#I have been like this for a long time! For at least 4 or 5 years now? making chibifurs but not feeling like I fitted in

[statesys]

1 — membercount + does it change at all ??

currently we're at 19 / possibly 20 I believe ?? though this number does change frequently as we're still figuring stuff out etc ..

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2 — what are your collective pronouns, if you have any ??

- it / they(plural) :]

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3 — what's your sys name + how did you choose it ??

- we chose State System ( /state sys ) because, as a mediple, we feel more like states than full alters/members as it were ?? and also because state sys sounds similar to stasis, as we feel we were in "stasis" as Myles was going through Denial™ ik ik very creative ( we did go through various names though lol )

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4 — activities you all like to do together ?? collective hobbies maybe ?

- we can't really properly do things < together > but we do collectively enjoy certain shows .. and a few of us share interests ( i.e. avena and gab both like making moodboards, etc ) plus most of us are pretty passionate about crochet / general crafts ^_^

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5 — what sort of music do folk in the system like ?

- hard to say .. most of us like a lot of rock/rock subgenres, with also like .. whatever genres gigi perez, alex g, ewy, adrianne lenker etc are .. ? but also like jazz and goth and just .. honestly we like a lot lmao .. :']

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6 — average statemate age ??

- most of us are between 15 - 17 and 20ish lol, with the exception of some way younger and way older

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7 — do y'all have a singletsona ?? if so, talk about them !

- we sorta do !! online we're trying to make "Mervyn" our singletsona, they're very body-based ( as in, any physical things + general interests n personality etc are a unspecified mix of freq fronters ) while also offline we're [Bodysname] and are mostly influenced by Myles, Gabrielle and Willa lol, so we fit into that .. ?

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8 — does anyone in your sys have roles ?? if so, which roles ?

- technically we have roles listed in a member intro rentry ( though a lot are "pending" - ), but those are more to help others understand / are auxiliary roles, as we aren't really very strict ab adhering to them. there are certain states who deal w certain tasks but hmm .. generally we use stuff like Host, Protector, Holder, etc

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9 — how long have y'all been a sys and/or known of your systemhood ?

- difficult question .. we've known we were something plural for a while, but only recently ( 2023ish to 2024ish ) really came to terms w it and started really trying to communicate n such, which has been a slow process .. but actually < being > a sys could date back wayyy long lol

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10 — what does switching feel like to you all, if you switch at all ?

- switching is sorta more like this[link] but that's not as common as simply co-influencing/fronting !

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11 — are y'all switches voluntary/involuntary/a mix ?? how often are switches, if they happen at all ?

- a mix, usually they're quite voluntary ( /purposeful ) but we've had a few involuntary switches etc before, which are also increasing in frequency !

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12 — what's your favourite part of being a sys ??

- I think really just not being alone "anymore" now we've come to terms with it ? it's like, especially for us, having folk always with you that just .. get you .. and every time we learn something new it's js so. fun. /gen

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13 — least favourite part of being a system, if comfortable sharing ??

- probably the denial spirals that some of us ( mainly Myles ) have sometimes, even if we're working on those, as they damage us a sys and also as individuals .. and maybe all the things that js come w trauma, even if being a sys helps us cope with it all it's still. there. and being a sys sometimes feels like a reminder of that for some of us. /neu /nav

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14 — does each statemate generally differ from the physical body ? if so, how do they differ ??

- we're definitely all distinctly different in some ways, generally source related ones, but our appearances all have like .. similarities to the body .. even if they're not very noticeable at first glance / could appear js source accurate ? ( i.e. we almost all have freckles that vary in ways but generally look like our Bodys, even if source didn't have any )

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15 — are any of you fictives / factives / etc ?? tell us a little about them !!

- we're actually all fictives except for Gabrielle n Sapphire LOL ?? plus we maybe have a factive n some others .. some of us are editives[link] too technically !

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16 — does any sensory things differ between statemates ?

- oh definitely, although we're still figuring them all out and generally they're all similar. this goes for taste and sound mostly !!

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17 — does anybeing have different accents orr speak different languages ??

- some of us have minor source related accents, mostly notable with Angel lol .. hmm languages is hard, Adel speaks French in source but can't speak it when (co-)fronting .. same for Willa with German and Spanish :'] though we're trying to learn French n Spanish both out of mutual interest + to help those who spoke it in source but can't now !!

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18 — how would you describe your system in 3 words orr less ??

- confusing fluzzy family >:]

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19 — do you have any queer states ?? what do they identify as ?

- the real question is do we have any who AREN'T queer hehe .. ( which rn is is no 0_0 )

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20 — does anyone outside of the internet know you’re a system ??

- no .. we're just odd ..

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21 — advice you'd give to yourselves when you were first discovering your sys ??

- I suppose to js not worry about labels so much, like with everything plurality is really personal ( the brainnnn ) and stressing over trying to squeeze into boxes won't work, they're there to assist not define !! .. and also to listen to the others and let them actually speakkk 👍

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; whooosh this was funn ^_^

- Myles/Alastor/Mikey ( mostly )

Plural Ask Game

We figured we’d try making an ask game! This is for anyone who’s a system–regardless of origin–to use. Remember that you’re not obligated to answer any of these if any are too personal!

How many members are in your system, and does this number change frequently?

What are your collective pronouns, if you have any?

What’s your system name if you have one, and how did you choose it?

Are there any activities your system members like to do together? Collective hobbies? Talk about those!

What sort of music do people in your system like?

What’s the average age of your systemmates?

If you have a singletsona, what is it? Explain a bit about them!

Does anyone in your system have roles? If so, what roles?

How long have you been a system and/or known of your system?

How did you discover your system? What was the process?

What does switching feel like to you, if you switch at all? 

Are your switches voluntary, involuntary or a mix? How often do you do it, if at all?

What’s your favourite part of being a system?

What’s your least favourite part of being a system, if you’re comfortable sharing?

Are your headmates generally different from the physical body? How do they differ from it?

Do you have any fictives/factives/etc? Tell us a little about them!

Does your system have a headspace? Are there multiple of them? What are they like?

Are there differences between systemmates surrounding sensory things? (For example, one person likes the taste of one food and another doesn’t.)

Does anyone have any different accents, or speak any different languages?

How would you describe your system in 3 words or less?

Do you have any LGBT+ headmates? What do they identify as?

Does anyone outside of the internet know you’re a system?

Do you have any cool/funny stories from inside the headspace that you’d like to share?

What’s some advice you’d give to yourself when you were first discovering your system?

What is something you wish singlets knew about plurality?

[oh-no-its-bird]

Celebrating my 21'st birthday by posting an obnoxious amount of

Warring States Hatake OC things !

Continuing the warring states era Hatake oc train as I try to fill up all 21 slots for the clan !!! I honestly don't know if I'll make all 21, but I'd like to at least give them all names, just to make the world feel lived in. I might ask someone else to donate an oc or two in the future to guest star in the cast, idk

But anyways !!!! In a clan who loves to adopt, it stands to reason that they ofc have people among them who weren't born Hatake.

With that said: Pyromaniac explosion enthusiast Hatake who was a failed bloodline theft anyone ???

Both Sora and Tsuki are pretty fucking horrendous towards Tetsuo, but in large part it's Tsuki leading the charge. Sora follows his lead, as he's the first friend she made in the clan. They're honestly pretty close

Meanwhile: Sora remains the biggest Haruka fan ever. Being saved from the bloodline thief camp by the woman really cemented her in her mind as her hero.

After Sora lost her arm at 12 when playing with an explosion seal she'd explicitly been told not to play with, Tsuki proposed they learn to do hand signs together.

Sora would eventually be able to figure out how to do pull off a jutsu with only one hand, but it takes a long time to get there— and even when she is there, it still takes longer than if she had 2 hands. Working with Tsuki, they can both pull off just about any jutsu as fast as any one person can. Faster, even

Top ten images taken 5 seconds before disaster...

I was gonna draw 2 more pages for this, of the actual drowning attempt, but I got tired and wanted to post this today so you get a summary of what comes next instead. (Maybe I'll finish drawing it and post it separately another day)

Tsuki and Sora bullied Tetsuo pretty relentlessly till the boys were about 13, when Tsuki took things a step too far and basically tried to drown Tetsuo. Tetsuo fought back, beating both Tsuki and Sora's asses pretty soundly— and catching Haruka's attention in the process.

Seeing Tetsuo fend off the other two made up Haruka's mind, and she declared he'd be her new heir. Which he... didn't actually want to be. Oops!

Sora was pretty effectively scared out of bullying Tetsuo any further, and Tsuki mellowed out a good amount— though he remained mischievous, but that was pretty standard for him.

The blue tint of Tetsuo's skin would fade only some months later as he grew out of his Hoshigaki traits and into his Hatake blood. This also helped to lessen teasing from the other kids, along with the whole "he's the new clan heir now" thing.

Good for him.

The next day Tetsuo is super pissy and sleep deprived while Tsuki is suspiciously smug and well rested. On the bright side, Tetsuo has officially learned his lesson and will now refuse to let Tsuki ever give anyone anything he's drawn ominous spirals on.

As adults, Tetsuo and Tsuki are... fine, honestly. They're friends, in a way. Might even be counted as close— or as close as you can be, with Tsuki.

The fact that Tsuki got himself permanantly posessed by an Uzu spiral demon on that mission gone wrong in Wave doesn't make things as complicated than you'd think. Tetsuo seems to often land himself in the position of acting as Tsuki (and often times Sora's) handler.

I had a few more things I wanted to draw, but ran out of time. I'll probably just try and draw and post it later. No Sora piercing lore, Daisuke introduction post or full Tetsuo drowning comic for you!!! (Yet)

Umm final thoughts:

Tetsuo is doomed to forever be surrounded by maniacs

Early Konoha oc art pt. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

[voidsuites]

VOIDSUITES 10K CELEBRATION !!! ⌢ ✨ .ᐟ

so… 10k! 10,000!!! ten thousand little people in the world are following me on c.ai right now and that’s a little crazy to comprehend… they do say to do something you’re passionate about and people will follow, but this is just beyond anything i could ever imagine… so what better way to celebrate than with giving back to you guys!

for my mutuals… my lovely, lovely mutuals, here is your time to shine! if you want to send in a request, you can either:

send me a song along with your chosen character + the kind of scenario you’re picturing for it

OR

choose a prompt below and send it to me with the character you want! (if they’re shit my bad guys. lo siento 😭)

please send these requests to me via an ask— that way i can keep track of them in one place. just make sure you send them off of anon so i know who’s sending what :)

these requests can be based on canon or in an alternate universe (ex. think my fantasy bot release)

any character/media i’ve done is fair game! if i haven’t done a specific character yet but it’s in one of my fandoms then still send it my way!

like anything else, yap to your heart’s content! yap yap yap away… i love details <3333 the more the merrier

i’m going to take 15 requests in total, and i’ll reblog this post once they’ve all been filled. anything sent in afterwards won’t be done for this specific release (but i may hold onto them for later... hehe)

all in all, i just really want to say for the millionth bajillionth time thank you so, so much for making this a welcome space for me to be creative and interact with you all! you’ve all been so sweet to me and i really can’t convey just how much that means to me. hoping to get some long-form content out soon (longer than 2048 characters at the very least LOL) so keep an eye out for that! thank you for sticking around and following because you love messy tennis players, chefs that crash out at any minor inconvenience, kids who ride bikes and fight demonic entities in the 80s, big loser men who have issues, pretty women who can do no wrong, or whatever else that’s drawn you to my account here and/or on c.ai. couldn’t be more grateful than i am right now... going to go hide in my cave for the time being but each and every one of you is so loved by me i’m kissing all of u on the forehead okay bye

PROMPTS !!! ⌢ ✨ .ᐟ

1) “five minutes. all i need is five minutes.” 2) “i don’t know how long i can keep doing this.” 3) “you can’t be serious.” 4) “they don’t know you— not like i do.” 5) “stay the night. please.” 6) “do you wanna get out of here?” 7) “keep it. it suits you.” 8) “why’re you looking at me like that?” 9) “let me help you with that.” 10) “i just need more time.” 11) “you’ve got quite the reputation.” 12) “stay out of my business.” 13) “i believe you.” 14) “i wish i could hate you.” 15) “can i come in?” 16) “i have so much i want to say to you.” 17) “come on, it can’t be that bad.” 18) “like what you see?” 19) “you said this time would be different.” 20) “it’s very rude to stare.”

[foundtherightwords]

Fallen Empires - Chapter 13

Pairing: Geta x OFC

Summary: Having done the unthinkable to secure his throne, Emperor Geta rules with ruthlessness and paranoia. Now, after escaping an assassination attempt, a badly injured Geta is saved by Daphne, a young widow, who takes him back to her remote village without knowing his true identity. As Daphne nurses the former emperor back to health, attraction blooms between them, and Geta discovers a soft side he didn't know he possessed. But can their love survive his thirst for revenge and his desire to reclaim power?

Chapter warnings: mentions of war and death, non-explicit sex

Chapter word count: 3.6k

Prologue + Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12

Chapter 13

In the days following the end of the war with Parthia, Daphne's hut lost some of its quiet and isolation. Even on the top of the hill, Geta could hear wagons rattling their way back and forth across the border as trade resumed, and see soldiers of the auxiliaries, some riding donkeys and mules, but most on foot, making their way home, crowding the little path that wound its way through the hills. Geta watched them and wondered. Who were they coming home to? Did their families know they were on their way? Were they eager for the homecoming or dreading it, not knowing what they would find at the end of the long, weary journey?

And he thought of himself. He, too, must face his own homecoming soon. He didn't like to think of it. For one thing, he didn't know how Julia Maesa would receive him. She had never been that affectionate toward either of her nephews, busy as she was with her own family and ambitions. And he didn't know Hemesos well. It was more his mother's home than his. Where was his home, then? Rome? No, he had never felt quite at home there. The Severan had always been looked down upon by the Senate as a family of provincial upstarts. So why was he risking life and limbs to return to a place that never wanted him?

Daphne came out of the hut, cutting off his train of thought. "I may be a little later than usual," she told Geta while putting her medicine bags on Midas's back. "A few people were struck down with swamp fever, and I have to visit them all."

"I'll keep dinner waiting," Geta said, giving her hand a brief squeeze as she went past him. She smiled at him. She had been smiling at him a lot more lately, after they started sleeping in the same bed, yet no matter how many times he saw her smile, his heart never failed to leap and thump with joy at the sight of it. At least when he left, he would have the memory of those smiles with him.

Daphne took Midas's bridle and slowly made her way down the hill.

"And don't let Vulcan into the house!" she said over her shoulder.

"I won't," Geta said. He winked at Vulcan, now fully healed but still with a limp in his hind leg, as Daphne had predicted. Ever since his recovery, the little goat had been sticking close to Geta.

Geta watched until Daphne had rounded the large boulder hiding the path and vanished from sight. Then he turned back toward the hut, thinking of ways to fill his time until she returned.

A scream went up from the path.

"Daphne!" Geta shouted, jumping down the path two steps at a time. He ran around the boulder and saw Daphne and the donkey standing halfway down the hill, seemingly unharmed. But they weren't alone. Daphne had her arms around a man. A young man, with dark hair and dark eyes, dressed in the dusty garbs of a returning soldier.

At the sight of this man, Geta's heart dropped like a lead. Could it be—? It couldn't, could it? After eight years? But the gods worked in mysterious ways. Wasn't his own survival proof of that?

Noticing movements at the top of the path, the other man looked up from the embrace, and a frown—of surprise? Or dismay?—appeared on his face as he set eyes on Geta.

"Who is that?" the man asked.

Daphne lifted her face from the man's shoulder and wiped a quick hand across her tear-stained face. Following the man's eyes, she saw Geta as well, and a flush crept over her cheeks.

"His name is Romulus," she said. "He's a soldier and—he was wounded. So he's staying with me for a bit."

The man, still frowning, looked from Geta, poised at the top of the path as if frozen in place, to Daphne, whose eyes were fixed on the ground while her flush deepened. The silence stretched on unbearably.

Then Daphne, remembering herself, said, "Romulus, this is my brother, Attikos."

With that, the tension slid off of Geta like water off a duck's back. Her brother. Of course. Daphne had often mentioned Attikos. The middle one, who was in the army. How silly of him to forget that. Now that he was looking at them more closely and calmly, Geta could see the resemblance between brother and sister, not so much in appearance—Attikos favored their father, with a square jaw and blunt nose, as opposed to Daphne's more delicate features—but in their facial expressions and the way they carried themselves, which spoke of a closeness and a familiarity that were utterly unknown to him. He watched the two of them, feeling strangely envious of their easy rapport. He found himself thinking of Caracalla, and as always, guilt gnawed at his insides.

Attikos also relaxed. He came up the path and clasped hands with Geta. "You were in Parthia? Nisibis?" he asked.

Geta nodded warily. It was easier than explaining everything. Daphne seemed to realize the need to distract Attikos as well, for she quickly chimed in, "My apologies for screaming just then. But this one"—here she slapped her brother on the shoulder—"had the brilliant idea to hide behind a boulder and jump out at me. He was lucky I didn't stick him with my knife!"

"Sorry, sis," said Attikos with a grin. "Just wanted to surprise you. You should be honored that I made a detour to see you first—"

"You mean you haven't seen Ma and Mikkos?" Daphne exclaimed. "Then what are you still doing here? Come, come! I'll walk down with you." She steered her brother down the path, telling Geta over her shoulder as she went, "Don't wait for me."

But Attikos held Daphne back. "I have something to tell you," he said, throwing an uncertain glance at Geta.

Daphne noticed her brother's look and waved her hand. "Don't worry, you can trust him," she said, and added, by way of explanation, "I do." This last sentence was directed at Geta with another one of her smiles, and his heart fluttered.

"All right." Attikos put his hand into a pouch at his belt and drew out something, which he put into Daphne's palm. It was a silver ring, so tarnished that it appeared almost black, but Geta could still make out the design of a lover's knot on it. A betrothal ring.

Upon seeing it, Daphne went deathly pale. Her hand froze as if the ring had been an arrow shot through her palm, and she looked up at Attikos with a silent question in her wide-open eyes.

"During my last day at the garrison, a new troop came in to relieve us," Attikos began. "One of them, a Judean, was very excited when he learned I'm from Osroene." He paused, looking closely at his sister. "Daphne, he was in Caledonia. He knew Galen."

Daphne said nothing. She sat down on the stone step of the path, her fingers curled around the ring protectively, while still gazing at her brother with that mute, beseeching look that tore at Geta's heart. Attikos sat down next to her, while Geta remained standing behind them, unnoticed, unwanted, not knowing what to do.

"The Judean said Galen gave him this ring before he—before he died," Attikos continued. "To make sure it's returned to you. The Judean said he's sorry it's taken so long, but he's been moved from garrison to garrison this past eight years and never had a chance to make it to Osroene."

Daphne looked down at the ring. "Did the Judean tell you what happened to him, to Galen?" she asked. Her voice was quiet, emotionless.

Attikos gave Geta a brief look, apparently seeking a fellow soldier's advice. Receiving only Geta's carefully blank gaze in return, Attikos looked back at his sister and decided he knew her better, after all. "There was an ambush," he said. "Galen took an arrow in the back. He hung on for four days, but they couldn't save him."

Geta wanted to shout at the younger man and tell him to stop, because Daphne's whole body was shaking, from the hand clutching at the ring to her shoulders, to even the knot of hair on the nape of her neck, as though she was in great pain. But he could only stand there, watching helplessly. An ambush? There had been so many ambushes in Caledonia. Had Geta himself led this particular charge? Had he brought Daphne's husband to his death?

A tear fell from Daphne's face to the dusty ground. Geta moved toward her, but Attikos, being closer, was already patting her shoulder awkwardly. "I'm sorry, sis," he said.

Daphne took a few shuddering gulps, then she straightened up and wiped her face with the end of her stole. "No, don't be," she said. "You brought Galen's memento back to me, and for that I'm thankful. And I'm thankful that you're home safe." She got to her feet and slipped the ring into her pouch. "Now, let's take you to Ma. She'll be overjoyed."

She seemed to have completely forgotten Geta. With a quick nod at Geta, Attikos followed her down the path. Geta watched them go, feeling empty and useless. Daphne would find comfort with her family now, and he had no part in it.

Vulcan, who was frolicking with his brother in the shades, came ambling over, rubbing his head against Geta's hand. Geta stroked the goat's head and gave him a rueful smile. At least here was a creature who still loved him, even if that love could be bought with a handful of hay and grains and some head scratches.

***

Daphne didn't return until late in the evening. Geta heard her coming up the path, but when he came out to meet her, he only saw Midas, already free of bridle and saddlebags, placidly eating his evening meal by the haystack. It took Geta another moment to find Daphne, who was sitting on a stone overlooking the fragrant herbs of the garden, their scent heady after a long day of baking under the sun. She just sat there, doing nothing.

"Daphne?" Geta called, coming to sit next to her. She made no indication of knowing he was there and continued gazing toward the distance, as dusk painted the hills around them a rich shade of purple like an Imperial robe. Her unnatural frozen state frightened him. He must do something to bring her out of it, before it swallowed her up. Reaching out a hand, he touched her cheek with the back of his fingers. Much to his relief, her skin was cool, not cold nor feverish, yet his touch did not rouse her. "My sweet laurel," he said softly. He had never used that term of endearment in her hearing, only in his thoughts—somehow he felt rather embarrassed about it, having never called anyone in his life by a pet name—but now he repeated it. "My sweet laurel. Is something the matter, carissima?" he asked.

Finally, drawn either by the sound of his voice or by his words, Daphne took a deep breath, like one coming out of a dream, and turned to him. The moon was coming up, and under that gray, dim light, she was pale, so pale, and so sad, too. She had always carried herself with calmness and dignity, and it grieved Geta to see such a look of loss and pain on her face. Yet she still smiled at him, though it was only a ghost of her usual smile. "No, nothing is the matter," she said. "I just want some air."

"How are your patients?" he asked, wishing to distract her.

"They are on the mend."

"And have you eaten? I saved some porridge for you."

"Thank you, but I've eaten with my mother and brothers."

"Some wine, then." He went into the hut and brought back an amphora and two beakers. Anything to keep her mind off the ring and her husband's death.

Daphne took the beaker he handed her and drained it in one gulp. The wine seemed to fortify her, and she said, with more focus, "I'm sorry that Attikos saw you today. Rest assured, he won't spill the secret to anyone."

"I'm not worried about that," said Geta, and he truly wasn't. "What about you? Are you alright?"

"Yes. Why would I not be?" She glanced at her hand, and Geta saw, with a jolt, that she was now wearing the ring. The tarnished silver shone dully under the moonlight. "Galen saved up for a whole year to buy me this," she said. "I gave it to him when he left for Caledonia and made him promise to bring it back to me—" Her voice cracked. Geta didn't want to hear this, didn't want to know how much she'd loved another man, didn't want to see her in such pain. But it seemed Daphne only wanted to talk, no matter to whom—it made no difference to her if it was Geta, the goats, or that indifferent moon above. So Geta swallowed his pride and listened.

"When they first brought me the news," she continued, after clearing her throat, "I'd hoped there would be a following message saying it was all a terrible mistake. Caledonia is so far away, and mistakes like that do happen. Sometimes I think I'm still waiting for that second message."

"But—" Geta began, not knowing what he was going to say.

"I suppose you think it's silly," Daphne snapped, with the same defiant lift of her chin when she told him about her work as an abortionist. Then she lowered her head again. "When it's someone you love, you never stop hoping, despite everything telling you otherwise," she said.

"You miss him," he said jealously.

"I do," she admitted. "Though sometimes I'm afraid I'm forgetting him. He's been gone for nearly ten years, almost as long as I've known him. We were married for only three days before he left for Caledonia. I almost followed him to the camps, you know? But my father found out and put a stop to it."

It made Geta's head spin to think that he and Daphne could have crossed paths in Caledonia. But of course, he wouldn't have spared her another glance then, focused as he had been on proving his worth as the heir to the throne, waiting for his father to die so he could seize power. She wouldn't have looked at him either, being married to another man. And after her husband was killed, she might have stayed there, working as a healer at the garrison, and Geta never would have met her at all. The Fates, it seemed, had a way of throwing people together.

"I think what I miss the most is what we could have had," Daphne continued. "We could have had three children running around by now. Our oldest would take the goats out on the hills, while I stay home with the younger ones, and when the sun goes down, we would all come out to meet my husband as he returns from the field with the oxen..." She turned away to hide her eyes.

"Why don't you remarry?"

"And put my life in the hands of another man?" She shook her head. "No. After Galen, I cannot trust anyone enough for that. My father may be bad, but at least I know him. As long as he has a steady supply of wine, he will leave me alone to do my work." She looked around the garden under the moonlight. "It does get terribly lonely at times though." She tried to smile in self-mockery, but her lips trembled. A sob escaped her, and tears streamed down her face.

Without thinking, Geta drew her head onto his shoulder and wrapped his other arm around her. She sat there in his embrace, weeping as though her tears would never end, as though the tears she had put away in the past eight years were now flowing all at once, and she finally allowed herself to grieve for her husband. Geta ran his fingers through her hair, trying to quiet her trembling. He found himself getting angry with her brother for bringing the ring back, angry with the Judean man for holding on to the ring for so long and denying her the certainty to mourn, and angry with the ghost of her dead husband for haunting her, just as Geta's own ghosts were haunting him.

It was a long time before Daphne's sobs and shudders ceased, though her tears were still hot on his chest. Reaching out, he brushed those tears away from her cheeks. For a moment, he sat looking at them, glistening on his fingers like pearls under the moon. He was no stranger to women's tears—the shocked and suppressed tears of his mother when his brother died in her arms, the hysterical tears of the wives and daughters of his brother's supporters when he ordered their exile, the seductive, false tears of the women he bedded. None of them had touched him. So why, he wondered, these tears should move him so? He brought his hand to his lips. It tasted salty, like all tears, like his own tears, if he'd ever cried. He must have, mustn't he, when he was a child? He no longer remembered. It was such a long time ago.

"I can't imagine you staying at home waiting for any man," he told her, half-joking. "More likely you would follow him into the field and tell him he is plowing it wrong."

A choked laugh escaped Daphne's throat, followed by a tentative smile that rose from behind her tears, like the sun coming out after the rain. Smiling back, Geta leaned over, and, still cupping her face in his hand, brushed his lips over her wet cheeks, trying to take away her pain, her grief, her loneliness. His lips strayed to her mouth, and she opened it with a little sigh that sounded almost expectant.

The moment that sigh floated across his lips, he knew what to do. Slowly, ever so slowly, he touched his lips to hers in the gentlest of kisses, a kiss that he'd never given to anyone, not even to the statue of Minerva at whose feet he prayed for victory. Her lips were soft and tasted of tears. Then he pulled back and sought Daphne's eyes.

Miraculously, her tears had dried. She was gazing at him with a mixture of wonder and tenderness, such tenderness that it went right through him, squeezing his heart in a gentle grip.

"Was that a kiss?" she asked.

"... Yes."

"I thought you didn't like kissing."

"I didn't realize how nice it was," he said, which was the truth. And because it was so nice indeed, he brought his lips to hers again. Now that he'd gotten past the tears, he discovered that she also tasted sweet, and it wasn't just because of the wine they'd just drunk. It was her taste, of herbs and honey and wildflower, more intoxicating than all the wines of Campania. What a fool he'd been! How could he have thought that kissing would sully his mouth? What could be more noble and sacred than this? He pressed her close, fingers twisted into her hair, draining that sweetness from her mouth, couldn't get enough of it. As he bit down on her lip, hard enough to draw blood, she let out a startled cry and pulled away. He chased after her mouth, but she placed a hand on his chest, pushing him back.

"What?" he snapped, annoyed, like a child who just had his sweet snatched from his hand.

"You don't have to be in such a hurry," she said, smiling indulgently. "I'm not going anywhere."

She sank down on the grass, dry and yellow from the summer heat, drawing him down with her. And there, under the moon, with the fragrant herbs and flowers all around them, she kissed him back, softly but thoroughly, her lips and tongue at once gently pleasing and wickedly teasing. She showed him all the ways she liked to be kissed, and he, in turn, learned all the ways he liked to kiss her, until he could feel nothing else but her and his own growing desire.

She trailed her mouth down his jaw and placed a kiss on the side of his neck, making him shiver with anticipation. And then, lifting his tunic up, she kissed her way down his chest and his torso, as she had done before, only now with more confidence in knowing he would not push her away. And he could never think to push her away again, could never think anything else, not with her mouth moving over him in a way that made his mind go blank, like a wax tablet being scraped clean, nothing there but her kisses. Had he once thought she was not particularly good at bed-sport? What ignorance! She was merely learning, discovering him with her body, her hands, and now her mouth, her touches becoming surer, more confident as they went on. And because she was so sure, there was no hesitance in him either. When she finally took him into her, he didn't pull back. He gave her everything that he was, everything that he had ever been, and everything that he would ever be, so that he emerged from the waves of ecstasy fresh as if he'd just taken a dip in the River Lethe. Before her, there had been nothing, and afterward, there was nothing else but her.

Taglist: @sheneedsrocknroll92, @justnobodynothingmore, @barcelonaloverf1life, @myotakureprieve, @flawssy-227, @itsrainingbisexualfrogs, @deliciousfestsalad (if you want to be tagged or removed, let me know!)

[i-feel-it-in-the-earth]

Botox for migraine headache literally changed my life. It's a huge pain to get insurance approval if you're USAmerican, and you also will likely have to contact the specialty pharmacy to order the drugs and authorize/schedule shipment to your doctor's office and the specialty pharmacy WILL be obnoxious about this ("I called you weeks ago to authorize shipment of my botox for my appointment on X date - why didn't you ship it?" "You didn't schedule the shipment" "...why would I authorize the shipment and provide you with the date it's needed by if I DIDN'T ALSO want you to ship it?"). Even with the hassle, though, it's been such a game-changer for me.

My doctor fast-tracked me through all of the medication classes insurance companies demand you try before they'll approve botox because he knew it was the most likely to help in my case. I technically have a chronic daily headache, and without treatment I'm in moderate pain constantly and with frequent (3+ times a week) spikes into severe migraines that last for days and I can do nothing but sit in a dark silent room.

With the botox? My daily pain is mild, less reactive to triggers but more responsive to as-needed pain meds, it only becomes a migraine and/or severe more like once a month or so, and when it does, it typically goes back down to normal (normal for me, anyway) levels after sleeping - so only ONE day of suffering once in a blue moon instead of more than half of every month in debilitating pain.

Botox lets me travel, play with my niece and nephew, ride the train, enjoy moderate physical activity, drive safely, do my job, cancel plans less often. I still have some limitations - flashing/strobing lights are horrible for me, I can't go to concerts or really anywhere with concert-level noise, strenuous physical activity can still make me feel worse. But I carry earplugs and my as-needed medications (Fioricet and Nurtec), and even those I need less than I did before.

Because of the above-mentioned hassle with getting botox sometimes, there have been a number of times I've had to wait longer than the twelve weeks between treatments, meaning the botox wears off. When this happens, my headache/migraines pretty quickly become as severe as they were pre-treatment. It sucks when this happens, but hey, at least I have confirmation it's working! (because when you're in pain for so long, sometimes you start to second-guess yourself and think you're faking it 🤷‍♀️ )

The worst side effects for me are some pain for a vew hours at the injection sites (icing them right after the treatment helps a ton with this) and somewhat limited eyebrow movement since I need the botox in my forehead (but damn if my forehead isn't smooth af)

If you feel like you've tried everything and nothing works, I highly recommend looking into botox with a neurologist. For a short office visit 4-5 times a year and some shots in your head neck & shoulders (depending on where you need the nerves deadened) with a very tiny needle, you just might find some relief and get a lot of control of your life back.

Sending love and good vibes and peace and pain relief to op and anyone else who needs it ❤️

If you can see this, this isn’t directed at you because I blocked the person, but oh boy, nothing quite like someone telling you to “try taking Tylenol AND ibuprofen” for your chronic migraines to turn me into a colossal bitch.

Like, I’m sorry. Here’s me been experimenting with anti-seizure medication and a whole bunch of other nasty shit so I don’t walk into oncoming traffic and you really think my ass who had 200+ migraines in 2023 and developed occipital neuralgia in 2024 on top of the trigeminal neuralgia I’ve already had for years because the nerves in my head won’t turn off hasn’t tried over the counter pain relief?

I should be allowed to start biting.

[messingwithmoony]

I know you're mostly marauders, but I was wondering what your tope ten characters from the main gen and top ten characters from the next gen would be?

Main gen like golden trio?

Top ten (number 1 fav -> 10 least fav)

1) would it be really cheeky if i said remus lupin (as DADA teacher Professor Lupin) hahah. I've loved him since I was a little kid, he took care of everyone so well 🥹

2) Sirius Black Post Azkaban - this man was so insane and I'm here for it. Also the fact he escaped Azkaban using his animagus form is so smart and honestly? Iconic.

3) Luna Lovegood

Her character stuck to me for a long time (and still does now.) As an autistic person, I found solace in Luna as she seemed to stay happy even when the people around her constantly called her Loony. I wish that I had that kind of strength.

4) Hermione Granger

I've always loved her, may be stereotypical but honestly? I dont really care hahah. She is so much more than smart, I mean, this girl set up whole bloody campaigns to help the house-elves (even if executed a bit poorly..) She cares so deeply about her friends and that is lovely to me

5) Ronald Weasley (Specifically Book Ron)

He is just so funny in the books, but like Hermione, he cares so deeply about his friends, always defending them (like the "Unfortunately for you, pal, I'm also a Prefect!" When Seamus was being a git

6) The Weasley Twins

They're just too funny not to be put here - their firework show was always so fun to watch. But also, if theyre able to make all of these pranks, they're evidently smart (they just don't use it for the right purposes hahah) I want to know what happened to George after Fred's death though.

7) Cedric Diggory

I really respected Cedric's character - he tried getting his friends to remove their Potter Stinks badges, but also when Harry saves him in the maze, he's determined to let them both win at the same time (which kills my poor boy☹️)

8) Minerva McGonagall

MINNIEEEEEE my girl I love you - she's actually so fucking funny and no one appreciates that like I do hahah. "I've always wanted to use that spell" GIRL was too calm about the impending doom of Hogwarts.

10) Neville Longbottom

The love I have for this man is immense. He may not have been good at magic, but he cared so deeply about everyone around him and helped everyone when he could 💚💚

You may notice that Harry isnt on here. I love harry, bu I feel like I'd be regarded as having "stereotypical" favourites if he was on here - as he is the main character. I do love him though, and he'd probably come after Ron in this list.

The next gen is the kids that they have, right? Unfortunately I dont know too much about them to give you a proper detailed list like you deserve. I havent read The Cursed Child since it came out and I was rather young so probably didn't read it in detail and appreciate it at the time. I may find and re-read it once I've finished AGGGTM - Just pop another ask in in about a month or so :)

[ncillary]

Self Aware AU (Xavier)

Summary: You have the lowest Affinity with Xavier. The reason is because you feel bad for the Queen MC and vow to play only the main story for his path so that you can find a way to return him to Queen MC safe, sound and happy end.

-------&&&&&-------&&&&&-------&&&&&-------

Masterlist Self Aware AU

-------&&&&&-------&&&&&-------&&&&&-------

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 [current] |

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"Xavier, you sleep well yesterday?"

"Well enough for today, sir." He joked.

The man gave him a hearty laugh, "Good. Today we'll continue some fast movement for the next chapter. Have fun in it and do be careful."

"Understood."

"Oh, how is your caretaker service going."

He turned to see Madam CEO was sitting near the crew. He rubbed his neck nervously. She chuckled.

"That's quite alright. Take your time. But the player could use some help once in a while."

He nodded.

She was his mysterious employer. His job was mainly on modeling the character's movement for the game they were creating. His swordplay skill shone with every precision.

He was proud of his work. But it was not fulfilling enough. Something amiss from his endless swirling of nothingness.

+----------------+---------------------------------+

"Hello, Miss. I wonder why you always sound sad whenever I'm around." He pondered to himself.

He was monitoring this one player when she was gaming as per Madam CEO's request. He didn't receive many requests from madam but when he did, he worked fast like a traveling light.

Until this recent one.

He could hear her but he couldn't see her. The first thought that came to mind was either his phone was having technicality issues or the game updates were bugging. He went ahead and did simple checking on his side including enabling her mic.

"No... wait... please..."

Rigid.

His every fibre was shaken after hearing her voice. The endless swirl spotted a light.

"Please don't make me waste my precious tic- *Tring* wait... 5 star?!"

"Xavier! Yes!"

She sounded super happy when she said his name. He wanted to hear more.

"Hik...Xavier..."

But she sounded super sad sometimes.

"From now on, I'll make sure to get you back to Queen MC and live your life to the fullest together on the promised planet."

He was confused. Thus, he finally took an interest in actually getting to know the game he was a part of.

+----------------------------+------------------------+

"I get why she said it like that but I'm not him. You're not her. Haaa... wish I could tell her that I'm right here."

He saw her gameplay has changed. She rarely partnered up with him for the last month. It might not be a big deal since it was just a game but he couldn't resist feeling dejected.

"Please just increase our Affinity. I'll be having better chances when you feel comfortable enough with me, my counterpart at least."

+------------------+--------------------------------+

"Xavier, you look listless." A staff member nudged him.

He nodded politely before helping around. They were setting up snow-theme decoration for the upcoming video. Wires and devices surrounding the decoration in the middle of them all.

"WATCH OUT!"

He darted swiftly like the light.

*CRASH!!!*

"XAVIER!"

"Don't move him."

"Call medic."

Panicked voices surrounding him. His vision was clear but his hearing was not so much. He could see the staff he saved was shaking as people tried to clear the path for medic. The staff was taken aside for slight bleeding on the leg.

He smiled.

+----------------------------+------------------------+

A month.

That was how long it took for him to be discharged. A month of not being able to care for his gaming partner.

"Haven't been able to force myself out lately. Do others have a higher Affinity with her now?"

His sullen mood was gone the moment he was finally able to lay his eyes on her. Her cuteness was catching up on pulling his lips. His happiness in seeing her made him glow.

"I want to hold her. Dance with her. Having her in the circle of my arms." He silently wishes.

+-----------------------------+------------------------+

It came true. The new birthday banner. His birthday banner. He blushed.

Brows furrowed, "I want her to know. No more secrets. What would be best to do it?"

He pondered innocently.

+----------------------+------------------------------+

He didn't think things through.

"Umm...Hello..."

Silent.

"-sigh- she passed out."

There will always be consequences from actions.

But he was determined to get at least a positive outcome in it.

"Her name. Her number."

He stared at his phone for the longest time just relishing in having her personal information. HIM. Not his game counterpart. HERS. Her own circle and he liked that he was slowly stepping in that circle.

[May we meet in the dream too. My star.]

"I miss you already, star."

"I want to meet you."

+----------+-------------------------+-----------------+

[Will you be opposed for sunbathing in the park?]

Read 12 hours ago

[You want to go for a picnic, instead?]

Read 3 hours ago

He sighed knowingly.

[At least you didn't block me like you promised.]

Read 5 seconds ago

[My star]

Read 5 seconds ago

[Xavier...]

He smiled.

[Took you long enough.]

Read

[XAVIER???!!!]

[Star. Can we meet?]

Read 46 minutes ago

He waited patiently for her.

*Bling*

[Sure. How about the library? We can find recipes together.]

He chuckled. Their first date was already on the point to tease him. As long as he could meet her, he'll be ready to pour all his heart on it.

[Sounds nice. I hope we can make it happen after reading it.]

Read

[Nice.]

She was a bit different on the few texts before they stopped messaging each other after planning the where and when.

"Maybe she's nervous as much as I did."

+---------------------------+-----------------------+

Stepping into the library, blue eyes scanning the crowd. She's nowhere to be found.

Yet.

Lights in the library seemed to give her a spotlight.

My goodness.

How can she glow as soon as she stepped in an hour after he was settling down. He was about to get up when he noticed it.

Another person next to her. A girl. Her friend, perhaps. She was calm compared to his star who was clearly anxious at the moment.

He blinked, "Right. Of course. She must be nervous about meeting me alone."

He waited for them to settle down on any empty spot before he approached them. He needed to be calm about this.

He quirked his eyebrow when he saw her friend leave her at the table and walked behind the numerous bookshelves.

Confused but guessing she wanted to give privacy to them while still being around. He nodded to the conclusion.

Great friend.

He saw she was fidgeting while looking around nervously as he walked silently opposite to her.

He sat a bit far on the six seaters to give her the comfortable space. She didn't notice him and he kept staring. Enjoying being able to see her personally with his own eyes.

No screen.

No more crooked image.

Just her.

His star.

She jumped quietly, hands clutching in front of her chest when she finally turned to him.

Smiling has become a new habit for him.

"Hi, star." Breathless greeting.

She closed her eyes.

Head lulling.

Brows furrowed. His brows.

"Oh no."

Her head in his hand, inches away from the hard surface of a table.

He gave a small laughed and sighed fondly.

"I hope you stop fainting on me, star."

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| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 [current] | 6 |

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Masterlist Self Aware AU

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[every-sanji]

[sleepyicon]

stranger things 4 i will never forgive you for what you did to my kings steve and jonathan

[suddencolds]

almost done... 🙏

[savage-rhi]

Magenta 😟

[rearranging-deck-chairs]

rewatching 13s era for me is not so much diminishing returns as it is something opposite and eviler...............increasing losses? increasing losses

[twptwp]

Yay, I'm working on a new fursona!

[technikki]

something i really really like about ray and isabella's relationship is that ray is never expected to forgive her at the end. it makes sense that the younger kids would all forgive her after she used her position to help them in the return to gracefield because at the end of the day, she raised them in a warm and nurturing environment and did truly love them. ray didn't really get that same treatment though.

im sure ray's feelings about her at the end are complicated to say the least, he understands the horrifying position she had been in since she was 12 and probably relates to that at least a little bit. i like the way he tells her to get over it and come to the human world with them because if he couldn't use death as a way out, he definitely wasn't going to let her do it. (this would have been much more impactful if she didn't proceed to die anyway a little later on but. gently pushes that aside <3)

i don't really think ray's 'no one is holding any grudges' line necessarily means he forgave her though? the kids know that the sisters are all victims of a horribly abusive and oppressive system, and none of them are going to hold that against them even if some can't bring themselves to forgive them for whatever personal reasons. in ray's case specifically as a victim of abuse, i do not think he owes isabella anything. it was the system that forced isabella to raise children for the farm or face death, but her actions against ray specifically were her own, and he has every right to feel a little differently about her because of that.

kill the trope of characters forgiving abusive family members because 'they had no choice'/'they're still family' give me more ray 'i know you were hurt deeply by things beyond your control but that doesn't excuse the pain you caused me' tpn <3

[valodia]

. Beware long tags.

[lucalicatteart]

Poll adventure (paventure? lol) Day 10: read the small story tidbit below the poll for more details, OR just vote based on initial impression

(✦ see past poll results + further information HERE (link) ✦)

Yesterday's poll decided that The Adventurer should join the travelers on the larger river boat for a short lunch ...

~

"Before he even fully musters the courage to shout a 'hello', the large group on the boat initiates contact first, gleefully waving at him, whooping and shouting as they near his tiny raft in the water. Apparently, some of them were betting over whether they'd actually find any other travelers out on the river today.. He fumbles over his words a bit, as always, but somehow manages to successfully get himself invited onto their boat for a quick lunch..

After safely securing his raft to the side of the boat with some spare rope, he climbs aboard, stumbling into the excitement of some sort of celebration. A few of them explain that they're traveling for 'kahesallei', an old elven holiday recently re-popularized in some of the larger cities nearby. Whatever it's true meaning and origins used to be, the current significance (at least to those within the city walls) seems to just be mindless feasting, drinking, and gaudy decor. Most of the traveling group are strangers to each other, only brought together by catching a ride on the same tour/party boat, but the mood is light, quite friendly between them, and perhaps a bit drunk.

While the boat itself is relatively plain wood, it's been strewn with gold and orange banners, flags, shimmery tassels, beads, and bushels of dark green ivy braided with fresh herbs and wildflowers. There are flat round tables of food and drink, plenty of cushions to lounge on, and one random guy perched precariously on the edge railing of the boat, gently strumming a lute for background music..

The elderly ship captain hobbles over to The Adventurer, sternly explaining that, no matter what the 'silly' passengers say, he's only allowed to stay for an hour because he didn't pay for a boat ride ticket, and thus really shouldn't even be allowed on board. By the time The Adventurer has mentally processed this information, the captain has already returned to his little steering room, slamming the door shut with a displeased grunt.. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to confront him or question the rules...... But! Hey, at least he has one hour at the party.. How should he spend his time? "

~

Additional Information

the adventurer's current main goal: follow his map to reach the abandoned castle ruins and see the rare animal specialist about the mysterious egg he has