Leo, promising to kill Corrin at every turn, thinks of his brother as dead to him.  However, Leo later finds himself. When talking with Corrin and seeing the truth about Garon, he realizes that Nohr doesn’t have to remain the way it is in order to survive. 

Leo at the end of Birthright begins to feel similar to Xander at the end of Conquest.

Hinoka has dealt with the guilt of Corrin’s kidnapping for over a decade. She became strong by choosing the path of the warrior as opposed of the princess. When Corrin chooses Nohr, she is in disbelief; after all, why would her brother return to to his kidnappers? She resolves to defeat him, and thinks of her dream of being a family again as a fantasy that will never come to fruition. However, Hinoka later believes otherwise. When talking with Corrin and seeing him and his Nohrian siblings work to end the war in a different way, she realizes that Hoshido’s beliefs about Nohr are wrong and that those misconceptions must be cleared. 

Hinoka at the end of Conquest begins to feel similar to Ryoma at the end of Birthright.

Conclusion

Leo and Hinoka each become the rulers that their kingdoms needed. They fill the space left by Xander and Ryoma. They don’t have personal arcs on their native routes nor on Revelation because there’s no absence to be filled; they can remain as they are, rather than be bound by the weight of the crown. Their rule as monarchs is bittersweet, for it’s a role neither of them expected, but they perform said role well nonetheless.

That’s, at least, how I feel about all of this. Of course, this whole thing isn’t a perfect interpretation, nor does the game handle this aspect as well as it could have. Hinoka still lacks in number of notable appearances compared to pretty much every other sibling; hell, there are even scenes in Birthright where every sibling except Hinoka appear. Leo, meanwhile, has many more scenes of importance, especially since he wields a divine weapon and his big hero moment triggers the Yato’s transformation during Conquest. The negative effects of Hinoka’s later addition are still very present, and it’s something that I hope would be done better in a possible Fates remaster. 

As it stands now though, I still think all of this is done well enough for everything I described. Fates’ story is smarter than one might think, and I believe all of this is an example of that.

[yurimultiship]

F/F in Ōoku

Ōoku is an historical manga by Yoshinaga Fumi, set in an alternate reality of Japan. During the time period in which the Tokugawa shoguns ruled, a deadly pandemic spread amongst young men, severly reducing their numbers to 1/4 of the population in a matter of decades. Following this, women start taking on their work, inheriting their businesses and titles, in order to make their families survive and prosper.

This situation leaves the country in a very dangerous situation in regards to the other countries. And so the first female Shogun will close the borders to the outside world, mirorring the real life edicts leading to the seclusion of Japan in the XVII century. To assure that the female Shoguns can have heirs, a palace of male concubines is built, also mirorring the quarters of the Edo castle in which real life women related to the Shogun (mother, wife, concubines) lived, which was called “Ōoku”.

The story of this 19 volumes long manga plays with the genders of historical figures and follows the fate of the women and men in this alternative version of history. It is not a joyful tale. Although there are plenty of beautiful and sweet moments, it is also filled with a good variety of the kind of violences you can expect from History: depicting diseases, starvation, sexual assault and especially many acts of murder.

While relationships between men and women are a big part of the story, there is also a great amount of very well written and varied relationships between women, be they familial ones, friendships, loyalty between a lord and their subjects, animosity and hatred and, of course, romantic ones.

Yes, the manga indeed contains some textual and subtextual m/m and f/f relationships.

Because the story goes through centuries of history, we see the main characters age, die and change every few volumes. If you’re into stories mostly focused on f/f content exclusively and with a happy tone, you may not enjoy Ōoku. But if you are into stories with complex female characters and the typical difficulties/themes that come with historical stories and tragedies don’t bother you, it’s a manga that’s certainly worth the effort to get into.

I definitely loved the various cases of intense loyalty and feelings between the various Shoguns and their right-hand women. Some will read as platonic, but others definitely had that little something that made me ship them. Like the messed-up childhood friends who both stayed close until old age, only to end in a tragic murder-embrace. Or the subject who killed a noblewoman’s older sisters because she thought her more worthy of becoming a great lord and wanted to help her reach that goal.

Erm... like I said, Ōoku is bloody.

One of my favorite characters is Gennai, the alternate version of a famous historical gay scholar.

In the manga, Gennai becomes a crossdressing lesbian and is an absolute delight of a character. She also is quite enamoured with Tanuma, the Shogun’s right-hand woman who Gennai works for, as they attempt to find a cure to the disease that their country has suffered from for a century by now.

This will lead to a huge conflict with another love interest of Gennai, a popular actress called Kikunojo, who will enact a vicious vengence on her for being neglected and played with. But their story won’t end there...

Gennai is very charming, sharp-witted and more than a tad insolent. Her lovingly androgynous character design is also a huge selling point.

I thought I could not love any other character of Ōoku more than her but that notion got seriously turned upside-down when the tragic crossdressing wives appeared.

That’s right, wives. As the Tokugawa’s influence starts to weaken and the story comes near a close, the husband sent to marry the penultimate Shogun turns out to be... a woman in disguise.

She is from the Emperor’s family, who is currently very much at odds with the Tokugawa family, but Iemochi, our current Shogun, is very dedicated to maintaining peace and repairing their relationships. So when she discovers she has been tricked, rather than create a scandal, she helps hide the truth and works toward building a good relationship with her new “husband”.

Chikako, the young woman taking the place of her brother, prince Kazu, has her own quite messed-up and fascinating reasons (that I’ll let you discover) to be here, but she initially very much despises the place and people she has to stay with. Iemochi, with her kindness and smarts, will however slowly build a place into her heart.

The evolution of their relationship is a beautiful slow burn to behold. It certainly helps that I am very much into the archetypes of the characters and story involved but it is also very well written and subtly depicted. Watching them grow closer, reading their various conversations, seeing them playing go together, discovering Chikako’s bashful affection as it blooms and witnessing them eventually turning into a family, it is all such a treat.

But let’s remember that life (and history, and Ōoku) is cruel, and so it must ends in tragedy and heartbreaking, deliciously angsty grieving.

Once again, Ōoku is not exactly a happy story, but for those that enjoy the pain of such wistful and tragic tales, it’s a wonderful manga. Please give it a try if you’re curious about it!