#But unfortunately its tagged unreliable narrator when it's not an unreliable narrator and that's my BIGGEST pet peeve

[marinsawakening]

LOZ Fic Recs

Deciding to use my hobby of autistically crawling through AO3 tags for good. I'm prioritizing fics with less than 50 kudos. None of these are ship fics, most don't have any romance. All of these are completed one shots, most under 10k words.

Skies, Surfaces, and the Hero Chef That Can't Actually Cook by greatduwangs

Summary: Link's cooking sidequest in Skyward Sword, which goes about as well as you'd expect. Or, the missing ingredient was a home all along, or whatever.

Why I recommend it: 4.5k of Link eating things he shouldn't. Very funny and very cute!

Big Dark by phlyarologist

Summary: Character study of Mido as the events of Ocarina of Time change him, worldbuilding the Kokiri and examining what it means to grow up.

Why I recommend it: Contender for the best LOZ fic I've ever read. Brilliant worldbuilding and characterization, and a fantastic understanding of childhood and its nuances that you rarely see outside of fiction aimed at children.

loop - synonyms: coil, noose, ring, circle by MidnightBunnyy

Summary: Fi gets stuck in a timeloop and is very... well, Fi about it.

Why I recommend it: Excellent Fi characterization that leads to a very funny take on a time loop scenario while still being a serious story.

Notes: Restricted work, only available to AO3 users.

A Legacy Cast in Stone by sagittamoth

Summary: Pre-Skyward Sword Sheikah worldbuilding following an OC who works with the robots and timeshift stones in the last days before the war.

Why I recommend it: Does a great job with worldbuilding, creating a vibrant world that slots neatly into the greater Skyward Sword canon.

missing by fandomsandshit

Summary: Drabble exploring Zelda's time in the dungeon.

Why I recommend it: Does a brilliant job painting fear and an oppressive atmosphere, with stellar Zelda characterization.

Growth by herohelio

Summary: Two connected snippets of Malon in the adult timeline, meeting Link again.

Why I recommend it: Adorable Link and Malon friendship and great Malon characterization, with very effective hints at what living under Ingo had been like.

Because each time we live by grainjew

Summary: Follows Link through ALTTP, written through the lens of the reincarnation theory with a focus on connection to the wider LOZ series.

Why I recommend it: Author described it as a 'mood piece', which it absolutely is and is very good at. I like the surreal and blurry way reincarnation is portrayed in this fic, and it has a great take on the maidens.

Blind and the Bunny by justAPassingThought

Summary: A character study of Blind the Thief through his defeat in the Thieves’ Hideout Dungeon.

Why I recommend it: Excellent exploration of the Dark World and the way its transformations work, and I really like Blind's view on Link's Dark World form.

Litany of Betrayal by RawLiverAndCigarettes

Summary: A foreign warlord swears fielty to the king of Hyrule. Impa knows what the stranger truly wants. She has seen it before. She can still taste the ash.

Why I recommend it: Fantastic character study of Ganondorf and Impa in Ocarina of Time. Everyone is horrible and I'm thriving. Incorporates Hylia into the OOT canon in a way I find actually interesting. Fascinating worldbuilding in general.

Notes: Prequel to a novel-length fic I have not read (I'm terrible at reading long fics rip).

that gentle hubris by cassiopeian

Summary: Zelda bares her soul at the Spring of Wisdom, but the answers she seeks do not come from a goddess.

Why I recommend it: Mipha and Zelda friendship, a fun take on Zora mythology and I always love mortals forging their own paths in worlds where gods are objectively real.

Hunger by Anonymous

Summary: Sequel to Grace, where Zelda struggles to reckon with perceptions out of her control. Link is there to help point out what she's missed. Can be read as standalone.

Why I recommend it: Autistic Zelda, queerplatonic zelink, and a great portrayal of the hunger that comes with trauma.

Notes: Sequel to a fic that is also very good.

As Above, So Below by Mothlight_Witch

Summary: An exploration of the Depths and Hyrule's cosmology.

Why I recommend it: The other contender for 'best LOZ fic I've read'. Astounding atmosphere and worldbuilding, incredibly unique and all-around breathtaking. Lives in my head rent free.

What is your wish? by AdeptArcanist

Summary: Character study of Vaati connecting him to Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask.

Why I recommend it: Very weird and unique take on LOZ lore and I'm so incredibly here for that.

Linner (Link Dinner) by waterglider

Summary: An adaptation of one of Zelda's diary entries set after the "Blades of the Yiga" memory. After a very irritating person saves her life, Zelda has developed a theory-- one she plans to test.

Why I recommend it: Zelda is kinda mean and Link is a monarchist bootlicker. I adore this take on pre-Calamity Link, he's genuinely insufferable and I love that. If I ever end up writing pre-Calamity Link I'm so stealing this characterization.

Notes: Sequel to another stellar fic, prequel to an in progress novel-length fanfic that I have not read (again, terrible at reading longer fic).

[kai-rio]

Could you ramble about Ellis? I need to understand them

oh. oh boy you dont know what youve asked

okay so ellis is a side character in ggy, probably made to follow the format of protagonists in fnaf books having a kid they dont like

he's been tony's best friend since they were 4, and they were neighbours when tony's dad was around (headcanon interjection: i think tony's dad bought them a treehouse and they always played in it together and just chilled there)

tony says he wants to move away from ellis because he's deemed as 'childish', like for example, choosing his nom de plume as Boots because its a character he likes

this is probably because of meeting both greg and his father being arrested, making him feel like he needs to be more mature so he doesnt want to associate with ellis anymore

but despite all he says about him he still deems him his 'best friend' and i think that says a lot - afterall, they were best friends for 8 years, so they have to have something there - tony is reluctant to leave him even if he doesnt want to admit it because theyre so close

ellis himself, there isnt a lot about him unfortunately in the book, but what we do know is that he's impatient, 'childish', oblivious and prefers fiction (this is all from tony's pov and he's an unreliable narrator so keep in mind we dont have the full picture)

tony sees him as kinda social but i personally think he isn't, he struggles to make friends other than tony and that's why it's only been the two of them for ages

a lot of people deem him the dumb one of the group and my take on that is that he leans into that role because a. its whats expected of him and b. that way its easier to observe people because they're less cautious of him, he probably notices a lot more than people think he does

he's quite kind but also has his flaws - he doesn't quite notice how hurt tony is about changing the story unfortunately and he teases quite a lot to the point it could be unintentionally hurtful

i think because of this, after tony goes missing he'd definitely blame himself and have survivors guilt, and also probably bad anxiety, maybe even agoraphobia

he probably would be lured into the pizzaplex under the guise that tony is there because he'd definitely go out to find him

i have a lot of headcanons but ill put those in the tags because those arent actually canon

if you want a list of all my headcanons you could do a separate ask about that but ill just put a couple in the tags

one thing that is canon though is that he likes physical affection!!! he wraps his arm around tony or greg several times if i remember correctly

i have 2 fics up on ao3 (my acc is under the same name) which are ellis-centric - i wouldnt recommend never needed a friend more though because i mischaracterised tony in that quite a lot so

[lucius-the-sinful]

Twenty Questions for Fic Writers

tagged by @omgkalyppso

1: how many works do you have on ao3?

Including orphaned works, 26 :)

2: whats your total ao3 word count?

90,878... feels wild if i put all my fics together i could get a novel

3: what are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Backwoods Bloodshed a supernatural (not that supernatural) Gabriel Reyes/Jack Morrison AU, M rated, 5k words, 146 kudos. idk why this one got so popular it was a half baked idea that never got finished lol

Stomach It Angst Mc/Hanzo. Rated T, 2k words, 137 kudos. I genuinely don't remember anything about this one. I guess it was spurred by a prompt lol

Well Acquainted Tony Stark/Stephen Strange first meetings pre Avengers: Infinity War, Rated T, 999 words, 133 kudos. This one was apparently written for a contest on Twitter???

'99 Again Drifter Silas/Arthur Nightingale and the trials of their developing relationship, Rated M, 8.3k words, 114 kudos. I will finish this one eventually I promise even if its five years from now

Earned It Mc/Hanzo modern setting AU inspired by some fanart on twitter and another poledancer AU fic, Rated M, 1.7k words, 63 kudos. I unfortunately remember this one, I'm just glad I had the foresight to talk to an actual poledancer before writing this lol.

okay that was awful next question please :)

4: what fandoms do you write for?

Currently: Warframe, Cyberpunk, and Elder Scrolls. But I tend to deviate to whatever my current hyperfixations are.

5: do you respond to comments? why or why not?

Yes! I try to respond to every comment I get. The only time I won't respond to comments is when I feel like I have nothing to say or someone is a regular commenter/already in my DM's.

6: what's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I feel like "angst" can't be measured properly when half of my works have angsty endings LMAO. Recently, probably part 5 of my series about my dragonborn OC, Something In The Orange

7: what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Fragments maybe? More so making the best of a bad situation... which i think is what mostly happens in my fics. '99 Again (link above) will likely be the fluffiest/happiest when its done.

8: do you get hate on fics?

Not that I know of.

9: do you write smut?

Hehehe yes :3 Most recently was Alpha Tongue, Mercer Frey and my original dragonborn dunmer OC. Isolated from my series because I was pretty proud of it

10: do you write crossovers?

No, not really. I think the closest thing I get to a crossover is just inserting my main OC, Zafir, into everything. But I consider that more of AU style fic.

11: have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of.

12: have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes, Earned It (link above) was translated into Vietnamese. It was requested to be translated by the translator which was super cool!

13: have you ever cowritten a fic before?

No, I tend to be kind of controlling when it comes to my writing so I don't want to subject that to others.

14: whats your all time favorite ship?

Hhhhh aughhhh idk. I feel like I don't engage much with canon x canon anymore. I guess Albrecht/Loid from Warframe. Its the tag I end up looking through the most even though there aren't a lot of fics for them. Mannimarco/Vanus Gallerian is also good but another rarepair lol.

15: whats the wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I'm going to be so for real, I don't think my series Witcher, Poet, King will ever be finished. Its such a tragedy because I have invested far too much thought in witcher!Zafir but I just don't really know where to go with the series.

16: what are your writing strengths?

I think dialogue, suspension, characterization. I'm working on unreliable narrators/characters and that's been a lot of fun.

17: what are your writing weaknesses?

Environmental descriptions are still my weakest thing in prose. I also get overwhelmed with longfic, which is why I break it up into parts of series. I have been told my chapter lengths are perfect by some readers, but I always feel like the length can be lackluster for others. I think my ideas are huge but my execution can be lacking for sure lol. But I feel like thats a universal struggle

18: thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I think I have done it before in Spanish, but I don't want to do it again unless its going to be accurate. Whenever I represent another language now I usually don't put the actual words unless the POV character understands it. For example, in Temperance :

“ Just take the most expensive stuff, ” One said in Russian. Zafir felt a headache coming on, as he realized he understood them better than if they spoke English. Yet… he never recalled taking the time to learn Russian. “ Looks like the fucker’s ready. ” 

The only exception to this is if the language in question is fictional and doesn't really have an exact translation like elder speak in The Witcher or dunmeri in Elder Scrolls.

19: first fandom you wrote for?

Okay, you'll never find this anywhere because I think it got scrubbed from the internet, but back when I was like 12 I wrote a ton of Creepypasta fanfic. Humble beginnings LMAO. I still have the documents on an old laptop in storage.

20: favorite fic you've ever written?

Feather Fall, Rated T. Just follows my OC Zafir after the collapse and death of most of his witcher school. I just love the character interactions between him and Vesimir, Lambert, Eskel, and Geralt. Would love to write more for that series but here we are.

tagging: @sevastiel @skyrim-crossing @pocket-vvardvark and anyone else who wants to participate <3

[liesonthefloordramatically]

So, about the fir writing ask! :D(uh, is there a limit how much I am allowed to ask? ^^;)I REAAAALLY wanna know: 1. the last sentence you wrote 3. how you feel about your current WIP 6. the word that appears the most in your current draft 12. a trope you’re really into right now 16. favorite place to write And if I'm allowed I'd also like 22. do you ever worry about public reaction to what you’re writing? how do you get past that? 23. pick three keywords that describe your writing. THANK UUUU <3

(ask meme here)

Below a cut because this is lengthy!

the last sentence you wrote

Oh boy, uhhhh, let's see...

The shelving is twisted almost beyond the point of recognition, its contents long since incinerated or melted into sludge.

(Scene-setting...my weakness...)

3. how you feel about your current WIP

Actually pretty good? I'm still enough in the middle that I cannot see the full shape of the thing yet, but far enough in that I'm not banging my head against the wall trying to get some kind of direction or momentum. Will it ever be available for public consumption? Who knows. But I am having fun with it!

6. the word that appears the most in your current draft

I'm crying. It's "Essek." Who could have guessed that the narrator's name would be the most commonly occurring word. #2 is "says." Deeply boring results, I am afraid.

12. a trope you’re really into right now

Man, tropes... When it comes to reading, fake dating is my one true weakness (it's SO easy to get me to read a fake dating fic but I WILL be furious the whole time if it's insufficiently fake dating-esque/if you do not understand the Point and Allure of fake dating), but I don't know that there are Established Tropes that I tend to be really into when it comes to writing. My most common additional tags are "Canon Compliant" (not a trope), "Character Study" (genre, not a trope), "PTSD" (also not a trope), and "Unreliable Narrator" (????).

If we're going for Queenie-generated tropes, obviously "every relationship has at least two people and at least one ghost" is up there forever and ever. I was going to try to say something about the "tropes" (central themes) of my current WIP but it sounded too much like the abstract of an academic paper on identity construction so we're gonna call it while we're ahead.

16. favorite place to write

*world's heaviest sigh*

Unfortunately....the bus to/from work is where I do the majority of my writing these days. I am aware that this is cursed behavior.

22. do you ever worry about public reaction to what you’re writing? how do you get past that?

On one hand, yes, but on the other hand, no. Historically, I have had fics stall out because I was in fandom spaces that were setting off my anxiety really bad (disjoint stalled out for ~6 months for this reason). disjoint and a flower blooming were probably the two fics that I was most nervous about public reaction to, simply because A. I'm less well-versed in VA canon than other parts, B. I have a VERY different read on a lot of characters than the fandom norms, and C. I know that VA fandom has some, ah, dramatic corners. (Public reaction was mostly fine in both cases, for the record!)

On the other hand, I do not have a huge following and I tend to write pretty weirdo niche stuff, so a lot of the time I am aware that I'm writing for an audience of me, the one to three friends who are excited about the concept, and then whoever else randomly stumbles across it once it's posted. Often I'm expecting a total lack of public reaction rather than, like, someone showing up in my comment section with a pitchfork. That's its own weird experience to navigate (spending a really long time working on something that then gets very little response), BUT the nice thing about not posting anything until the whole draft is done is that I cannot get discouraged by the response and lose the motivation to finish it.

23. pick three keywords that describe your writing

UHHHHHH, I am always wretched at these; let's go with:

nonlinear

embodied

blank space [this is two words but just go with it]

[snickerdoodlles]

texting fics for the fic tropes ask?

somehow A++ and a big fat red F at the same time LOL

okay so like. you may not know this about me, but i love social media fic (ik ik, hold your shocked gasps til the end). i absolutely love epistolary stories in general--i am a huge, huge fan of outsider POV and unreliable narrator tropes, and epistolary stories are so well suited to one or both of these things. epistolary stories put either a very, very narrow telescope on and/or a very broad/vague/heavily filtered overview of a narrative and i love reading between the lines and teasing out the story that way. plus, especially with a lot of neat ao3 works skins (which i...don't use because im lazy 💦), a lot of these stories play with the traditional way to tell a story and explore narratives told through different types of media, often very punchy types of environmental storytelling, and more, which is so cool to me. i'm not even talking about all the ways epistolary fic can play with character voice, and the differences between speaking vs texting, conversation habits across mediums, etc!!

chat fics...sometimes manage the above.

unfortunately though, many also often fall into referential humor traps and like...sitcom storylines (i'm not sure if that made up term makes sense lol). my point though is that some chat fics are really just treated like those incorrect quotes blogs but in a format that can be posted to ao3. and i already have a lot of irritation with incorrect quotes--it's very rare that a genuinely funny joke can just be ripped from its original context and still be funny, and a lot of people use referential humor as a crutch because they're scared of writing their own humor/jokes. but the thing is, the more references you use, the more you isolate and/or narrow your audience because not everyone is going to know what you're referencing; and it's one thing as a reader to skip over one joke you don't recognize, it's another to skip over multiple jokes in a row that make no sense to you. this goes doubly for chat fics that rely primarily on memes, which are esp flavor-of-the-week references whose original context gets lost almost immediately. and then on top of the humor crutch, a lot of these fics forget that like...epistolary stories still have a narrative? they still have a plot? you still have to explain how the characters started talking to each other, why they're still talking to each other, wrap it up in a good end goal, etc. and a lot of fic just...doesn't. i have zero interest in reading a fic that throws everyone into a groupchat with zero regard for how the individual characterizations, just to ramble out a bunch of ill-fitting references with no end goal or point in sight. sighs

so yeah! epistolary/social media/texting/etc fics are almost always the first set of tags i run through when i first enter a fandom tag and i'll often read those first over everything else because when they're done right, they're so. good.

but if there's no explanation to the how or the why, or zero regard to characterization or voice, or too many memes, i'm immediately out and will probably even mute the story so that it's easier for me to navigate the tags in the future 😂

.❤.

send me a fic trope!

[scintillatingshortgirl19]

Loki’s Line About Betraying Everyone

I need to talk about this line (spoiler: I’m not happy about it). I was going to just include this in the full episode response post I’m working on, but it got long enough that I decided to make it its own.

First of all, here’s the full quote: "I betrayed everyone who ever loved me. I betrayed my father, my brother, my home. I know what I did. And I know why I did it. And that's not who I am anymore."

Y'all, I'm less emotional about it now but this line fucked me up when I first heard it. It hit me like a ton of bricks while watching the episode for the first time because I was actually doing fine and wasn't significantly bothered by anything up until that point, and then came that line and I suddenly almost felt physically ill. I actually wrote up a post about it that night but never posted it because it was essentially just a lot of screaming, so I've now taken pieces of that and formed a hopefully more coherent post (though it still contains a good amount of screaming). So, I get that the idea that Loki’s betrayed Thor over and over is a Commonly Accepted Thing. It's really a lot more complicated than that, and there are a lot of gray areas involved, but fine, I'll give them that one. But - when did Loki betray his father? When did Loki betray his home?? I’m not just mad about it, this is...a legitimate question. I mean with the father thing, I guess the only thing could be the nursing home in Ragnarok/taking the throne from him? Which is irrelevant anyway because this Loki didn’t do that and doesn't even know it happened in the main timeline?? And besides, it PALES, like, hilariously, in comparison to any one of multiple things Odin did to him before that (not counting any fanon here - just the canon things that we know of!) I am just so confused, especially about the betraying Asgard thing. WHEN? LITERALLY WHEN? Guys, there is no film in which that took place.

If I trusted the narrative, I would say the most logical thing to conclude - at least about the betraying Asgard part - is that this is a setup for Loki to later realize he actually saved Asgard by causing Ragnarok (because that's the closest thing I can think of to "betraying his home"), which could even tie into something about, idk, helping him realize he’s capable of being a hero? (or something) and it would be a good follow-up to the moment he found out about Ragnarok in episode 2, but...fuck, the way these lines were framed it really doesn't feel like anything like that is going to happen. I could be wrong, but these just didn't strike me as lines that are at any point going to be contradicted or even revisited.

And moving onto another part of the quote - "I know why I did it." Uh, I guess good for Loki for apparently knowing that...but the audience sure doesn't?? This is something we're just now being told and have not been shown at all?? I have a feeling Loki thinks he knows why but it unfortunately doesn't have anything to do with some of the biggest actual reasons, which are the abuses done to him that helped make him who he is. Even more unfortunately, I also have a feeling the creators are on roughly the same page as Loki here. So yeah, that's a real shame.

The core problem here seems to be where the writers are coming from, and @iamanartichoke worded it really well here, so I’m just going to quote her: “either the writing is being lazy by oversimplifying Loki’s motives, or it’s being deliberately misleading in order to retcon the character, or the writers genuinely believe that’s what happened, which implies a misunderstanding of Loki’s character kinda from the get-go - at least on what drives his villainy and what fuels his anger, which are pretty significant things.” I do think there’s a slight chance they were using Loki as an unreliable narrator here and the audience was supposed to pick up on the subtext (more on that at the end of this post), but I doubt it, and I think it’s very likely one or more of the options listed in the quote. 

Honestly, I can explain Loki's line about betrayal (and his general lack of acknowledgement of his own trauma/legit grievances against his family) pretty easily in-universe. It makes sense that Loki himself would frame things as him betraying everyone who's ever loved him as if they never did anything to wrong him first, or that he would try to ignore what Thanos did to him in favor of putting all the blame on himself (coping with his trauma and loss of control by denying it). Or hell, maybe he would even straight up subconsciously invent a betrayal that never even happened, like the one about his home. I can totally understand Loki seeing the events of his life that way! That all lines up with his complete lack of self-worth, and to have him 1) recognize his mistakes and take responsibility for them (which has happened at this point in the show), but then progress on to 2) realize he isn't solely to blame for literally everything, and 3) recognize the role of his family and others in understanding why he is the way he is - that would be a very satisfying arc and is the natural direction that the story should take in episode 6. The problem is, I don't think the show is going that way. I think we're either supposed to take it at face value that Loki did in fact betray everybody who ever loved him (as if Loki is a reliable narrator when he's most certainly an unreliable one), or the audience is supposed to figure out that Loki's an unreliable narrator here - but the latter won't work, because the creators have to follow through on that subtext at some point and actually do something to indicate that what Loki said wasn't 100% true, and it doesn't feel like they're going to. You can't expect your audience to put any weight on subtext or even pick up on it in the first place if you never actually confirm anything, and your audience won't know your narrator is unreliable unless you tell them. If Loki being an unreliable narrator in that specific moment was their intention, only a small subset of fans are going to pick up on it. So the way they're framing it so far, the audience is simply going to see it the same way Loki does and not realize it's incorrect. 

Unfortunately, as stated earlier, I think the most likely explanation is that the writers either don’t understand Loki, are being lazy, or are deliberately retconning. So while I take a degree of comfort in the in-universe explanation, it’s pretty damn infuriating to consider where the writer’s minds were probably at in reality, and how this set of lines is presenting Loki to the casual audience. 

Tagging @iamanartichoke and @delyth88 if you guys have any thoughts?

[dewitty1]

(Moodboard by @thusspoketrish)

Lemon Colour, Honey Glow

trishjames @thusspoketrish

Chapters: 7/7 Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter Characters: Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Zacharias Smith, Original Characters Additional Tags: Post-War, Some Content Left Untagged Because of Spoilers!, pub nights, Beer Gardens, Nightclub, Cigarettes, Spliffs, alcohol consumption, Very Brief Discussion on Alcoholism, Strong Friendships, The Silver Trio - Freeform, Humor, Paris - Freeform, Diagon Alley, Falling In Love, Fluff, Romance, Lovesickness, Enemies to Lovers, Pining, Desire, Cuddling, Notting Hill, Portobello Road Market, Magically Powerful Harry Potter, Secrets, Secret Relationship, Possessive Harry Potter, Harry Reads Pablo Neruda, Love Poems, Original Character - Freeform, POV Draco Malfoy, Unreliable Narrator, Sad Draco Malfoy, Mental Health Issues, Anxiety Disorder, Intrusive Thoughts, Insecurity, Vulnerability, Forgiveness, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, flangst, Bullying, Fist Fights, Canon-Typical Violence, Violence, Blood, None of the violence/bullying is between H/D, Miscommunication, Trust Issues, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, First Time, romantic sex, Very Enthusiastic Consensual Sex, Fluff and Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary:

Over a series of unfortunate pub nights at the Leaky Cauldron, Draco Malfoy falls in love. A story about finding strength and forgiveness in unlikely places.

Excerpt:

It’s been so hard trying to control his constant worrying and unrelenting intrusive thoughts since moving back to Britain. All the rage and humiliation he has to face keeps his anxiety feeling like the weight of an extra body attached to his back at all times, it’s why Draco would rather stroll a Muggle market than visit Diagon Alley alone. But Draco wants this. He wants Potter, as crazy and as exhilarating as it sounds. Maybe having Potter in secret would ease some of the pressure that would come with dating him. Draco could work on his fears in private instead of out in the open, where the public will try to shame him and break them apart before they’ve even begun to explore what this could be between them.

“Draco?” Potter’s voice is soft, gently drawing Draco’s attention from the terrible tumble of thoughts in his head. “Are you okay?”

“Okay,” Draco says, looking back up at Potter.

Potter grins. “Yeah?”

“Yes. I’ll date you,” Draco says, the words sounding strange to his ears, but a good strange, he thinks.

“Brilliant!” Potter says, his eyes dancing. “Just a moment, my vision-corrector charm is fading.” He lets go of Draco’s hand and heads down the hallway.

Draco sits back on the sofa, crossing his legs and looking around for his flat white. It dawns on him that he left it in the middle of the road when he helped Potter up. Well, this has been an interesting morning. Lost a coffee, gained a boyfriend.

Potter. His boyfriend.

The flutters go rampant. Draco touches his stomach, for once a smile creeps across his face at the sensation.

Potter comes back into the room, a forest green jumper with a gold H on the front and his round glasses on. When Potter sits back down, Draco turns his body to face him.

“May I kiss you, Potter?” Draco asks, feeling bold.

Potter sits up straighter. “Yeah! Yes, of course,” he says eagerly, scooting closer to Draco on the sofa. “If you call me Harry,” he adds.

Draco smirks, and reaches out to gently trace the edge of the longest bit of Potter’s—Harry’s—lightning scar across his cheek, his index finger dragging across his light stubble before he slides it over his bottom lip. “Okay, Harry,” Draco whispers. Harry’s breath hitches, his eyes darkening. And that’s it for Draco, that’s all the convincing he needs to know that Harry will never be Potter to him again.

Draco leans in at the same time as Harry, who moves too quickly, his glasses bumping against Draco’s nose.

“Ow,” Harry says, reeling back and adjusting his glasses.

“Sorry!” Draco says, his hands coming up.

Harry laughs. “It was my fault. The perils of being legally blind. Let’s try this again, yeah?”

“Okay,” Draco says, nodding and moving close. Harry’s warm palm cups Draco’s chin, tilting his head slightly before leaning in, much slower this time, and presses his lips against Draco’s.

Draco’s eyes fall shut, a painfully sweet eruption of flutters dancing in his belly as Harry reaches out to curl his fingers around Draco’s hand as they kiss. When they pull away for air, Harry’s breath is warm and sweet against Draco’s face, and Draco leans in again, feeling bolder as he opens his mouth under Harry’s and slides the tip of his tongue across Harry’s bottom lip, asking for permission. Harry responds, his mouth sliding open and his tongue curiously licking into Draco’s mouth, his lips twitching up into a smile as their tongues caress.

Draco has never tasted anything so sweet.

Harry’s excitable magic wraps around Draco like a warm blanket, cocooning him as the kiss deepens. Draco’s free hand finds its way to the nape of Harry’s neck, his fingers twisting around the long strands as a low moan escapes the back of his throat, the kiss growing hungrier, Harry now pressing him into the sofa. Draco doesn’t care that small, shameless moans have escaped the back of his throat as they kiss, his chest heaving as he tries to press their bodies together, as close as physically possible. He’s just starting to grow hard when Harry’s wards ring for what sounds like someone at the Floo.

“I’m - ignore,” Harry says incoherently against his mouth, before lifting one leg over Draco to straddle him. Draco gasps as Harry attacks his mouth again, grinding down onto his lap. Draco frees both his hands to grab Harry’s arse through the tight spandex. He squeezes.

“Yes, oh Merlin, you’re perfect,” Draco whines against Harry’s mouth, rutting up against him as Harry sinfully rolls his hips. Draco closes his eyes, relishing the heat of Harry’s mouth and body.

[philliamwrites]

The Dawn Will Come [Chpt.2]

Fandom: Fire Emblem Three Houses

Pairing: Dimitri x Reader, Claude x Reader, Edelgard x Reader, Yuri x Reader, Edelgard x Byleth, lots of minor pairings

Tags: #gn reader, # platonic love byleth & reader, #reader is a tactical unit, #angst, #slow burn, #subplots, #unreliable narrator, #pining, #remporary amnesia, #reluctant herp, #canon divergence, #lost twin au, #many chapters, #original content

Words: 6.7k

Summary: Waking up in a forest without any knowledge of your past and who you are, you join the house leaders of the Officers Academy to search for a way to return your memories. Unfortunately, the church has different plans for you, and Fate places you in the centre of a cruel game with deadly stakes. It certainly doesn’t help to fall in love with a house leader who is doomed to be your demise.

Notes: Chapter 1 | Chapter 3

Chapter 02: The Herald of Dawn

Hold me, O Night, with motherly affection, While the wan earth wakes with a misty yawn. By my blood will be born the Dawn and from my fleeting dream—the undying sun!

[Gabriele D’Annunzio]

    Hushed whispers wake you from the dark. The crackling of fire sweeps away the last remains of weary unconsciousness, and you blink at a tent's ceiling. Someone draped heavy blankets over you, and with every breath you exhale, puffy white clouds rise up. The shadows of a fire dance across the walls, their blurry movements flush another wave of dizziness over you, and as you sit up, you notice a tight feeling around your head. When you raise a hand to your forehead, there is a bandage sitting tightly wrapped around your head, covering your right eye. The pain has finally stopped, but it still feels dully raw, like an injury that hasn’t healed properly and serves now as a reminder of anguish.

    The memories from the battle rush back to you, the sound of metal hitting metal and heavy bodies dropping to the ground echo in your mind. Death was nothing new to the soldiers and mercenaries, so how come you don’t feel particularly sorry for the fallen? You’re no soldier, at least that’s what every fibre of your body tells you, so normalising killing isn’t right. You rebuild your surety of that, one shaky brick at a time.

    Once on your feet, you make your way outside, drawn in by the smell of cooked meat and quiet chatter. The sight of a small camp greets you: more tents build a row on this side of the camp, and in the centre, solders sit around a small fire, their voices barely audible. They lean over a steaming kettle, their weapons at their feet or beside tree trunks—laid down for the night but still within reach.

    “Heey, you’re finally back with us!” Claude’s voice rings through the camp, and several heads turn in your direction. As he waves for you to join him, you duck your head and move quickly to his side, wishing you could just merge with the ground and disappear from everyone’s attention. “Little one, you got us worried there,” he says. On his knees, he’s balancing a steaming wooden bowl, and the sight and smell reminds you how hungry you are. Your stomach agrees by providing a low growl.

    “How long have I been out?” You barely recognise your own voice, the sound rough from exhaustion. Claude hums in thought and gestures with one hand to a soldier to bring you food, while his other pats the ground beside him for you to sit down. “We managed to march a couple of hours after cleaning up the mess from the battle. Right now we’re near the edge of the forest. There should be only one more day of marching until we reach the monastery.”

    “And you guys are sure they can help me up there?” you wonder, watching the first group of soldiers get ready for the night watch. They’re frighteningly young, jostling and bumping into each other, laughing and stamping their feet against the cold snap that still lingers, the last gasp of winter before spring begins in earnest.

    “If not there, I’m not sure there’s anyone out there who can help you.”

    You glare at Claude. “Surely you must be the voice of confidence in this merry bunch, right?”

    He laughs. “I’m the closest you’ll get to an optimist around here.”

    “That’s reassuring.”

    “Reassuring is my second name.”

    “No, you said it’s von,” you mumble. Claude stares at you for a long minute, then bursts out laughing, the sound dark and rich. “No, that’s a noble prefix. You don’t even remember that?”

    You open your mouth, and close it like a fish, feeling your cheeks raise in temperature. He shouldn’t make you feel guilty for forgetting something like that, and yet the shame settles in your bones and you want to smack your head against something to help your brain remember.

    “Ah, but pardon my rudeness,” Claude purrs and gives you a mock bow. “I can tell you everything you want to know about nobility and how overrated it is. In fact, I might as well convince you to join the Alliance before Their Highnesses steal you to their side.”

    “I’m not going to be on anyone’s side,” you mumble, and steal Claude’s blanket as payback, relishing in his offended expression. “It has nothing to do with me.”

    Claude raises an eyebrow. “Ehh, I’m not so sure it’s that easy.”

    “It is,” you insist, unable to hide the sulk from your voice. “Because I say so.”

    Claude raises both eyebrows. “That’s not how it works.”

    “Watch me.”

    Something like a shadow flashes across his emerald eyes, but it disappears quickly enough for you to think it’s only the light from the campfire playing a trick on you. “We’ll see about that.” He scrapes the remaining contents from his bowl and lets out a satisfying yawn when he’s finished, stretching his long limbs like a cat getting comfortable. “Sooo,” he starts, unnecessarily dragging out the vowel and the sound of it locks up your shoulders into one tense muscle in preparation of what he’s going to say next. “Care to explain what happened back there?”

    You take a deep breath. “You mean when it felt like my eye was going to fall out of its socket?”

    “Actually I meant when you tripped over that one root after we found you.” He gives you a crooked grin. “But that’s interesting too, please go on.”

    “I thought no one saw that,” you mumble, and avoid his gaze as you remember that stupid root that nearly broke your neck. Well, Claude surely knows a thing or two about tricking someone into talking about exactly what he wants to hear.

    You thank the mercenary that brings you food, and notice it’s the one from the battle with the crooked nose. He gives you a just as crooked grin and limps back to his comrades. The stew warms your chilled bones, the rich flavour of meat and vegetables lifting your spirits and filling you with energy. As you eat, you drag out the minutes but Claude doesn’t even squirm as you let him wait, and starts whistling an off-key tune until you start to feel uncomfortable.

    “Well, if I knew, I wouldn’t be afraid that it might happen again,” you admit begrudgingly. “Because that was scary.”

    “Yeah, it didn’t really look like fun,” Claude agrees. “But what was it in the first place?”

    “I don’t know.” You start to become weary of those words. “But it hurt.”

    Claude gives you a sympathetic look, and goes silent, allowing you to eat, but you can’t shake off the feeling his mind is still trying to figure out what’s the deal with you. He can, for all you care. And once he’s done, he can write a report and hand it right to you so you’ll understand as well.

    Out of the corner of your eye you notice someone moving towards you. Dimitri approaches you with caution like you’re a small animal he might scare off with hasty movements. But the look he gives Claude is that of a disappointed father, and he shakes his head once he’s standing in front of him. “Claude, we were supposed to not disturb our guest,” Dimitri says sternly, then bows his head in your direction. “Apologies. We should let you rest.”

    “No, it’s okay,” you admit, and shuffle a little to the side to make room. “Please stay.”

    Both boys exchange a quick look, but then Dimitri sits down, minding a polite distance unlike Claude who only needs to stretch his legs for his feet touch your knee.

    “We were worried,” Dimitri starts. Just like Claude, he’s taken off most of his armour, and nothing about him stands out as a member of the royalty. He looks just like any other boy, and you’d never admit it out loud, but you already miss the blue tones on his uniform, the colour making his remarkably ice-blue eye stand out even more. “Luckily we could dispose of all bandits and return to a safe area. Byleth carried you here all by herself.”

    “Yeah, remind me not get on her bad side, okay?” Claude laughs, but you think you hear a slight nervous tremble in his voice. “She looks like she can decapitate me with a butter knife.”

    “She doesn’t look like it. She very certainly will behead you with a butter knife,” Dimitri provides with a pleasant smile as if he’s talking about the weather.

    “See, and that’s why she fits best in the Alliance,” Claude says, winking at you. “We’re always full of surprises.”

    Dimitri rolls his eyes and crosses his arms in front of his broad chest. “You might try it. I personally plan to convince her to join the Kingdom.”

    “I think you’re both too late for that,” you say as you look to the other side of the camp where Byleth and Edelgard are currently engaged in a deep conversation, their heads leaning close to each other. Claude groans miserably, but quickly recovers as he turns to you, his eyes brightening up with excitement. “It’s okay, because once my disarming charm has wrapped you around my little finger, I’ll have an impressive tactician on my side.”

    You almost choke on your next spoon of stew. “Tactician? I wouldn’t go that far.”

    Beside you, Dimitri clears his throat. “Though I have to question Claude’s way of persuasion, I must admit he isn’t wrong about the latter. What you did back there was impressive.”

    “I really didn’t do anything special,” you mumble at the same time Claude raises both hands leisurely and says, “Hey, it’s not my problem you think you’re immune to it, Your Princeliness.”

    Dimitri grumbles something in a foreign language under his breath. Grinning smugly, Claude turns to you, and nudges your side. “Have confidence, little one. They’ll teach you everything you need to know up there.” He points up towards a mountain where you’ll apparently be heading tomorrow. If you squint, you think you can make out lights in the horizon brightening the night sky.

    “That monastery,” you say, trying to ignore how Claude’s body radiates heat. “What exactly is that place? I’ve never heard of a monastery that holds a school. I think,” you quickly add, unsure what thoughts provided by your hazy mind are facts.

    “The Officers Academy is a facility where students learn the arts of warfare, magic, and leadership,” Dimitri explains. He’s very obviously trying not to look at Claude, which in return has Claude’s grin widening even more. “The lessons provide us with everything we need as upcoming heads of our families. Swordsmanship, sorcery, authority, the history of our continent. There is much to learn for everyone attending the classes.”

    “So it’s a death factory,” you translate, the sudden bitter taste in your mouth overshadowing the taste of the stew. “How can they just teach that stuff like it’s normal?”

    “You saw it yourself, didn’t you.” Claude stretches his long limbs and leans back until he props his body up on his elbows. “Bandits and thieves everywhere.”

    “And most students come from a noble house,” Dimitri adds. “They need to be taught how to take command, and about the responsibilities coming with leadership.”

    You blow a strand of hair away from your face, mood dropped now that you know where you’ll be from tomorrow on. “This doesn’t sound right.” Though you can’t really say how a school is supposed to be instead. This is a world with different rules, and you aren’t sure if it’ll be easy to accommodate to them.

    While the boys bicker how good the plot of the tale mentioned earlier really is, you see Byleth approaching. A bruise is forming on her left cheek, and she holds her arm as if bearing the pain from a wound. But nothing of that is portrayed on her face, as if her brain hasn’t registered she’s wounded yet and hence doesn’t need to express it.

    “How are you?” she asks, sending the boys a quick look. Dimitri and Claude climb to their feet and wish their good nights with a quick bow. They hurry to Edelgard and gang up on heir, probably interrogating her about the conversation she's had with Byleth.

    “I’m better,” you say, a little surprised you actually mean it. You feel refreshed and nourished, ready for another day of walking. Byleth sits down and watches the camp for a moment in silence. The chaos from before has settled into a quiet hum. Men and women sit together in little circles and tell their glorious battle stories with boisterous laughter, selling the illusion of a victorious life. But that might easily end the next day because of a hasty recklessness. No one thinks of that. Everyone is just celebrating, reaching for flasks and living in the moment. It’s a beautiful sight.

    As the buzzing sound of people chatting subsides and the first turn in for the night, Byleth turns towards you, her voice lowered. “What you did back there,” she starts, and for whatever reason remains silent as if she decided talking about it isn’t a good idea. Shadows from the weakened fire dance across her face, and again you’re flooded with the unfathomable feeling of familiarity. It’s in the sharp lines of her face, the way her eyes move and settle on something as she observes her surroundings. It’s almost a painful sense of nostalgia. Something about this woman just brings you an unusual amount of ease, like it doesn’t really matter who you are, and rather that you’re here that makes the difference.

    Before you can stop your brain, you’re already asking, “Do we know each other by chance?”

    Byleth looks at you for a long minute, then slowly shakes her head, and you try not to show your disappointment too much. “I’ve travelled a lot with my father,” she says. “We’ve come through many lands and villages. You may have seen me at some point, but we’ve never exchanged a word until yesterday.”

    You nod at the plausible explanation, but the feeling that this isn’t the right answer curls like a hook into your heart. “And your father hasn’t said anything about me as well?”

    “No.” Byleth’s eyes follow your hands as they set down the empty bowl. Seeing that you’ve finished everything, she nods in approval. “And he doesn’t forget a face.”

    “How do you all just … trust me,” you wonder, looking to where Jeralt is miserably leaning against a tree trunk as Alois keeps talking and talking. He looks like he wishes someone would take him down with an arrow.

    “He doesn’t,” Byleth says. “And he calls me a little whippersnapper for that. He hasn’t called me that in the five years.” At the sound of the smile in her voice you snap your head in Byleth’s direction, but when you look, she wears the same bland expression like before.

    “But you do,” you start carefully, not trusting your ears again, so you settle on staring at her until she gives another emotion. “Care to explain why?”

    “For now, you haven’t given me any reason not to,” she states as if it really were that simple. It couldn’t be. Up until now Byleth has been your only anchor that your meeting wasn’t purely coincidental—that the reason shrouding your memories would dissipate like the night once dawn breaks if you just stick to her side, and everything will be revealed in time. But now without anything to hold on to, you feel like you’re slipping deeper and deeper into an abyss from which you can’t ascend. This feeling is terror fizzing in your blood like poison, and you shudder at the thought that you’ll forever remain adrift.

    “Your powers,” Byleth continues, unaware of your mental breakdown right next to her. “They’re unusual, and if you learn to use them right, very dangerous.” Spoken by everyone else, this might sound like a threat, but Byleth says it like a simple statement, a fact, unaware how much she tilts your world with it. “What do you plan to do with them?”

    You don’t have to think long about it. “I won’t do anything. Whatever it was, it’s over,” you say and gesture at your bandaged eye. It’s true. Since you woke up, your eye has remained calm, no red veil or eery proclamation someone might step into the campfire and burn alive. The pounding has stopped, and the normalcy of it is like a soothing balm.

    Byleth studies you. You really wish she could give you more than her vacant expression. “You don’t know yet … your eye.” She takes your spoon and with the end of it, she draws a symbol on the ground. “Do you know what that is?”

    You look at it, but nothing comes to your mind. It’s just a four pointed star with two lines crossing the right and left tips. “No, I’ve never seen it.”

    Byleth holds your gaze as if she hopes to find a lie written between your eyes, and this time you don’t look away until she relents with a barely audible sigh.

    “Why do you ask?”

    “Because before you passed out, it appeared here.” She taps a finger against her closed, right eye, then points at you. Your body goes rigid. Immediately, your hands fly up to tear off the bandage, but Byleth catches your wrists and holds them down. “Not yet.”

    “I want to see it.” Your breath catches in your lungs. It sounds like you need air because you’re drowning. “I want it off. Take it off!”

    “I can’t show you, there are no mirrors,” Byleth says quietly, and throws a quick glance around the camp to see if your panic has alarmed anyone. You want to point out that you could use the reflection of her sword, but maybe Byleth has considered the same and thought it a bad idea, because she doesn’t know what else you might do with a weapon in your current state. Seeing that fighting against the vice grip she has on your hands is futile, you slump down, your arms falling slack back to your side. “Just what… what is happening. What is that?”

    “Edelgard said it might be a Crest, but none she or the others have seen before,” Byleth explains. “They told me there is a teacher at the monastery who studies Crests.” She gives your arms a barely noticeable squeeze before she lets go. “So it’s going to be okay.”

    “How can you say that?” you nearly sob, and wish you could hold onto her longer as she stands up and brushes dirt off her uniform. “How can you be so sure?”

    “I’m not,” Byleth says, giving you one last look. You want to tell yourself it’s something like worry you see in her eyes, but her expression remains blank, like a board that’s been wiped clean. “I can only hope.”

    The next morning, Jeralt and Alois set an unforgiving pace, determined to reach the monastery shortly after dawn broke. While everyone else couldn’t wait to reach their home as fast as possible, you feel worry grow with every step up the hill towards the walls and towers. The monastery looms like a stronghold, a building so tall and intimidating, built to make people feel small.

    You were allowed to take off the bandage, and there was nothing worse than knowing something was on your eye but you couldn’t see it. Unlike everyone else. They kept staring at you, mumbling to each other in quiet whispers, and more than once you considered telling them that just because your eye was different it didn’t mean you were blind. It was reason enough for you to put the bandage back on and stay away from the soldiers and mercenaries, leaving them to their superstitious rumours. Who could have thought that you’d grab someone else’s attention entirely with that revelation.

    Even before the first sunbeams broke through the budding branches, the wind carrying the smell of spring and new life, Edelgard stuck to you like a tick. It wasn’t hard to find out she was more interested in your Crest than you as a person, and every question you couldn’t answer fuelled her irritation. Still she was nothing but determined to squeeze the tiniest information out of you, and even though you tried to avoid her by either marching way too fast or way too slow, Edelgard didn’t relent and remained by your side. Fear is a little exaggerated to describe what you feel towards her, but it's close. Whenever her sharp eyes focus on you, unease takes hold of your brain and the words leave your mouth as nervous stammers. It certainly doesn’t help that you know she can easily hack off a grown man’s arm without so much as blinking. Or that the corners of her mouth curl up into the sweetest, rare smile.

    Once you’re on the trade road up to the monastery, pebble makes way to smooth cobblestone. Giant iron doors stand wide open, and as your group enters, a merchant’s cart rolls past you and greets the returning knights. After the first entrance point, the second waits in the form of a portcullis and more knights standing on guard. Past the second ring of walls, you enter a small forecourt. On both sides are stalls and booths with merchants screaming their prices and the sound of metal hammered into the right shape at the blacksmith’s. At the foot of wide stairs leading up into the first building, a man dressed in dark blue robes awaits you, his strong arms crossed behind his back.

    “Welcome back,” he greets Alois and the students. “Your messenger bird has reached us yesterday late into the evening, and preparations have been made.” To Jeralt, he says, “My name is Seteth. I am an adviser to the archbishop. Lady Rhea awaits you.” Jeralt nods but he looks a lot more cautious since you’ve entered the monastery grounds. At the mention of that name, his posture visibly tenses, but he gestures to Byleth and you to follow him nonetheless.

    “We shall return to our respectable classes for now and make known we are unscathed,” Dimitri says. “Please, Byleth, and you too, if things have calmed down, meet the other students as well, won’t you?”

    “Ohh, good idea. You have to go around and introduce yourself as our great saviours.” Claude winks at you with both thumbs up. Edelgard slaps his hands back down.

    “We’ll be standing here until evening if we don’t get going," she says. "Please give Lady Rhea our regards. We’ll report to her once everything is sorted out about you.” She eyes you sideways, then ushers the boys down another hall like a mother hen. You exchange a quick look with Byleth who already looks very exasperated with the student’s antics.

    Seteth leads you into the Audience Chamber, a rectangular room with statues decorating the walls, and asks for you to wait. The moment he leaves the room, you turn towards Jeralt and Byleth and ask, “Who is this Lady Rhea?”

    “I’m aware Byleth doesn’t know much about her, I haven’t taught her he teachings of Seiros, but you—” He stops mid sentence seeing the way you look at him, and clears his throat. “Lady Rhea is the archbishop of the Church of Seiros. She’s commanding the knights and sees that the people don’t do anything stupid in the name of Seiros.”

    “Seiros?” you ask, turning the name in your head. Nope, nothing.

    “You know, the one who defeated the King of Liberation and founded the Church of Seiros?” When you just shrug, Jeralt scratches his beard and hums in thought. “Well, I sure won’t be the one preaching what you should know or not. But maybe don’t make it all too obvious you aren’t a follower.”

    Or what, you want to ask, but Seteth returns and he isn’t alone. The woman walking ahead of him looks like she belongs on the portrait of a saint. It isn’t much that she walks towards you, but rather strides in grateful steps to the middle of the room, her chin raised high and shoulders squared. And yet when she looks at your little assembly, her eyes are soft and kind, her expression open and friendly.

    “I welcome you into these sacred halls,” she says, her voice like soothing velvet on your skin. “Alois informed me of what happened, and I thank every one of you for saving the students.” Lady Rhea smiles at you all separately. Her eyes linger on you, and she titles her head slightly. “I've also heard about the wondrous things that happened to you. Please, be so kind and remove the bandage. Let me take a look at this Crest.”

    You hesitate, your fingers playing with the hem of your shirt. But Rhea waits patiently and raises a delicate hand when her advisor Seteth flinches to repeat her request. Slowly, you take the bandage off, barely able to imagine how the symbol or Crest as they call it looks upon your eye. When you meet Rhea's gaze again, her smile freezes, and her eyes widen in surprise. Her lips part slightly, then stretch into an ecstatic smile. Beside her, Seteth inhales sharply. “This is impossible,” he breathes, growing pale. You start to panic.

    “Why, what's wrong with me? What is impossible?”

    “Nothing, nothing is wrong,” Rhea quickly reassures you, but it's hard to believe when Seteth looks like he's seen a ghost. “A fortunate day indeed. Not only does one of the strongest knights to have ever walked these halls return, but it also seems that a new chapter of history dawns upon us.”

    All eyes land on her, one more puzzled than the other. Even Seteth doesn’t look like he fully comprehends what’s happening. “Lady Rhea?” he asks cautiously at the same time as Jeralt demands, “What are you talking about?”

    The archbishop ignores them both, and the longer she gives you that pleasant smile, the more unsettled you feel. “When Alois wrote about a Crest appearing on your body, I was not sure what to think of it. But now, I cannot hide my joy at the return of a Crest that we thought was lost to history.”

    “I—I don’t know why I have it,” you quickly say, feeling you have to defend yourself before they accuse you of stealing it. Can Crests be stolen in the first place? “I don’t remember why I have it.”

    Lady Rhea nods, her solemn expression making way to worry. “Of that Alois informed me as well. You may stay here until your memories return. Allow me for now to tell you about the Crest. Maybe that will dissipate some of the darkness shrouding your mind.”

    You nod, and brace yourself for whatever she’ll reveal. It certainly helps that Byleth stands close to you, her mere presence a standing stone you can hold onto for now without drifting away.

    “It is a Crest most uncommon,” Lady Rhea explains, her hands gracefully crossed in front of her. “For there was only one person who bore it. This Crest belonged to the very one who served our Lady Seiros against the evil powers that threatened Fódlan thousands of years ago. He was known as Seiros’ Champion. The Herald of Dawn.”

    She allows those words to sink into you, and how deep they sink. Now that they’re out here, you feel like they pull you down, deeper down into a dark sea from which you can’t surface. The only result is drowning.

    “Herald of … you don’t think. You can’t think—” Your thoughts move way too fast, you can’t grasp any to sort them.

    “What I think means nothing in light of what has transpired and therefore is reality. You are chosen by the Goddess herself to bring hope to the people of Fódlan. You are the Herald of Dawn.”

    You feel sick. It may be phantom pain, but you could swear your right eye starts hurting again, as if the Crest is reacting to the revelation, the call of its true nature. You dig your trembling fingers into the fabric of your jacket, considering for the tiniest second to gouge your eye out. Can’t be anyone’s champion or Herald without the Crest, right? “So, you’re saying … am I the one from back then? This Champion?” If you were really the same person, how were you still alive after a thousands of years? The prospect of finally having an identity is great, but you aren’t sure you’re ready to pay the price that comes with it. And this one seems to carry a very heavy price.

    “That seems quite impossible.” This time Seteth speaks up. He looks just as unnerved by this revelation as you feel. “The Herald appeared when Saint Seiros was in dire need, and once his duty was fulfilled, he vanished. ”

    “But now, another Herald has come, and with you the promise of suffering and hardships,” Rhea explains, her expression now strict and foreboding. “The task of giving hope is the most difficult to ask of a person. But that is the path the Goddess has chosen for you.”

    “No, no, you’re wrong. I’m no Herald … and certainly no Champion of anyone. I can’t give people hope, I don’t even know what to give them hope for!” Your voice borders on hysteric, but you’ve never been more determined to plead your case. “I’m not the right person. I’m really not.”

    “Then how come you bear the Crest of Seiros’ Champion, my child?” Lady Rhea asks, and you notice the tiny shift in her voice. The kindness grows thiner and thiner, and in its place austerity and even coldness settle—the voice of authority and undeniable command. “It is Our Goddess’ will. The Church of Seiros needs you. The people of Fódlan need you. You cannot turn away from your Fate.”

    You want to argue that yes, you can; you’ll turn around and leave this place filled with crazy people and their fanatic beliefs. One look from Byleth stops your thoughts. Lady Rhea interprets this silence as compliance, and nods, visibly pleased. “We have waited for this opportunity for so long,” she continues, now smiling again. “There shall be festivities today. As a welcome to our Herald, and the return of Blade Breaker Jeralt. For you, his daughter, we have also thought of a task that will greatly help Garreg Mach.”

    Jeralt grunts, clearly unhappy, but Byleth only cocks her head to one side. You’re astonished that after everything, she’s still awfully calm and collected.

    “A teaching position has become free as of yesterday,” Lady Rhea explains to Byleth. “By Alois' recommendation, you are to take that position and teach one of the Houses here at the Officers Academy. Your colleagues will provide you with further information. As for you,” and you flinch when she turns to you, afraid what else she has in store, “you too shall teach the students the course of leadership and command. Seiros’ Champion was a great tactician. He honed Saint Macuil’s abilities. I would not be surprised if you too show an unparallelled gift for strategy.”

    “Well,” you start, but the hesitation is clear, and Lady Rhea smiles like she knows what you can do once the Crest is activated. “Whereas you are to choose one house,” she tells Byleth, “the Herald will hold seminars. As a servant of the Church, you cannot call in favourites.”

    “I don’t even know what to teach,” you mumble weakly. “How to teach.”

    “Me neither,” Byleth says, the first time she’s spoken since entering the Audience Chamber. The amusement glinting in Lady Rhea’s eyes is like the sun reflected on a purling river. “Do not worry,” she says. “You will learn in time. And we are here to help you as well.”

    On your lips lie the words that they certainly didn’t help you. You came here so they could help to search for a way to return your memory.

    Instead, they made everything worse.

    The ceremonial robes hang heavy over your shoulders. The feast hasn’t started yet, but you’re already sweating and panting with the weight of the golden embroidery and the head piece decorating your forehead. When Seteth brought everything in a couple of hours ago, he was grumbling something unintelligible under his breath, at his side a little girl who, unlike him, was happy to meet you and to see that you’d take on the role as the Herald. You wanted to tell Flayn there was a difference between want and have to, but she was already focused on helping you dress and prepare for the festivities. Servants handled the remaining tasks of making you presentable, and now you’re standing in front of a giant mirror, observing yourself.

    It was scary how things changed so fast. Not even 24 hours ago, you were a nobody, a nameless figure roaming the woods, and now there is a name that isn’t your own—no, not a name. A title. A title that will all but replace your name. History won’t remember you as a person, they will remember the deeds that you’ve done, the mistakes that you’ll commit. Lady Rhea spoke of honour like it’s a crown on your head, but you see the noose that it really is around your throat. The head piece feels too heavy, and the golden necklace sitting on your neck reminds you more of a dog collar.

    There’s a knock on your door. Seteth said that someone would get you before everything starts, and you don’t even try to hide the relieved sob when Byleth enters the room. She examines you from head to toes, and leans her head to the side, one finger on her chin. “You look … different,” she says.

    “You mean ridiculous.” You move your arms, demonstrating how the wide sleeves flap uselessly at your side. “I wish we could do this all without me looking like a sack of potatoes.”

    “I had to think of cabbages, but you aren’t wrong either.” She crosses the room and looks outside the window. You can already hear the masses as they enter the Cathedral, and it does nothing to calm your haywire nerves. Byleth seems to notice as much. She turns to you, and asks, “How are you holding up?”

    “Do you want the real answer or the one I prepared for Lady Rhea?”

    Byleth raises a brow.

    “Not good. I’m just … how could this happen?” You throw up your hands in frustration, and the robes give a dangerous tearing sound. Your arms fall immediately down, the thought of damaging a hundreds of years old ceremonial robe the last thing you need today. “Of all the things, how could I suddenly become some figure of the Church.”

    “Is it so hard to believe that the Goddess of Fódlan has lead you to this path?” Byleth crosses her ams and leans against the wall next to the window, eyeing you curiously.

    “I don’t even believe in this Goddess,” you groan, flopping on your bed. The chambers chosen for you overlook the bridge leading to the Cathedral where people swarm inside like little ants returning to their anthill. It was a small room equipped with all necessities for comfort but no additional expenses on luxury. A bed, a dresser, a simple table and chair, a mirror, and a shelf take up all the space. Not that you could have brought anything with you.

    You look up at Byleth and dread the next question. “Do you believe in it?” you ask. “That I’m someone chosen?”

    “Hmm.” Byleth casts one last glance outside, then pushes off the wall, gesturing you to follow her. You sigh, and mentally prepare yourself for what will happen in the Cathedral. Before you leave the room, Byleth rests her hand on the door handle and looks back at you over her shoulder. “I don’t know. Where I’m from, belief doesn’t save you from the sword of a thief. Only deeds and actions. It’s the reason my father and I are still alive.” She considers you for a moment, and when you blink you imagine you see the tiniest smile on her face. “What you did yesterday was very much real to me. Maybe a Goddess guided you, maybe it was just lucky instinct. But you saved my life, and that certainly is something I can rely on.”

    She doesn’t wait for an answer, and swings the door open. You quickly follow, your steps feeling a lot lighter than before. “I guess I’m just frustrated,” you admit, carefully paying attention your voice isn’t too loud. “That they think there’s someone who can just decide how my life is going to be. Like this herald business suddenly defies who I am.”

    “As long as you don’t forget who you are, does it matter?” Byleth wonders aloud, turning down another corridor that ends in stairs leading down. “As long as there is just one person who doesn’t forget, does it really matter?”

    Maybe not to her, but for some inexplicable reason, it means a great deal to you. So you answer with a grumble, and Byleth hums like she knows she’s right. To change the subject, you ask, “What about you? How can you just follow along with being a teacher here?”

    “Truth be told, I’m not happy,” Byleth says, nodding to the knights standing on guard in the first floor that leads outside. “But at the same time I can see Lady Rhea’s reasoning. Those students need someone who teaches them not to be stupid on the real battlefield. Especially when they are to be future rulers of Fódlan. If I’m the one shaping those little whippersnappers, I can rest at ease.”

    You follow her down the hallways, staying silent until, “Whippersnapper is such a weird word,” you say.

    Byleth gives a huff of air that barely passes as a chuckle. “It is.”

    Together you leave the living quarters and enter the Cathedral at the backside where everything is closed off for the rest of the people. Lady Rhea and Seteth are already waiting for you, both dressed in equally complicated robes as you.

    “Thank you, Professor.” Lady Rhea nods towards Byleth, who nods back and joins the other teachers. “And now, Herald, it is time to meet the sheep you shall shepherd from today on. Please, follow me.”

    She doesn’t give you time to prepare for the crowd waiting for you, and glancing at Seteth for help doesn’t do anything either as he just crudely nods towards Lady Rhea, telling you to go along. You square your shoulders and hope for the best.

    The Cathedral has been decorated with candles and tapestry showing the banner of the Church of Seiros and above it the Crest of the Herald. A platform has been built for your entrance, and stepping on it, your gaze roams over all the assembled students, clergy, and knights. Seeing them, you feel terror seize your body, locking up all muscles. The masses look at you with hunger in their eyes, ready to devour you like you’re the last piece of bread on the table. “Herald, Herald! ” they cry, and each time they open their mouths, the noose tightens around your neck. Saint and Martyr vaguely dance at the edges of your mind, beyond your grasp, mocking how you know them but don’t understand their very being. This is bigger than you. This is far bigger than you can manage, and you want to run away and hide from their greedy eyes.

    Scanning the crowd, you notice the house leaders in the far back. Edelgard looks unpleased, her mouth set into a grim line, while Dimitri claps politely with the rest, and Claude raises a golden cup in mocking salute. You really want to break down and cry. The only solid point is Byleth, has always been Byleth up until now, at the other end of the room, holding your gaze steadfast like a pillow of strength in troubled waters.

[maldito-arbol]

U know I was starting to get pretty sus of Strength the entire chapter, the way it seemed to know exactly what it was doing and the way it talked about everyone else like they were so much beneath it and Sasha, it was just so off (although I did keep referencing “smells like favouritism” literally all night last night that line was pretty funny taken out of context) everything Strength said and did just seemed off and kinda sus. And then that final line, the “what did you do to me??” All panicked and shit, now I’m doubting it. I think the Crown is affecting Strength in some way to do with The Core, maybe it’s getting into its head thru Sasha but then that raises the question of why Sashy seems relatively unaffected (tho it doesn’t explain why Wit was acting weird too, unless the behaviour is more to do with being in the castle and Heart would have been acting the same if they had a conscious vessel to act that way with)

Again, I unfortunately can’t much get into what’s going on with Strength, but I’m GLAD you guys are sus. You should be.

CMTO is a challenge of if I can make u guys More and More Uncomfortable with every chapter.

LMAO the ‘smells like favoritism’ line,, that was like. The one line I didn’t think through much when I threw it in as opposed to the others, so only time will tell if I decide to make it important or not. I think I have a vague idea of why my brain decided to put it in.

Not to drop too many hints on Main but Sasha is Very Much Affected, you just gotta pay really close attention. It’s subtle this chapter. That will change. Mind the Unreliable Narrator tag.

[aimlocked]

thank you ari for tagging me! @dancearoundallalone ♡

Tag 9 people to know more about their interests, hobbies, etc.

@tessilliames @lilliantruscott @heartwasglass @loversmore @elsastarlight @dyingday @willroland and idk who else to tag

MUSIC

Fav genre: pop, pop rock, alternative pop, alternative rock

Fav artist: taylor swift, blackpink, little mix, against the current, hey violet, ava max

Fav song: this love and daylight are my stan songs ♡ ♡

Most listened song recently: clean by hey violet and i don’t do drugs by doja cat and ariana grande

Song currently stuck in your head: -

Fav lyrics: i’m a silhouette chasing rainbows on my own

radio or your own playlist | solo artists or bands | pop or indie | loud or silent volume | slow or fast songs | music video or lyrics video | speakers or headset | riding a bus in silence or while listening to music | driving in silence or with radio on

BOOKS (unfortunately i’ve not read a lot, so i can’t complete this)

Fav book genre:

Fav writer: 

Fav book: 

Fav book series: 

Comfort book: 

Perfect book to read on a rainy day:

Fav characters: 

Five quotes from your fav books that you know by heart:

hardcover or paperback (i think i prefer hardcover but i’d go for paperback when i read) | buy or rent (i'd prefer buying which i used to but now i think books are expensive) | standalone novels or book series | ebook or physical copy | reading at night or during the day | reading at home or in nature | listening to music while reading or reading in silence | reading in order or reading the ending first | reliable or unreliable narrator | realism or fantasy | one or multiple POVS | judging by the covers or by the summary (i always judge a book by its cover; i know i know, i can’t help it, but i will definitely look at the summary too) | rereading or reading just once

TV AND MOVIES

Fav TV or movie genre: action/adventure, musical, fantasy

Fav movie: frozen II, descendants

Comfort movie: frozen II

Movie you watch every year: -

Fav TV show: julie and the phantoms, the baby-sitters club, the good place, hsmtmts, riverdale (do not judge pls)

Most rewatched TV show: -

Ultimate OTP: gonna go with portwell for now

5 fav characters: evie (descendants), toni topaz, EJ caswell, dustin henderson, sokka

tv shows or movies | short seasons (8-13 episodes) or full seasons (22 episodes or more) | one episode a week or binging | one season or multiple seasons | one part or saga | half hour or one hour long episodes (my attention span is getting shorter) | subtitles on or off | rewatching or watching just once | downloads or watches online

[heraldofzaun]

//Still lurking.

Some thoughts below the cut. A little melancholic. A little ranty. Many thoughts on how Viktor is perceived by the fandom at large. It got away from me.

I think I’ve mentioned it elsewhere, but I have followers here and this is also a Viktor blog... I think it would be nice if people stopped making fun of Viktor’s accent - I saw T/BSkyen’s (I think that keeps me out of the tag) shorts video on Viktor, and it was disheartening that he chose to make fun of Viktor’s accent several times throughout a one-minute video. No other character with a hammy, over-the-top accent, as far I know, receives this treatment. No one makes fun of Caitlyn’s British accent in character analyses of her. No one makes fun of Fiora’s French accent in character analyses of her. (I just checked his videos on them, actually, and guess what - no mocking their accents by doing them! Although Fiora’s accent does get mentioned, at the least.)

Just... stop doing it? We know the accent is cartoonishly bad and not accurate to actual Russian accents at all. But why, specifically, are people - T/BSkyen, in this instance - compelled to make fun of Viktor by putting on an accent and saying “Get reed of all emotions“ and “GLORIOUS EVOLUTION” and “BEEP BOOP ROBOT BRAIN”? (The misspelling in the first is not mine. It is in the actual subtitles for the video.)

I mean, we all know that the answer is the fact that American (and other countries, but we can focus on America for now) media spent the Cold War convincing Americans that Russians and Eastern Europeans were mindless followers of ideology and/or Crazy Insane Scientists, instead of like... people with diverse thoughts and feelings who may or may not agree with their government, but like... I have to ask the rhetorical questions here because no one else is going to apparently. Anyways it’s 2021 stop conflating people and the governments they live under, I guess.

Anyways, also very disheartening that I just checked the pinned comment on that video and he is now saying that Viktor’s endpoint is the Battlecast universe, which is not a canon fact even in current lore. It’s an assumption. I can’t even say that Full Machine Viktor is Viktor’s endpoint, because that was retconned into being a janitor skin that randomly breaks into Spanish in the skin bio for a... “joke”? (Because that’s a cool thing to do. I’d ask how that got past anyone, but that’s a pointless question.) But Battlecast is not stated anywhere to be the end result of canonical Viktor, as far as I know. I suppose it’s not stated to not be the result, but... Like, what other character gets an AU skinline that people then say has to be their canonical endgoal when it is not said to be their canonical endgoal by any official source?

Quothe the loremaster... “The endpoint of Viktor's quest is the Battlecast universe. In case y'all forgot. Read between the lines of his stories even a little bit before stanning him, I'm begging you.”

The entirety of the pinned comment is frustrating. It is frustrating not only because it clashes entirely with the funny comical tone of the minute-long short, which also decides to yet again conflate transhumanism with being trans (we have heard my thoughts on this before. Please stop doing this), but because it is unfortunately true in aspects about current Viktor. He is really not a good man, even though you may be able to argue that Riot’s biased narrator choices mean that a canonical version of the Viktor-Jayce fight does not exist. (Because both lores tell their sides of the story. Biasedly.) But as the story stands, his character getting filled out didn’t make him more morally ambiguous than his original counterpart. The ambiguity that existed originally was due to us not knowing a lot about him and thus being able to interpret things the way we wished. (I’m sure that there is still room for interpretation in the new lore, but it seems lesser to me. Also, his color story is framed atrociously. It’s going for warm and fuzzy when the content of it is giving a kid drugs but this is a long enough post already...)

Riot does not know what to do with Viktor. They’re content to portray him as a Russian mad scientist and buffoon in LoR and in some other media, because... [gestures at the struck-out paragraph above]. But then they have his lore which... could be interesting, maybe, if it weren’t convinced that the way to tell a morally grey story is to have narrators more unreliable than a pull-start lawn mower. Like, they just don’t know what to do with him.

Any analysis of him needs to come with that caveat, not someone deciding that the best way to spent a minute of analysis is to make multiple jokes about Viktor’s accent being stereotypical via... feeding into it being stereotypical... and saying that transhumanism is related to trans rights in any inherent way.

Also, T/BSkyen says that Viktor only has an augmented hand and the third arm, which conveniently ignores the fact that Prototype is probably supposed to be taken as semi-canonical considering its name and the fact it was made when backstory-related skins were a more common thing. (And also because it hasn’t been retconned into being a janitor.) It also conveniently ignores the fact that Viktor’s lower legs clearly don’t look like armor on his model, but this is a side tangent that doesn’t really matter, so...

Whatever, right? I’ve clearly put more thought into this than League’s local loremaster put into that video and subsequent “no guys he really is a baddie stop stanning him and grow critical thinking skills” comment. Sorry if I sound jaded here or am taking this far too seriously or whatever, it’s just... man, it’s a lot. It makes trying to do my take in any public capacity feel kind of like shit, because it’s clear that the general perception of Viktor is currently 1) Haha Funny Accent Man, 2) Trans Rights!1!, and/or 3) He’s Evil :(, and it sucks. I already am writing for a niche audience who will accept a Viktor who never went to Piltover and who exists in old Zaun. I know that that’s niche. I’m okay with it being niche, I think.

But it sucks to build up all this character and do all this writing and try to... I don’t know, present a nuanced view of someone, and then just get another fucking joke about his accent or his design tropes or about what transhumanism is. Especially when those jokes are what people remember, right?

Sorry. This got whiny. But I think it explains why I’ve lost so much steam on writing our favorite Machine Herald, because stuff like this just keeps kind of... happening.

Thank you to the folks that send in anons about my analyses or who like my posts about my artistic endeavors or just... well, interact in general. It does mean a lot to me that you guys are invested enough to hang around and read 2k words of me doing the Pepe Silvia scene from Always Sunny as I connect dots that might not have been meant to be connected. It’s just hard to keep doing it, sometimes, and I guess this is one of those moments.

[terramythos]

TerraMythos' 2020 Reading Challenge - Book 24 of 26

Title: A Choir of Lies (2019) (A Conspiracy of Truths #2) 

Author: Alexandra Rowland

Genre/Tags: Fantasy, First-Person, Unreliable Narrators (Plural!), Female Protagonist, LGBT Protagonist

Rating: 9/10

Date Began: 8/24/2020

Date Finished: 9/07/2020

Three years after A Conspiracy of Truths, Ylfing finds himself disillusioned and alone. He’s seen how a story can crumble an entire nation, and is unsure if he wants to continue on his path to being a Chant-- a professional wandering storyteller. 

Taking a job as a merchant’s translator in the canal city of Heyrland, Ylfing’s new employer soon realizes his penchant for storytelling, and he grudgingly agrees to use his gift to sell stars-in-the-marsh, an exotic flower. Ylfing’s stories soon cause a frenzied demand for the flowers, and entire fortunes become tied up in contracts for them. However, an unforeseen disaster looms that could ruin the lives of thousands, and Ylfing must decide whether he can rise up to fix his mistakes, or let the city destroy itself. 

I can’t save everyone completely. But maybe I can mostly save a couple people, or save most people a tiny bit. It’s one little thing, and that’s better than nothing. That’s always better than nothing. 

Minor spoilers under the cut.

Full disclosure: I had a hard time getting into A Choir of Lies. Reading the first section of the book was an exercise in patience. Basically, the book has two protagonists. One's Ylfing, a fan favorite from A Conspiracy of Truths. Ylfing seems much different than his last appearance; it's obvious something major and/or traumatic happened between books. He's depressed, disillusioned, and directionless, questioning his life and decision to become a Chant, a wandering storyteller. He's a far cry from the optimistic, happy-to-a-fault character from the previous volume. The book itself is sort of a journal of his daily experiences living in a canal city called Heyrland (think fantasy!Copenhagen). On the other hand, we also have a new character named Mistress Chant, who has somehow obtained this journal, and provides ongoing footnote commentary about Ylfing and the events he describes. It's almost identical to what Shriek: An Afterword does, and like before I think it's an interesting tool to portray different, often opposed perspectives. It becomes obvious that Mistress Chant doesn't like Ylfing much, and her comments on his early depression and struggles are brutal. While she has a point, she often comes off as harsh and antagonistic. So... there's one character in a depressive funk that, while relatable, is not very fun to read about, and the other is a sarcastic and angry character criticizing everything he does. I found it difficult to really connect with the leads or the story because of this. At first. Boy am I glad I stuck with this one.  Despite my early struggles, this book is one of those rare gems that not only gets better over time, but completely redeems and justifies early "flaws".  While there's multiple reasons for this, the simplest and most notable is catharsis. (Holy hell is this book cathartic to read). A Choir of Lies is at its core a very optimistic book. One of the central theses is that even the most irredeemable person can do "one little thing" to improve or change the world. It's great to see the characters bite the bullet, overcome their issues, and improve as people. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, more "you have to put in the work to do the right thing and become a better person, even if it's an ugly and difficult process." Of course the first section of the book is tough -- it’s meant to be! The contrast is beautiful as you progress further in the novel.  Ylfing makes a terrible mistake in the book that potentially ruins thousands of people’s lives, and he's so caught up in his depression that he cannot or will not take responsibility. Yet after a revelation or two, he realizes he HAS to do something about it, and fights tooth and nail to do so. It's such a departure from A Conspiracy of Truths, in which the main character is caught in an unfortunate situation and does everything he can to save himself, everyone else be damned. It's interesting to see the previous book through a different lens, one which portrays the protagonist as an incredibly selfish character rather than someone struggling to survive a bad situation. Chant doesn't appear in this book, but basically everything about him is cast in a much different light. For me Mistress Chant was difficult to like at first, but she mellows out and entertains alternate points of view as the story progresses. It's satisfying to see her admit that Ylfing is right about some things, and how happy she is when he finally asserts himself and does the right thing. You can see why she and Ylfing don't like each other, but by the end it's bittersweet because you can also see how they could have been friends under other circumstances. I loved the general ideas on storytelling, like the importance of creating a "good" story even if it's not the true one, and how such a process can help one heal and cope. Or even the power of writing a story down versus purely oral tradition, and the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. That kind of stuff. Like the previous book, there's an emphasis on the literal Power of Storytelling and its ability to change fortunes and futures, but with a more grudgingly optimistic take. 

It also helps that I read A Choir of Lies at a time when I really needed it. I'm in a similar position to Ylfing right now. I really don't know what to do with my life, and I'm pretty depressed with the state of the world. While it's challenging to see my situation and coping methods as selfish, I think that's an honest assessment and it really made me think about where I am and what I'm doing. On the other hand, there are so many looming disasters right now in the real world that mirror the conflict in this story. Every day I see people do the wrong thing, the selfish and inhumane thing, and it's mentally taxing and demoralizing. Reading a story in which people initially suck, then do what they can to help others and address their mistakes, is inspirational. It's a reminder that people as a whole can still do good despite (and sometimes even because of) their selfishness. It makes me more optimistic about the future. Overall I liked A Choir of Lies much more than A Conspiracy of Truths. It is a standalone sequel that can be read without the previous volume, as most of the context from that book is well explained. While this isn't an action packed fantasy novel, the characters feel much more involved in the central conflict, which was my main issue with the last book. I liked the more cerebral ideas of storytelling, potential, and the ability to do the right thing as told through a fantasy lens. According to the author notes this was a tough one to write, but I think they did an excellent job and really improved on the general idea and concepts of the previous book.  

[the-cookie-of-doom]

WIP Game

Rules: Post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Send me an ask with the title that most intrigues and interests you and I’ll post a little snippet of it or tell you something about it!

Tagged by @alexa-alcantara thank youuu <3 I have about a million wips so to keep this from getting ridiculously long, I’ll just post the ones that I consider “active” and/or the most interesting 

Estranged: The one you all know already ; ) We’re on the last chapter, but the story is still far from over, as we have yet to solve the mystery surrounding Claudia. At some point I’ll be writing a sequel from her PoV that goes into everything; what happened with Mitch’s father, the reason she left him, and, more importantly, the reason she never let Mitch come to Beacon Hills. 

Unwanted Inheritance: A 1920s AU where Mitch is a doctor, recently named the executor of his late uncle’s estate. In his final years Hurley began investigating into the occult, where he met Stiles; a troubled young man, and Mitch’s new patient. A Lovecraft inspired horror story. 

Southern Gothic: After Stiles’ dad dies, he’s sent to go live with some distant relative that he’s never heard of: Mitch. It’s a small, stuffy town in Georgia, in a creepy old house, and nothing is as it seems. 

Neverland: A runaway AU where Mitch ends up in Beacon Hills while trying to escape his abusive father, and meets Stiles through a series of unfortunate events. Formerly titled Teen Angst and that really tells you everything you need to know... 

Strings of Fate: Ever wonder how season 2 would have been different with the addition of Mitch Rapp? No? Well, I wrote it anyway! Mitch is Stiles’ older brother who became a hunter after Katrina, his girlfriend and Chris’ youngest half-sister, was killed by werewolves. He’s been somewhat estranged for years, but comes back when Gerard returns to Beacon Hills, and Chris calls him for backup. (Also has a sequel called Executioner, which is about Mitch’s (platonic) relationship with Allison, and his position as her executioner once she becomes the hunter queen she was always meant to be. There’s a lot of Human/Werewolf/Hunter politics in both fics.) 

Survivor’s Guilt: A Mindfucky time travel AU. Mitch is Stiles from ten years in the future; he’s become a powerful emissary, but that wasn’t enough to stop him from losing everything. After everyone in the pack is killed one by one, Mitch performs a forbidden ritual to go back in time and change things. It’s Sterek, but also Pitch (technically Steter...). Now that Mitch is older and wiser and damaged, he can appreciate Peter a lot more than he did when he was a teenager, and they inevitably fall into bed together, and that is just. So bad. Mitch knows it’s a mistake even as it’s happening, but when has that ever been enough to stop him? 

Mercy: Originally a rewrite of a different fic I wrote years ago, but has since undergone a lot of changes and grown into its own thing, and is centered around BDSM. Stiles is in an abusive relationship, gets out of it with Mitch’s help, and then Mitch, a seasoned dom, teaches him the wonders of healthy BDSM. The main plot at the center of my Revocation series. (which I’m always taking prompts for, especially now in this wonderful time of kinktober.) 

Tree of Life: That Sterek fic that I haven’t touched in 2 years jfc. I still consider it a WiP though, because I will finish it. Stiles is now the official Hale emissary, there’s a new monster of the week, and Stiles gets eaten by a tree grown from his own blood, then haunted by his mother. Fun times! 

White Dove: Another attempt at writing supernatural politics, and I think this was my first foray into unreliable narrator. This one is a Steter fantasy AU; Stiles is an emissary in training going North to gather some special herbs, where he meets Peter and his very large pack. Later there’s a war, and they’re forced to be on opposite sides of it. 

Burn My Lungs and Curse My Eyes: After the Nogitsune, Stiles is not okay. He can still feel that uncontrollable, primordial power inside him, Void is still in his head, and he can’t take it anymore. He runs away from home, and no one stops him, and maybe that’s for the best. For a while he drifts around the country, trying to find a place that doesn’t make his skin crawl, and ends up in Virginia where he meets Mitch: a very shady stranger with a dark past. One night he asks if Stiles is a hooker, Stiles says yes because he’s got nothing to lose, and it’s the start of a not so beautiful relationship. A year or so later, after some rough times and near death experiences on Stiles’ part, they end up married. Just in time for His dad to show up with Derek and Scott in tow, and thoroughly wreck his life. 

I hope some of these pique your interest! 

Tagging: @zyndz @iwritesinsnotstraightlines

[tonystarkbingo]

Week 29 Roundup!  THIS IS OUR LAST ROUNDUP BEFORE THE OFFICIAL END OF THIS ROUND!  Our next and very last roundup for Round Two will be put out on September 2nd, when the event has officially concluded.  As we reach the end, there are a LOT of fills being posted, so make sure to read through and take a look at what all our glorious creators have been up to!

Title: Explaining Graphically Collaborator: katling Link: AO3 Square Filled: R1 - comics Ship: none Rating: Teen Major Tags: not Team Cap friendly Summary: Tony is sent a bunch of comics, ostensibly from a fan. The comics are not what they seem but the outside impression is very valuable. Word Count: 878

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Title: Abandonment Collaborator: katling Link: AO3 Square Filled: A2 - AU: Adventurers/Explorers Ship: none Rating: Teen Major Tags: not Steve friendly, darkish Tony Summary: Steve Rogers is the leader of a team of adventurers. When they're hired by Tony Stark to find an ancient temple, he thinks it'll be an easy job for good money. Instead, some old chickens come home to roost. Word Count: 2303

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Title: i wanted you to be better Collaborator: cvdmus Link: AO3 Square Filled: R2 - A Battle / Fight / Confrontation Ship: Peter & Tony Rating: Gen  Major Tags: post-Endgame, fixit of sorts, hurt Peter Summary: Peter takes the gauntlet from Tony before he could snap. He has a healing factor, so why let Tony Stark die? Word Count: 3168

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Title: Between What is Said and Not Meant Collaborator: deathofthestars Link: AO3 Square Filled: S1 - Miscommunication Ship: Stuckony Rating: Explicit Major Tags: explicit sexual content, Winter Soldier programming, accidental voyeurism Summary: Tony has a bad habit of not sleeping for far longer than he should when one of his lovers is on a mission. Over the years Steve has developed a particular way of dealing with the problem. While adjusting to their new relationship, Bucky stubles upon them in the act. When Steve asks Bucky to look after thier other lover while he's on a mission, some issues occur. Word Count: 3139

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Title: Try to Remember Collaborator: 27dragons, tisfan Link: AO3 Square Filled: R3 - Music Ship: WinterIron Rating: Explicit Major Tags: no powers AU, enemies to lovers, neighbors Summary: Bucky was one of the best violinists in the country -- perhaps in the world -- until the accident that took his arm six months ago. All he wants now is to settle into his new apartment and try to recover even a fraction of his ability with the new prosthetic that he hates almost as much as he appreciates. Tony moved out of his parents' home to get away from their memories and so he wouldn't have to endure quite so many of Obie's bracing pep talks. Tony just wants to get drunk, get laid, and get his invention on. Unfortunately, his new downstairs neighbor seems to feel obliged to practice his music at some ungodly hour of the morning. Word Count: 3599

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Title: Rebelmeg Drabbles - Chapter 3: Partners Collaborator: rebelmeg Link: AO3 Square Filled: A2 - Tony/Rhodey/Pepper Ship: Pepperony, MIT Brothers Rating: Gen Major Tags: drabble Summary: Tony contemplates a new trend in his life. Word Count: 100

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Title: Down the River Collaborator: MassiveSpaceWren, tisfan Link: AO3 Square Filled: For tisfan,  A2 - Damsels in Distress Ship: Teen Rating: Teen Major Tags: Mad Max fusion, kidnapping, implied/referenced torture Summary: Ten Rings let a captive escape to play a little cat and mouse. They didn't count on anyone getting in the way. Word Count: 6273

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Title: Stark and Pepper Collaborator: rebelmeg Link: AO3 Square Filled: A1 - image of Iron Man flying over a woman and child Ship: Iron Family Rating: Gen Major Tags: moodboard Summary: Iron Family moodboard

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Title: Reverse, Rewind, Play Again Collaborator:  katling Link: AO3 Square Filled: S2 - Picture of Pepper looking up at the face of the Iron Man armour Ship: IronStrange Rating:  Major Tags: JARVIS lives, bad team dynamics, not Team Cap friendly Summary: When something strange happens to Tony on a botched Avengers' mission, Pepper and Rhodey are left wondering what happened and keeping things together. Then Tony comes back and the whole world is going to change. Some time changes in this one, in that the events of Doctor Strange play out a little differently and occur not long after Age of Ultron instead of around the time of Civil War. Word Count: 2504

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Title: Your Heart/My Heart - Chapter 3: A Mistake Here But Not There Collaborator: camichats Link: AO3 Square Filled: S3 - Old Team Ship: IronHusbands Rating: Mature Major Tags: break up, angst, time skips, getting back together, pining, love confessions Summary: When they're young, James and Tony break up for basically no reason. It takes them twenty years to get back together. Word Count: 3292

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Title: Mistakes Were Made Collaborator: katling Link: AO3 Square Filled: K2 - cliche Ship: FrostIronStrange Rating: Teen Major Tags: not Team Cap friendly, kidnapping, canon divergence Summary: Tony has been kidnapped more time than he cares to admit. It's almost always cliche and the kidnappers always seem to make the same mistakes. Not that he minds. Those mistakes are always to his advantage. Features a confused Sam Wilson and a not-the-damsel-in-distress Tony Stark. Word Count: 1623

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Title: Rebelmeg Drabbles - Chapter 4: Adoptive Family Collaborator: rebelmeg Link: AO3 Square Filled: K1 - jealousy Ship: Pepperony, Pepper & Phil Rating: Gen Major Tags: drabble Summary: You can adopt a grown adult, can't you? Word Count: 100

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Title: The Echo Of Silence Collaborator: katling Link: AO3 Square Filled: R1 - alien planet Ship: Tony & Nebula Rating: Teen Major Tags: vignette, calm, angsty, Team Tony Summary: Thanos is gone and everyone had faded into dust. Only Tony and Nebula are left. Just a little character piece looking at the beginnings of their friendship after IW and before things get really bad on their trip back. Word Count: 909

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Title: Regal is an Attitude Collaborator: katling Link: AO3 Square Filled: K4 - survival in the wild Ship: none Rating: Teen Major Tags: canon divergence, not Steve friendly Summary: When T'Challa finds out Rogers and Barnes left Tony Stark behind in Siberia, he chooses to be the kind of king who looks out for the people rather than on who only indulges his personal whims. Word Count: 1757

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Title: I'm already gone Collaborator: FeyRelay Square filled: S4, T1  Link https://archiveofourown.org/works/20306299/chapters/48140029 Rating: Explicit Pairing: Starker (no underage) Warning: Murder Mystery, References to Suicide/Death, Absurdist Humor, Unreliable Narrator, Established Relationship, No Powers, Film Industry AU, Aged-Up Peter Parker Summary: A Clue AU, but not... quite... what you might expect. Peter is acting in the film Tony's directing, and it's complicating their new relationship and Peter's burgeoning career; Peter's just... done. He's over it. And that was before he got dragged to this dinner party. Word Count: 4,223

-------------------------------- Title: No one will be watching us Collaborator: FeyRelay Square filled: R1 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20335060 Rating: Mature Pairing: Starker (no underage) + female OC of little to no importance (Christine Everhart's niece) Warning: Threesome, Implied Het, No Actual Smut, Getting Together by Proxy, Jealousy, Aged-Up Peter Parker, Sex for Favors Summary: Tony's reputation precedes him and maybe that's the problem; Peter has been looking for someone to help him measure up to Tony's legendary, GQ-worthy experience, and he's been looking in all the wrong places. This contains no actual smut because it was a counted word challenge. 2000 words on the dot. Word Count: 2,000

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Title: i am a dream, i am - Chapter 8: viii. Collaborator: deathsweetqueen, justanotherpipedream Link: AO3 Square Filled: R4 - resurrection Ship: Steve/Natasha/Tony, past Tony/Ty Stone Rating: Explicit Major Tags: dubious content, past domestic violence, alcoholism, anxiety attacks, explicit sexual content, gaslighting, breaking up and making up Summary: In order to rise from its own ashes, a phoenix first must burn. - Octavia E. Butler Word Count: 16,423

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Title: In My Sights (With These Hungry Eyes) Collaborator: eirlyssa Link: Tumblr Square Filled: A4 - AU: Urban Fantasy Ship: WinterIron Rating: Gen Major Tags: moodboard Summary: Werewolf Bucky sees Tony, laughing, for the first time across the room at the supernatural bar he’s visiting, and he’s instantly enchanted. Werewolves really only mate once, after all, and they tend to know their intended mate by sight. Now if only Tony would get with the program…

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Title: Take me to the magic of the moment - Chapter 3 Collaborator: Menatiera, nomdeplumeria Link: AO3 Square Filled: S1 - Sex Magic Ship: WinterIron Rating: Explicit Major Tags: mild dub-con, explicit sexual content, BDSM, fantasy/magic AU, getting together, happy ending Summary:  "Tony was wondering how he, the fucking best tech-mage of the kingdom (or maybe the whole continent, or the whole world, if he didn't want to be humble) ended up here.  (...)  Which was exactly what had happened in their neighboring kingdom just a few days ago. Daddy Dearest apparently had gotten himself into some huge mess with his mages. Howard was probably dead by now, Tony at least was sure of that, knowing said mages personally.  Oh yeah, that was the reason why Tony was sitting in Barnes's room in nothing but a robe."  *Tony is the best tech mage, and has to work with Barnes, the best nature mage, in order to save their kingdom. It... doesn't exactly go as they planned. It goes way better than that. And way, way more intimate. Word Count: 10,302

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Title: Modern Art Cross-Stitch Collaborator: rebelmeg Link: Tumblr Square Filled: R2 - seeing red Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: craft Summary: A cross-stitch of the “modern art” in IM2 

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Title: Secured in the Penthouse (Hopefully) Collaborator: Cipher_Stars Link: AO3 Square Filled: T1 - Knotting Ship: WinterIron Rating: Explicit Major Tags: ABO dynamics, explicit sexual content, Winter as a separate personality Summary: Tony Stark is in heat and locked in his hopefully secure penthouse with a bunch of alphas trying to get in. Word Count: 2102

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Title: A2 - Kink: Wax play Collaborator: Menatiera Link: Tumblr Square Filled: A2 - Kink: Wax play Ship: Stuckony Rating: Mature Major Tags: Light BDSM Summary: Moodboard and headcanons for the boys Word Count: 336

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Title: A Tangled Web Collaborator: Politzania Link: AO3 Square Filled: T3 - Natasha Romanoff Ship: Tony & Natasha Rating: Gen Major Tags: IM2, Natalie Rushman, going undercover Summary: Natasha Romanov goes undercover to determine whether Tony Stark and Iron Man should be considered for the Avengers Initiative. Word Count: 743

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Title: Iron Man Word Search Puzzle Collaborator: rebelmeg Link: Tumblr Square Filled: R4 - puzzle Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: word search  Summary: Iron Man word search puzzle

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Title: I fall in love (everyday with someone new) - Chapter 31: Picture of Tony working on his suit (R3) Collaborator: scriptatur Link: AO3 Square Filled: R3 - image of Tony working on his suit Ship: Peter & Tony, Tony & Rhodey Rating: Gen Major Tags: polyamory, Endgame fix-it Summary: "Waking was- surprising. He woke up slowly, like drifting through mist or sirup or- something. He was kind of confused, if he is being perfectly honest. Confused about his own metaphor, a bit, but mainly confused by the fact that he was, well, waking up. That was not something he’d expected to do, after all." When Tony Stark wakes up after the final battle against Thanos, he decides that there will be nothing more that stands between himself and happiness. He goes home with Pepper and Morgan and it doesn't take long for Steve and Bucky (and other (ex-)avengers) to follow. Basically, this is the fix-it that I needed. It's very self indulgent and mostly fluff. Word Count: 22,348

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Title: I fall in love (everyday with someone new) - Chapter 32: AU: Cyberpunk (S2) Collaborator: scriptatur Link: AO3 Square Filled: S2 - AU: Cyberpunk Ship: Tony & Nebula, Tony/Pepper/Rhodey, Stuckony Rating: Gen Major Tags: polyamory, Endgame fix-it Summary: "Waking was- surprising. He woke up slowly, like drifting through mist or sirup or- something. He was kind of confused, if he is being perfectly honest. Confused about his own metaphor, a bit, but mainly confused by the fact that he was, well, waking up. That was not something he’d expected to do, after all." When Tony Stark wakes up after the final battle against Thanos, he decides that there will be nothing more that stands between himself and happiness. He goes home with Pepper and Morgan and it doesn't take long for Steve and Bucky (and other (ex-)avengers) to follow. Basically, this is the fix-it that I needed. It's very self indulgent and mostly fluff. Word Count: 22,348

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Title: I fall in love (everyday with someone new) - Chapter 33: Friday (K2) Collaborator: scriptatur Link: AO3 Square Filled: K2 - Friday Ship: Tony & Nebula Rating: Gen Major Tags: polyamory, Endgame fix-it Summary: "Waking was- surprising. He woke up slowly, like drifting through mist or sirup or- something. He was kind of confused, if he is being perfectly honest. Confused about his own metaphor, a bit, but mainly confused by the fact that he was, well, waking up. That was not something he’d expected to do, after all." When Tony Stark wakes up after the final battle against Thanos, he decides that there will be nothing more that stands between himself and happiness. He goes home with Pepper and Morgan and it doesn't take long for Steve and Bucky (and other (ex-)avengers) to follow. Basically, this is the fix-it that I needed. It's very self indulgent and mostly fluff. Word Count: 22,348

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Title: I fall in love (everyday with someone new) - Chapter 34: Zombie (K5) Collaborator: scriptatur Link: AO3 Square Filled: K5 - zombie Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: polyamory, Endgame fix-it Summary: "Waking was- surprising. He woke up slowly, like drifting through mist or sirup or- something. He was kind of confused, if he is being perfectly honest. Confused about his own metaphor, a bit, but mainly confused by the fact that he was, well, waking up. That was not something he’d expected to do, after all." When Tony Stark wakes up after the final battle against Thanos, he decides that there will be nothing more that stands between himself and happiness. He goes home with Pepper and Morgan and it doesn't take long for Steve and Bucky (and other (ex-)avengers) to follow. Basically, this is the fix-it that I needed. It's very self indulgent and mostly fluff. Word Count: 22,348

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Title: Magic Man Collaborator: ethereal-lullabies Link: Tumblr Square Filled: K2 - Fusion Ship: Kaecilius/Tony Stark Rating: Teen Major Tags: moodboard Summary: MAGIC (good Kaecilius)

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Title: Never Let Me Go - Chapter 2: And I'm Going Under Collaborator: Iron_Eirlyssa (Eirlyssa) Link: AO3 Square Filled: S1 - Phobia Ship: WinterIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: developing relationship, asexual Tony and Bucky, cuddles, panic attacks Summary: The second chapter, filling square S1 - Phobia for my Tony Stark Bingo, in which Bucky is still an incredible sweetheart and Tony desperately needs some hugs. Word Count: 4703

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Title: Life is the Flower (Love is the Honey) Collaborator: monobuu Link: Tumblr Square Filled: R1 - Flower Shop AU Ship: WinterIron Rating: Gen Major Tags: no powers AU, language of flowers, fluff, florist Tony, mortician Bucky, getting together Summary: Every Friday, Tony sets up his flower shop on the corner so he can see his favorite person on their way home from work. Today, however, is special. Word Count: 2076

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Title: Mid-youth crisis Collaborator: Menatiera Link: AO3 Square Filled: R3 - Holiday fic Ship: WinterIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: Avengers Academy, college AU, roommates, pining, friends to lovers, fluff, hurt/comfort, comedy of errors Summary: The Avengers Academy fic where the Academy closes its doors and Bucky has nowhere to go afterwards. Naturally, his friend (and secret crush) Tony is there to the rescue - what would be better than to move in together? It goes just as well as you expect it. Word Count: 1688

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Title: we rattle together in a bed of honey Collaborator: deathsweetqueen Link: AO3 Square Filled: K4 - first kiss Ship: IronHusbands Rating: Mature Major Tags: Fem Tony, MIT era, domestic violence, implied/referenced child abuse Summary: Toni first met James Rhodes in Cellular Neurophysiology and Computing, when she was fourteen and trying very hard to stay in the shadows. She stumbles into the classroom, clutching her books and binders and pencil case close to her chest, as she stares at everything, wide-eyed and hungry and terrified. She seizes on the contempt, the confusion, the incredulity of the other freshman who look at her like she’s an incongruity – she’s used to that look, all that hate and derision. She eats it up like chocolate cake. Much to her luck, all the seats are filled, all except for one towards the middle of the row, a table shared only by a tall, handsome black boy, sleeping on top of the counter. Word Count: 5661

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Title: I Won't Give Up On Us Collaborator: Eirlyssa Link: AO3 Square Filled: A2 - Asgard Ship: ThunderIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: genderfluid character, arranged marriage, developing relationship, betrayal, war Summary: When a marriage is finally arranged for the crown Prince of Asgard, his wife-to-be isn't what Thor had expected. He is far, far better. Word Count: 4736

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Title: The Red-Head Harem Collaborator: camichats Link: AO3 Square Filled: A4 - Warm And Fuzzy Feelings Ship: Tony/Natasha/Bethany/Pepper/Wanda/Gamora Rating: Teen Major Tags: polyamory, domestic fluff, teasing Summary: Tony and all his red-headed girlfriends get along quite nicely. Breakfast fluff and teasing are commonplace. Word Count: 792

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Title: Tell Me a Story Collaborator: newnewyorker93 Link: AO3 Square Filled: S4 - abandonment issues Ship: Tony & Morgan Rating: Gen Major Tags: drabble, bedtime stories, fix-it Summary: Morgan doesn't like her bedtime story, so Tony changes the ending. Word Count: 100

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Title: Mid-youth crisis moodboard Collaborator: summerpipedream Link: AO3 Square Filled: T4 - Avengers Academy Ship: WinterIron Rating: Gen Major Tags: moodboard Summary: “To prevent this universe from unraveling–” It seemed like an ordinary day at that point. “Avengers Academy will close its doors.” And then it didn’t. It took only six words for Bucky’s thoughts to collapse into chaos again. Avengers Academy couldn’t close!

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Title: Promises, Promises Collaborator: MarvelousMenagerie (HiddenOne) Link: AO3 Square Filled: R5 - Didn't Know They Were Dating Ship: WinterIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: mob AU, Romeo & Juliet romance Summary: Mob AU. Bucky needs a favor from his Captain, but first he has to admit to dating the enemy. Word Count: 2026

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Title: S4- Skrulls Collaborator: thudworm Link: AO3 Square Filled: S4 - Skrulls Ship: Gen Rating: IronFalcon Major Tags: canon divergence, skrulls Summary: It's the first time Tony's met Sam, but somehow Sam has met Tony before. Word Count: 625

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Title: Happy Moodboard Collaborator: newnewyorker93 Link: Tumblr Square Filled: R4 - Happy Hogan Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: moodboard, art Summary: I wanted to make a moodboard & was getting frustrated looking for pictures, so I decided to experiment with drawing one instead!

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Title: A Race to the Finish Collaborator: celtic7irish Link: AO3 Square Filled: K1 - Image: Tony in Race Car Driver Uniform Ship: WinterIron Rating: Gen Major Tags: race car AU, pre-relationship, preserum Steve Summary: Tony Stark was said to be the best driver in the history of the sport, and looking at his record (well, listening to Steve ramble on about it), it seemed it wasn’t just baseless boasting. The driver for Stane Industries was rich, handsome, and liked fast cars. And fast women, if even half the rumors about him were true. Or: A Race Car AU where Bucky & Steve save up to go to a race car, Bucky gets to be a hero, and Tony gets his flirt on. Word Count: 3635

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Title: T4 & A1 - Chapter 1: T4- [Image from IM3- Tony zip-tied to a bed-frame] Collaborator: thudworm Link: AO3 Square Filled: T4 - [Image from IM3- Tony zip-tied to a bed-frame] Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: bad puns, Justin Hammer is a dick, kidnapping Summary: Hammer is up to something, which means it's the Avengers job to stop him. Word Count: 1857

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Title: T4 & A1 - Chapter 2: A1- Damsels (And Others) In Distress Collaborator: thudworm Link: AO3 Square Filled: A1 - Damsels (And Others) In Distress Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: bad puns, Justin Hammer is a dick, kidnapping Summary: Hammer is up to something, which means it's the Avengers job to stop him. Word Count: 1857

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Title: Trial and Error - Chapter 4 Collaborator: martianwahtney Link: AO3 Square Filled: K2 - WTF Ship: IronHusbands Rating: Gen Major Tags: getting together, parent Tony, protective Tony and Rhodey, manipulative Fury Summary: where Harley puts his foot down and forces a confession Word Count: 3108

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Title: T1- Confession in Desperate Situation Collaborator: thudworm Link: AO3 Square Filled: T1 - Confession in Desperate Situation Ship: Pepperony Rating: Gen Major Tags: Endgame, missing scene, pregnancy Summary: Avengers Endgame missing scene of Pepper telling Tony she's pregnant. Word Count: 1033

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Title: Aftermath Collaborator: LBibliophile Link: AO3 Square Filled: S2 - unreliable narrator Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: poetry, moodboard, collateral damage Summary: When real life superheroes saved New York, it was like a something out of a story. But then the cleanup began. And continued, and continued... New York, Greenwich, Sokovia, Lagos. Suddenly, superheros are a lot less exciting. Rubble all looks the same, whether it was made by the heroes or the villains. Word Count: 165

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Title: Steamships, Cyborgs, and Self-Determination: A Steampunk Story - Chapter 1 Collaborator: JacarandaBanyan Link: AO3 Square Filled: K4 - Steampunk AU Ship: Stuckony Rating: Not Rated Major Tags: developing relationships, steampunk AU, comic book science, angst with a happy ending, mild gore, body horror, cyborgs Summary: The Cyborg Assassin formally known as Bucky Barnes is sent on a double assassination mission. His Targets: Anthony E Stark, brilliant inventor and scientist, and Steve Rogers, subversive artist. Word Count: 2711

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Collaborator: LBibliophile Link: Tumblr Square Filled: A3 - free space Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: crafts Summary: Tablet woven braid made with crochet cotton. Iron Man colours with pale blue triangular ‘arc reactors’.

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Title: indeed a beautiful thing - Chapter 1 Collaborators: Fluffypanda, justanotherpipedream Link: AO3 Squares Filled: For Panda -  R1: Resolve For Summer -  K3 - AU: Adventurers/Explorers (Summer) Ship: Stony Rating: Teen Major Tags: fantasy AU, fusion AU, anthropomorphic, plot twists, bandits and outlaws, swordfighting Summary: Rebellion is brewing in Velmar and Captain Steven Mouser has been sent to the city of Iron Landing to investigate. He is to secure the cooperation of Lord Stark if he is ever to find the elusive leader of the rebellion, but there is more to both of them than meets the eye. Word Count: 1478

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Collaborator: hereandnowwearealive Link: Tumblr Square Filled: T5 - Edwin Jarvis Ship: Tony and Edwin Jarvis Rating: Gen Major Tags: art Summary: art of Edwin Jarvis and Tony Stark

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Title: A Call From a Kitten Collaborator: Cipher_Stars Link: AO3 Square Filled: A1 - Pornstar/Sex worker/Rentboy Ship: IronPanther Rating: Mature Major Tags: call girl, dirty talk, phone sex Summary: Tony Stark falls into the 'call girl' industry after Afghanistan to fulfil his craving for intimacy. Word Count: 1981

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Title: R4 - Kink: phone sex Collaborator: Menatiera Link: AO3 Square Filled: R4 - Kink: phone sex Ship: Stony Rating: Mature Major Tags: moodboard, sexual content, ficlet Summary: Steve and Tony regularly try to have phone sex, but are always interrupted by Steve’s dog demanding attention.

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Title: Fractures beyond the looking glass - Chapter 1 Collaborator: justanotherpipedream Link: AO3 Square Filled: S5 - Gossip Press Ship: WinterIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: Victorian AU, canon typical violence, gothic romance, supernatural elements, dreams and nightmares Summary: The world spun round and round, the trees blurring past him as Bucky skidded to a stop at the bottom of the hill. He laid on the ground with a gasp, gritting his teeth as his ankle continued to throb with a dull but insistent pain. For minutes or hours, Bucky couldn’t tell, he hobbled as best he could trying to find the familiar path back to the village. However, the impressive outline of Stark Manor had Bucky pausing at the edge of the trees. Everyone in the village knew of the rumours surrounding the estate. These days, people wondered if the infamous Lord Stark still lived there, or if he was merely a ghost story, haunting the halls of the vast manor on the edge of the woods. Word Count: 1508

[toushindai]

here’s some Bastion thoughts

(my status is: just finished yesterday, got through the Kid’s and Zia’s backstories, slightly over halfway through Zulf’s; have played Transistor multiple times. yes that last bit will be relevant because I compare the two endings a bit.)

mmmmfirst of all I think the entire city of Caelondia needs a good, long time-out. During which they consider the potential benefits of maybe not being resource-hungry imperialists. I was pretty uncomfortable with, uh, wow, every bit of backstory that was presented well before we got to “genocide will create a lasting peace probably” and I think the player is meant to be a good deal less comfortable with it than Rucks is. (yaaay unreliable narrators) I don’t even think the Kid is far enough removed to see just how awful and selfish Caelondia’s history is, though obviously he’s exposed to some of its blatantly unjustifiable actions at an earlier age than Rucks is. Annnd I don’t get the feeling that the Bastion’s restore function goes back far enough to prevent all that shittiness. So that’s... unfortunate.

That said, I think I’ve maybe logic-locked myself into always choosing to restore rather than evacuate even if I play multiple times--initially I’d thought that as a character decision, “I’d” be optimistic at first and then eventually lose hope and choose to evacuate (once I’d gotten tired of NG+), but like... I’m not sure I can justify murdering Ura soldiers just for the sake of evacuating. I’m not even sure I can justify killing monsters for it. Y’know? There’s that one area where Rucks is talking about how the monsters have formed this coalition to protect the shard they found, and they’re just trying to survive, but “He’s done what’s best for them, don’t you worry. Don’t you worry.” Hey when you say it like that I start worrying! Especially when you say it twice dude! But from the endgame perspective of “we’ll restore the Bastion and set things back to before the Calamity,” that comment makes perfect sense. ...nnnnot so much if you’re just gonna skip town. Even if the NG+ mechanic pretty much implies that nah, the Caelondians are just gonna keep being genocidal imperialists no matter how many times you go through this cycle... There’s really no choice that doesn’t involve a lot of senseless murder, I guess.

(So I mean maybe the murder in the cause of evacuation is all justifiable in the sense that at least Caelondia is down for good and the Ura can rebuild without them being around? Assuming the Motherland, if it’s still around, doesn’t care to rebuild what would be at that point a failed colony that achieved independence or something like it. I don’t know! Maybe I’m not locked into one or the other, I don’t know. I’m gonna NG+ at least until I get through Rucks’ backstory, I know that much.)

But you do get a choice! You do. Two choices, even, whether you want to carry Zulf to safety (? or did he die and you were just carrying his corpse? I wasn’t clear on that) and whether you want to use the Bastion to restore or evacuate. That’s two whole weighty endgame choices more than you get to make in Transistor, isn’t it! And I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to play Bastion and then Transistor, and get to the end of Transistor and find that you don’t get to make that choice. Or rather, that Red makes it for you. Bastion begins broadcasting, about a half-hour(?? idk) before the end, that you’re about to make a choice: restore or evacuate. Then you get to make a choice: restore or evacuate. It’s up to you, the player. On the other hand, in Transistor--well, Royce is telling you all about how to “restore,” isn’t he? I suppose there isn’t as much broadcasting of a choice going on, but it does seem to fulfill a similar role in terms of story structure. Except that no, that’s not what Red has in mind. And you don’t get a say in what she chooses. I’m actually very much in favor of Transistor’s ending, and I have a lot of thoughts about how it serves the story that I think I’d prefer to save for a Transistor-specific post, but I do wonder if--for those who don’t like Transistor’s ending--the contrast with being specifically in control of a choice that honestly you can boil down to the same two words in each game exacerbates any frustration or indignation they feel about it. “Well then I wonder if it would have made more sense if Transistor came out first and then Bastion” I muse to myself, but I don’t think--no. That doesn’t... no. That would imply that Transistor’s lack of choice at the end is an oversight that (in this time-flipped world) they fixed in Bastion, instead of two different stories that are told in different ways. And maybe that frustration, that sense of shock and thwarted expectation, is actually a fully intentional part of the emotional experience that Transistor is aiming to evoke. Not gonna work for everyone, of course, but no storytelling decision does.

idk I have a lot of thoughts on the function of Transistor’s linearity that I really, really need to stop alluding to and start actually articulating at some point, but: this post is not for insulting/complaining about Transistor’s ending on, please and thank you! Even in tags. I read those. This is a post about Bastion. Even if I got a little distracted at the end there. It’s about Bastion.

[purplepints]

1/4 I think the lack of Derek and Stiles in Season 6 was the main reason Teen Wolf got cancelled. That, and the fact that people didn’t care about Scott and the newbies enough to watch a Season entirely focused on them and in which Tyler Posey got all the unadulterated screen-time without other actors ‘stealing’ his spotlight for once. Scott McCall may be the main character of an ensemble teen show, but he’s definitely not its main draw.

All 4 parts of your Ask together, Anon —

1/4 I think the lack of Derek and Stiles in Season 6 was the main reason Teen Wolf got cancelled. That, and the fact that people didn’t care about Scott and the newbies enough to watch a Season entirely focused on them and in which Tyler Posey got all the unadulterated screen-time without other actors ‘stealing’ his spotlight for once. Scott McCall may be the main character of an ensemble teen show, but he’s definitely not its main draw.

2/4 The Teen Wolf writers knew this; the producers knew this; the actors knew this; the critics knew this; EVERYONE knew this. That’s why Jeff and Posey tried to bait viewers into watching season 6 using Dylan O’Brien’s name and rising star status and promised them lots of Stiles screen-time even though they knew Dylan was unavailable due to conflicting work schedules and that Stiles had only a bunch of scenes and a very limited role throughout the whole season.

3/4 The result? Viewers saw right through their bullshit and stopped watching as soon as they realized that the fan favorites were barely in it. (The ultimate bait was begging Tyler Hoechlin and Dylan O’Brien to come back for one last cameo in the finale, though.)

4/4 It’s not a coincidence that season 3B, the Stiles-centric season, is the highest rated and most critically acclaimed Teen Wolf season ever and that the ratings started tanking in Season 4, when the show writers and producers chose to destroy and sideline every single character – especially the fan favorites – and decreased their screen-time in order to bring the focus back on Scott.

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Pints says:

TW started keeping Derek and Stiles apart in S3b. S4 was a whole ass mess, S5 failed to regain momentum and S6 was the nigh inevitable result of years of letting things skate. S1-S3 felt more like an honest progression of a show getting its legs under itself, which isn't too odd. A lot of shows have okay-to-good opening seasons then hit their stride, and a lot of stuff people griped about in S1-S2 seemed to be smoothing out. It was also early enough with few episodes that I'm sure lots of viewers expected the show to come back around and touch on some of the things mentioned previously. I think by the end of S3 (S3b, specifically) people had started to cotton on to the fact that some things were just not going to be revisited or explained. By the time S4 rolled around, we'd lost Gage, Sinqua, Crystal, Daniel, Max, Charlie and even Keahu.

During S4, TW seemed to hit a wall and also very obviously started to ignore character growth & experiences in favor of throwing a hundred new things at the audience. It wasn't just the loss of established characters and voices or perspectives, it was that loss coupled with the lack of exploration and growth in the remaining characters storylines. S5 continued that trend, as well as not having Hoechlin (or much of Ian or Seth, who were absent for much of S5 when storytelling could have used them), separating the mains and purposefully using horribly cliche 'miscommunications' to push everything along. Unfortunately, it just worked to push viewers away. By the end of S5, TW had done every single character so dirty that you could reasonably argue they had to be doing it on purpose, because few Productions can or would fuck themselves over to that degree accidentally. I think that's where TW really lost its audience, because even if your faves weren't around or focused on, what was happening didn't make sense. It wasn't just that some characters were gone, it was that a ton more had been shoved in nimbly-pimbly and not developed alongside the remaining cast from previous seasons being under utilized AND again, events that should have been discussed or folded in just got dropped.

S6 came along and used the same playbook as S4 and S5: add in more characters, throw convoluted storyline around, etc. Worse, I personally think it was clear that by this time a lot of the Production was just phoning it in. Nothing the characters were doing in 6B made any sense, and while having Hogan and Wagner back might have been a 'finish where we started' story wrap up, it just fell flat. I also absolutely hate unreliable narrator as a surprise ending simply because it gives the production a stupid easy way to shrug off their gross inconsistencies. It was poorly done and everybody knew it.

Again, the problem with Teen Wolf was the writing and production, not just the actors. I will say that I am old af and enjoy lots of ships, lots of characters and lots of different things, so I don't watch or read things based off of a specific ship or character. I wasn't a big fan of Stalia, I was cool with Stydia, I enjoy Sterek and Steter, it's not a focus issue for me.

You're welcome to check my tags regarding the business/real world side of stuff (#tw biz, #tw schedule) I was using at the time S5/S6 stuff was going on to discuss contracts, actor availability, episodes, etc. If you want to see my slow descent into Facepalmville over S5/S6 you can look at my '#Pints Live' tag for my live blogging.