#I just need to create a Tav that understands her and falls in love with her and I know I will too

[corroded-collections]

my love for companions really depends on the character I'm roleplaying as huh

personally, I cant stand lawful characters. as a result, Wyll has been my second least favorite companion for almost 500 hours and 3+ playthroughs. I just do not get along with people who follow strict rules, and him and Lae'zel just feel like party poopers to me.

except last night I started a paladin run. I decided at the character creation stage that I was going to romance Wyll. I wasn't really excited about it, but I wanna play through all the romance lines once and I'm getting to a point where I'm running low on options (Wyll and Lae'zel left (and Minthara but she wont make it out of the goblin camp alive on a paladin run)). I honestly figured I'd drag my feet through the romance parts and would focus more on the other aspects of the game. so I created my character, and I had an idea I really loved for her, so by the time I was done creating her I already felt more connected to her than half of my other Tavs. as soon as I started playing, I felt myself slip into this lawful good mindset I had planned to set out on, and I was excited to watch her navigate this chaotic world on her quest to make that world a better place.

so when the time came that I got to the druid grove gate, faced the goblins, and Wyll leaped down from the wall to aid us in our battle... my heart skipped a beat. like genuinely. suddenly I was in love, head over heels right then and there.

my entire opinion on Wyll did 180 on a flip of a switch. now I actually adore him, I cant wait to see my paladin Tav build a bond with him and see where that connection takes them. I'm actually so excited to see how his romance plays out lmao. these two are gonna be so god damn cute I'm gonna lose my mind.

[underdark-dreams]

Can you please talk about your writing! how you write and revise and where you get your inspiration you are just so amazing! I could use some tips to get my writing to the next level. maybe some fic recs you find inspiring as well? only if you want too.

I sat on this ask for a while to mull it over, so thanks for your patience! I can definitely talk about my general process and link some fics that have inspired me.

I've also answered some other asks about writing process and technique. You can read those here if you like:

Emotional and feelings-focused writing

Writing descriptively

Fic writing: general process

First, it's good to have your opening and your ending in mind before you start. Even if it's just:

OC walks into Sorcerous Sundries

Rolan and OC fall asleep together

If you have the bookends, it's a lot easier to find the story's beats in the middle. (Or decide that you can't find the path from A to B after all & need to change one of them around)

Once I have those two down, I usually write out the main beats of the story next. These will be the parts that excite you most as a writer!! Like, they make you giddy to write about! Getting these down on paper has ALWAYS given me a burst of momentum to get through the drier/connecting bits.

So I encourage you to write out the story events/scenes that make you most excited first. Exposition will come later! Don't worry about 'setting things up' right now, unless you really want to start there. Remember that your first draft only has to make sense to you.

Inspiration

Damn if I could bottle the answer to this one, I'd be set for life! lmao

A lot of people start writing first and find the inspiration along the way. It's a valid and effective method!

I usually wait for ideas to come to me first, and they usually come when I'm totally disconnected from my writing computer. I swear, my strongest ideas for a fic setup or interesting scene always come when I'm at work or vacuuming or some crap

Best advice I can give is to keep a notes app on your phone or something similar. Rotate your characters around in your mind while you're doing other random life things, and good ideas will usually come to you. Jot down the framework or some dialogue or whatever strikes you before you forget it, then revisit it when you have more time.

Revising and editing

I'm one of those writers who edits a ton as they go, instead of drafting out a story and revising in one go. So this part is kind of difficult for me to answer...the two processes are unfortunately so interconnected in my head!

The main thing is to make sure you give yourself a few days between writing and doing your final edit. Even if you've been revising along the way, taking some time away from your fic lets you gain a fresh perspective.

I will admit, I also keep thesaurus.com open in a tab at all times. Like. I am addicted to finding just the right word

As with all of the above, your mileage may vary! The right technique is the one that gets you writing and creating. 💯

Fic Recs

Here's a list from back in December! Still in love with all of these!

Also:

Deeply and Immovably So by Cometra / @dutifullylazybread - Absolutely required reading for any Rolan x Tav fans! Tav is AFAB/she/her. Darcy's worldbuilding and imagery is incredible, very deep and meaningful. Just all-around excellence!

verso by aes3plex - Zevlor x m!Tav oneshot. This story like...made me understand who Zevlor was as a character. I don't know how else to describe it. Really wonderful backstory threaded through a present-day encounter with some of the best prose ever. Love!

But I will admit, I grew up reading Trek fics, and those stories and writers have stayed with me longer than anything else. I think old fandom + huge universe + writers with sheer decades of experience in fanon have a lot to do with the quality of writing there. Not relevant to BG3 but has definitely shaped how I write today!

[a-field-of-dragonflowers]

I’ve found the perfect Tav x Human!Gale song, and I’ll stand by this until I die.

It's what my heart just yearns to say

In ways that can't be said

It's what my rotting bones will sing

When the rest of me is dead

It's what's engraved upon my heart

In letters deeply worn

Today, I somehow understand the reason I was born

'Cause outwardly he says, "I try so hard to make you laugh at me"

And she, she does, she laughs

As though she's not heard the joke ten thousand times before

And he adores her

He watches her get dressed as though she's hurtling through time

Oh, darling, please be mine

She promises to fight them all when it all becomes too much

And he, he curses at the world

For leaving him behind, and he's falling out of touch

And she is stronger than he's ever been, he knows

She brushes her hand through his hair

He's got so much fucking hair

And he holds her close, just to keep the world at bay

And when they're sure no one can hear them

She'll turn to him to say, she'll turn to him and say

"It's not fair, it's not fair how much I love you

It's not fair, 'cause you make me laugh

When I'm actually really fucking cross at you for something"

And he'll say

"Oh, how, oh, how unreasonable

How unreasonably in love I am with everything you do

I'll spend my days so close to you

'Cause if I'm standing here, maybe everyone will think I'm alright"

"I've seen enough, " he says, "I know exactly what I want

And it's this life that we've created

Inundated with the fated thought of you

And if you asked me to, if you asked me, I would lose it all

Like petals in a storm

'Cause, darling, I was born to press my head between your shoulder blades, at night when light is fading

Just to let you know, I'm old, waylaid and feels like I am wading

Into carpet burns and carousels

Christ, you'll be the death of me"

And calm throughout his melodrama

She will turn and say, "Dear heart, it's me, it's me

You don't need to pretend to be someone you're not

'Cause it's not like I've never heard you fart and snore

And for some godforsaken reason

I'm still here, love, like I've always been before"

And he'll say

"It's not fair, it's not fair how much I love you"

It's not fair, 'cause you make me weep

When I'm just tryna watch The Office with my yoghurt"

And she'll say

"Oh, how, oh, how unreasonable

How unreasonably in love I am with everything you do

I'll spend my days so close to you

'Cause if I'm standing here, maybe everyone will think I'm cool"

"How unfair, how unfair, " they'll sing

As they dance across the darling rooftop wreck

He'll trip, and she'll pretend not to have seen

Burying her head into his chest

And clinging to the moment, "Where have you been?"

She'll whisper, "I've waited, oh, so long for you to come"

And as the stars above them hum and hear them

He'll turn to her and say, "That's what she said"

"It's not fair, oh, it's not fair how much I love you

It's not fair, 'cause you make me ache, you bastard"

And he'll say

"Oh, how, oh, how unreasonable

How unreasonably in love I am with everything you do

I'll spend my days so close to you

'Cause if I'm stood here, then I'm stood here

And I'll stand here

I'll stand here with you"

[aenvittorielle]

BALDURS GATE 3: zodiac signs post.

Part II.

LEO / Gale

Passion, expression and unwavering self-confidence are felt by everyone around within a radius of a hundred meters (even through portals). By their nature, Leo are proud and self-confident, sometimes creates the impression of an arrogant personality, used to take the best in life as a real winner. Gale may seem proud and arrogant, but at the same time he’s friendly to those who need it. As we get to know Gale better, it becomes known about his burning attraction to the goddess. Actually, the Leo’s don't need anything less. Just like the classic representative of the zodiac circle, driven by love for the goddess, Gale did the impossible for her. Leo ambitions can replace the whole sun in the event of a disaster, they’re incredibly purposeful individuals who exclusively believe in their success. Gale is very impressed by the power and strength of the Crown of Karsus and intends to get it at any cost, and if Tav tries to find suitable arguments against this idea, the good-natured Gale will start to lose his temper a little. Leo's big and noble heart is capable of going to great lengths to protect what is dear to him. With a certain algorithm of passing the game, Gale doubts the correctness of his decision regarding the fact that he couldn’t nip the Absolute in the bud (in act II), but then he will offer his help at the cost of his own life. Thus, the features of the merry man are closely intertwined with the image of a real hero. Leo tend to combine a love of comfort and at the same time luxury. As Gale said, "I have a cat, a library, some weakness for good wine" (who wouldn't like that..).

VIRGO / Jaheira

Virgo is a firm but very charming sign that easily settles into the spotlight. Virgo strives for perfection in everything, they study all their lives and try to teach others. Representatives of Virgin are distinguished by empathy and often have a musical ear. Jaheira is literally the mother of BG3; in addition to being the leader of the harpers, she has sheltered several children of completely different ages and unknown origins. In addition, like a caring mom, she worries about Minsk and strives to help him, understanding the peculiarities of his psyche. Virgo is the strictest and wisest at the same time. She, in her opinion and those around her, is the only one doing everything correctly and correctly. Virgo sign can calculate everything in advance, can think logically and able to predict in advance what she should do. She’s persistent and inclined to take active action rather than to observe from the outside in anticipation of some kind of heavenly manna. Jaheira has a difficult fate, but thanks to druids who took care of her and her personal ambitions, she become a persistent and persistent woman, convinced that nature can only be protected by active actions. Involuntarily or with their consent, but one way or another, a crazy burden of responsibility often falls on the shoulders of Virgo: for those they love and care about, sometimes even more than they should. Virgo in need for a reboot and a break from the environment, to be nourished with new vitality. Do you remember Jaheira's hideout? A whole trail of traps indicates that she values her personal space and doesn’t please uninvited guests. Her refuge is literally the dream of an introvert in love with the beauty of nature: animals, greenery ... Virgo is very careful in love. She doesn't give her heart to anyone. She rationally approaches feelings and covers them with a kind of protective layer. Jaheira fell in love with Khalid, even got married, but where can we hear about it once again? Jaheira is selective in communication and doesn’t talk much about herself and her personal life. However, the cold and impregnable shell doesn’t exclude the storm trapped inside it.

LIBRA / Volo

He is dressed up to the nines, polite, kind, shines with intelligence, a sense of humor, polished shoes to a squeak, as well as a wonderful diplomat - it's all about Libra. Libra is distinguished by their artistry, and their natural charm often confronts their forehead with art. Volo appears before us as a famous writer, bard and researcher, whose carelessness often leads him to unpleasant situations. Libra is by nature a non-confrontational person and tries to resolve issues peacefully. Did you imagine Volo with a mace or a two-handed sword? Did you laugh? Me too. However, like representatives of Libra, Volo is armed no worse than warrior, only with a word. His great charisma helps him easily make new friends, get any silent person to talk, or get out of the hole into which he got by himself. Libra is pleasant to talk to, friendly and not devoid of a sense of humor and is able to fit into almost any company. Playing along a good route, regardless of which characters will be a priority for you, and which ones will go to the tenth plan, Volo can always be useful and appropriate.

SCORPIO / Mizora

Scorpios are very strong, mysterious, independent persons, sparkling with strength and charisma. In addition to a powerful internal magnet, they know their worth, don’t deprive themselves of love and prefer to emphasize their external advantages. This is exactly the impression that Mizora makes: she’s truly dangerous, devilishly attractive and difficult woman, whose every word and action won’t leave anyone indifferent. Scorpio loves extremes, challenges, danger and darkness. Because of their planetary ruler Pluto, they’re drawn to the anomalies of human experience, extremely perceptive and able to see through a person and his problems. Being a vassal of Zariel, she skillfully turns deals with those who need it; skillfully weaves intrigues and is able to checkmate any ‘counterparty’. Despite all the ambiguity that envelops the image of Scorpio, he is not without honor. Mizora likes to create problems for others, behave cruelly, but objects to being considered that way, since she considers herself a benefactress, taking care of her "pets" in any way, even not the most pleasant. Although she distorts the meaning of the concluded agreements, resorts to small print and other tricks, but never violates them. Moreover, despite the fact that Mizora knows the location of Karlach, nevertheless she does not betray her to the archdevil Zariel. Scorpios are not devoid of sarcasm and barbs of speech, which often does not give them bonuses from those around them. Similarly, Mizora does not miss the opportunity to sting Wyll or Tav with a caustic word, showing them where their place is. Scorpios are dominant in every sense and they like to feel a sense of superiority. Therefore, Mizora prefers to call Wyll her pet, pejoratively reminding him of his position and towering over him. Or threaten to turn into a harmless animal. It is worth noting that Mizora will react to the refusal of intimacy with Tav with embarrassment and awkwardness, although she will try to play it in her favor. It is not easy for Scorpios to experience rejections. In essence, Scorpios are unrecognized and at first glance difficult to contact personalities who are not devoid of worthy qualities. Mizora is a far from ambiguous character; you can love or hate her, but she will leave few people indifferent.

[loonymarshian]

Astarion/Tav Mini Fic

It’s over. The Absolute, the Netherbrain controlled by the Chosen of the Dead Three, has been destroyed, and all of the modified tadpoles with it. Jaheira has allowed Astarion to stay in her basement grotto during the day until the celebrations are over, and so after the first night of drinking at the Blushing Mermaid, this is where we find our hero. Tragedy has slept light through her adventures, always waking up first among her companions, even compared to the elves in her party who did not need to sleep the same way she did. So when she wakes in this druidic oasis beneath the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate, it is a new experience for her to be greeted by the face of her lover, scanning her face like it was the first time he was seeing it.

“Morning love. Sleep well?” Astarion’s voice greets Tragedy’s ears softly. What a wonderful sound to wake up to.

“Mhmm.” Tragedy mumbles as she tries to snuggle in closer to his chest, being mindful of her horns in the proximity of his face. She does not expect him to lean away and continue staring at her face. “I know I’m pretty but why are you staring at me like that?” She says in a huff, annoyed at the lack of cuddles.

“Your tattoos darling. They’re not there. Whatever could have made them disappear like that?” There are equal parts concern and confusion written plainly across Astarion’s face - he is worried there may be untoward magics at play, but he cannot fathom what they could be. Dating a wizard has given him a decent understanding of the capabilities of magic users in Faerun, not to mention Gale’s constant lectures, but still he does not know what could cause a person’s tattoos to suddenly vanish.

The concern turns to shock, and then offense, as Tragedy starts to giggle.

“Astarion, love, you look so concerned for me!” She reaches up to touch his cheek as she suppresses more giggles. “I appreciate it, truly, but I promise you it’s nothing. It’s just prestidigitation.”

Tragedy waves her hand in a quick and practised motion, and suddenly her face is adorned with its usual tattoos and dark makeup. “See? I’m just very good about reapplying it regularly, so no one ever saw me without until now. Nothing to worry about.” 

Astarion lets out a breath, and his shock and confusion melts into a soft smile. “Well, aren’t I the lucky one. I suppose we’re both each others’ firsts then aren’t we?”

Tragedy’s giggles start up again.

“I don’t think being the first of our companions to see my bare face is quite comparable to being the first person you’ve ever bitten, but if it makes you feel better…” Tragedy grins as she watches Astarion’s face fall into an exaggerated pout.

“Well I think it is plenty comparable, so long as I continue to be the only one who gets to see you like this, same as you’re the only one I’ve bitten.” Tragedy’s grin changes slightly into an accusatory stare as the words leave Astarion’s mouth. “Alright, the only person I’ve bitten with consent.”

The grin is back. “That’s a bit better. And yes, I can promise you that you’re the only one lucky enough to see me first thing in the morning, without my prestidigitation on. Besides my parents and siblings at least.”

“I suppose I can live with that.” Astarion begrudgingly assents, as he brings his hand up to run his thumb along the lines of Tragedy’s “tattoo”, his expression softening as he drinks in the sight of his lover. “Gods you’re beautiful. With and without your little magic trick.”

Tragedy’s grin is replaced with a gentler smile as Astarion leans down to press a soft, sweet kiss to her lips, before finally relenting, and allowing her to cuddle in closer to his chest.

“I love you, Tragedy.”

“I love you too.”

For a smidge of context: Tragedy was originally a D&D 5e character who I recreated in Baldur’s Gate 3. She is a necromancer (wizard), purely because she is goth and likes dead things and was raised by wizard parents. When I created her as a D&D character, I decided that she would apply her makeup using the prestidigitation cantrip, seeing as it lists “you make a colour, small mark, or a symbol appear on an object or surface for 1 hour” as one of the ways to use the cantrip. Using magic to apply her makeup would save her a lot of time and money, as well as making the makeup waterproof and smudgeproof - always a good thing to have when you’re adventuring out in the wilderness! This scene popped into my head around when I finished Tragedy’s first BG3 campaign (I started replaying her because I love her so much) and if I could draw I would’ve made a comic, but I can’t, so this little fic is the best I can do for now.

[myers-meadow]

I'm definitely more a fan of spawn Astarion myself. I can certainly understand why Ascended Astarion is appealing to others and far be it from me to stop them. Besides, media of all kinds is a way to explore thoughts, feelings, and dynamics in a safer and more controlled way (that isn't to say that media can't have negative effects, as it absolutely can, but that's a separate discussion I don't have the mental bandwidth to go into). You can walk away from the piece of media if you want/need to. For me, I personally see a romance with an Ascended Astarion as one that is or will eventually become unhealthy in one or more ways (I honestly thought that it was a good portrayal of enablement). I also understand that these elements are what many others find compelling about it. I'm rambling now and worry that I'm ultimately unequipped to continue on this particular tangent without fumbling it and/or coming across as haughty or pretentious (I'm admittedly already anxious about that with what I have wrote), so I'm just going to end it here and nervously await your reply.

i understand, that's fair! We both love Astarion, even if we prefer a different end to the story we've personally been building with our Tav/Durge throughout the course of the game. That love for the character is what connects us and is more important than our differences.

I understand why you see A!A as enablement, but in my case, with my Tav, there's not such clear dynamic. I'm not arguing that it's never unhealthy or that your take is wrong! Just trying to explain where I'm coming from. The story I've created is still a bit of a tragic one, but the relationship isn't unhealthy or toxic in such a way.

I've always liked villains. My old masterlist has characters on it that are arguably way worse, morally speaking, than Astarion. I love when villains have fun being evil and are unapologetic about who they are. Astarion and Raphael fall very nicely under this category 💜.

Even though A!A feels all powerful and invulnerable, that's only gonna last him so long, and after that, I do see him heal, bit by bit, in a messy, non-linear, imperfect manner. The difference w spawn is that he's not forced by circumstance (having to give up his dream of ascension, the disappointment, missing the sun, lacking the group of misfits as greater support net etc...) to do that healing on any timeline but his own. Halsin also took a good century to heal, and Astarion can too.

I'll spare you the long ramblings about my tav! It's on my list to write about her and her polymance, and as I was compasing this ask in my head, I came up with three more scenes to write😅.

To end this, we've both played the game with the same spawn Astarion as our companion for the first 2 (and half) acts. Please don't worry your anxious self over this 🫂, I'm not taking offense. Your opinions are valid, worth hearing and i'm glad we find enjoyment in the same game and characters🥰🧡.

Xoxo

Ps I look forward to getting to ~tail ask~ after Ostara! ^^

[hipipgames]

Game ramble: Baldur's Gate 3

This will be a long one, bc 1) I'm on a 2-hour bus ride 2) I love this game 3) I have travel anxiety and I'm alone and yeah, I need this one

But yea, welcome to the game that's every bi and pansexual's nightmare- or heaven, or both.

/j

This "totally-not-a-dating-sim" has truly captured my heart from the moment I learned of this game. I'm a DnD girlie, a forever DM, and an anxious mess on a good day, so this is perfect.

I first fell for this game because of Karlach. I was scrolling on tiktok and I started getting clips of the scene when you confess you love Karlach and I was like "I would die for her"

I got obsessed with this game because of Astarion. I love his character. I want to give him a hug. So he's perfect. I talk about him a lot.

And I keep on falling for this game with every hour I spend on it. You can feel that a lot of love has been put into this game. It's so masterfully crafted, each storyline is unique, the world feels so real, so open, all the characters you meet are amazing and I'm just bdnssbsnsm I can and will wax poetry about different characyers given the chance

I have come to care about my Tav also. I have a lore for her and I think about her from time to time. She's one of my favourite OCs ever.

This game brings me so much happiness you have no idea. Worth every penny. Even with the massive size it's perfect. (The downloading took so long you have no idea) And the soundtrack!!!! Created by literal GODS, like the kind of crack they've put into it, amazing.

You'll only hear praises from me when it comes to this game, I love it.

The game mechanics are good as well. The combat is fun, easy to understand and doable. The looting system is fun, there are so many secrets and things to discover

Still sad that Shadowheart left the party. It was the toughest choise ever. And I dissapointed Halsin, so I feel like the biggest fraud ever. But next playthrough, I'll fix my mistakes.

The multiplayer is good as well, tried it out. Love that you can turn cutscenes private. Very fun (can you feel me getting more tired? Bc I am, it's way past my bedtime, I've had two 12-hour shifts at work in a row, and habe been on this bus for 50 minutes, with 1,1 hour to go)

Can I talk about Gale? He is such a cutiepie like who gave him the rights? And I just want to hug him. He deserves a big hug. And some nice boots to snack on.

Booteater

[nadziejastar]

What's your opinion on the KH3-scene where Eraqus appears out of Terra and spoke to TAV before we went off to the afterlife with Xehanort?

Well, I was glad that the three of them got to say goodbye to Eraqus. I liked that part. And I think watching them both go to the afterlife together was the perfect ending to the final battle. The part I didn’t like about that scene was when Eraqus controls Terra’s body and talks through him, commanding Xehanort to give up. I thought that was very cheesy. I think it was added in because Xehanort and Eraqus’s backstory wasn’t fleshed out enough for Xehanort’s surrender to feel realistic.

It’s by far one of the biggest problems with KH3. So many characters were supposed to get a backstory beforehand and KH3 would be the resolution to it. Most characters never got their backstory, so there was nothing to resolve. Kairi didn’t get her backstory shown, so her reunion with Aqua amounted to nothing. The apprentices didn’t get a backstory, so Ansem’s return didn’t have the impact it should have. Lea and Isa had no backstory to their friendship, so their reconciliation fell totally flat. Members IX-XII had almost no backstory, so their stories couldn’t even get a conclusion in KH3.

Eraqus and Xehanort were also supposed to get a real fleshed out backstory, and KH3 was supposed to be the ultimate conclusion to that build-up. If we had gotten to see their full past before KH3 came out, then I’m sure Xehanort’s voluntarily surrender would have felt more believable.

Aqua: But why would you advise me not to fight darkness with light?

Fairy Godmother: Strong rays of sun create dark shadows. Sadly, Lady Tremaine and both her daughters are jealous of Cinderella’s charm and beauty, qualities that appear to you as “light.” Jealousy is darkness. Light and dark go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.

When Sora tells MX that destiny is beyond his control, he stares at him and says he reminds him of an old friend. Then, as soon as he says that, Terra and the others appear. Eraqus speaks through Terra and reminds him that there’s more to light than meets the eye, and righteously commands him to give up. Nope. I didn’t like that.

My brother pupil Eraqus thinks only in absolutes. He has persuaded himself that light is the only way, but forgets that light cannot exist without shadow. I believe a balance of light and darkness is what sustains our World, but too much of the darkness has been stamped out, disrupting that balance. Someone must tear down this tyranny of light and reorganize the World around the darkness which then creeps back in. Eraqus and I did not see eye to eye. I left, and wandered the World.

Instead, Xehanort should have simply closed his eyes and had this flashback. Eraqus wins their chess match, but they have a good laugh about it. Xehanort admitted that he lost and the two of them say they’ll be there for each other. It didn’t matter who won, because the two of them were friends. And that was the important part. In BBS, there were a lot of hints that Eraqus was misguided. He had a rigid world view that made him see things in absolutes. He was the world’s defender. Darkness was the enemy and needed to be destroyed.

I’m sure that the whole backstory of why Xehanort turned to darkness was because of some falling out between him and Eraqus, and Xehanort was deeply hurt by his rigid ideology. When Eraqus said there’s more to light than meets the eye, I think it was foreshadowing Xehanort’s surrender.

Light didn’t “conquer” the darkness and destroy it. Rather, Xehanort remembered what it felt like to love and he chose to open his heart back up to the light. Eraqus was not 100% good and correct. And Xehanort was not 100% evil and wrong. Eraqus technically “won”. But they both just wanted to go back to how they were when they were young and innocent where they cared more about each other rather than the game. I believe THAT was the whole point of the Xehanort/Eraqus friendship. But without seeing their whole past, nobody would really understand why Xehanort gave up. It wouldn’t have made sense, so they had to put that Eraqus scene in, I guess.

Ansem: You see, darkness is the heart’s true essence.

Sora: That’s not true! The heart may be weak. And sometimes it may even give in. But I’ve learned that deep down, there’s a light that never goes out!

Sora reminded Xehanort of Eraqus when he was younger and wasn’t so set in his rigid thinking. Young Eraqus was playful and fun. Once Xehanort decided to give up, THEN Terra and the others should have arrived and Eraqus’s spirit should have shown up. He didn’t need to possess Terra and ORDER MX to do anything. But he needed a scene where he acknowledged that he made mistakes with his rigid black-and-white ideology and hurt his pupils.

I actually thought the scene where Xehanort and Eraqus go off together was beautiful and it’s one of my top favorites. All Xehanort wanted was Eraqus’s affections again. As soon as Eraqus called him “friend,” he was ready to go. I don’t have a problem with the idea that we were supposed to feel sympathy for Xehanort in the end or that he got a happy ending with Eraqus. But because they had no backstory, this scene didn’t have the impact it should have had. I’m really glad that Xehanort and Eraqus are getting a backstory. It’s a shame it’s only happening in a mobile game AFTER KH3 came out, though. And that mobile game is incredibly slow to update and will probably take years to tell their whole backstory.

[melodyofflight]

Mother barely hears the boys arrive.

When they do, she’s kneeling in her garden, a hand clutched to her chest and her charge kneeling over her panic in their voice.

“Mama!? Mama what’s happened!? Are you alright!?” 

The woman stares at the ground, her bright eyes wide as tears fall from them, glistening like so many diamonds in the light of the pale moon above her.

“S-so many... so many... so much pain...” She gasps, her face twisting in pain with every roar from the city.

“...M-Miss Carla?” Linkoln speaks up, his voice wavering for a moment. It brings the attention of Tav, their lips pulling back in a snarl before they throw themself at the boy, a hand wrapping around his throat to pin him to a tree, a loud choking noise leaving his throat. 

“Who are you!? What have you done to my Mama!?” They scream, cutting off in a cry of pain as a claw formed from ice wraps around their chest and pulls them away, throwing them to the ground with a loud thud. Xilian growls, hand outstretched to cast the spell as his brother drops to the ground, a hand at his throat as he tries to catch his breath.

“Don’t touch my brother!” He growls, moving to again lift the larger dragon from the ground before he feels a small, warm weight hit his stomach, pushing him back with far too much strength to match the gentle nature of it. 

“Baby, baby no! Please! No more pain, n-no... no more pain...” Carla begs, the boy’s spell dissolving as Purity moves to sit at Carla’s feet, as they always do when around her. Tav gasps for air from their spot on the ground for but a moment before pushing herself up at the sound of Carla’s quiet sob. 

The clearing goes quiet, save for the distant sounds of screaming and creatures roar’s, and all three young people find themselves on the edge of tears, along with the small, gentle woman before them. Xilian looks down, letting his hair cover his face as he wraps his arms around her shoulders, hugging her tightly. 

“...Yes Miss Carla. No more pain. We’re sorry. but please... what’s happening?” 

The woman takes a breath, her darkened wings folding behind her back before she pushes herself away from Xilian, shaking her head.

“...We have to set up a protection spell. Stronger than the one I have, and then... then I promise I’ll tell you whatever I can,”

With Xilian and Carla’s combined power, along with some help from Purity, it isn’t long before a protection spell is placed around the clearing, also helping to block out the increasingly unnerving sounds spilling from the city.

Tav meanwhile, goes over to, ashamedly, help Linkoln up, their head turned down and away from the boy. 

“...I am... sorry. That I harmed you. I understand I was wrong,” They mutter, hand still outstretched as Linkoln stares up at them, already feeling the bruises forming at his neck. Though, kind boy that he is, it doesn’t take him long to reach up and take their hand, nodding. 

“...You were protecting Miss Carla. I can hardly fault you for it. Are you her new charge?” 

They nod, turning to watch the magic users return and start off towards the house before rushing to Carla’s side to help her walk. Linkoln watches after them both, gulping and feeling an icy shiver move down his spine. When they were so close, hand around his throat they looked... excited. He could of sworn he saw a small smile on their lips past the growl.

He shakes off the thought and follows the others inside, watching as Carla is sat in a chair and Purity shifts their form into that of a cat to better settle into her lap, purring loudly. Linkoln takes a seat while Xilian and Tav both take to standing, perhaps too anxious to sit. The young mage crosses his arms, looking down at his feet after placing the worn bag on the table.

“Okay Miss Carla... What’s happening? What are those... things attacking the city? And why did Koi insist we come here and take this bag?”

Carla’s bright eyes fall to the bag and she sighs, those rare tears of sorrow still slipping down her cheeks as she reaches to grab it. 

“What’s happening is, a child got very lost in his way, and has fooled himself into believing he is an Apostle of the Lady. Those “things” are creatures he’s created, via necromancy to... cleanse the city of those he finds guilty of sins against the Lady,” She takes out a worn, beaten tome and brushes it off, a sorrow behind her eyes that’s just so very deep and old and tired. 

Linkoln looks up at her, frowning at seeing their old friend, their mother in a strange way, so very sad. 

“Why would he want to do that? And how do you know?” 

“There’s a lot about this city that you don’t know. And a lot you shouldn’t,” She sets the book down, Tav finally sitting down as they stare at her in awe, eyebrows furrowed. “I promised your father that you both and your sister would live well, happy, and safe. But I fear that to allow you to do so means... making you remember this day, this attack when so many others will not,” 

Xilian stares at her, frowning heavily to himself. 

“...Miss Carla. What is in that book?” 

“...A spell I’d hoped I’d never have to use again. And another, to call the Lady home,” 

“Call her home? Where is she?”

“They are with your father. But not for long,” She opens the tome and Purity jumps on top of it, soon changing to a shapeless mass of green flame as a whirlwind goes through the room, the green flames reflecting off the tears on Carla’s face. 

“There is much you have to know my children. And I promise you, I will tell you all of it. But first,” Carla reaches into her pocket and crushes a handful of herbs before throwing them into the flames and blowing the smoke into the children’s faces.

First Xilian, then Linkoln, and finally Tav’s eyes close and they slump over, each falling to the ground in a deep sleep. 

“...Sweet dreams babies. I’m sorry you had to be in so much fear,” She whispers, guilt swirling in her stomach until she uses it to cry out into the flames. 

“Firae! Return, and guard this land from those who abuse your domain!” The flames grow taller, kissing the ceiling and making her take a step back before suddenly receding, Firae sitting before her on the table with Purity curled against their neck, lighting their skin with an electric green glow.

“Miss, you know you don’t need to be so formal with me. You need only call my name and I will rush to your aid,” They mumble, their eyes hidden in their hair as they stand themself up, Purity jumping down to curl up with her master with a quiet purr.

“I understand, but Firae there’s-”

“I know what’s happened Miss. I can hear my children crying... calling out against the wretched man who pulled them from their loving home in my darkness,” They reach up and pull their hair back, their bright eyes glowing in the dim light as their blackened wings stretch behind them, green flames matching those of the familiar at Xilian’s side leaking from their mouth. Carla feels an odd sense of pride rise in her chest as Firae turns to face the window, baring their fangs in rage.

“This fool calls himself my Apostle. He is but a thief, stealing my children away. He shall taste the power he so desires as it rips itself through his body and tears his soul to shreds,”

“...Be careful baby. Don’t strain yourself,” Carla says, reaching out to take Firae’s hand. It’s cold in hers, and thin, but for just a moment, their slender fingers squeeze hers tightly. 

“...I won’t. Stay here, guard these children. I promise you, peace shall reign again in our home. And we will disguise this scar from their memories,” They look at her, taking a moment before dropping to a knee and bowing their head. 

“And then, when his journey is finished, I will bring your boy back home safely. All will be well Miss. I swear it to you,” They kiss her knuckles, getting a nod in return before disappearing in a flutter of wings and a stiff breeze.

Carla takes a deep, painful breath before looking down at the sleeping three on her floor.

“...I’m so very sorry. I should have seen this coming, should have protected you... I should have protected everyone,” She covers her face, sinking to her knees by their heads. What good is it being hailed as a god, when all you can do is let people forget? What good is it when it’s all an illusion?

What good is she?