#He didn't deserve to die in my humble opinion

[ducklingtheunited]

devon Blaine marks

if you can't read it it says

Devon Blaine Marks

Age: 15

cause of death: Springlocks

Possesses: Golden Freddy

Killer: Andrew/Kelsey

Bisexual

pronouns: he/him

[fsfghgee]

Hello, I would like to ask you question about Kuai Liang in Mk1, Do you think of him as bad person? If yes, please tell me why?

Hi! I don't think Kuai Liang is a bad person, but he's no better than Bi-Han either. And I say this based on facts, on situations shown in the game (and other situations that will happen soon), not just on my personal opinion.

1st. He's a hypocrite and a liar

How can he demand something from her, that she should trust him blindly (since he hadn't even given an explanation for his departure), when he never trusted her in the first place? He's a hypocrite. And whoever makes excuses for him about this is either lying or didn't play the story mode, because besides Bi-Han being out cold, Tomas says that before they left the Lin Kuei, they asked them for help:

When they took Bi-Han to the Lin Kuei and asked for help in the battle, why didn't he already explain everything to Cyrax? Because he didn't want to. So, he has no right to demand blind trust from her when he didn't even trust her to begin with, even though they clearly have a past (whether romantic or not, they have a history).

2nd. He is vengeful

Contrary to what many people have assumed about his desire to find Bi-Han, he doesn't want to find him because he fears for Bi-Han's life if he is found by Li Mei or whatever, what he really wants is to get revenge on Bi-Han for letting their father die. That's all he wants. He doesn't care about his brother. And this will become even clearer when the story mode expansion is available:

Saying that his brother deserves to die and refusing to help save him is something a vengeful person would do. A good person wouldn't do that.

"Ah, but Bi-Han let their father die and their father was a good man…"

Bi-Han was a good brother to Kuai Liang…

and yet he is willing to let him die. How does that make Kuai Liang a better person than Bi-Han? When we don't even know why Bi-Han hates his father so much, we know why Kuai Liang hates his brother. And Kuai Liang's fans can say whatever they want, but all this hatred and desire for revenge is not something a good person would have. And let's not forget that he will be about to kill a person (cough cough, Cyrax) he has known for a long time who was deceived and was already subdued, all because HE IS a vengeful person.

3rd. He is selfish

Bi-Han may be self-centered, but Kuai Liang is a selfish man with people-pleasing disorder no matter how you look at it.

All his attachment to traditions and his father's words are not a moral compass, they are just traits of dependence. He can't let his father go and understand that Bi-Han is the new leader by birthright, so he insists on trying to embarrass him by talking about what his father would supposedly want or what his father would do during the story mode and intros. He wants Bi-Han to be like his father. He refuses to see that Bi-Han is Bi-Han until his sandcastle crumbles at the Ying Fortress. He is not humble, he is dependent, a true people-pleaser. He was a people-pleaser to his father and now he is one to Liu Kang. He does not invite former gangsters like Kenshi and Takeda, a demon like Ashrah to be Shirai Ryu because he embraces diversity and differences, he simply needs numbers to rival his brother's clan, the Lin Kuei.

He only thinks about what he wants (to be what his father was), not what is best for the clan. Bi-Han's ambition for the clan, for their future, is not a bad thing or evil, their god himself recognizes this:

But even before Bi-Han abandoned the defense of Earthrealm, he insisted on condemning his brother's desire to make the Lin Kuei evolve:

Why?

Because he is selfish. He never cared about his brother or the Lin Kuei, he only cared about continuing to please his father even after dead and that's all that matters to him to this day, only now, he does it with Liu Kang.

And does that make him a bad person? No, I don't think so (he has his qualities, just like Bi-Han has his). But he's far from being a better person than Bi-Han as only his fans will claim he is.

[fencecollapsed]

☕️ + songs in the guy who didnt like musicals

okay we're doing an opinion for each song let's go!

The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals - I like this song it's a good warmup to the show, but sometimes I do wonder how the story would feel if the show opened cold in the office and there were no songs until the meteor hits. not as anything against the song, just out of curiosity. also this song is the first appearance of the Nightmare Time motif and I think that is an underappreciated detail

La Dee Dah Dah Day - this is maybe the song I enjoy listening to out of context the most! it's just groovy and fun and I like to walk down the street to it. it's a vibe

What Do You Want, Paul? - eternally underrated and very fun this song will always deserve more love imo. have you ever sung along to it and just let yourself ham it up with no shame? healing, actually. delightful song

Cup of Roasted/Poisoned Coffee - funny and silly and the harmony in Roasted is very nice! I've always really liked the tone shift between the two songs it works really well

Show Me Your Hands - this song still runs through my head whenever I see a cop car. it's so catchy I think it is the earwormiest song in the show

You Tied Up My Heart - overhated in my humble opinion. also very fun to ham it up to

Join Us (And Die) - Jaime Lyn Beatty could personally murder me and I'd be cool with it as long as she sang this song first. go right ahead ma'am

Not Your Seed - the constantly switching tempo puts me off this song a little bit to be honest. I like it for what it is but I think it could haaaave sounded better woops-

Show Stoppin Number - I have never cared for this song lmao I NEVER understood the hype. it's fine. it's FINE djakfn the first half of the song is the better part and I never really liked. the Workin Boys bit. I never got it it's never been all that funny to me

America is Great Again - I have nothing against Jeff Blim's falsetto. however. I like his lower register and I think he should use it more. like here. it sounds nice

Let Him Come - me when I'm on my way. I like the little hip swivel dance they do

Let It Out - this song rewired my brain the first time I heard it and the main reason I'd be down for a TGWDLM revival is so Mr Jon Matteson can have a chance to perform this song again now that he has more vocal experience. he deserves to. and I deserve to hear it!

Inevitable - I also deserve to hear THIS song by a more experienced Jon. my favorite Hatchetfield song still I have a very strong attachment to Inevitable I will never let it go I love it so dearly. excellent finale number and also hot who said that-

[mesillusionssousecstasy]

House of the Dragon 2x04: Quotes

"- Perhaps you might place a feather pillow over his head and speed along your inheritance? I can see why the Blackwoods and the Brackens did not fear to start a war beneath the nose of their liege lords. House Tully is a fish with no head. Remind me which of your countrymen claim to fight in the name of Aegon? Was it was it Bracken or Blackwood? (Daemon) - It was House Bracken that declared Green, Your Grace. (Simon Strong) - Who could remember. Summon the Blackwoods here. I require men of action to lead my host of Rivermen." (Daemon)

"- What do we know, my prince? (Jace) - If you ask me, it is little and less. (Ser Alfred) - Can Daemon hope to meet it with his own in time? (Lord Celtigar) - And if know the Riverlands, he has more disentangling ahead of him than the end of a Lyseni orgy."

"- "kingmaker." You are not fit for the white cloak." (Lord Darklyn) - This is a better death than a traitor deserves. (Ser Criston) - Yours will come in kind. (Lord Darklyn)

"- It's like to drive Daemon to madness as he attempts to make use of it. It is beyond his faculties. It is also penniless, as I happily control all of its gold." (Larys Strong)

"- Rhaenyra's supporters will believe what they wish. And so will Aegon's. The war will be fought, many will die... and the victor will eventually ascend the throne. The significance of Viserys's intentions died with him. (Alicent) - Yes, it did." (Larys)

"- Harrenhal's been cursed since its first stone was laid. Black Harren felled the grove of weirwood trees that grew on these lands. Heart trees, imbued with the spirits of those who lived long before he came. It's said their whispers can still be heard sometimes. (Alys) - A midwife's tale. (Daemon) - The very bed you sleep in was made from such a heart tree. Have you experienced anything... of note? (Alys) - You are a strange kind of woman. (Daemon) - I'm no woman at all. I'm a barn owl. Cursed to live in human form. So, you've come here after quarreling with your wife? (Alys) - What? (Daemon) - You arrive here alone to claim the castle and yet, send no ravens. Do you now plan to make your own claim? Perhaps to prove yourself to her. (Alys) - Do not try me with your insolence, witch. (Daemon) - It's a hard thing, I imagine, to give obeisance to one who replaced you as heir. And a woman too. A... girl child you bounced on your knee. I mean, does it please you that her legitimacy is contested? As you stand here... with a castle and a dragon... attempting to draw an army of men. Here. Drink this. You'll need your sleep if you're to win this place to your side." (Alys)

"- I once vied for Queen Rhaenyra's hand... before she wed Ser Laenor. I always liked her spirit. She had the true blood of the dragon." (Ser Willem Blackwood)

"- Perhaps Ser Criston will be able to procure more livestock through his campaign. (Grand Maester Orwyle) - Any coin we can save will be a welcome bounty." (Ser Tyland Lannister)

"- What are you doing here? (Aegon II) - Where are your father's books? (Alicent) - I ordered them removed. (Aegon II) - With no thought to the centuries of knowledge in those pages. (Alicent) - I removed them, I didn't burn them." (Aegon II)

"- Even my thoughts. (Aegon II) - What thoughts would you have? (Alicent) - Wh... I'm the king. (Aegon II) - Do you think simply wearing the crown imbues you with wisdom? Those men at your council table... earned their seats. I was my hope that once enthroned, you would honor the burden of your new duties, be silent, and strive to learn from more studied minds around you. In the hope that you might be half the king your father was. (Alicent) - Tread carefully. (Aegon II) - Or what? You'll hang me, as you did your ratcatchers? Or have me banished, as you did your Hand? I ruled in your father's absence throughout his long illness, and Otto Hightower was as cunning a statesman as ever lived. You should humbly be seeking our opinions and counsel. You have no idea the sacrifices that were made to put you on that throne. (Alicent) - What would you have me do, Mother? (Aegon) - Do simply what is needed of you: nothing." (Alicent)

"- Are you afraid, Ser? (Ser Criston) - Worse. I'm rational." (Ser Gwayne Hightower)

"- I inherited 80 years of peace from my father. Before I was to end it, I needed to know that there was no other path. And now I do. Only one choice remains to me: either I win my claim or die. We stand at the ready. These are those who have mistaken my caution for weakness. Let that be their undoing. I will go. (Rhaenyra) - My queen... You cannot. (Jace) - I will not lose dragons to war whilst I hide here in my castle. (Rhaenyra) - Our allies raise their banners for you, Mother. Yes, they do. If you die, all is lost. Send me. (Jace) - No. (Rhaenyra) - Could even raise the alarm. (Jace) - You lack the experience." (Rhaenyra) "- The horrors I have just l have just loosed cannot be for a crown alone." (Rhaenyra)

[vitanithepure]

Gale and Mystra

Ok, first thing I wanna talk about, what absolutely lives rent-free in my mind since I finished my first run is how much I love the companion's personal stories. I will for sure make an Origin run with most of them. I want to know every last detail about those pixel people.

With no surprise on nobody's part - I want to talk about Gale first. I believe I once said my OC Vitani and I share exactly one brain cell and it is consumed with thoughts about that wizard.

He did get a bit of a lift up when it comes to the story we knew from EA and it turned out absolutely fabulous. I won't be focusing on our relationship with the man as much as his with Mystra, the goddess of magic. This would be far too long otherwise, there is just too much to say.

Regardless, this will also be a long one, and full of spoilers for his story, so be warned. Placing it all under the cut.

First, some facts. It turns out, from my understanding, that Gale was not after Mystra's godhood, quite contrary to his bio on the website (which I find…weird) but rather tried to ascend by himself. He was impatient; he wanted more, and he wanted it now - and Mystra was not willing to grant his wishes. It goes without saying he was in the wrong, no explanation needed.

So, to convince Mystra to share even more with him, he decided to "screw flowers" and tried to get her what turned out to be that cursed Netherese orb. At least, that is what he thought. We know that this went horribly wrong and Gale was not only stuck with magic he can barely control, but severed from means to stop it - as Mystra, understandably, abandoned him.

Which is also to say how little she actually cares about other mortals, leaving a ticking bomb to run free in the Realms. We could assume that, in her "infinite wisdom" she trusted Gale to do the right thing and just go on and die somewhere remote, like he planned to if he ever started to lose control of the orb. Not really sure what lesson is there to give through such a punishment, that is for Mystra to answer, I don't get it :)

This is when we meet Gale, humbled, but not giving up. I don't want to repeat myself too much as I did a breakdown of his EA content a while back [link here] and not much changed in that regard, his slight rewrite didn't change my opinion on how and why he does and says to us.

So, moving on:

The juicy part truly begins when Elminster shows up and drops the bomb (heh…) about what Mystra expects of Gale… I instantly went with "ok, yeah, here it is, my heartbreak I've been waiting for". And from that point, he seems so…resigned. I can't imagine what a person in his position goes through? Not sure I want to. Can you imagine that? Someone you genuinely looked up to, perhaps even loved, in the past, someone holding infinite power over magic in this world, hell, someone holding power over you asks you to forfeit your life to deserve forgiveness? Damn, D&D gods are stone cold.

Like, I get it, and I try not to excuse Gale. He did a terrible thing, a horrible breach of trust and who knows what kind of person it would make him if he succeeded. As it is, though, it shows such an awful imbalance in power. Mystra was never in any real danger, she proves this by being able to control the orb, decides that this - already humbled and regretful - man has to die to make it okay with her? 

Even though she clearly sees he learned his lesson? And she could remove the orb at literally any time? Because that is what she presents him with if he refuses to just lie down and die for her. She will remove the orb if he brings her Karsus's Crown, along with the netherstones - the thing the Elder Brain possesses.

I don't know what happens if we go along Gale's plan to control the crown himself, possibly nothing good (I am about to find out, I so desperately want to see his whole arc, from every perspective), so here I want to finish off with how it ended for me on my first run - with a complete redemption, both in his and Mystra's eyes. 

Gale recognized his folly and, in hindsight, agreed he had everything a mortal man could ever possess and lost it to his arrogance and ambition. But also him realizing "no love was lost between them" makes me simply happy, he is healed at this point.

From what I gathered, he finishes his story by becoming the Chosen of Mystra once again. Still curious, because how could he not be with his love for magic, but knowing his limits. No longer known as Gale of Waterdeep, but Gale Dekarios, your neighborhood nerdy wizard with a good tale to spin over some wine in the Yawning Portal.

And seriously, fuck the D&D gods with their mortal flaws.

[lelalyo]

Wyll doesn't just deserve more content, he deserves better content, in my humble opinion.

I know a lot of people were concerned about the change of category (is that the proper phrase?) about the Ansur part of his quest but I feel like that part needs changing to a degree. Primarily because it doesn't feel very Wyll specific.

I feel like it focuses more on how the Emperor is a scumbag then anything to do with Wyll.

I'm not a writer by any stretch of the imagination but I feel like you could've still had that confrontation with Ansur and the Emperor and had something that tied to Wyll like after you fight him, maybe Ansur sees some of himself in Wyll - a loyal protector - a strong guardian - a man of morals and maybe Ansur decides he doesn't want history to repeat itself. He doesn't want someone else to fall victim to the Emperor again so he gifts Wyll power or a weapon or something that could put him on par with Mizora so he doesn't need her help anymore.

He held out, he endured, he stayed true to himself and finally, someone recognizes that, truly acknowledges his efforts and now he has power that is truly his, that he earned in his own right by being who he is.

Maybe then you could tie that into a climax, a final confrontation with Mizora. Maybe instead of killing his father in the Iron Throne, she simply kidnaps him from there before before you arrive to make Wyll panic that we were too late and something has happened to his father.

Maybe Mizora appears at camp with his father as a bargaining chip, mocks him for going on a wild goose chase and how amusing it was to watch. She could threaten his father to make Wyll more compliant, to try force him to resign the pact but this time is different.

This time Wyll, the Blade of Frontiers, isn't the one who's at a disadvantage. Maybe you could have a Durge vs Orin situation - a 1v1, duel to the death with strict rules of engagement to be fraught at the foot of the hill where this all began - if Mizora wins, Wyll resigns and can never break free from the hells. If Wyll wins, Mizora dies and his father goes free.

Maybe Mizora uses a loop hole in the duel's rules to cheat when she's near defeat and that's when you and the rest of your party jump in to keep Mizora's lackeys at bay while Wyll finishes her off and then a cutscene of the final blow, of Wyll's victory. Finally, he's a free man and his father sees him for who he is. His actions said everything they needed to.

I don't know, like I said, not a writer in any capacity and I feel like I'm just getting lost in my own musing - there's lots of things I didn't consider, like surely a situation like this would have point holes everywhere, especially since I don't know the first thing about DnD and it's lore but my original point was that I feel like Wyll needs a moment - that character defining moment that most of the other characters have - that time for him because he is a good character, I really like him and I hope that Larian listens.

I appreciate all the hard work they do with all the patches, never doubt that but I've always felt like Wyll's story needs more attention and it is important - he's a main character, an origin, he's a key feature of the game and that should take priority.

I love all the new features that they add (to a degree) but this is a core issue and I'd much prefer they work on the things that matter and add the fluff later.

Just my two cents though, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

Edit: I just remembered that devils go back to the hells when they die top side, right? (See, what did I say? Plot holes) but maybe it wouldn't matter since Wyll would've lived a long life by the time Mizora pops up again. Maybe she swears revenge on the Ravengard's and bam, plot for the next game. If there is one. LMAO

[mojaves]

tagged by @hibernationsuit thank youuu!!!!

rules: post 5 songs associated with your oc, followed by 3 outfits they would wear

tagging @quickhacked @dickytwister @velocitic @vvanessaives and anyone else who wants to do this [:

im doing this for andy my oc andy. he contains multitudes.

songs

this is love - air traffic control

this one is very fun to start with because when he worked at arasaka, he was an extremely manipulative asshole - had to be in order to get the job done. while he Was putting up a front, at first, as time went on the line eventually blurred so much to the point where he could no longer tell where the act ended, and where the real him began. he became far too cocky and overconfident. but it's a very tasty sort of whimsy.

achilles come down - gang of youths

heavy contrast with the last song because this one!!! is like, the part of the story after he's lost Everything. he's on the run from arasaka. a good chunk of his family is Dead. yeah he escaped it all but now there's nothing left to keep him busy. he's just entirely consumed by grief now, over what happened, over everything he's done with the last two decades of his life. he's NOT having a good time!!! he does Not feel deserving at all of the company he has.

dying in a hot tub - palaye royale

similar to the last one. basically the same thoughts but this is just the slightly more fun version [: he is very depressed for a while <3 but it could also be taken as him kind of sort of clawing his way out of it?? in my own humble opinion.

first day of my life - bright eyes

post depression slump. finally starts dating not one!! but TWO of the people he's been in kind of in love with for a Very Long Time but life and everything got in the way. "im glad i didn't die before i met you." thats all i have to say on the matter.

brother - murder by death

has two brothers, one he hasnt seen in roughly 20 years, another whose death he is partly responsible for. "i know theres better brothers but you're the only one thats mine." yknow. heugh.

outfits

not very interesting i'll be So honest. likes to stick to blacks and greys mostly, theyre just what he's more comfortable in,,, cuffed trousers/jeans,, lots of jumpers and long coats. fashionable but also practical AND comfortable. and he looks very good in it [:

[art-is-art-is-art]

I'm having a conversation about prostitution with a disgusting man on twitter. He knows nothing about the effects of the Nordic model and legalization and of course he's sure that legalization makes women more safe, prostitution isn't more dangerous than being a taxi driver and many other occupations, 99% of women are there because it's their deliberate choice, and, of course, a free market should be above all. He also didn't know what sex-trafficing is. "If it's some sort of labour migration, why is it bad?". Such people never google when they don't know something. They never read articles on subjects they have strong opinions on. He doesn't deserve my time and my nerves, but as most public discussions, it is lead primarily for the dozens of people who read the arguments of the both sides silently. Maybe a few people will learn a little more about prostitution because of my humble efforts. I've been reading Andrea Dworkin recently and now I'm even more passionate about violence against women than I usually am. The funny thing is that the conversation started in the comments to the news about a young prostituted woman from Nigeria being beaten and thrown out of a window by her client in Moscow. There are so many men defending prostitution under that tweet. They say that a taxi driver or an ambulance paramedic have dangerous jobs too, they can even die at their jobs, but nobody is trying to prohibit these job categories, so people are just hypocritical prudes. I hate sex buyers so much!

[thesilverlady]

what do you think about sunfyre and his bond with aegon for me it's the only thing i like about aegon lmao , sunfyre was a good loyal dragon who deserved better than to die young and broken

usually I try not to think about it because I see so much discourse about it it's kinda insane 💀

I think all the dragons have bonds with their rider. Syrax-Rhaenyra, Helaena-Dreamfyre, Caraxes-Daemon and all the rest.

in the show we see Syrax react to Rhaenyra's pain while giving birth to Visenya, in the book Dreamfyre senses when Helaena dies. And Sunfyre did admittedly have his moments as well.

When he was making his way to dragonstone Gyldayn believed it was due to a primal instinct for Sunfyre to return to his birthplace. This isn't far stretched because this theory has been seen before about other dragons in f&b pre-dance (for instance the black dread and the rumor he went to old valyria aka his birthplace). On the other hand, in the book it's also suggested Sunfyre might have been able to feel Aegon II's urgent need of him.

Personally I think it might have been a mix of both. Sunfyre was extremely injured and couldn't even fly if I remember correctly so it makes sense that he'd want to be back to his birthplace where he felt most safe. On the opposite, I'm a firm believer of dragons sensing their riders emotions so I won't pretend Aegon being in dragonstone didn't play a role.

If anything he probably wanted both and was lucky they were all in the same place.

The competition I've seen in the fandom about "who has the best bond" is quite ridiculous in my humble opinion because we never get the opportunity to see much of the other dragons with their rider (aside being in a battle)

and because I know my girl Syrax will inevitably catch strays as usual, let me disclaimer. George needed a way to get rid of her because if rhaenyra went to dragonstone with Syrax aegon and his soldiers would be doomed (Sunfyre was way too injured to fight and couldn't fly). And because Rhaenyra had to die George found the quickest, stupidest way to off Syrax so pls leave her alone. Take the anger to that man

Now to bring it back and be controversial (because of course I have to be), a common argument I've seen is how aegon after the war wants to claim another dragon, a "better" Sunfyre. Is he a bit of a bitch about this? yes. But also consider the fact that dragons are a symbol of power, I don't think him wanting another dragon means he didn't give a fuck about Sunfyre, rather he had become disabled, slowly paranoid with whom he could trust and who is better and more powerful to have on your side than a dragon?

[sketzi]

okay top 3 scythe characters GO

ohh this is hard. i reread the first book over the weekend and omg...

faraday has become a new favourite. i understand him much better now than i did before. alot of people mistake faraday keeping himself alive as bad writing that contradicted his personality, but i really think this revealed something. faraday acted out of a sort of selfishness that we hadnt seen in him yet. he was shown to us in the beginning as the humble, infallible mentor, and especially someone who morally stood above the majority of the scythedom as an EXAMPLE. a model faraday action would be to actually glean himself. but instead he chose to allow himself a life of comfort, which is, in all the ways you look at it, selfish! AND AND I JUST FEEL LIKE HE FELT A WEIGHT DROP OFF HIS SHOULDERS!! then (if i remember it right lmao) neal just follows that up with him isolating himself and being a pussy throughout an entire book, LIKE HES SO IMPERFECT. faradays the type of guy who holds onto his beliefs, but when he gets the chance to act on them he'll dip 😭😭 thats why i love him. also he'd have a big white beard like santa

hard pick between curie and greyson here. i cant put why i love greyson into even 1000 pages so ill talk about curie. she is an angel (neal saw an angel in his dreams and she asked him "can i be in your ya trilogy?"). gosh i just love how he describes her. she is slender, but shockingly so, like an uncomfortably long skeleton. and the way she looks only tells us how she is both out of place in the scythedom and humanity. i loved her befoe, but reading gleanings is when she finally clicked for me. curie literally can not be between the lines!!! every part of her is shocking: the way she gleans, the way she makes no compromise, the POWER she holds over the scythedom. and when susan really shines is when you compare her to faraday. shes someone who reaps the rewards of being a scythe, not because she thinks she deserves it, but because she doesnt lie to herself that she doesnt want it. one of our first impressions of curie being her having luxury meals BECAUSE THEYRE THERE. her honesty makes susan the most terrifying, yet the most understandable scythe in the series imo. she is so complete. i never even mourned her death because it was such a fitting end. I was just satisfied tbh. honestly, if she didn't die on the endura, she'd have gleaned herself by the end of the toll. (faraday needs to get a grip LMAO (this post was made by the mortality gang))

so my fav of all time HAS to be the thunderhead. everything about it is just so UGHHH SO GOOD. neal completely defied all my expectations coming into it. i genuinely thought the thunderhead would just be a convenient plot tool, like an even more invasive google, BUT THE FACT THAT IT CAN BE PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE? FEEL PRIDE, FEEL THAT IN ORDER TO KEEP UP ITS INABILITY TO FAIL IT MUST DENY ITSELF PLEASURE(its infallibility is a complete lie btw and i want to post about that). if you told me when i was 13 that i would want to make a glorified spanner feel bad for its actions then id laugh. its such a good parallel to the scythedom. both hold responsibility for humanity and how they wield it, both have to fight pleasure, one human and one not. yet the thunderheads responsibility is what turns it human until i could not tell the difference between the two. CAN YOU TELL I LOVE IT?? (ugghh also i believe that neals own opinion on the thunderhead changed throughout the series but I NEED TO POST I PROMISE)

sorry if this was too long! these are my favs :)))

[seirclys]

First of all, I love this page for Shrike and fking the overthinking that we do here. ( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡

But all this reading on this page makes me feel shit with the og!Penny, I know that Penny's change in the manwha is because of Cha Siyeon and her personality is much tamer than her original self, but man it makes me wanna cry at the abuse she originally took. And the analysis you've done on this page makes me always hurt for the torture og!Penny had to take cos of Laila. I don't know how she could forgive all of them since they killed her so many times, especially the Eckharts who abused her. It's really hard to picture any of them with a happy ending with og!Penny, Cha Siyeon could only forgive them to a degree since she was a fragment of the if's soul who couldn't rmb her pain from the past. Being emotionally abused like that is torture, the fact that og!Penny still tried to save them is so heartbreaking. And they would have had the same fate as Cha Siyeon's family where Siyeon left them, because she associated them with her personal pain she rmbs and not the one og!Penny felt originally. (ಡ‸ಡ) I always don't know how to feel about this, so what are your thoughts on this? Should the Eckharts ever be forgiven? Cos like Siyeon eventually forgave them unlike her own family and cos Eckharts eventually treasured her but idk about their past actions. (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞

I answered this a few times before, and I'll answer it again.

WE DO NOT BELIEVE IN ECKHART FORGIVENESS IN THIS HOUSE.

I always thought there was a degree of abuse apologism in the Eckharts and Siyeon's interactions. While Siyeon constantly commented how "they were just like her own family" and that "she wasn't the real Penelope", THAT WAS FINE. WHAT WAS NOT FINE, WAS THE FACT THAT WHEN IT WAS REVEALED THAT SHE WAS A SHARD OF THE OG!PENELOPE'S SOUL, WE FAST-FORWARDED TO THE EPILOGUE AND THAT THEY WERE MORE OR LESS FORGIVEN.

MISS GIRL. YOU DID NOT FORGIVE YOUR OWN FAMILY, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK Y OU CAN FORGIVE THE ECKHARTS ON THE BEHALF OF SOMEONE WHO IS DEAD BECAUSE OF THEM. EVEN IF YOU WERE A SHARD, YOU DIDN'T HAVE HER TRAUMA OR MEMORIES. YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT.

SIYEON DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO FORGIVE THE ECKHARTS. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION SHE SHOULD'VE LEFT CALLISTO AND RETURNED TO EORKA.

KEEP YOURSELF ON YOUR OG GOAL MISSY.

(oh you're dying of stomach cancer? miss girl you have the dragon fangs and the best doctors in the modern world working on you, statistically either science or otherworldly divine artifacts will cure you, take your pick.)

ok i'm slightly more calmed down. I hate the "you were always a part of the original Penelope!! \o/ " because then it's more tragic. The Eckharts only started loving Penelope and treating her better when she didn't have the trauma and memories of their neglect and abuse, and when she was more obedient. It almost creates this narrative of "if you hurt them and break them down long enough, they'll assimilate" and it shows that abuse "makes people better" in their eyes.

Like eventually, og!Penelope had to break and be submissive, and thus "she was finally good enough to be part of the family—" NO.

If I ever get transmigrated into VADD I'm committing arson. Eorka can burn for all I care, and I'm rescuing og!Penelope. I can't care less about Siyeon, tbh. Her character gives me the icks.

yes I realize I was wrong in a previous assumption, and the fact that SIYEON, A MODERN WOMAN, was so willing to participate in slavery is kind of very disturbing(even for her own survival), especially since she was basically treated badly in her own home, and probably treated as a capitalist slave when she worked multiple jobs— still not an Eckles stan, he can still go die for all I care.

Penelope's trauma regarding Laila and the MLs(and the duke) is frankly kind of horrifying. She deserves to be wrapped in blankets and be in a kitty pile.

[phoenix-positivity]

TY for listening you're actually a reasonably reasonable person. After having to lie for so long, the truth is more exciting for me anyways. Actually, you've inspired me to write a poem:

Oh my father terrified me so, with power and words twisted so clever. There was no escape, nowhere to hide, it seemed my days of sorrow would go on forever.

How pitiful he was in his own misery, the man so sensitive and weak with pride. With his sorrows never drowned I thought, it couldn't have been better on the other side.

He may be dead and gone, but the pain and fear still live inside me. Alone with my broken self, it seems I never will be free.

How I hate becoming so much like him, a bitter loser with so much pain I want to die. Perhaps I really should do it before, I end up on the other side.

She didn't kill herself in a regular sense, but gave me the chance to be reborn. She might not like what I have become, but for my weak self I refuse to mourn.

I've surpassed my father in every way, and I have earned my own pride. With my sorrow gone now I've come to realize, it really is much better on the other side.

Thank you for sharing your poetry.

I know you probably do not want to hear what I'm going to say, but it's not too late to process your trauma. I also know you said you are in favour of suicide but I don't think you should attempt that. Suicide is usually an escape plan to run away from pain. It's possible to heal the pain and live comfortably again.

You can break the cycle of abuse done to you by your father. You were not weak. Being hurt by someone does not make you weak. You were innocent in what was done to you. You deserved to be taken care of and loved and respected. I feel it displays more strength to overcome your pain and mourn yourself rather than to run away from it and prey on vulnerable people. Mourning and grief actually takes a lot of mental strength. Most people turn to other things such as substances so they don't have to look their pain in the eyes. Or they will repeat the abuse done to them onto others. It takes much more work to heal the trauma, even though the outcome would feel so much better.

I tend to see abusive behavior as a sign of weakness, not power. I understand you view it differently though. For me it's a sign of cowardice within a person. Not to say you are a coward. Although hiding in anonimity does point a bit in that direction. It's not my intention to insult you. Merely to point out that your theory of abuse being a sign of strength doesn't quite hold up in my opinion.

I also remember you saying this is your way to get revenge for what was done to you. I could understand that sentiment. Although I feel your feelings could be put to a greater use such as artwork or poetry like you just wrote. Something that makes an impact on people without inflicting damage on them.

If anything, I wonder if the way you are dealing with your pain now will be something you look back on later in life with pride or regret. That's not for me to be able to know. In my humble opinion it would benefit you to proces your pain in therapy such as EMDR. You could look into it sometime and see if the idea appeals to you. Wouldn't it feel like such a relief to not have to carry the burden of your past. Of course nobody can make youvhange your ways, especially when it feels like a comforting blanket to you to be able to have this unhealthy coping mechanism. It's the same way that nobody can make an addict become sober/clean if they themselves don't want it. I'm just here to remind you there are alternatives for you and that it's not too late to look at things differently. I'm just providing a different perspective.

Either way, thank you again for sharing your poetry. I appreciate your vulnerability by sharing a part of your pain. Now it's up to you how you will deal with that pain. Will you heal it or let it fester. Will you take care of the wound or will you let the infection take over your body untill it poisons your bloodstream. It's all up to you and your plans for your future. Have a safe journey.

[dinsbeskar]

I'm in fucking tears

Babe this is absolutely gorgeous, I am gonna cry about it for a while tbh, I have no words!!!

He had no idea he would be able to see himself in a song written by commoners and yet, he sometimes wondered himself why the Valar had created him. And he often wished they had not. It would save him pain and suffering that he was not able to speak of.

Oh yikes I'm in pain already

Because Halbrand most likely had broken such promises many times before and Sauron had planned that, too. But now, looking deep into her eyes, he suddenly wanted to change his mind. He did not want to be like Halbrand – he wanted to be a better version of him.

NOT THIS DARK LORD TAKING HALBRAND'S WIFE AND TREATING HER BETTER THAN HE EVER DID, WANTING TO BE BETTER FOR HER

I WANT TO DIE

“I don't deserve you,” he admitted and caressed her cheek gently.

The high pitched dolphin noises that came out of me, oh my lord, the softness??? The tenderness???

Humiliating it was and very humbling for the disciple of Aulë to be reduced to the role of a common smith's errand boy.

He needs to be humbled!!! But he does it for her!!!! God I am in pain, I am swinging from the ceiling

Sauron didn't think much in that moment as the primal instincts took over him. He hid his coins away and hurried to (Y/N)'s stand as he grabbed the rude man by his tunic and turned him around.

“Are you bothering my wife?” He asked, raising his eyebrows.

Mark me down as scared and horny!!! Love this for him, protective husband sauron gives me life 🙌🙌

“Oh, but it's different, is it not? This man deserves it,” Sauron hissed out and when he was sure that (Y/N) kept glancing at the guards, he allowed his eyes to transform into two snake-like orbs that visibly terrified the rude man.

OH MY GOD BABY NO (BABY YES)

That guy will be rocking in a corner for the next 50 years wondering who the hell he messed with

Hilarious

“If you think I am going to let some bastard treat you this way, love, then you are mistaken. If I must rot in that cell for a lifetime, then I shall,” Sauron shrugged his arms and Halbrand's wife looked at him as if he had just said something crazy.

It's the protectiveness for me!!!! Over some random woman he didn't give two shits about!!! How the tables have tabled!!!

He had been waiting for her to come and now he was shocked, nearly startled. As if he had forgotten already about his scheme.

Lmfao sauron pulling a 'new phone who dis' on galadriel

Sauron felt an odd tug inside his heart at those words. Even though going with Galadriel to Middle-earth and continuing his plan while leaving annoying (Y/N) behind would be an ideal outcome… He felt challenged now to refuse Galadriel just to show (Y/N) that he could do better than that.

It's the fact he cares about his wife's opinion more than galadriel's now, like holy shit I am clashing cymbals and blowing trumpets over here

“I know ye want to. Just go, claim the title that's not yours, go on. But don't be stupid enough to think she'd ever want ye the way ye want her. Please, husband, don't embarrass yerself by thinkin' she'd want a filthy, ragged commoner,” (Y/N) whispered but in her voice there was no malice – it was pure worry and concern. Love.

Nooooooo oh god my heart, bless her, like he's been better to her than her husband ever was and she's still like

Yeah go on then, off you go 😭😭😭

“I'm not that stupid,” Sauron approached her with hesitance and put his hands on her arms to comfort her. “I know you're the only woman who is crazy enough to love me.”

“But is that enough to make ye stay?” She asked and her lower lip trembled.

He did not answer but he pulled her close to his chest to wrap his arms around her and kiss the top of her head.

YES

SAURON/READER NATION, WE HAVE WON

Oh god this was so soft, my heart aches, they're so fucking cute wtfffff

What if it was a second chance for him? Not for Sauron, but for the real him – Mairon…? What if it was his chance to get redeemed? To be at peace finally as if all the suffering Morgoth had put him through had never taken place?

YES BABY IT'S ALL ABOUT BREAKING THE CYCLE

(Y/N) shifted slightly in his arms and he looked down at her face that was now lit up by the first rays of the rising sun getting through the window. At that moment, that common and simple woman looked like the most beautiful creature in the whole world to him. And she certainly felt like peace.

She felt like what, sorry???? Felt like peace, you say??? How about you come to my house and stab me slowly in person???

Dead. Just dead.

“What if I told you I was not your husband?” He tried to make it sound light-hearted as if he was jesting. “That I'm a spirit that took over his body at that time when he was away while the village was being attacked?” He looked down at her, nervously.

LMFAO LOL BABE WHAT IF I WAS A FORMERLY EVIL SPIRIT BENT ON WORLD DOMINATION??

It's like, would you love me if I were a worm, but on steroids 😂😂😂

“Ye're crazy, Hal,” she chuckled and opened her eyes lazily. Then, she tilted her head and reached her hand up to caress his hair. “But, mayhaps, I'd believe that, ye know? 'Cause ye've changed a lot since then,” she admitted and hesitated for a moment as she bit on her lower lip. “It doesn't matter, love. I love ye the way ye are now – more than I've ever loved ye, even though I didn't think it was possible,” she confessed and Sauron felt his heart swelling inside his chest as he leaned down to join their lips together in a loving kiss.

Fucks sake. Like she really said she'd love him as a worm.

My heart hurts again, thank you.

As he watched the ships sail away on that day, Sauron couldn't believe that he was simply letting them go. He saw Lady Galadriel standing in her shining armour, holding her sword. She was still glancing at him as if she expected him to jump into the waters and join them no matter what

I CANNOT BELIEVE

It was the first time ever when he felt… tired. In the simplest and most common way, he felt exhausted and his stomach seemed to demand to have a meal. He nearly fainted at the end of his shift and when he dragged his feet back home, he was yawning. Surely, it would worry him under any other circumstances but now he was simply too tired to overthink what could have caused it. Was it some sort of a curse put on him by angry Lady Galadriel?

WHAAAAAT

Is he becoming human??? Is that what's happening here, am I going to yell again

Sauron began to suspect that he was turning into a human for some time now but it took an unusual revelation to convince him that it was truly happening indeed.

FUCK

I am overwhelmed now.

Sauron took a deep breath in. She didn't understand – it was not about being fertile or not. It was about the fact he was a Maia and there was no possibility of him putting a baby in her without doing it with his own free will.

DADDY HALBRAND IM GONNA YELL AGAIN

Lmfao he was really like

Uhhhhh is my wife that I previously wanted to murder cheating on me??? *kill bill sirens*

“And you are going to be the death of me,” he chuckled and leaned in to peck her lips.

She was going to be. Literally.

This body would start growing old normally now and, eventually, he would pass away like every mortal. But maybe he would do that laying in a bed, holding her hand and surrounded by their children.

I AM UNWELL

He goes from murder plotting to nuclear family in the blink of an eye and I love this for him!!!

Oh god it's a gorgeous twist on the giving up immortality trope, I love it so much

When they broke the kiss, (Y/N) smiled widely and caressed her husband's cheeks lovingly. She looked ethereal at that moment and a crazy thought appeared inside of his head.

“Tell me, love,” he started and she raised an eyebrow at him, “are you a spirit sent to me from Valinor to lead me back on the right path? Have I passed the test?” He dared to ask and he could swear, there was a small sparkle lighting up her eyes for a short while. But then, she only laughed.

The way I literally did this

I'm headcanoning it now, I actually kinda love this as a twist, the Valar send him a test and he passes with flying colours so he can return to Valinor (but he refuses bc he'd be parted from his family in the afterlife and we can't have that)

He kept staring at her for some time more, then he went back to looking at the ceiling. And, eventually, he turned around as well to wrap his arm around the waist of Halbrand's wife.

His wife.

It was the "his wife" for me

I'm actually emotionally broken, like damn he really just adopted her as his wife, I'm??? Idek 😭😭

“I have something for you, too, Princess,” Halbrand assured her and took another item out of his pocket – a seashell made out of iron.

He had made sure it was crafted with the best precision and with all the tiny details, therefore it looked nearly like a real seashell. Only it was silver, which made it even better in his little girl's eyes.

GIRL DAD SAURON USING HIS SKILLS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL TRINKETS FOR HIS DAUGHTER

IT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

Aulë’s greatest smith using his skills for good not evil, I am emotionally compromised, I'm gonna go lie down

It was nearly as peaceful and beautiful as back in the day in Valinor. Mortals perhaps were not welcome there but, apparently, they could also experience wonders as marvellous.

MY HEART, HIS FAMILY ARE AS WONDROUS AS VALINOR, I'M GONNA GO CHEW CONCRETE

It would only bring her useless pain and he knew very well that her actual husband would most likely never do all these things he had done to make her happy. He would not love her right like he could.

Okay so he is the Deceiver, and of course it's based on a lie, but it might as well stay that way??

"He would not love her right like he could" once again, you come to my house and victimise me this way

After all, it was not the sunset but her and her brother that were the real wonders. And it was not Númenor that he called home but it was them – they were his better place.

THEY ARE HIS HOME I'M CRAWLING THE WALLS, I'M SWINGING FROM THE CHANDELIER

Love this was absolute gold, 10/10, 5 star, amazing

I love the softness, I really need it right now, it is healing my heart 💜💜💜

— SOMEPLACE BETTER (III)

PART ONE || PART TWO

PAIRING — Sauron x fem!human(?)!Reader

SUMMARY — Lady Galadriel keeps convincing Halbrand and his wife to change their minds and go back to Middle-earth but Sauron is starting to realise that this new life might be his chance to start all over and redeem himself.

AUTHOR’S NOTE — As I warned, in this part Sauron is very ooc but I'm a sucker for happy endings... I couldn't picture it any other way with a mortal Reader tbh... 🤷🏻‍♀️ Although, whether she is really a human or not – I let you decide and interpret it whatever way you wish! 😉💝 The song The Reader sings in this part is called Lonesome Road and I know it from Joan Baez but I changed the lyrics a little so they could fit the fantasy world better.

WORD COUNT — 4,570

ENGLISH IS MY SECOND LANGUAGE.

SOMEPLACE BETTER (III)

Even though he thought Halbrand's wife had given up on him already, it seemed to be quite otherwise. The guards came to Sauron in the early morning to tell him that he was free to go under a condition to never start any fight on the streets of Númenor ever again. Next time, the Queen Regent would not be so merciful. And now, she would even give him a chance to prove his worth and earn the guild crest.

Apparently, (Y/N) had spent nearly the whole night begging and pleading after getting an audience.

Free to go anywhere he wanted to, he simply decided to walk back to his new home and wait there for Lady Galadriel to show up with the next idea or opportunity.

It was not going according to his plan – (Y/N) had made sure of it. But it was still going well enough and that was what mattered the most.

As he was approaching the house, he heard a familiar voice singing a song as the sound travelled through the open windows and out into the streets. The voice perhaps was not the most talented but it was not awful either and he found it oddly soothing to listen to.

Slowly and quietly, Sauron walked inside the house and leaned on the wall with crossed arms as he watched (Y/N) with a smirk. She had her back turned on him and had no idea he was there as she busied herself with brushing her hair in front of a small mirror and preparing to go to her new work.

And while doing so, she was singing. Sauron listened with curiosity because he had missed many new songs in the time when he had been regaining his strength to go back to the world of living.

And he had never been familiar with the songs of common people anyway.

“They say all good friends must part sometime. Why not you and I, my Lord? Why not you and I?” (Y/N) sang softly. “Oh, I wish to the gods that I'd never been born or died when I was a baby, my Lord… Or died when I was a baby,” she added and Sauron swallowed a lump in his throat.

He had no idea he would be able to see himself in a song written by commoners and yet, he sometimes wondered himself why the Valar had created him. And he often wished they had not. It would save him pain and suffering that he was not able to speak of.

“Oh, I wish to the gods that I'd never seen your face, heard your lyin' tongue, my Lord… Heard your lyin' tongue,” (Y/N) kept going with the song as she put some rouge upon her cheeks. “You better look up and down that long, lonesome road where all of your friends have gone, my Lord, and you and I must go…” she continued humming and then she jumped up at the sight of him standing behind her with crossed arms. “Oi, Hal, I haven't seen ye. Forgive me, I know ye don't like it when I sing,” she got nervous in an instant.

“I don't?” Sauron raised an eyebrow, surprised.

“Ye always say it's givin' ye headaches,” (Y/N) rolled her eyes with a sigh. “Anyhow, I'm off to work now,” she informed him with a sweet smile and approached him to place a kiss upon his cheek.

He let her but when she wanted to move away, he grabbed her wrists to keep her in place and she raised an eyebrow at him.

“What have you done to free me, love?” He asked in a whisper.

“I begged and pleaded for ye, Hal,” she answered. “Told the good Queen ye're naught but a man who wants to work, with a pride that's hurt. I promised ye wouldn't get in trouble again. An' ye better not.” (Y/N)'s eyes filled with pain as if she knew already he would break the promise.

Because Halbrand most likely had broken such promises many times before and Sauron had planned that, too. But now, looking deep into her eyes, he suddenly wanted to change his mind. He did not want to be like Halbrand – he wanted to be a better version of him.

“I don't deserve you,” he admitted and caressed her cheek gently.

“Start, then,” she challenged him with a cracked smile and patted his chest before going out of the house.

And even though Sauron was tempted to stay inside and wait for Lady Galadriel to show up, he walked out as well and went to the forge nearby where he was supposed to start his own training to be able to earn the guild crest.

Humiliating it was and very humbling for the disciple of Aulë to be reduced to the role of a common smith's errand boy.

When Sauron was coming back from work, it was getting dark already. He was walking slowly down the steps and whistling the very same song he had heard earlier that day – the one Halbrand's wife had been singing.

In his hands he was carrying a few coins he had earned on that day and he was playing with them by tossing them in the air and catching them swiftly right after. As he approached the harbour, he spotted (Y/N) standing by one of the wooden tables and selling the goods to the people standing in the queue.

He wondered why she was left alone by the stand but assumed the woman working with her was having a break. And the closer to the market he was getting, the more he could see how stressed Halbrand's wife seemed to be.

“You useless woman, you can't even count properly, can you?!” Sauron heard some man's harsh words due to the fact his hearing was much better than if he was truly human.

“I-I'm sorry, I'm still learnin'. How much do I owe ye, then?” (Y/N) was trying to sound nice.

“You're good for nothing, stupid wench,” the man spat out. “Where is Bellona?”

“She had to leave earlier today. Please, it is no big deal. Let me just give you back the money and–”

“You should go back to Middle-earth where low women like you belong,” the man interrupted her.

Sauron didn't think much in that moment as the primal instincts took over him. He hid his coins away and hurried to (Y/N)'s stand as he grabbed the rude man by his tunic and turned him around.

“Are you bothering my wife?” He asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Hal!” (Y/N) squealed, looking nervously at the guards that were already coming their way after sensing trouble. “Let go of him, I beg ye! Ye promised me ye wouldn't–”

“Oh, but it's different, is it not? This man deserves it,” Sauron hissed out and when he was sure that (Y/N) kept glancing at the guards, he allowed his eyes to transform into two snake-like orbs that visibly terrified the rude man.

Sauron let go of his tunic the moment he heard the guards standing behind him and the man hurried away as quickly as possible.

“It's nothin', it's nothin'!” (Y/N) exclaimed at the guards. “I'm closin' for the day! Please, let us go.”

The men looked at each other but since the other man had run away and did not file any complaint, they just shrugged their arms and walked away alongside the rest of the people waiting in the queue.

“Ye promised!” (Y/N) gave Sauron a very scolding look as she busied herself with tidying up the stand and collecting the money.

“If you think I am going to let some bastard treat you this way, love, then you are mistaken. If I must rot in that cell for a lifetime, then I shall,” Sauron shrugged his arms and Halbrand's wife looked at him as if he had just said something crazy.

“Since when are ye so gifted with words, Hal?” She chuckled and shook her head. “Anyhow, in that cell, ye won't be 'round to protect me. Foolish, it'd be, but ye've never been the brightest, have ye?” she pointed out and Sauron gritted his teeth with an eye roll.

She kept blabbering to him about her day while they walked back to their house and even though it was a short road, it felt like forever due to her talking. However, Sauron was very surprised at the sight of Lady Galadriel sitting by the table when they entered the house.

He had been waiting for her to come and now he was shocked, nearly startled. As if he had forgotten already about his scheme.

“Oi!” (Y/N) put her hands on her hips. “Is it not illegal to sneak up on folk like that inside their own homes, Elf?!” She asked. “When'll ye leave us be, huh?”

“The Queen Regent agreed to gather the army. They will seek for the volunteers,” Galadriel announced. “People of Númenor might not need you, Halbrand, but when we arrive in The Southlands, a strong leader will be needed. Someone to unite and show the way.”

“Someone to lie, ye say,” (Y/N) rolled her eyes and finally closed the door behind her. “But go on, Elf, keep talkin'. I'm sure my husband'll agree sooner or later. Vain as he is, always has been,” she sighed as if she was defeated.

Sauron felt an odd tug inside his heart at those words. Even though going with Galadriel to Middle-earth and continuing his plan while leaving annoying (Y/N) behind would be an ideal outcome… He felt challenged now to refuse Galadriel just to show (Y/N) that he could do better than that.

“I have already told the Queen Regent who you most likely are,” Galadriel insisted, ignoring Halbrand's wife and looking deep into his eyes.

“You must be desperate,” he pointed out with a smirk and watched his angry wife unpacking the groceries from her wicker basket on the kitchen counter.

“Of course I am. And you should be, too. It is about your home. Why do you give up on it so easily?” Galadriel wondered out loud.

“It gave up on us long before we ever gave up on it,” (Y/N) turned around to answer her.

“This land was your place in Middle-earth. It was giving you vegetables to eat, grass to feed your animals with, clean water from the rivers…” Lady Galadriel pointed out.

“And what do ye know about it, grand Elf?” (Y/N) rolled her eyes at that. “It ain't easy work growin' yer vegetables an' keepin' yer animals alive. One bad winter's all it takes to take away yer loved ones, yer cows, horses, an' chickens. I've no love for that land,” she stated, harshly.

“You can change the fate of people who suffer like you have suffered…” Galadriel's voice softened. “As their Queen,” she tempted and Sauron raised an eyebrow, surprised to see how dirty she could play.

Nearly as dirty as him.

“Me? A Queen?” (Y/N) laughed at that. “I can't even read!” She only said and turned around again to deal with the groceries.

“Halbrand, please. They need you,” Galadriel stood up and put her hand on his shoulder before lowering her voice. “I need you,” she added and looked down before leaving the house quietly.

Long silence occurred between Sauron and Halbrand's wife.

“Go with her,” (Y/N) muttered.

“What?” Sauron looked at her, surprised. She turned around to lay her wet eyes on him.

“I know ye want to. Just go, claim the title that's not yours, go on. But don't be stupid enough to think she'd ever want ye the way ye want her. Please, husband, don't embarrass yerself by thinkin' she'd want a filthy, ragged commoner,” (Y/N) whispered but in her voice there was no malice – it was pure worry and concern. Love.

“I'm not that stupid,” Sauron approached her with hesitance and put his hands on her arms to comfort her. “I know you're the only woman who is crazy enough to love me.”

“But is that enough to make ye stay?” She asked and her lower lip trembled.

He did not answer but he pulled her close to his chest to wrap his arms around her and kiss the top of her head.

Sauron was laying awake all night long as usual, caressing the back of Halbrand's wife and staring at the ceiling. He knew they would gather the volunteers on the next day and he still was not sure what to do.

The path he had chosen for himself was not so certain anymore. He truly did not mind the life he had here in Númenor and even (Y/N)'s presence was becoming less and less annoying to him. In fact – even though she had no idea who he truly was – it felt oddly nice to be loved and taken care of. As simple as that.

He extended his hand to the nightstand and brushed the pendant laying there with his fingertips as he remembered the very first conversation he had had with the heraldry's original owner – Diarmid.

“A sure path may crumble, but there's always another. Often, it can lead us someplace better. Someplace good. They say there's a place across the sea, a man can escape himself. Find another path. Perhaps another life.”

What if it was a second chance for him? Not for Sauron, but for the real him – Mairon…? What if it was his chance to get redeemed? To be at peace finally as if all the suffering Morgoth had put him through had never taken place?

(Y/N) shifted slightly in his arms and he looked down at her face that was now lit up by the first rays of the rising sun getting through the window. At that moment, that common and simple woman looked like the most beautiful creature in the whole world to him. And she certainly felt like peace.

“Is it time to wake up now, love?” She mumbled out, sleepily.

“No, love, not yet. I will tell you when,” he assured her.

“Good,” she smiled and nuzzled her face deeper into him.

“(Y/N)?” Sauron swallowed a lump in his throat as he fidgeted with the pendant between his fingers.

“Hm?”

“What if I told you I was not your husband?” He tried to make it sound light-hearted as if he was jesting. “That I'm a spirit that took over his body at that time when he was away while the village was being attacked?” He looked down at her, nervously.

“Ye're crazy, Hal,” she chuckled and opened her eyes lazily. Then, she tilted her head and reached her hand up to caress his hair. “But, mayhaps, I'd believe that, ye know? 'Cause ye've changed a lot since then,” she admitted and hesitated for a moment as she bit on her lower lip. “It doesn't matter, love. I love ye the way ye are now – more than I've ever loved ye, even though I didn't think it was possible,” she confessed and Sauron felt his heart swelling inside his chest as he leaned down to join their lips together in a loving kiss.

As he watched the ships sail away on that day, Sauron couldn't believe that he was simply letting them go. He saw Lady Galadriel standing in her shining armour, holding her sword. She was still glancing at him as if she expected him to jump into the waters and join them no matter what.

He wondered why she was so drawn to him, even after (Y/N)'s big mouth had made it clear that he was not any forgotten king. Could Galadriel feel who he was, deep inside?

But who was he? He was not sure anymore.

So, he looked away and went back on the road that would lead him to the forge where he worked these days. He was told he would get his guild crest very soon because they were in awe of his extraordinary talents.

Not only talent was his quality, though. It was also how much he was able to work at once and without breaks. At least it had been this way until recently.

It was the first time ever when he felt… tired. In the simplest and most common way, he felt exhausted and his stomach seemed to demand to have a meal. He nearly fainted at the end of his shift and when he dragged his feet back home, he was yawning. Surely, it would worry him under any other circumstances but now he was simply too tired to overthink what could have caused it. Was it some sort of a curse put on him by angry Lady Galadriel?

“Halbrand!” (Y/N)'s worried tone brought him back to reality when he entered the house.

She hurried to him and cupped his cheeks with widened eyes.

“Love, ye're so pale, an' the bags under yer eyes… What happened?!”

“Nothing happened,” Sauron shrugged his arms. “I'm just tired, that's it. I nearly fainted,” he admitted and sat down on the chair, sighing out of relief to finally be able to rest a little.

“Well, that's no wonder! Ye've been eatin' half meals for weeks now!” Halbrand's wife pointed out in a scolding manner. “We're not starvin' anymore, Hal, ye don't have to keep givin' me yer portions!” She exclaimed and approached the stove to pour him a bowl full of soup. “Here, eat,” she ordered as she placed it in front of him.

And, for some reason, Sauron ate all of it in a blink of an eye. He even asked for one more portion as Halbrand's wife gave it to him gladly but not without more of her whining about him being irresponsible. Then he asked for another and after three bowls of her soup, he finally felt better.

His stomach was no longer hurting at least, but he was still sleepy.

“Go, take some rest, love,” (Y/N) shook her head. “Ye don't sleep enough, don't eat enough. At least ye're not drinkin' and gamblin' anymore, but ye can't go on like this. Do ye want to die before forty, Hal? I ain't lettin' that happen!” She continued with her usual whining and he rolled his eyes.

“How can I rest when you keep your mouth open?!” Sauron asked and she huffed but she went silent and left him alone in the bedroom as she went back to the kitchen to clean the bowl after his soup.

It was the very first time when Sauron fell asleep not out of boredom or the need of dissociation but out of exhaustion.

And when he opened his eyes again, it was the next morning already and (Y/N) was shaking him to wake him up.

“Halbrand! Ye're gonna be late for work!” She exclaimed.

“But… I'm still tired…” He mumbled out, not understanding what was happening to him.

“Like all of us working folk each mornin'!” (Y/N) laughed. “Come on, I'm not lettin' ye out without breakfast, go to the kitchen,” she hurried him and he rubbed his eyes before nodding at her.

Sauron began to suspect that he was turning into a human for some time now but it took an unusual revelation to convince him that it was truly happening indeed.

(Y/N) was grinning widely on that day when he came back home and she welcomed him by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him all over his face as he tried to give back some of the kisses. When she finally stopped, she fixed his brand new guild crest and batted her eyelashes while looking up to stare into his eyes.

“What is it?” He asked.

“I think I'm expectin', Hal,” she told him, excitedly. “I wasn't sure but my friends at work said those are the very symptoms!” She added happily and he froze as he blinked slowly a few times, trying to process the new information.

“That is… Impossible,” he furrowed his brows.

“I used to think so, too. Married for so long with no babe of our own but I was wishin' and hopin' and here we are!” She clapped her hands like an excited child. “Perhaps it was that damned Middle-earth not being good for us, Hal, but here we can!”

Sauron took a deep breath in. She didn't understand – it was not about being fertile or not. It was about the fact he was a Maia and there was no possibility of him putting a baby in her without doing it with his own free will.

Unless…

“You're not sleeping around, are you?” He asked before he could think about the rubbish leaving his mouth.

(Y/N) froze at his words and her smile turned into a frown. She approached him at this very moment and slapped his face. Hard. He could feel it like any mortal would now and he admitted it truly hurt.

“How dare ye, Halbrand?! Ye wretched bastard! Even if ye meant to jest, that was uncalled for!” She raised her voice as he rubbed his cheek and winced out of pain.

“I'm sorry, love, I haven't thought before speaking. I just can't believe it…” He tried to excuse himself. “Please, forgive me.”

Her face didn't look so angry anymore but she didn't say anything and turned around without a word to walk away.

In fact, she didn't say a word to him for the rest of the day and only at night when she was deep asleep, he dared to touch her abdomen slightly with his hand.

He wasn't able to feel any presence there but these days he couldn't feel anything, to be honest. He couldn't hear nor see as much either. He was losing his abilities as time was passing.

Sauron kept his hand there, on the belly of Halbrand's wife, and he sighed. It was happening, whether he liked it or not. And he was not even sure anymore if he wanted it or not.

As he got lost in the train of thought, he realised that he had been caressing (Y/N) abdomen all that time without thinking. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled gently at him.

“Hal, ye son of a bitch,” she shook her head and giggled as she took his hand carefully and brought it to her lips to place a few small and sweet kisses upon his knuckles. “I swear, ye're gonna be the death of me.”

“And you are going to be the death of me,” he chuckled and leaned in to peck her lips.

She was going to be. Literally.

This body would start growing old normally now and, eventually, he would pass away like every mortal. But maybe he would do that laying in a bed, holding her hand and surrounded by their children.

When they broke the kiss, (Y/N) smiled widely and caressed her husband's cheeks lovingly. She looked ethereal at that moment and a crazy thought appeared inside of his head.

“Tell me, love,” he started and she raised an eyebrow at him, “are you a spirit sent to me from Valinor to lead me back on the right path? Have I passed the test?” He dared to ask and he could swear, there was a small sparkle lighting up her eyes for a short while. But then, she only laughed.

“Go back to sleep, ye madman,” she patted his chest lightly and turned around while laughing softly.

He kept staring at her for some time more, then he went back to looking at the ceiling. And, eventually, he turned around as well to wrap his arm around the waist of Halbrand's wife.

His wife.

Halbrand was coming back from work slowly while playing with the little horse forged out of iron in his hand as he hummed a song. The sun was setting slowly on the horizon when he approached the harbour where (Y/N) was slowly tidying up her stand on the market.

Her own one, that she had earned finally and was so proud of it as she was working for herself now and was able to bring more money home.

He watched her tidy up with a loving smile and their son was helping her while talking to her excitedly about something – his mouth would never close just like his mother's.

“Daddy!” He spotted him finally and ran up to him as (Y/N) chuckled.

“Hey, little man,” Halbrand crouched down to give his son a hug. “How was your day?”

“It was good!” The boy nodded. “I helped mummy a bit. And yours, daddy?”

“I made this for you,” Halbrand handed him the little horse and the boys' eyes sparkled at the sight.

“So pretty! Thank you, daddy!” He wrapped his little arms around Halbrand's neck to give him another hug and Halbrand patted his back.

“And for me?! For me?!” He felt something tugging at his tunic and he laughed at the sight of his excited daughter. He gave her a hug, too and caressed her ruffled hair as she gave him a toothless smile.

“I have something for you, too, Princess,” Halbrand assured her and took another item out of his pocket – a seashell made out of iron.

He had made sure it was crafted with the best precision and with all the tiny details, therefore it looked nearly like a real seashell. Only it was silver, which made it even better in his little girl's eyes.

“Thank you, daddy!” She giggled as she squinted her eyes at the shell and kept examining it under every possible angle.

“You spoil 'em way too much!” (Y/N) stood above him and he stood up to greet her with a short peck on the cheek.

“Somebody has to,” Halbrand answered playfully and his wife shot him a glance, which made his son giggle.

“Stop sayin' nonsense and let's go back home,” she shook her head and walked away slowly.

He watched his children follow her happily and he did, too, but much slower as he stared at the sun setting on the horizon. The sky looked like a canva full of pink and orange hues and he took a deep breath in at the beauty of it.

It was nearly as peaceful and beautiful as back in the day in Valinor. Mortals perhaps were not welcome there but, apparently, they could also experience wonders as marvellous.

And perhaps this whole life was built on a lie because he couldn't imagine telling (Y/N) the truth about who he truly was and that her real husband had been dead for years. That he had died because of gambling and drinking after leaving her alone when she was being attacked by the Orcs. There was no point in telling her even if she would somehow believe him. It would only bring her useless pain and he knew very well that her actual husband would most likely never do all these things he had done to make her happy. He would not love her right like he could.

“Ye comin', Hal?” His wife's voice brought him back to reality.

Halbrand nodded at her and joined her side to take his daughter by her little hand.

After all, it was not the sunset but her and her brother that were the real wonders. And it was not Númenor that he called home but it was them – they were his better place.

MASTERLIST

[pappydaddy]

Tiktok is literally hell, most people have the worst takes for characters and completely lack common sense. Stancy is popular there bc they see two pretty people together who had history, slap a Taylor Swift song over it and call it a day. If Jancy had any screentime together we wouldn't see so many edits because people can apparently only focus on one season and disregard any other shit.

A few days ago someone commented under my anti Stancy comment that Nancy was the one who made Steve in the fan favorite character he is. Lmao yeah give all his development to his cheater ex gf who did nothing, she never begged him to change. Steve left his friends at the end of s1 bc he wanted to, granted bc he liked Nancy but still. To completely undermine his character in such a take is disgusting.

In my humble opinion Nancy never truly loved Steve, not in a way he loved her. For her he was a safety blanket, in a way he was kinda like her dad (not personality wise) but in terms of being wealthy and stable so instead of choosing Jonathan, who she always wanted she dragged Steve along for year. Steve represents the suburban life even back in s1 which she absolutely hates and Jonathan was always painted as like rebellion and adventure. I've seen tiktok comments saying oh Steve probably doesn't force her to have kids or that many, so it's fine she can live her dream and he will be a malewife. However why is that Steve is the one who has to hold back his dreams? Like yeah he wouldn't force her but that will only result in them resenting each other. It's clear he wants someone to raise those kids together with not just him alone. They just don't work so I hope the take you mentioned of him confessing to Nancy is him finally moving on he said everything he needed to let go. I'm begging at this point lol.

I still didn't like Nancy in s3, the way she treated Jonathan and their argument said more about her person than anything else. Granted both were wrong but her actions got never any repercussions, instead Jonathan was the one apologizing to her and she was like yeah now never doubt anything I say or do bc I'm never wrong. She can't own her mistakes and the show never addresses it. I like mean women but if there are never any consequences to her actions it's infuriating. Steve never got an apology from her after she cheated and still believes he's the worst bf ever but that's okay bc Nancy is our girlboss with guns.

The best outcome for those three characters would be anyone stay single. Stancy is toxic af, and Steve deserves better. Nancy deserves her career and Jonathan deserves someone who doesn't emotionally cheat as soon as he's not there.

Back to tiktok and their takes, I've seen so many people now saying if Stancy isn't endgame bc it's not going to be they kill Steve off. In fact I've seen ppl beg for it to happen and I'm sick to my stomach. Why doesn't he deserve a happy ending just bc his ex doesn't take him back. Steve dying would impact so many people, especially Dustin it would be cruel of the writers to take away Dustin's other big brother figure. And Robin losing the only person who truly understands her??? How is that fair. The fandom focuses way too much on ships than on the actual characters. I'm just saying how can you ship Stancy and claim to love Steve?

I'm so scared for s5 bc after what they did in vol2 I don't trust them. I love Steve sm as you can probably tell lol, he's like top3 of fictional boyfriends for me and him potentially not getting a happy end or dying for his toxic ex is making me ill. I just want him to live, find a girl or guy whatever to have his big family in the future. He deserves it sm, like I know the show doesn't address his trauma, physical or emotional, but he gave so much for this group and to just die it's not fair.

Obx anon

Ps I'm so sorry for not checking in more regularly life is crazy lol, I hope you're doing good ❤️

ugh, i know! tik tok is pretty bad sometimes, though not quite as bad as twitter yet. they claim that general flaws are toxic, but yet, they are supporting/shipping stancy? make it make sense.

nancy and jonathan's fight in season 3 kinda shows how privileged nancy has been all her life compared to jonathan. she jumped head first into this hunch because she wasn't scared of getting fired. she never once considered how much work jonathan had to put in just to get that job and he wasn't going to lose it over a hunch because that could ruin jonathan's future. they were both at fault in a way, so they both should have recognized their roles. this is exactly what i mean when i say the writers seem to want us to hate nancy because they do shit like what happened in season 4 and what is listed above.

i want nancy to grow as a character and i think that can only be done by her being single and exploring herself. and, whatever they do, not have stancy get back together. their dynamic in season 4 literally made me almost physically sick. hopefully, that was just a repercussion of the upside-down being stuck in 1983 and season 5 will not have this horrible content.

and, back to tik tok, they were all just saying that if steve was killed off they wouldn't watch it anymore? like make up your mind, please?

and, to your last point, that's okay lovely! i love how you back me up with really good points when i post rants like this! and don't i know life is crazy! but i'm surviving and keeping afloat, how about you?

[seongoftheheart]

The Angel and the Monsterᵗᵐ

Seongjoong drabble (700 words)

---

The freezer aisle was a godsend, Hongjoong thought. Whoever invented it deserved a nobel prize. He stood almost zombie-like in front of the dairy section, reveling in the cool breeze washing over his skin. He could very easily fall back asleep like this. It was so early, and his eyes were so itchy. His short white hair was sticking up on one side, and his mouth still tasted of sleep. His tiny city apartment was overly hot, with too much insulation and too old to have air con.

Hongjoong's eyes drooped closed, and he heaved a sigh. It was so nice here, with the quiet hum of the freezers and the ambient drone of shoppers. He was so, so tired...

A shoulder barged into his roughly, sending him toppling into the butter.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there!"

Hongjoong, in all of his sleep deprived glory, grit his teeth, and mustered the fakest looking grin he could before turning around. The grin promptly fell from his face.

He was hallucinating now. It was so early, and he was so exhausted that he was now seeing angels in the middle of the supermarket. Was it his time? Had the all-nighters and copious amounts of caffeine finally caught up to him?

The person in front of him looked like he could have been crafted by the gods themselves, in his humble opinion. Beautiful dark eyes stared back at him, black bangs brushing his lids and falling into them. His nose was long and straight, with a slight elegant hook at the end, and his lips were full and pink. Lips that were currently moving and forming words aimed at him.

"-re you ok??"

"What?"

Hongjoong's dopey brain hadn't caught up in time, and now he was left staring dumbly at the angelic hallucination, who smiled slightly.

"I asked if you were alright, you seem really out of it," he repeated slowly, eyes searching Hongjoong's face. Hongjoong felt his cheeks flush

"I- uhh- y-yeah, I'm alright," his attempted smile looked pained.

The angel looked at him doubtfully, "Are you sure?? You look half asleep, and its only..." He checked his watch, "Eleven thirty in the morning. Did you hit your head? Oh my god, I'm so sorry, my car's just outside, I can take you to the hospital-" The angel was looking frantic now, hands flapping slightly as he looked Hongjoong over and looked around for help.

"I- I'm fine, really, just... just woke up," he stuttered out, hands reaching up to calm the angel. The angel looked at him doubtfully.

"Are you sure? Do you have a headache at all, feel sick? What year is it?" The angel leaned closer, gripping his basket tightly and searching his eyes. Hongjoong sighed again, feeling awkward with the amount of eye contact.

"Yeah, I'm fine, really," he met his eyes, trying to convey that he was telling the truth. The hallucination looked hesitant, fiddling with the shopping basket hanging from it's forearm.

"I-if you don't mind, I'd like to accompany you shopping, just to make sure..." he trailed off, eyes drifting to the floor as he shuffled his feet. Hongjoong stared incredulously.

"You're the nicest hallucination I've ever met," he blurted out. The angel's head whipped up, eye's staring wildly. Hongjoong started backtracking immediately.

"I- I mean- you're just- just so p- pretty, i just assumed, and- and usually people- people don't talk to me in the- in the mornings, and I'm... just going to stop... talking now..." he trailed off and found himself staring at the floor, wishing to find a hole to crawl in and die.

"O-oh."

Please, please could the gods just smite him right where he stood.

"I see."

The floor looked slightly grubby, scuffs from trolleys and shoes everywhere.

"I'd still like to accompany you, even more so now, to make sure you don't keel over in the middle of the supermarket."

Hongjoong dared to raise his head slightly, and met the not-angel's wide eyes. He was now a pretty flushed pink, and his tongue kept darting out to wet his lips in what seemed like a nervous habit.

---

long time no see??? i'm back baybee σ(￣∇￣;) back w/ a little drabble of seongjoong meeting in a supermarket that i wrote in an hour,,, dont expect much lol, enjoyyy~

[mimus-mortuis]

Over the past two days I have read a great many opinions about what happened in the video, and this is what I want to say.

We can endlessly run through the options, we can theorize and search for the truth trying to answer the question "Why did this happen? But right now my subjective view is that those who left the Rainbow simply forgot why they went there. They have forgotten for what and why Rainbow exists in the first place.

All this talk of "superior resources" and "cosmic possibilities" is just a whim.

And let's not say it's the "wrong move." What kind of normal soldier, when offered to join an organization that obviously does not save kittens from trees and probably are the same terrorists will just say "yes fine I'm fine with everything where to sign?"

A soldier who positions himself as a "fighter for world peace" must have a very clear concept of duty. And the acceptance of that duty. Just like any other soldier. And this duty must be above all and done no matter what. Even if it means going to the moon all alone and guarding the American flag for the rest of your life you have to do it. Otherwise, tell me what's the point?

If you want an example from another game here fits the famous Captain Shepard. This man knows what it is. This man lived for it and he would die for it. And he actually died for it.

He might have said "to hell" with it a thousand times and found a "better prospect," but he knew what duty was and he stuck to it to the end, even if it meant going straight to hell, even if it meant working for terrorists, even if it meant getting the Alliance to turn on him, even if it meant dying, he was just doing his job. He knew what he was shooting for.

If you want a clearer, brighter example we can take the Nightwatch known to many. If you went there of your own free will you could run away having learned of the difficulties and find "better prospects" and even if you were a criminal who ended up there as punishment you could run to the end of the world and find something "better for yourself" because literally anything is better than living on an ice wall for the rest of your life. But look did any of them escape? Did any of them leave their post even if it meant staying here forever without the possibility of having a family and a child dear to their hearts? Did any of them leave their post even if it meant freezing their dick off in an icy winter wind or dying at their post somewhere behind a wall in the icy lonely desert without anyone even knowing about it? No. And do you know why? Because it was their duty, even if they wanted different things out of life, even if they didn't feel good about it, even if they thought they deserved better, those men knew what duty was. And they knew it was above all because they also knew they were the last line of defense.

Duty is not about "what you want," it's about "what you must humbly accept". Because there's "work" and then there's "service." And service is always a self-sacrifice. You have to come to a job like this with a clear understanding of what it means for you. You must understand what you are signing up for. If you do and you're not comfortable with it, do something else. You're not cut out for this.

Why am I writing all this? I don't know. Maybe I'm overreacting maybe I'm just angry. Maybe I think about it too much or maybe I'm just disappointed in these people.

Because these people put their "I want" first.

Because the people who left the Rainbow don't know what duty is. Or they have forgotten what it is. Or they never knew what it was at all. Or maybe they just decided that "I've done enough and given enough and now it's time to have some fun and live for myself". I don't know. Why did you even come in the first place?

If that's really the case, and if that's not Harry's plan, maybe it's for the best, because people like that don't belong in Rainbow.

Because Zero knows what I'm talking about. And Ash knows. And most of those who have sided with her know. They stand their post and they will stand because they understand "who else but them?"

With a shield or on a shield.

P.S. I'm trying to look for deep meaning in some silly game look what I've come to.