#I think in a way she’s been mourning him for years already but to truly feel and acknowledge those feelings would be great for her

[blue-eli]

Thinking about Kairi & Sora but mainly Kairi and going insane. Girl you have so many issues

[madwomansapologist]

stay soft, get eaten | tanjiro kamado x hashira!reader

tanjiro was accused of treason, and there was more than enought proof for you to cut his head and damn his existence. that was your duty as a hashira. but as a friend, you couldn't. you could never.

cw: angst. hurt/barely any comfort. childhood friends to strangers to lovers. kny level of violence. death and gore. more than one character actively trying to kill nezuko.

an: messing around with the idea of an oc. can anyone rec an artist that accepts commissions? another chapter of me finding a way to put a undertale reference on my fics.

A ghost stood before you, forcing you to face your past.

Once more you were that innocent girl unaware of how your life would change. Focused on the basket between your hands, making sure to protect the bread inside it from the snow, you had no real worries.

You didn't saw the blood. You didn't smell the putrid stench. It was right in front of you, and still you noticed nothing. How you despise that clueless girl. She knew the world was a kind place. She didn't believed that, she knew that: nothing bad has ever happened for her to think otherwise.

How dumb you were. To only notice the blood after stepping on it.

You never truly understood what it meant to be a person until that very moment. To be alive is to have a body, and to have a body is to suffer. A layer of skin, a layer of fat, a layer of muscles, a layer of bones. Nothing can change that.

And blood. So much blood. You threw up on the snow, and continued until your throat burned. With the scarlet red carved on your eyes, you saw the graves. That made you remember exactly where you were.

Kie Kamado. Takeo Kamado. Hanako Kamado. Shigeru Kamado. Rokuta Kamado. Nezuko Kamado. Tanjiro Kamado.

All dead.

You were shaking when he came. Was it because of the snow falling on your skin for hours on end, the empty on your stomach, or the violent cries taking over your body? When you left with Giyu Tomioka, you knew why: you were enraged.

From then on, you trained. You almost died, then did it all again. Until you reached perfection. Every movement, every breath, every muscle of your body. You made yourself excelent. You protected those that couldn't, killed oni after oni, slayed a kizuki without hesitation.

That innocent girl you despise died because of what you saw that night. That girl you envy, that had silly dreams and could afford not to learn it was already time to grow for a few more years died that night. So why you're looking at Tanjiro's sleeping face?

Unaware of the string muzzling your heart as if it was a beast in need of taming, the Pillars argued around you. You couldn't quite catch their words, all meaning lost in the air around you.

You pinched yourself, as if you didn't already knew it wasn't a nightmare. Life taugh you a funny trick: when you don't know what's happening, all you had to do is to imagine the worst possible scenario and accept it as reality.

And so you knew: you were late that night. More than you could ever imagine. Late so you couldn't see they alive, couldn't help Tanjiro, couldn't save Nezuko. And Giyu lied to you. If not, he at least omit the truth from you.

"Tomioka", you interrupted Tengen, just now realizing the voice you heard belong to him. You have never been so upset, and still your concentration on your breathing technique never shattered. "You knew from the start, didn't you?"

"I believe Shinobu said-", Mitsuri thought you had misunderstood Shinobu's report, but decided to remain silent when she noticed your clenched fists. She observed you, more carefully now, and saw the truth.

After all, when someone does their best not to cry the only decent thing is to pretend they're doing a good job.

Giyu didn't return your gaze. You were almost grateful for it. You don't know if you could endure his coldness now. "You found me mourning his family, and knowing he was alive you chose to say nothing."

How loud the silence that came after it was. Not a single breath was heard by your attentive ears. In the absence of an response, you found one: your trick never fails you.

Kyojuro turned to you, his smile brighter than the sun. "All slayers involved in this case shall face punishment", Kyojuro's energy had no effect on you. "We'll find a way to punish the Water Hashira."

Instead of moving forward, you looked back. "Tomioka", your calm voice made him look at you. This time, you were ready for what you would face. Even know, he was so aloof. What a nice act.

Giyu Tomioka gave you no comfort when he found you that night, only the truth. Giyu Tomioka told you a tale of demons and slayers, of blood and ashes. Giyu Tomioka gave you a reason to get up, clean the vomit on your face, and pray one last time for the family that always treated with care.

"What I do now?", the wind shoved your tired words towards ears. "How can I stop then?"

Giyu thought about your questions for a while. Just when he decided it was best to turn his back on you, something on your eyes stopped him. They burned. "There is a cultivator a few cities away."

You smiled.

Mitsuri gasped. She can still smile at him even now, her dreamy eyes gazed upon you. Sweet like sakuramochi. And as pretty too.

You thought about hiding yourself behing Gyomei when Tanjiro started to wake up. You didn't, you couldn't move. As he tried with sleepy words to protect his sister, you stood as quiet as you could. But his eyes found you, and for a second the world around you faded away.

⋆✦⋆

Tanjiro was dreaming again.

As the Pillars argued about his future execution, Tanjiro couldn't quite believe it all was really happening. Broken bones, exhausted mind, sore muscles. He must be hallucinating from the pain. That's the only possible explanation.

Because you're right in front of him, and that only happens when he dreams.

And still, even so sure it was just a fantasy from his tired mind, Tanjiro could do nothing but to stare at your sweet eyes and pretend it was reality.

How he wish to go back in time and be that boy who worried if you would look at him at during his daily walks throught the village. He could almost feel the softness of your hair against his once scarless palm, hear the poems you declamed with such a passion, see the careful way you treated your siblings.

Tanjiro isn't that boy anymore, and your perfume reminds him of apple and cinnamon. You smell like exhaustion and regret. Like hopes and dreams. Kindness and duty.

"Were you happy?" He interrupted one of the Pillars, not that he ever heard about them before, and in response to his disrespect Tanjiro was shoved on the ground. He contorced his body to look at you, ignoring everything else. "Was life good to you?"

Your smile burned your cheeks, so big it showed a bit of your gums. Usually you tried to keep it cover, but not this time. This time you could afford to smile without a care. "No, it wasn't", you answered with a voice covered in honey. "But I made it good."

Tanjiro smiled. The pain, the loneliness, the fear: it all disappeared. Smelling joy, Tanjiro was glad it wasn't a dream. But of course that meant the execution discussed was real too.

"That won't be a problem, right?" Shinobu questioned. "As a Pillar, we expect you to do what must be done."

Looking into his eyes, a stare so strong you felt hazy, you didn't hesitate. "The only mercy a demon deserves is a of a quick death." You turned to Shinobu, so she could see you meant it. "It's our duty to do so."

"And the boy?" Shinobu smiled, but it was so emotionless. It felt like a performance, but to what audience? Who Shinobu was trying to fool? You can't imagine.

You could feel his gaze burning your temples. "I won't pretend to be our Master and decide his fate", you wondered if your eyes were emotionless too. Were you trying to fool someone? "I know my place."

As Rengoku reenforced Tanjiro was to be killed by his act of treason, you looked at him again. Hoping to see disgust on his eyes, you saw something you couldn't really comprehend. Something warm and soft.

You saw your Tanjiro again. That sweet boy who would protect you from the snow, even if he would get sick because of it. You wondered if he saw that girl you once were. If he could remember your tales and desires.

You hope that girl is still alive somewhere safe. It would be enough for her to be alive on his mind.

She would've protected Tanjiro now. Don't matter the size of the threat, she would fail but would never give up. Now you're bigger than most threats out there in the world, but nothing could change the fact Tanjiro protected a demon.

You stood quiet, dreaming about a world were demons were still just tales. You smelled like defeat.

⋆✦⋆

And still, despite your desire to never speak again, you couldn't ignore it.

"Nezuko glowed, Master", you gather all your strenght to disagree. It pierced your very soul to do so, but how could you agree with that? "She was the jewelof our village. A dear friend, my Flower, so kind and generous."

You felt the weight of his gaze on you, knowing that Tanjiro would never look at you again. You love him, you really do, but if he really wanted to protect Nezuko he would let her go. You would be kind. You would do it swiftly, and endure the weight of her death for him.

"She doesn't deserve to be remembered as one of them", you said. "If her body won't be respected, then let her soul be. Allow me to free her, please."

Mitsuri would do anything Master asked for, but that made her desire he would want something else. That's a sort of strenght I didn't knew you had, Mitsuri thought to herself. Am I strong like that?

Looking into Tanjiro's eyes, you didn't noticed as Sanemi moved. You only understood when he screamed, and Iguro decided to put him down on the ground. Again and again, Sanemi pierced the box, offending Nezuko.

"Master, forgive me for this", you raised your voice. You would never do that in front of your Master, but he was the one to start this. In a instant, you were besides him with your sword on your hands. "But if Sanemi will be cruel, I will be fast."

But before you could cut off her head, Nezuko looked away.

"Flower?" You asked, sword falling down on the ground. "Are you in there?"

Nezuko hugged you, and once again a Kamado shattered your world.

if you enjoyed, please reblog! i promise it makes a difference ♡

general taglist: @lovelyy-moonlight

@ madwomansapologist.tumblr.

[masorciereviolette]

The Weight Of Grief Masterlist-

Pairing: Agatha Harkness x Reader // Agatha x Reader x Rio

A/N: this story is currently ongoing! Now that I have the majority of everything I’ve pre written posted, and ppl have shown some interest. I’ll be continuing to work on it and my intentions are to have a new chapter posted once to twice a week minimum!

Plot wise you can expect at least 9-10 more chapters of this particular story, it really just depends on the flow of things. it honestly may go over, there is just so much to include. but I know for sure at lest 17 chapters are pre planned right now & it will get even more canon divergent the further we progress into the story because I refuse to kill off my favorite witch. I truly appreciate ALL the love and engagement frfr—✋🏽😭

Summary:

Centuries ago, Agatha Harkness was condemned by her own coven for entangling herself with the dark arts, yet when they tried to execute her she turned their magic against them, draining them of their power and leaving nothing but hollowed husks & ashes in her wake.

In the aftermath of Salem, she found solace in an unlikely love, forging an unbreakable bond with the Reader and later with the cosmic enigma herself, Rio Vidal. Their passion burned bright, but fate is rarely kind to those who defy its balance.

When Nicholas Scratch was born, he was not just your son but a child of magic, a gift from Rio—one that came at an unforeseen cost. Fearful of the price that would one day be demanded, Agatha ran taking Nicholas with her in a desperate attempt to keep him safe. But no amount of magic, no amount of hiding could change what had already been decided.

Years later, Agatha stands on your doorstep, stripped of her power and seeking aid. But the wounds of betrayal are not so easily mended and the weight of grief is not so easily forgotten. How dare she return now, after all this time—after leaving you to grieve alone. Love, loss, and the cruel hands of fate weave their story together once more, But some wounds do not heal without a price.

Prologue 

Ch 1.

Ch 2.

Ch 3.

Ch 4.

Ch 5.

Ch 6.

Impactful Memories // Moments Experienced: Bonus Chapters

(MINORS DNI 18+ ONLY)

Think of these as external bonus chapters, giving you glimpses of the past interactions / memorable moments that I feel are important between Agatha, The Reader & Very soon Rio as well.

I have a few more started I’d like to post, I just simply don’t have place for all of them in the current story im creating. I managed to integrare most moments into the original story, But there’s a few more I’d still love to share with you all That showcase some sweet and some tragic moments between all three women.

In my honest opinion it gives more depth to the emotional & physical connections between all of them in the main story, because during majority of the original story, emotions go unspoken for the most part. You could expect instances like :

Agatha and the reader meeting in a memorable way

The moment the reader and Agatha finally realized that they care a lot more for each other than the other has let on,

Agatha and The Reader meeting Rio for the first time,

The growth and development of the relationship between The Reader, Agatha & Rio

& Interactions between Rio and Agatha after Agatha already ran off with Nicholas.

A Clash Of Power, Wit & Curiosity Pt. 1

Mourning Temptation & Sweet Surrender Pt. 2

An Alluring Dance With….Death?

[redskull199987]

MIKE SCHMIDT!!?!?!?!

FNAF MOVIE ATE SO HARD okay but what about Mike Schmidt (aka Josh my childhood crush frfr) x eeader who was his childhood friend and despite her being obviously in love with him he never realized because of Geretts death his job problems and Abby so he always took everything for a "friendly gesture" (even though Abby told him multiple times and the overfriendliness duh) and one day after that one girl (the babysitter girl, something with M, forgot her name) didn't come he finally called her to babysit Abby which made her mad happy, and when she arrives before he leaves they maybe have a small romantic interaction which gets (sadly) interrupted by Abby by accident so he awkwardly leaves after that to work? This would be kind of a cliff hanger but I have this perfectly pictured in mind and I need someone to write this down, so please 🤞🏻 Thanks a lot, love you!!!

Waiting for Her

Mike Schmidt x fem!reader Request

Word Count:1.8k

Warnings:nothing basically, maybe a bit of anxiety on the readers side, but apart from that, it’s fluff, Movie spoilers obviously

Summary:You hadn’t seen your childhood friend Mike in years. And you certainly didn’t expect to see him anytime soon again. But what you didn’t plan on was him calling you to ask if you could babysit his little sister. And how could you say no to the man who was your first ever crush…

Masterlist

You didn’t plan on going out again today. Strictly speaking, you were actually about to go to sleep, since you had a long day at work and all you wanted to do was to fall into the comfort of your bed.

But right, as you entered your bedroom to get ready for the night, you heard your phone ringing from the hallway. Your brows furrowed in confusion, as you didn’t know who in the world would be calling at such ungodly hours.

You glanced at the clock on your wall once more, it was already 11pm, before you made your way towards your phone. Your suspicions only rose, as you didn’t recognize the number. But against all odds, you decided to answer.

“Hello?”, you asked gingerly, your voice slightly shaking.

Your Paranoia quickly dissolved into nothingness, as the Person on the other Side of the Line quickly answered:”Y/N? This is Mike, Mike Schmidt.”

“Mike?”, You wondered,”As much as I enjoy hearing from you again, why are you calling me in the middle of the Night?”

“If it were possible? My usual Babysitter didn’t show up and I can’t leave Abby alone.”, he tried to explain.

“Uh, this is kinda out of nowhere, but I was wondering if you could babysit my little sister?”, he asked, the slight Embarrassment in his voice painfully obvious.

To say that you were taken aback by his question would’ve been an understatement:”Like right now?”

Your mind was reassembling a hurricane for a minute, as your thoughts were racing towards every possible answer that You could give him. Were you tired and wanted to sleep? Of course, you were. But you also wanted to help out Mike, he was your childhood best friend after all. Even if you didn’t see each other in quite a while. After his little Brother died, he distanced himself from you more and more. You didn’t judge him, he was mourning after all, but you couldn’t deny the pang in your heart every time you thought back to him.

“So?”, Mike inquired after you didn’t answer,”Do you think it would be possible?”

You didn’t give yourself enough time to think it over once more. It seemed like you answered on autopilot:”Ehm, sure. Just tell me your address and I’ll come over.”

Mike quickly thanked you and gave you his address, you scribbled it down on a small Post-it-Note, before hanging up. You could only stare at your phone in silence. What the hell did you just agree on? Were you truly ready to see Mike again? What would he think if he saw you? Surely, you had changed quite a bit since you last saw him. And even more important, how did he look now? What was going on in his life? 

Since you were to babysit his little Sister, you thought that he was probably taking care of her. Where were his Parents? Did they die? Was Mike really raising his little sister on his own? Or did he have someone? A Partner potentially?

Your eyes widened. What if he did have a Partner? Not that it was any of your business, but you didn’t forget how much of a Crush you had on him back then. But he was your best friend, so you didn’t say anything.

And then you grew apart.

You quickly shook your head, trying not to overthink it too much. You looked back at your phone and realized in horror, that You had been standing there in the Hallway for ten minutes, just staring to the ground.

“Oh Shit!”, You mumbled to yourself and quickly jogged back to your room to throw on a pair of Jeans and grab your jacket. With your keys in one hand and your Phone in the other, You made your way out of your Apartment and towards your car. You took one last deep breath in and looked back to your Home, before finally starting the car and driving to the Address, Mike had given you.

With your hands slightly shaking, You knocked on the Door of an inconspicuous Apartment. You could see Lights coming from the inside and a Car was parked in Front, so You knew someone was Home. You just hoped that it was the right address and that you didn’t accidentally scare some People by randomly knocking on their Door.

But as the Door swiftly opened, you presumed that your assumptions were unnecessary. In front of you, stood a tall young Man with curly Brown hair. He was wearing a Security west over his Hoodie, it even had a small Badge pinned to it. He may have looked different, but Eyes were the same. You were sure that you would recognize his Eyes in every other Universe. And it were exactly those eyes that were staring at you in disbelief right now.

“Mike?”, You finally said, a smile now lacing your lips. All Anxiety aside, you were just happy to see him again. The Boy you had seen everyday when You were a kid had now grown into a man. And a pretty handsome one on top of that.

“Y-Yeah, it’s me.”, Mike mumbled, running a hand through his hair,”You…You look really pretty.”

You felt heat rising to your cheeks and you quickly looked to the ground, the smile on your face only growing bigger.

“I missed you.”, You finally said,”Mind if I ask for a Hug?”

Mike only shook his head, already stepping closer to you, slinging his arms around your waist. As his warmth engulfed you, you realized once more how much you had missed him, so You made sure to give him an extra-large squeeze before the two of you parted.

Mike only looked at you, with what you thought was adoration, in his eyes, before he asked you inside.

“So, what have you been up to?, You asked, as you carefully glanced around his apartment. It wasn’t particularly big, but it looked cozy. You spotted a TV in front of a Sofa in the living room and directly following it was the small kitchen with a round table in the middle. You presumed that the hallway led to the bathroom and Abby’s and Mike’s Bedrooms.

“Oh you know, this and that. Mainly looking after my sister.”, Mike finally answered your question, as he grabbed his car keys from the living room and came back to you,”What about you?”

“Nothing too interesting.”, You smiled politely,”I work in a boring office and live in a boring Apartment and go to the same boring Mall now and then.”

“No Partner or something like that?”, Mike asked with furrowed Brows and you saw the regret on his face, as he realized that his question may have been a bit too straight forward.

But You only chuckled, trying to lighten the Mood:”No, I don’t have a Partner. Why?”

“Oh you k-know..”, he mumbled, looking to the Ground,”I thought, someone as pretty as you would have a Partner.”

You were quite sure that you must have looked dumbfounded as hell, but neither Mike nor you got any chance to say anything, as you saw a small Girl running down the Hallway, towards the two of You.

“Mike! I wanna come with You”, She quietly whined and grabbed his arm. Mike only gave you an apologetic look, before leaning down to her height:”Abby, we talked about this. You know, it’s too dangerous for you to come.”

Abby only pouted in response and now, her gaze finally fell onto you. Her big brown eyes inspected you from top to bottom:”Is that the Girl you always talk about?”

Now it was Mike’s turn to blush, as he swiftly rose to his feet again:”This is Y/N. She will look after you tonight. We were friends when we were about your age.”

“Oh, I feel honored.”, You chuckled,”Tell me, what do you wanna do tonight?”

You gave the small girl a warm smile, before also leaning down to her height, just as Mike had done it mere seconds ago.

“I’m Y/N. Nice to meet you, Abby”, You said and held your hand out for her to take it. She looked at it for a second, before gently grabbing and shaking it:”I like you.”

“Mike only lets me stay up until 12”, Abby pouted and glared at her older Brother.

You looked back and forth between them for a second. She really was a lot like her brother, you noted.

“I tell you something, come here.”, You motioned for her to step closer and as she did, You mumbled something into her ear, so that Mike couldn't hear it,”I’ll let you stay up as long as you like and I won’t tell Mike. It’ll be our little secret, okay?”

The Girl practically beamed at you and nodded eagerly, before taking off towards her room again. With a chuckle, you got back to your feet to accompany Mike to the door.

“Thanks again.”, Mike mumbled, opening the Door,”I’ll pay you as soon as I get my salary, I promise.”

“There’s no need for that, Mike”, You chuckled patting his shoulder. The Boy looked at You like You were his Lord and Saviour:”How can I repay you?”

“See you tomorrow then.”, you beamed and waved your hand at him, as he made his way towards his car. You looked after him for a minute, before you heard Abby calling out for you.

“You could…yk, Go out with me some time.”,You proposed shyly, looking to the Ground.

But much to your Favour, Mike gave you a smile and a nod:”I’d love to.”

You concluded that it was the right decision to answer Mike’s Call.

Bonus:

After a long and dreadful Night at the Pizza Plex, Mike finally arrived back home. He was ready to just fall into his bed and sleep through the entire day.

And as he stepped closer, he felt his heartbeat slightly pick up. There you were, huddled up on the Couch, but what he didn’t expect was that Abby was laying next to you. Or rather, on top of you. The two of You cuddled up together under the blanket, like a bunch of cats.

But his plans changed, as he stepped into the apartment. He was about to call out for you, when he spotted someone laying on the Couch in the Living Room.

A small smile made its way onto his face and he quickly stepped forward to adjust the blanket on the two of you, before quietly making his way towards his room. Mike decided that it was a good idea to call You up and ask for help.

[stormcloudrising]

Rhaenyra Targaryen, Is she a Monster Hiding in Plain Sight?

So, I just posted a thread on the ex bird App breaking down why I think Rhaenyra is quite possibly a monster hiding in plain sight, and how it’s been on the screen since season one. The set-up is all there and people are just sleeping on it like they did with Dany, and when Rhaenyra truly does and in-your-face dark deed that can’t be ignored, they will say, “ but there was no set-up.”

I’m just going to post the paragraphs of the thread here and so apologies for any typos as I’m not interested in going back to correct…LOL. And of course, because of Tumblr rules, I must label it anti-Targaryen to protect sensibilities, when it’s not. It’s just an analysis of what’s on the screen. In case you’re interested, here is what I posted.

Great scene between Rhaenyra and Daemon on Sunday’s episode of #HOTD. Well acted by Emma & Matt, and extremely well written, which convinced me that the episode was mis-titled. Instead of Rhaenyra the Cruel, it should have been Rhaenyra, the Monster Hiding in Plain Sight.

Yes. You read that correctly. Rhaenyra will turn out to be the monster hiding in plain sight & the proof has been in the dialogue & on screen since season 1. Before she does something truly dark, and people start saying it came out of left field, let me show you the video tape.

But let me set it up for you. What do I mean she’s a monster hiding in plain sight? Well, during her argument with Daemon, for the second time, she told him that she believes he’s capable of monstrous acts, including the killing of a baby.

She says this when this is exactly the reason she married Daemon. She married him to protect her path to the throne and for him to commit the monstrous acts when necessary on her behalf—like murdering her husband, the “father” of her children, and the brother of Daemon’s wife.

…is off mourning the loss of his sister & not there in the moment to put up the front, & this is the last straw for Rhaenyra. For her, Laenor is now useless, but hey, Daemon is back & he’s known for committing dark deeds & so how difficult can it be to get him to kill her hubby.

She monstrously asks Daemon to do this on the day he returns home to bury his wife—right after Laena’s funeral no less. She wants him to kill Laenor, who has been there for her all these years, & who gave her children a happy childhood, as we see from Jace’s memories of him.

Laenor is off mourning the loss of his sister & not there when she needs him to put up a front, & this is the last straw for Rhaenyra. He is now useless, but hey, Daemon is back & he’s known for committing dark deeds & so how difficult can it be to get him to kill her hubby.

And before you say Rhaenyra would never have killed Laenor, let me show you the evidence on screen…starting with this conversation where she says for the first time that she believes Daemon is capable of monstrous acts. Right before she works her magic and seduces him.

Let’s now look at the on screen evidence in order to support my thesis. First time she tells him that she believes he can commit monstrous and depraved acts…starts at 1:35. Listen to the dialogue. youtu.be/Cs1CJTPMPn8?si

She soon proves Daemon’s earlier point that each person is capable of depravity when she asks him to marry her. He says, the only way it can happen is if Laenor is dead, and she responds, “I KNOW,” indicating that she had already considered the idea and was ok with it.

Watch this next clip and how Matt plays the scene holding his hand to his chest. Daemon recognizes her request as a depraved act proving his earlier point, but she doesn’t even see it. youtu.be/4gTGi3VE4pU?si

That clip really should be labeled, “Rhaenyra ask Daemon to kill Laenor” rather than to marry her. Let’s now look at the final clip that covers the actual events surrounding the “murder” of Laenor.

Pay particular attention to Daemon and Rhaenyra’s voice overs. First let me say that only tyrants or soon to be tyrants say I’m not or won’t be a tyrant. If you’re not a tyrant or don’t have those tendencies, there is no need for that declarative statement.

They don’t show the actual scene of Daemon and Rhaenyra planning Laenor’s death, but they give us the voice overs. And while we don’t get the full conversation, we do get enough of it that in juxtaposition with the scenes of Laenor, allows us to fill in the obvious blanks.

Note Rhaenyra saying “I do love Laenor,” and the intonation in her voice as if she’s being convinced of something. We know as shown in the previous clip that she was quite fine with killing Laenor. In fact, it was her plan.

And so, that can’t be what Daemon is trying to convince her of when he says, “then grant him this kindness. Set him free.” The scenes on the screen of Laenor and Qarl fighting would seem to suggest that Daemon was referring to the freedom of death.

However, Rhaenyra’s words about love and the ending scene of Laenor and Qarl escaping shows it wasn’t death that Daemon was talking about. He was trying to convince Rhaenyra to let Laenor go free. Here is the clip. youtu.be/UevRWZAxBiA?si

If Rhaenyra’s plan was always to let Laenor escape to Essos, there would be no reason for Daemon to ask her to grant him the kindness of freedom. The lightness inside of Daemon was ascendant on the day Rhaenyra asked him to kill Laenor.

Of course, the darkness quickly rebalanced the scale as he turned around and killed an innocent man to play the role of Laenor’s dead body. Why did Daemon grant Laenor the kindness of his life and freedom. With Daemon, you never know.

Maybe it was because Laenor was his wife’s twin and his daughters’ uncle. Maybe he didn’t want Rhaenyra to be the depraved monster he mentioned in his words to her. All signs point to Rhaenyra being a tyrant.

While she’s currently hiding it,  Tyrants always show their true colors, and it will happen here too. And people will say, but it came out of left field. There were no clues that Rhaenyra had this darkness in her, when it’s always been there on the screen from the beginning.

So yeah, Rhaenyra is not the good guy thinking about the good of the realm. Unlike Jaime who betrayed his vows to protect the realm, Rhaenyra betrayed Laenor for the simple quest of power. She wants the throne & Alicent sits in Kings Landing with her sons keeping her from it.

Daemon does not hide who he is. Rhaenyra on the other hand knowingly does, and that’s the worse type of person you would want to rule. 

Her comment to Daemon that she believes he can commit monstrous acts was the show saying…”hey remember when she said that the first time and what she was planning”. Remember things are not always as it seems, and so, don’t be surprised.

[aristaspark]

Kenlynn/Dinostar thoughts

I don't know if it was intented (I hope it was) but Darius's confession came off as really... idk, unhealthy and icky.

Like, he was willing to have a relationship with her after she just broke up with his BROTHER. And it's not like he was like forget it, I'd never do that to Kenji... no, if Brooklynn had said yes, he would have been willing to date her. Also the way he ridiculed HIS BROTHER'S feelings when he had been with Brooklynn for 6 WHOLE YEARS.

I was pretty neutral about dinostar but now I truly hope they won't happen. I hope this storyline is here to allow character development for both Brook and Darius: for Brook to realize that Earnest's depiction of her was right (she had eveything but was blind to it, was never satisfied) and that it only caused her pain when she could have been perfectly happy with Kenji.

And for Darius to realize that he loved all the wrong things about Brooklynn (her determination, blabla, all those things that have led her to loose her arm and act on her own, to hurt herself and the ones she loves).

Everything about season 2 dinostar is unhealthy.

I'm not too worried, I trust the writers, because if they had planned for dinostar to happen I believe they would have done many things differently to avoid this.

Let me explain:

In Darius's case it's believable that he'd fall for her, he was single. But if Brook was suddenly in love with him that'd mean that she would have dated someone for 6 years while been in love with someone else which I don't think is the case. Or that all it took was a week for her to fall for someone else. Or if she wasn't in love before, then they'd need to actually show her develop feelings for him in season 3, and I don't see how they would do that with how things have ended.

Then there's Brooklynn's letter they posted on instagram where she only wrote to Kenji. Reminder that they were broken up and that Darius had already confessed to her and yet she only wrote to Kenji, calling him "dear Kenji". She knew how much she seemingly mattered to Darius, and yet the person she wrote to wasn't him. Kenji was also the most affected when they learnt that she was alive (he has his own scene, while Darius is with Yaz and Sammy, no special moment).

Despite everything he still loves her. I think that if they had wanted Dinostar to happen, they would have made it VERY clear that all Kenji felt toward Brook were feelings directed at an ex he's over with, to prepare for Dinostar but they didn't. The biggest proof of that is that they could have given the last scene to Darius but they didn't. It would have made sense for Darius character to be the one to find her first since we saw him mourn her so much last season, he could have been desperate to meet with her, and yet it was Kenji.

With how things are right now, if Dinostar happened it would destroy Kenji because he still loves her even if he doesn't understand her, which would make both Darius and Brooklynn horrible people, that's why I don't think it'll happen, because the writers could have easily avoided it.

[littlemourningstarr]

Do You Mourn the Passing of the Hours?

Former Professor Emmrich Volkarin had spent years settled into a quiet life running a small, quint flower shop in Nevarra. He expected that any excitement was far behind him. Enter, Lucanis Dellamorte. Professional assassin. Antivan Crow. A possessed man. A possible bad decision to take in Lucanis after an assassination goes slightly off kilter, and suddenly Emmrich finds his life is full of far more excitement than he'd ever had. But maybe, for the man who had begun to experience the world through a cloudy window of fascination but never truly partaking, the excitement would remind him what it was like to truly be alive again.

Chapter Eleven!

Pairing: Emmrich Volkarin x Lucanis Dellamorte, Emmrich Volkarin x Spite, Emmrich Volkarin x Lucanis Dellamorte x Spite

Read below or on AO3!

Tags: tags to be added as we go, modern AU, flower shop AU, demonology AU, former professor Emmrich, still assassin Lucanis, physical hurt/comfort, scent kink, Spite is a little freak, mentioned/discussed past Viago/Lucanis, background Teia/Viago, pinning, slow burn, hand kink, masturbation, background Bellara/Irelin, biting, hand jobs, blow jobs, anal sex, anal fingering, surprise piercing, canon style violence, virgin Lucanis

Emmrich unlocked the door to the house, against the his own laughter as Bellara continued to tell him about some of the misadventures she had had, during her undergraduate years.

"I remember mistakes like that so fondly," Emmrich had to admitted, as he stepped inside. The house was silent, around him. Which was… odd. He had expected to hear Lucanis in the living room, or in the kitchen- he had texted him earlier that Bellara was coming by with him for a final visit- her flight back to Arlathan left early the next morning.

But there was nothing. Emmrich paused- but then didn't even bother removing his shoes, something in his gut not feeling right. He walked through the dining room into the kitchen, and noticed the mug he had placed beneath the coffee machine for Lucanis that morning still sitting there- cold, full, untouched.

"Lucanis?" Emmrich called, as Bellara stepped into the kitchen doorway.

"Emmrich? What's wrong?"

Emmrich gently brushed past her, heading for the stairs and climbing them quickly. He rushed down the hallway, found Lucanis's room empty. Completely empty. In fact, it had the air of a room untouched for decades, already.

He felt Manfred rub against his leg, and glanced down. The cat bound off towards his study, and Emmrich followed. Nearing his desk, he noticed a piece of his stationary, left next to his laptop. He snatched it up, not having needed to ever see Lucanis's handwriting to know it was his.

Emmrich.

Seeing his name made his heart lurch, begin to claw up his throat. He could hear Bellara on the stairs, making her way up.

I'm sorry. Caterina's dead.

"Dead?" Emmrich whispered to himself, as Manfred jumped up on the desk, looking intently at him.

You're not safe around me. If I stay- someone else will try to take your life. I can't be the cause of your death, too.

Emmrich felt his hands shake. He didn't understand why Lucanis would think he was responsible for Caterina's death- but there was no other way to read that statement.

There was the start to a sentence, but it was so scribbled out Emmrich couldn't read it- and beneath it.

Thank you.

Lucanis

"He's gone," Emmrich whispered to himself, turning around and finding Bellara waiting at the doorway for him. "He's returned to Treviso."

"Because of last night?" Emmrich knew Bellara meant the attack- which he had explained in length to her- and not the spontaneous intimacy that had occurred after- which he had not mentioned- yet he couldn't wonder if perhaps he had overstepped. Gods, Lucanis had admitted after that Emmrich had been his first… "So, what are you waiting for?"

"Come again?" Bellara walked into the room, reaching out and covering Emmrich's hands on the paper he was clutching so desperately.

"What are you waiting for? You know where he went- book a flight and pack your suitcase!"

Emmrich gawked at Bellara. Because he couldn't… that would be rash…

He was already moving out of the study, towards his bedroom, his closet, a small rolling suitcase that had been touched in over ten years still tucked away. As he did Bellara followed, pulling out her own phone, listing off all of the flight times to Treviso she could find.

As he haphazardly began to pack, he did fish his phone out, and tried to call Lucanis once. The call went directly to voicemail- and without a word he hung up, slipped his phone away, and shut his suitcase. He couldn't dwell on the sinking feeling in his belly, on the way his heart ached far worse than it ever had, in his chest.

If he had over stepped, he wanted to apologize. If Lucanis feared for Emmrich's safety, he wanted to confront that. He couldn't just let everything that felt so right die, when it had only just been born.

It seemed he was going to finally see Treviso.

*

Treviso was warmer than Nevarra, the early morning sun blinding Emmrich for a moment. Next to him, Bellara pushed her sunglasses down, looking at a map of the city on her phone.

She shouldn't have even been there- but once Emmrich relented that there wasn't a single strand of his very being that didn't want to go after Lucanis, she had canceled her flight to Arlathan and booked the seat next to him that evening for Treviso. In her words, I don't let me friends adventure without me!

Emmrich was honored, and endlessly thankful, to not be doing this alone.

He was exhausted down to his bones from the overnight flight. Their hotel was only a few blocks walk from where a shuttle from the airport had dropped them, and he was thankful. He didn't want to waste a moment's time- but he also knew his mind wouldn't function at its best in his current state. He needed a few hours of rest, in order to get his head on correctly.

He pulled his rolling suitcase along, his other hand gripping Manfred's leash. The cat had been very well behaved during the journey, and had more energy than both Emmrich and Bellara combined, in that moment. He pranced along next to them, head whipping about as he took in all of the new sights and sounds.

The city was breathtaking, Emmrich could admit. He felt heartbroken that he wasn't experiencing this with Lucanis at his side, the man's hand in his own, as he eagerly talked about his favorite cafe, planned where they would be eating dinner that night.

He forced the ache down, not wanting to dwell on it. He'd fix this. He had to.

They checked into their hotel, separating for their respective rooms. They agreed to be back up in a few hours- just enough time to let their minds reset.

Emmrich removed Manfred's harness, once his hotel door was shut. The cat was quick to hop up onto the bed, walking it as if inspecting it. Emmrich didn't even bother shedding more than his shoes- he crawled into the bed, clothing slightly rumpled, jewelry still all in place. He thought the moment his head hit the pillow he would pass out- but he found himself ten minutes later still staring at the opposite wall, as Manfred settled up on one of the pillows.

Despite the exhaustion his mind was racing. He had spent the flight from Nevarra reading the latest papers Myrna had shared with him, which would have given a glimmer of hope of possibly separating Spite and Lucanis, if Emmrich could bring himself to hurt the spirit he was so fond of.

The only method that boasted actual results ensure the destruction of the spirit, and Emmrich couldn't support that- morally or personally. He found Spite felt like simply another part of Lucanis, and destroying him felt like fracturing the man he had come to love.

The word made his mouth taste metallic, as if he had bitten his tongue. He rolled onto his back, stared up at the ceiling. That's what this was, wasn't it? At the end of everything, it didn't matter how educated he was, how worldly-

He'd fallen hard and fast for a man- and the spirit that clung to him, possessed him. He felt ridiculous, was so sure this sort of fast falling should have been beyond him- yet here he was.

Worried about Lucanis, missing him- fearing that the man might simply fade away, into the Trevisan sky.

He rolled to his other side, forced his eyes shut, began to count slowly in his mind to calm himself. If he wanted to ensure Lucanis's safety, he needed to be at his best. And that meant sleep.

It was another hour before it actually came.

*

By midday, Emmrich and Bellara were as rested as possible, showered, put together, and back in the city.

"We could try to find his home," Bellara offered, standing at a street corner and looking at her phone. Her hair was thrown up haphazardly, her patchwork sweater long gone in the Trevisan heat.

"And just show up unannounced?" Emmrich asked, "the audacity."

"Emmrich. Social politeness is going out the window." She leveled a stare at him, her sunglasses sliding down her nose, and he nodded. Right, she was right- they had flown to another country after all, without Lucanis's knowledge.

They crossed the street with the crowd, Emmrich pausing as he stepped up the curb, noticing a large cafe. The name, Cafe Pietra, was familiar.

"Wait," he said, gently placing a hand on Bellara's arm. "That cafe. Lucanis has mentioned it. I believe it was his favorite." Before he could say more, Bellara was steering him in the direction of the cafe.

"Okay, so maybe we run into him and you two can have your happily ever after reunion. And I can get some caffeine."

The cafe was bustling, much livelier than Emmrich had anticipated. The air was rich with the scents of strong coffee and sugary pastries. Was this what Lucanis was used to, daily? Emmrich could see being drunk on the comfort of it alone.

Bellara pushed Emmrich towards a table and moved to order them coffee- much to his chagrin. He had planned to buy their coffee.

He settled down, glancing around him. Most of the tables were occupied, small groups speaking together- a few blatant morning dates as the couples leaned in close to speak with an intimacy that made Emmrich feel hollow.

Lucanis may have felt he had put Emmrich in danger, but Emmrich didn't care. Danger be damned, he hadn't felt this alive in… he wasn't sure how long. Someone's very soul had never sung to his in the way Lucanis's did.

He loved him. Maker and dead gods all be damned, he loved him. And he needed the man at least to know.

Bellara returned a few minutes later, setting coffee in front of Emmrich. From the scent alone it was indeed a classic Antivan roast, robust and bitter. "Cream and sugar," Bellara said, as Emmrich picked up the cup, "but I figured tea wasn't going to be strong enough."

Emmrich nodded. Truth be told, he wanted something that felt like it belonged to Lucanis anyway.

"So, anyway," Bellara said, after taking a moment to wince as she took too large a drink of her scalding coffee. "We find where he lives, we find him. If he's a Crow, and an important one, that can't be that hard in Treviso. What's his family name?"

"Dellamorte," Emmrich offered, as Bellara began rapid-fire typing on her phone. She had a point, he knew- the culture was different here. Lucanis might not have walked around tutting that he was an Antivan Crow back in Nevarra, but it would be common knowledge here. Half the cafe's current clientele were probably Crows.

Before Bellara could even finish typing, two additional cups were set on the table, and one of the chairs was pulled out. A short elf woman sat down, her dark curls wild as she leveled a stare at Emmrich. And before he could even say a word, she stated- didn't ask- "You know Lucanis."

Bellara nearly dropped her phone, having not even heard the woman sit down. She stared, as Emmrich cleared his throat.

"I do," he admitted, "Hello, by the way. I'm-"

"Nevarran, judging by your accent." Emmrich quirked a brow, and the woman folded her hands, leaned closer. She had a woody, deep rose scent to her perfume. "Would you happen to be a former professor with a specialty in spirits and demons?"

"Demons is not the term I'd use-"

He didn't even finish before she cracked a little smile. "And it's safe to assume you own a flower shop. And a cat." Emmrich pinched his lips shut, nodding. The woman pushed her seat back, stood as quickly as she had sat, gathering up her two cups of coffee. "Come with me."

Bellara and Emmrich glanced at each other, before they picked up their cups and hurried after the woman, struggling to keep up with the way she cut through the crowd with ease. It was only once they were outside the cafe that Emmrich could walk by her side.

"Do you know Lucanis?" he asked, before adding, "And how do you know so much about me?"

"It's our job to know things." She nodded towards a car, parked at the curb, as she shifted the cups to one arm, fishing out her keys. "I'll explain once we are somewhere quieter."

Emmrich nodded. Caution be damned, if he was about to be kidnapped for some unknown reason in a country he'd only been in about five hours- so be it. He'd figure it out.

Once they were in the car and in traffic, the woman finally said, "Teia. My name, by the way."

Emmrich perked up. "Lucanis had mentioned you! And your boyfriend, I believe…" he paused, searching for the name. "Viago, was his name?"

Teia smiled as she took a turn rather sharply. "Boyfriend when he remembers to behave. Good to know Lucanis didn't forget the two of us while he was off gallivanting in Nevarra." The quick glance she gave Emmrich made him believe she knew far more than she was letting on, and he had to glance away, feeling the faintest heat rising in his cheeks.

He knew very well she caught it.

"Lucanis came home last night," she offered, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel while they waited at a light. "I'm the one that called him about Caterina."

"Did you know her?"

"Quite well."

Emmrich nodded. "My condolences. How is Lucanis?" Teia glanced at him, before the light changed and she hit the gas.

"Scattered." She didn't elaborate, as she pulled into a driveway, parking the car. Emmrich climbed out, Bellara following from the back, as Teia gathered both coffee cups and led them in the front door.

Emmrich and Bellara followed her into a living room, where she set both cups on a small side table and flopped onto the couch. Emmrich stood awkwardly, holding his own, as Bellara's eyes darted around the room, taking in the art hung on the walls.

Before Emmrich could speak, he heard a voice from upstairs, "Teia? I assume that's you." There were footsteps, along the stairs, as the voice continued. "I haven't heard from Lucanis and I am considering storming the villa…"

A man appeared in the doorway, hair wet and falling against his forehead, over the tips of his ears. He was dressed in nothing but a towel that he was holding at his waist.

"…and you're not alone."

Bellara bit back a laugh, trying to hide behind taking a sip of her coffee, as Emmrich quickly glanced away, at the ceiling.

Teia simply sighed. "No Vi, I'm not. I brought your coffee, and a very interesting gentleman from Nevarra."

The man- Viago, he had to be- turned his attention fully to Emmrich, who was forced to glance from the ceiling. After only a moment, Viago cleared his throat. "Right. I'm going to put some pants on…" Teia waved him off as he left, before she gestured to the seating in the room.

"You can sit down. I promise this isn't some overly dramatized Crow ambush."

"Oh! Like in the series, The Crow's Gem, where three Antivan Crows have a Tevinter magistrate over for evening drinks and-" Bellara paused, Teia openly staring at her. "I'm rambling. Sorry."

Bellara plopped down into a love seat, as Emmrich crossed the room, sat next to her. "This is Bellara- forgive her excitement. It is well meaning." Teia gave a little forgiving smile, and Emmrich added, "And I'm Emmrich. A pleasure to meet a friend of Lucanis."

Teia leaned forward, forearms resting on her knees, as she studied him. "It's nice to put a name and face to this mysterious man Lucanis met while in exile in Nevarra."

Emmrich cleared his throat, feeling quite self conscious beneath that stare. After all, Teia was beautiful, Viago had been… Maker, was everyone in Antiva breathtaking? And he was…

Well. Too old to be chasing Lucanis, yet here he was. Playing the fool and refusing to drop out of the play.

"Lucanis wouldn't say much," Teia continued, her smile softening. "But I've never seen him smile the way he did. Smitten is the only word I can think of." She tipped her head slightly, before adding, "If he likes you, you're fine in my opinion."

"And your opinion is law." Viago spoke from the doorway, returned and properly dressed now. He walked into the room, grabbed the coffee Teia had brought back for him, and took up the spot next to her on the couch. "No one would question the Seventh Talon." He gave her a playful smile, before he turned his attention back to Emmrich. "Lucanis isn't here."

"I gathered that much."

"He insisted we take him to Villa Dellamorte last night upon his arrival. I haven't heard from him since."

"I have eyes on the villa," Teia added, "there's no reason to think he's in danger."

Emmrich tensed. "But would there be reason to consider that otherwise?"

Teia and Viago glanced at each other, before Viago gave an exasperated sigh. "We just worry about him. He was not in good shape when he last left Treviso- to come back only for Caterina's death… and gods know Illario is no help." Viago said his name as if it was coated in poison. "The man can't even confirm when Caterina's ashes will be prepared for the funeral. Teia has asked more times than I would."

Emmrich nodded. "May I ask- what were the circumstances of her death?"

Teia answered as Viago took a long drink of his coffee. "An attack on the villa- Venatori."

Emmrich frowned, Venatori… "I thought the cult's presence was minimal in Antiva."

"It is." Viago was frowning. "Which makes this suspicious beyond words. And to get so close…"

"There's more." Teia stood up, fishing out her phone and walking over to Emmrich. When she turned it, there was an image of the blade that had been used to stab Lucanis, the first day Emmrich had met him. "Lucanis sent me this picture- wanted help with the inscription. I don't know what it says, but it is definitely in Tevene."

Meaning the blade that had been used against the both of them was inscribed in Tevene as well.

"His contract was on a Venatori?"

"It would seem so."

"Is that common?"

"It's not uncommon," Viago offered, from the couch. "But typically it's from one Venatori to another- a power play. With very specific instructions, to leave a message."

Emmrich rubbed his jaw with one hand, thinking, retracing that first day. Lucanis had come in with the specific order, roses and lilies…

But he hadn't known what colors to use.

"The contract that sent him to Nevarra- is it possible to see it?"

Viago and Teia glanced at each other, before Teia pocketed her phone. "You're thinking something."

"It could be a moot point, but I'd like to check something."

"I can get you access to any of Caterina's contracts," Teia said, motioning for Emmrich to follow her. He stood up, following her towards the stairs, could hear Bellara and Viago following, Viago asking,

"Since when did you have access to the First Talon's contracts?"

Teia didn't answer, opening the door to what might have been a spare bedroom but had been turned into a study. She sat down at a desk, opening her laptop, and within moments was sifting through files.

"Caterina wanted someone else to have access," Teia finally said, "she didn't… care for the technological aspect of the business." She pushed her chair back, standing up, and nodded, offering it to Emmrich.

He sat down, scrolling through the document- it was very brief, detailed who the target was- never once calling him out as Venatori. It seemed as if the contract was coming from a spurned lover- a wife who had caught her husband cheating. The roses and lilies were meant to symbolize a funeral to their love-

And nowhere were the colors specified.

Emmrich leaned back, folded his hands in his lap. "It's odd," he said, "that the contract puts such a stress on what flowers be delivered, yet makes no mention of the color." He glanced back, but the other three were just looking at him for context. "Roses are often a sign of love, and lilies are common at funerals. but they come in many colors- and those colors can have different meanings. But…" he trailed off for a moment, "When you think of a rose, what color do you see?"

"Red," Viago offered, and Emmrich nodded.

"And a lily?"

"White." Teia, now.

"What if whoever sent this contract didn't actually care about sending a message, and simply wanted Lucanis to stand out to his target, in some way? They just assumed the roses would be red, the lilies white, and probably told your dead Venatori to look for a man with red and white flowers."

"But then how were the colors correct?" Viago asked, stepping further into the room.

Emmrich reached up, pinched the bridge of his nose. "That, unfortunately, is my fault. When Lucanis came into my shop to place the order, I helped select the colors. Gods, he could have avoided the whole debacle if I'd simply offered a different suggestion…"

He felt a hand on his shoulder- Teia, offering a small smile. "I can tell you, Lucanis would be furious to hear you blame yourself. From the brief way he spoke about you last night, I would have thought you could move mountains." She squeezed his shoulder again, as Viago took up the space over his other shoulder, reading the contract.

"This contract is sloppy," he said, "and minor- why would she even bother with it? This could have been given to any house- why waste Lucanis's talent?"

"Because it would get him out of Treviso?" They all glanced back at Bellara, who had spoken up from where she stood in the doorway. "Emmrich, you said he wasn't allowed back in Treviso while he was…"

"Still possessed," he filled in.

"Right. Well, maybe Caterina planned to have him stay in Nevarra the entire time, no matter the outcome of the contract. I mean, Nevarra is fairly calm compared to I'm sure some of the places he could visit."

Teia lifted her hands, pressing them together and to her mouth, clearly thinking. "She could be right," she said, after a moment. "Caterina hid it well, but she was upset over Lucanis's abduction. Sending him somewhere removed from the house would make sense, to keep him safe." She turned to Viago. "I will follow the contract. You need to get Lucanis to us so we can tell him about this."

"He hasn't been returning my texts."

"Well then drive over to the villa and kidnap him if you need to, Vi! Whatever it takes, get him here." Emmrich pushed the chair back, stood up as Teia took his space, cracking her knuckles. Viago huffed, but was already pulling his phone out, trying to reach Lucanis.

"Teia," Emmrich said softly, as she began began jotting notes on the unnamed contract benefactor. "Who else would know about these contracts?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, details, who they were assigned to, what might be in waiting… anything really."

"Caterina," Teia said, "myself, now. Lucanis would have, Illario…" she paused, then shook her head. "No one else- not unless the contract was assigned to another house. Anything that comes directly to one house remains in their private network… I'm the exception." She glanced up at him. "You think it was someone that close?"

"It would be the most logical answer. Let's remove Caterina herself and Lucanis- that leaves you and Illario." Before Teia could speak, Emmrich added, "I don't believe it was you."

She relaxed, slightly, as behind the group Viago could he heard yelling, "Dammit Lucanis, pick up your fucking phone!"

That didn't seem to be going well.

"Would Illario benefit from something happening to Lucanis?" He asked it softly, as Bellara tried to calm Viago, who was still cursing at his phone. "I'm sorry if that is insensitive, Lucanis mentioned him briefly, and I know they were close, but-"

"It's not. And yes, he would. It was blatant that Caterina would pass the title of First Talon onto Lucanis upon her death- or if she ever stepped down."

"Do you think he would have betrayed Lucanis to inherit?"

Teia frowned, glancing down. "Sadly, yes." With nothing else to say on the matter, Teia continued her work- and Emmrich pulled up another chair, offering to be a second set of eyes.

*

It was evening when Viago all but gave up trying to reach Lucanis and simply left. Teia had assured Emmrich that if anyone was going to magically locate him, it would be Vi. He had a sixth sense, when it came to Lucanis.

As it was, Emmrich was immersed in Teia's findings. The contract had led back eventually to a fake identity- which then led to a real Venatori. One Teia recognized.

"Calivan," she said, circling his name on the paper she was writing on. "Lucanis's contract when he was abducted was on him. I'd say it's the only outstanding contract House Dellamorte has to date." She tapped her pen. "A Crow never abandons a contract. I remember Lucanis had been adamant when he'd been returned to us that he get his pound of flesh. I'm sure that desire hasn't waned." She paused, before adding, "Caterina had considered letting him return to complete the contract. She didn't want a shadow over the house…"

She trailed off, and Emmrich offered, softly, "But?"

"But Illario had been so vocal about his concern for Lucanis that she relented for now. It was one of the few times I ever saw her concede to Illario."

Emmrich nodded. His gut was sinking more by the minute that one of the people Lucanis trusted could very well by responsible for the worst thing to ever happen to him. "Could Calivan know he was the target of a contract?"

"Possibly." Teia drew a line, before writing another name. Zara. "He works closely with Zara- a Tevinter magistrate. It's barely a rumor and nearly considered fact that she's Venatori. The rest of the magistrate just ignores it." Emmrich couldn't be shocked- he'd never heard enamoring things about most of the Tevinter Magistrate. Not that governing classes were ideal anywhere. "There's other rumors about Zara."

"Such as?"

"Her love for demons." Emmrich fought down a cringe at the use of the word- he couldn't fault Teia for it. "Word has always been she has experimented with possession."

"Spite," Emmrich whispered. "The contract on Calivan- it could have been simply to get him close enough to Zara. And she forced the possession on him." Teia nodded, clearly thinking the same thing. "But why?"

Emmrich felt anger rising in his belly. He folded his hands to keep from fisting them. He would love to look the woman in the eye that had hurt both Lucanis and Spite- after all, the spirit was a victim in this as well. Spite would have never morphed into what he was, if not forced to possess whatever flesh had been shoved into Lucanis's gullet.

Emmrich could make no promises about his gentlemanly ways, should he meet her. He was sure the rings on his fingers would react nicely to someone's teeth.

"Lucanis is one of a kind," Teia said- something Emmrich would most certainly agree on. "He's the best of us. Perhaps she thought he was… robust enough to handle her experiments."

"Someone had to deliver him to her," he said, rubbed his jaw. "And who placed the contract on Calivan?" Emmrich asked, circling back.

Teia had a knowing look in her eyes. "Illario. He would know that sort of contract would go directly to Lucanis. He would know the details about the set up, be able to ensure the Venatori had an advantage. Lucanis is good, but even he has his limits." Teia paused, before she added, "Don't ever let him know we think he has limits."

Emmrich chuckled. "I suppose I can keep one secret from him." Teia nodded her thanks, before she pulled her phone out, glancing at a message.

"One of my Crows," she said, "she may have something. I need to go." She stood up, gesturing towards the chair. "Feel free to continue my work." She said it with a smile, and Emmrich returned it- despite his fear for Lucanis and his well being, he had to admit, he was having quite a good time picking Teia's mind.

The Crow slipped out of the room, and Emmrich could hear her speaking with Bellara, somewhere downstairs. Once the door opened and then shut, Bellara was making her way up the stairs, knocking on the door frame and leaning in. "You doing okay?" she asked, and Emmrich nodded, his attention fixed on Teia's little mapping of names.

Illario, posing as someone who wanted Calivan dead, set Lucanis on that contract, knowing he would be captured and delivered to Zara. But why not kill him? Why keep him and experiment with spirits? Only to have Lucanis freed, and have to go through the process of trying to have him killed again.

Something was missing.

Bellara settled on the floor by the desk, her back to it, as she scrolled through her phone. Her silent company was reassuring- Emmrich was afraid to be alone, in that moment. Having a problem to solve, items and names and ideas to chain together kept his mind busy- and with someone watching, he would need to stay composed. He couldn't let the worry eat him alive.

The room was silent, when they could hear a car pull up. Emmrich assumed it was Teia- he hadn't kept track of the time- but when the door opened, he heard a voice that had his heart jumping.

"Viago, this had better be important."

Emmrich pushed his chair back, rushing from the room, towards the top of the stairs. From there he could see the doorway as the front door closed, Lucanis looking directly at Viago.

"It is." Viago glanced up the stairs, paused when he saw Emmrich, and a moment later Lucanis followed his stare, those gorgeous dark eyes going slightly large when they settled on Emmrich. They had shadows beneath them, as if Lucanis hadn't slept since returning to Treviso- but he was breathtaking, all the same.

"Lucanis," he managed to say, reaching to grasp at the railing of the stairs. He had never wanted to run so badly in his life, to gather the man up in his arms, tangle fingers in his hair, grasp at his shirt, kiss him until his mouth was numb. He just wanted to feel Lucanis against him, to know he was real, he was here-

That this entire affair, from the moment he'd first met the Crow, hadn't been a dream.

[aotearoa20]

correspondence and revelations shortly after Dagor Bragollach for @silmarillionepistolary

To, Caranthir Morifinwë Fëanorian Lord of the East

Dear cousin, it is with great sorrow which I greet you. The attacks of the Enemy took us all by surprise and I mourn the blow the loss of Thargelion will surely have on us all. Though I had never the chance to visit I had heard many great things of the eastern mountains, they were fair to behold, I am told, and I know that you loved it there. Still it gladdens me to hear that you and yours escaped for the most part unscathed. Know whatever aid and support we can spare is already on its way to you as you receive this letter.

I'm sure you know already that Celegorm and Curufin have taken up refuge among my people. You should know you they are well and whole. They, along with I, have sent letters detailing their arrival and stay. I have also sent some papers detailing preliminary adjustments to traderoutes and logistics for delivering aid among our people and allies. I am sure you have more than enough plans of your own and as always i defer to you judgement on such matters.

But all this aside I had another matter I wished to inform you of concerning one of the people of Haleth in Brethil. I have kept it to myself for some time but if anything has come from these last days is that none of us knows when doom will rear its head.

The Lady Haleth herself I met only a few times, when negotiating the terms of her people’s dwelling, and found her to be a woman of brusque and bright countenance. Indeed, when I learnt of her dealings with you I thought that the pair of you must have gotten on like a house on fire, else hated each other entirely. But I digress.

It was upon one of those meetings when I saw a child, I reckoned at the time, perhaps five by the count of Men often about her dwelling. No husband she ever spoke of nor did I ask. The child had her likeness and hearing of the tradgey that claimed the rest of her family, I thought perhaps his father had perished with her kin.

In truth, I thought little of it at all until some years ago, on a visit to the city of Menegroth, when I found a youth milling about the edges of the Girdle. It must have been two hundred years since I’d last seen him, the Haladin had since had two chieftains but the boy looked no older than twenty. He named himself a changeling in his own tongue and told me his father was one of the Eldar.

Erestor he called himself in Sindarin for though he’d lived among his people, at on the request of his mother had not taken her title. Instead he stayed as a counseler for his cousin and later his children and grandchildren. (The translation is a bit off I deem but he having learned more seems loath to correct it and resistant to advice) Either way, wishing to learn more of his father’s people and had come to Doriath to see if he may by his blood be permitted. I spoke with him a while and finding him genuine in his desire, brought him with me and vouched for him before Elu Thingol, the King.

Since then he visits the city every few summers and then returns to his people before the snows set in. He has had little trouble of it, for his mother’s features hide much of his fathers heritage and he is wont to pass through, drawing as little attention to himself as he can. But I found him curious and upon further investigation and despite his protests to the contrary, I am certain his father is Noldorin. In fact, on those rare occasions he does smiles without restrain cousin - were it not for his quiet temperament I know he did not inherit from his mother - I would have wondered if he was your own.

At any rate, considering the time and circumstances I first found him, it's likely it is that his father is among your people. I can think of any number of reasons such a thing would have been hidden from offical records but I truly doubt it could have happened without your knowledge. To the point, I thought, especially in the chaos of these days, you might pass on some news of the boy’s well being. I have had news from Brethil, written in the the his hand, they are well, if overwhelmed with refugees from Dor Lomin. But he is safe. Perhaps that might comfort his kin in Amon Ereb. And perhaps you could tell him that his child is a scholar in training. That he is happy, as much as any of us can be, and untouched by doom or darkness. May he remain so.

I hope I have not overstepped in my assumptions. Always I have hesitated in speaking on this subject. I just have with the loss of don't want to leave anything unsaid that ought to be.

That is all.

As I detailed before, i have sent ahead letters pertaining to more practical means. I have no doubt in your prompt reply. I wish you well, cousin. May Tilion watch your steps before the Dawn breaks.

Finrod Felagund King of Nargothrond

[lolathestoryteller]

mission (im)possible (April 30th prompt; Rational) @jilymicrofics

Lily shares a quick look with James, both of them now seated at the kitchen table in Grimmauld Place, facing their son.

Their almost seventeen years old son.

“So…what’s up Snitch?” James asks, and as always, he seems perfectly able to keep his grin on, although Lily knows they both feel uneasy.

In fact, they’d both hardly been able to think of anything other than this moment for the entire day, ever since Harry’s asked them about a chat after dinner.

Now, he looks just as worried as them. Though, Lily would think that that’s hardly possible.

“I’ve got a plan.” he replies his Dad, clasping his hands together on the table. “And…you probably won’t like it.”

Lily purses her lips. She is already sure she won’t like it. “A plan?” she asks, raising her brow. “What for?”

It’s unnecessary really, to ask that, for it could only ever be one thing, yet Lily still hopes it wouldn’t be that.

Anything but that.

James stirs next to her, leaning onto his elbows. “You’re not dropping out, kid, are you?” he jokes, chuckling amusedly—

Until they both see the sinister look on Harry’s face.

James falls quiet at once, glancing over at her before he looks back at their son. “You’re not—“

“I am.” Harry‘s decisive voice cuts James off. “I��m sorry, but I have to.”

Lily can only stare back at him — at the boy, their boy, with way too many burdens, all unjustly placed upon his young shoulders. It’s painfully overwhelming, because she still remembers, like it was yesterday, how he used to be so much smaller. How he’d held onto her hand whilst going out, or asked for bedtime stories and good night cuddles.

Lily’s heart clenches. How fast did the years pass? Spiting any rational thought, she can’t help but wish she could have frozen time, just for a little while.

Because now, she can’t help but mourn for the carefree little boy Harry had been. How could she not? When her son looks so utterly worn and tired these days.

“You don’t have to,” James protests, and Lily can hear the frustration clear in his voice.

She places her hand upon his arm to calm him, whilst her eyes bore intently into Harry‘s. “Why do you think that?” she asks him calmly.

Harry looks away, towards the small kitchen window. “I…can’t tell you.”

James sighs, before he takes Harry‘s hand into his over the table. “Yes, you can. Common Snitch, you know we want to help.” he tries. “Tell us.”

Lily nods her head eagerly. “Your Dad’s right, love.” she adds, taking his other hand. “You can tell us.”

For a moment, when their son‘s green eyes flicker up to look at her and James, he seems so close to tell them — tell them everything that’s been worrying him so much. But it’s too fleeting a moment for Lily to even be sure she hadn’t just imagined it.

“I can’t.” he insists instead, pulling his hands away. “I’m sorry, I really am.”

Lily can see the truly apologetic look in his eyes, though that doesn’t help to ease her worries.

“I promised Dumbledore I wouldn’t.”

Dumbledore?

Lily’s eyes flutter closed for just a second, as she silently curses the man that, although he’d always been a good friend, had more than once now disappointed her.

Even in death, his mysterious plans still seem to be continued, with Harry as their main act — which goes against everything she and James have wanted for their boy.

James’s hand clutches into a fist on the table. “What?” he asks angrily. “Why would he want you to promise him that?”

He’s angry. Lily can tell that he’s so very short of raising his voice. She can understand him for it too, for she feels just as frustrated.

Harry on the other hand remains almost stoically calm. “Because he knew it wouldn’t help if I did,” he explains. “You can’t help me this time.”

And just like that, Lily’s resolve crumbles.

“Don’t say that.” she argues fiercely, her unnaturally pitched tone a clear reflection of her own despair.

“Mum, it’s fine—“ Harry sighs tiredly, as though he’d known this would happen. As though no matter what Lily says, he’d already made up his mind.

“It’s far from fine!” she retorts anyways, fighting best she can the sudden feeling of tears in her eyes. “I don’t care what Albus told you. We can help, and we will.”

Harry opens his mouth to reply, but Lily’s too deeply upset to let him. “You can’t just decide to do this on your own, Harry. I won’t let you. We’re in this together, we’ve always been—“

“We’ve never been in it together!” Harry interrupts, jumping to his feet.

Lily can’t help but flinch, her words dying on her tongue as she stares at him, utterly shocked by his uncharacteristic outburst. She can’t recall him ever reacting like this in her presence before.

“Harry,” James warns. “Don’t talk to your Mum like that.”

But Harry only shoots him a quick look, ignoring his warning, before his blazing eyes lock with her’s once more. “You can’t help me.” he insists. “And you should stop trying to convince yourselves otherwise.”

His words rip Lily’s heart into shreds. Not only because he’d said it with such unwavering conviction, but because deep down, Lily knows he’s right.

It hurts worse than any torture curse ever could.

“Harry!” James exclaims loudly, standing up as well.

“What?” he bites back, but where any other person might see anger, Lily now sees her son‘s very best attempt to steel himself.

It’s better they’d be angry with him, rather than heartbroken, before he’d leave. Suddenly, it all makes sense.

Slowly, she stands up, and without another word, walks around the table until she’s just an arm’s length away from her son. “You don’t have to go.” she says quietly, tears once again filling her eyes. “Please, sweetheart.”

Harry turns away from James to look at her with sad, but unwavering eyes. “Mum—“

“No, please,” Lily repeats quickly, taking hold of his arms. “We’ll figure it out. I promise. You can’t— Dumbledore could be wrong.” she implies, biting her lower lip. “I can’t let you go.”

It’s finally out. Lily can’t let go, not when there’s a chance that she’d never—

“I can’t let you risk your life.” she says fiercely, as she pulls him closer to her, until their foreheads almost touch.

“Like you did?” Harry asks knowingly.

Lily curses her son‘s wit in that moment. “It’s different,” she argues, although she knows that really, it isn’t different at all. “I wanted to protect you—“

“I know.” Harry smiles slightly. “And now, I can finally return the favour.”

[darkurgetrash]

What Is It That Stays My Hand?

Rook/Solas — Mature — Read on AO3

Rook believes in redemption; Solas is grim and fatalistic. He refuses to give in. She refuses to give up.

Tags: slowburn, enemies to lovers, eventual romance and smut, angst

This story takes place during the events of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

—*Chapter One: Disrupt and Conquer*—

“Is that—? No… it can’t be…”

Cold air coils around Rook, biting at her ears as she sprints toward the ruins, her boots crunching heavily in the snow. Ahead, an elven man donning Mythal’s vallaslin addresses a crowd, his voice fractured by the wind—Spirits? Circle?—but the meaning is clear enough. Whatever he’s commanding, the elves hang on every word, their breath suspended in both air and anticipation.

As she nears, realisation hits her like a stone in her chest. Beside him, hands clasped behind his back, surveying the onlookers with practiced detachment, stands a figure she knows all too well.

Solas.

But something is… different. For one, he has hair. For another, there’s a strange uncertainty in the way he carries himself—a hesitation that feels unlike the man she’s unfortunately come to know.

Though his face is almost the same—the same etched lines of frustration, lips curved into a habitual scowl, his brow furrowed with equal parts determination and anguish—there’s an unfamiliar weight in his posture.

He shuffles slightly, kicking the snow at his feet. Then, as the man beside him addresses him, ‘Dread Wolf’, his hands curl into fists at his side. He turns to the crowd and his lavender eyes, soft in colour but always burning with hatred in her memory, now seem dull and detached, scanning the faces before him without truly seeing.

There’s no fury, no scorn—only cold indifference.

���The false gods, the Evanuris,” Solas booms, his voice every bit as commanding as his general’s. “They have overreached. I shall humble them.”

“We’re seeing the past—a memory!” Emmrich whispers at her side, his tone alive with fascination.

She forces a small, wry smile. “I figured. Pretty sure Solas hasn’t been able to call himself ‘humble’ in centuries.”

Bellara leans in, equally enraptured. “He must think we’re one of these spirits,” she murmurs, her voice vibrating with excitement.

Rook stays silent, cold dread gnawing at her. While her companions brim with curiosity, all she feels is a rising tide of nausea.

“Within their citadel lies a relic with the power to imprison even a god,” Solas continues, speaking over them. “With it, I can bring their tyranny to an end forever.”

Rook exhales sharply, the words like ice in her veins. She already knows how well this plan works out. Could she warn him? Could she tell this version of Fen’Harel that, in a thousand years or so, a hapless reject from the Mourn Watch would undo his work—freeing the Evanuris and plunging the world into chaos—all because he was dead set on destroying it?

Or, perhaps, she could tell him how that very same novice would be his only connection to the world and—in a cruel act of injustice and terrible luck—the only hope of putting things right. Even if he was insistent on acting like her life was created for the express purpose of ruining his.

She scoffs inwardly. He’d never listen. He’d probably laugh. When did Solas ever appreciate advice—or anything, for that matter?

Read more on AO3.

[utopia-and-broken-cynics]

So. Since you've properly read Pinocchio now. What are your thoughts on how the book was adapted into Cedar and her dad in EAH

I need everyone to look me dead in my eyes, okay? I love Ever After High. I love Pinocchio. 

No matter what I say later, you have to remember I love Ever After High, okay? Got that? Good. 

That being said, Pinocchio and Cedar in EAH don’t really seem to be based on the book, as much as the Disney movie (I know, I know, booo and all that), in the way that most modern adaptations of Pinocchio are based on the Disney movie. Cultural phenomena and all that.

I would like to break down some points of Pinocchio, link them back to Ever After High, and then explain what this means to me later. Okay? Let’s go!

[Please note that I make points in the order they came to me and NOT in the order of how they reference each other. This isn’t a professional essay, and nobody is allowed to grade me. Also, this is purely from memory, so if I’m wrong, I’m wrong.]

What it means to be good (obedience, honesty, school/hard work)

The story of Pinocchio deals a lot with what it means to be good, a concept that does mostly carry over. Usually, good means honest, right?

Being good in the book means a lot of things. Pinocchio is often scolded and punished for being lazy, for being disobedient, and, yes, for being dishonest. He’s a complainer, he’s greedy, he wants to get rich fast without doing any of the work, and he loathes the idea of going to school. Classic little kid things, really.

School is the biggest one. As soon as Pinocchio is up and moving (and, y’know, after Geppetto gets out of prison— long story—), he is told he has to go to school. And he immediately, and I do mean immediately, skips. He sells his school book to go to a puppet show.

Later in the book, the reason the Blue Fairy plans to make Pinocchio human is because he did well and was diligent in school for a good part of the year.

Hard work is also a big one. After Pinocchio and Romeo get turned into donkeys, Pinocchio is sold to the circus, and is forced to do tricks and stuff to earn his food.

In the very end, to show he is good, and ultimately deserving of being real, he does hard work to earn money for his ailing father, and the Blue Fairy once he becomes aware of her being in a poor state. He grows from being an undeniably bad child, to being a good one.

Pinocchio lies to get out of trouble, more often than not. He lies to the Blue Fairy about being sick, about what happened with the Fox and Cat to get him hung from a tree, and about skipping school. 

And eventually, he just. Stops. He must have figured it was more harm than it was worth.

Blue Fairy

The Blue Fairy is a pretty big part of the book, something not reflected in EAH.

She starts off in a little sister role, getting Pinocchio brought down from where he’s been hung from a tree. Then he gets out of jail (long story) and finds out she is dead.

Then she comes back, transitioning into a mother role as Geppetto has had an… unfortunate accident at sea. The Blue Fairy is a fairly forgiving figure in Pinocchio’s life, giving him numerous opportunities to prove he is good, and that he is worthy of being human.

The Blue Fairy is so so so patient with Pinocchio, and sometimes he doesn’t deserve it. And I love her for it.

All that being said, Farrah should have been way more important and involved in Cedar’s life, ESPECIALLY since Cedar has already lost a Blue Fairy.

 Do you think I forgot?! Hell no! Did y’all forget that Cedar’s Blue Fairy went poof?

Considering how important the Blue Fairy is to Pinocchio (how they live together for a good while before the Donkey-ing, how quickly he mourns her), there is no doubt in my mind that Cedar’s Blue Fairy was very important to her.

We don’t know how she felt about the poofing, and we don’t know how their interactions went pre-poofing.

But this is about Farrah.

If Farrah is truly gonna take on the Blue Fairy role, they would have to do more than just say it. Let them hang out in the background, let them talk a couple of times.

I just think they should have been more of a Thing, y’know? The Blue Fairy is too important to the story for Farrah taking over to not be a Certified Big Deal.

Danger

According to my partner @the-lavender-creator and my good buddy @rarepairqueenmochi, the fox and the cat that appear in Darling’s horse’s tragic backstory would hang a child if it made them money. I would like to believe that it’s a point towards the fox and cat being very similar to their book counterparts.

Which means that maybe all the other super dangerous stuff that happens in Pinocchio could also happen in the Ever After High Universe. For example, Pinocchio almost gets battered and pan-fried at some point, could that happen in EAH?

What about the hanging? What about when the Black cat tries to stab Pinocchio? When he spends a little time drowning as a donkey?

I don’t know, and you don’t either. Moving on.

Pinocchio as a Character

Pinocchio starts off the story as a sort of gullible miscreant. He gets warned by numerous characters that “if you do this, things will go wrong” and he does it in spite of them. For goodness sake, he kills the Talking Cricket with a hammer because the cricket calls him an idiot for thinking he can lounge around and have fun all day. (The cricket kinda deserved it, tbf. Don’t call him an idiot. That’s a kid.)

Pinocchio is also (sort of) a sweet boy. He wants to do the right thing, but he also wants to do the easy thing, the fun thing. 

Why go straight home to his father with five gold coins and go to school the next day like a good boy, when he can go with these two people he just met and make way more money really easily?

Why go home to the Blue Fairy when Romeo’s promising him endless fun?

What you have to remember is that during the story, Pinocchio is (to my knowledge) between the ages of 6 to 10, and it shows.

We don’t know a lot about Pinocchio in EAH, unfortunately. We know he was friends with King Charming and Goldilocks in high school, and that he’s notably a wooden boy still.

I don’t think teenagers can really go through the plot of Pinocchio (not saying that teenagers can’t make the decisions he does, just that they are older, more informed, and likely more cautious. It takes more effort to get a teenager to bury money in the hope that it’ll grow a tree, for example.), but that’s just me.

Cedar as Pinocchio

Cedar is not a gullible miscreant. Cedar loves her father too much to sentence him to two years in a stomach.

Cedar Wood wants more than ever to be human, and able to lie. I love her so much; she would never recover from going through book Pinocchio’s shenanigans. If we assume that the Legacy system will go through the same beats and lessons, despite prior personality and values, then she’s, quite frankly, fucked.

Cedar doesn’t need to learn the lessons book Pinocchio, or even Disney Pinocchio needed to learn, about honesty, hard work, and accountability.

Maybe she can learn about the divide between wisdom and age, which would lend itself well to the whole Rebel cause that Cedar aligns herself with. Being that she’s willing to call out Milton Grimm for lying, though, she probably doesn’t need to learn that one either.

—

Okay, now that I’ve gotten all of that out of my system, let’s talk about what that all means.

Nothing, really.

Ever After High, for better or worse, doesn’t dig into the fairytale theme as much as it could. This means that we never get a full picture of the exact version of the story most characters are being prodded towards. They mention that the stories have changed over time, but how.

Cedar and the story of Pinocchio are no exceptions. Many of the details can be inferred, but many are just hopeful guesses on my part. 

However, while trying to tell a story about Legacy, they could have utilized elements of the story to add a little specificity to the nuances of Cedar advocating for choice.

It would make sense, given how the story of Pinocchio goes, that she wouldn’t want to go through with it, but she has to to get to the ending. The happy ending probably cancels out all the stuff she has to go through in everyone’s eyes, but it doesn’t to me.

Cedar will make choices that go directly against her personality, against her and her father’s wellbeings, and she will have to be okay with that when she becomes human. How does that make her feel as she heads towards her story? How does that make her feel as her friends choose not to follow their destinies? Does she decide to change how the story goes?

TLDR; it was adapted fine. I personally wish we had more Pinocchio themes and aspects referenced and mentioned by Cedar and her father, but considering how little Cedar is the main focus/a major character, I probably shouldn’t be picky. I’m just happy she was on screen/on the page.

[acourtofthought]

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

Those are the months that have gone by since Solstice, all the way through HOFAS.

7 months and not a single e/riel crumb (though they were so convinced HOFAS would be full of them).

7 months and not a single look or glance indicating Elain or Az still have any feelings for one another.

7 months and Elain has nothing connecting her to Az the way she'll forever be connected to Lucien even with a rejected bond.

If Elain, after 5 months (August to December - the events of ACOWAR to ACOFAS), was over the fiance she loved, who she confessed her feelings to in front of friends and family to the point she could have a slight crush on Az starting that first Solstice, then 7 months is plenty of time for her to get over Az who she never gave her heart to, never even admitted liking to anyone at all.

The other side can claim Gwyn has no romantic interest in Az. They can claim Az has no romantic interest in Gwyn. That would be fair, I don't think either of them is really there just yet though I think Gwyn is curious.

But they can no longer claim it's canon than Az and Elain are still romantically interested in one another because there is ZERO PROOF of this. Anyone claiming they are can only claim fanon at this point, it's their preferred headcanon. If it's canon she's over Graysen because she doesn't mourn for him anymore then it's also canon she's over Az as she expressed zero emotion over his rejection beyond that night.

It's hysterical how they'll say Elucien's are delusional for thinking Sarah's been biding her time for mates to end up together all because "Elain has no interest in Lucien" while screaming their ship is going strong despite Elain's returning of the necklace and complete lack of interest in Az over the past 7 months. And no bond between them.

I'd much rather my ship start from scratch in the next book, especially for confirmed Fated Mates who have never truly explored their bond then still be rooting for a ship where the guy already called the girl a mistake and didn't bother talking to her for over half a year. Where she got over her hurt practically the same night and seemed to never think of him again.

If it's really about what the FMC wants then where the canon proof that Elain still wants Az?

[blkkizzat]

Look, I read the Farmhand!toji and ...Kali...I've been thinking...The second Farm hand Toji becomes Farmer! Toji shit gets WILD. Cause he was able to convince his bunny that the 1st pregnancy was an accident- he was just getting caught up in the moment and all. Offers to marry her to keep her parents off her back and six months in her uncle is dead. She barely has a chance to mourn because she's supposed to be in charge and she can't do shit. Toji so generously offers to take over for his pregnant wife and shit gets real weird. Every single excon is taking orders from him like he's king. And at 8 months in Toji finally brings Megumi to the farm. Bunny wants to be mad that he said nothing about having a kid already but how can she be when Megumi is so adorable? He's a mini toji, but with better manners. So she's suddenly a mom to a 5 year old while pregnant with her first bio child. And she can't help but love her new life. She still gets to go into town and get her nails and hair done twice a month. She gets fucked silly almost every night and she swears Megumi smiled at her the other day! It only takes about three months post baby before Megumi is calling her Momma and asking to help with the baby. He adores being big brother. And toji? Toji is just having the time of his life. Though he makes sure not to share his less savory activities with the family. Afterall as soon as the baby is 8 months old, he fully plans to get started creating the next mouth to feed. Can't have bunny finding too much out before she's well and truly trapped. -🧠

omg welcome 🧠 pookies!!! you completely ate with this!!!

Yasss hdfkjshdfkj im screaming OF COURSE toji gonna spring Megumi on Bunny as a surprise. But tactics of course, cause theres no way you aren't gonna love him.

Ahhh then ending with the baby trapping is chefs kiss. *mwah* Bunny staying barefoot and pregnant. Too busy with the babies and Megumi to worry about what kind of Shady business her husband is running under your name with your farm. Or why he has to take twice monthly visits into the city, never asking questions as he always brings back his pretty little Bunny, many gifts—roses, jewelry and lots of cute soft girl aesthetic lingerie for him to rip off of you, ensuring sure baby no #3 is on the way.

ahhh imma be thinking about this for a min, you really cooked!!

[lostonehero]

Tma x mechs

Jonny archivist baby

"Is there a reason you're in my office, Sasha?" Jonny looked up from the statement on his desk.

"I've figured it out." Sasha smirks.

Jonny raised a brow. "Figured out what?"

"Why you suddenly became a dick after the promotion." Sasha hums. "You've fallen hard for Tim and Martin and me, but I'm aromantic, so sorry about that, bud. You're trying to cover your tracks by being a dick and pretending you hate everyone."

Jonny scoffs. "Of course not. I'm perfectly being just here as me and.... have you noticed Martin has a spider collection above his desk?" Jonny sighs. It's only been a few decades. How has he gotten so shit at lying?

Sasha raised a brow. "Jon, come off it." She crosses her arms as Jon sighs. "I'm sure if you talked to them they would be on board."

You're mortal all of you. Is what Jonny wanted to shout, but he couldn't. Even with the metal heart, he was falling hard and fast, weird horror be damned. Maybe he could use the weird horrors to keep them around long. He groans. "You have to be included aromantic or not. You're going to be a part of it, even if it's just sex."

"I'm sure I could arrange something." Sasha finishes her text, and there's a shout from Tim outside Jon's office.

"BLOODY KNEW IT." Tim shouts.

Jonny covers his face. He was screwed.

......

It's only been three weeks since they tried out the dating thing. He can only recall one other time truly where he was in love, and that was with Tim, not Stoker, but Gunpowder. It didn't end well. They remained friends, but it hurt. Tim blamed him for his eyes, but Carmillia was already dead to their knowledge, and they didn't mean to find him. They tried again a few times, but it was never the same, and everything it just hurt him more. DTTM was the final straw that broke the camels back. He's happier now than he has been for a long time. His crew probably doesn't even care that he's gone.

"Jon?" Martin's soft voice broke him away from the self hatred. "Jon, are you ok?"

Tim hugged Jonny's arm. "What ya thinking about, boss man?"

"We are literally in bed together. Don't call me that." Jonny sighs. "My ex, his name was also Tim. We became friends after but it was never the same yaknow. We were a part of this group like a family. I had a really bad falling out with them. That's how I ended up here." He sighs. "I'm not good at being open."

Martin sighs and moves Jon to his chest. "You feel like with us, you're betraying what you once had."

Tim nods. "Well, I'll be a better Tim." He hums softly. "You still have your memories even if they aren't great."

Jonny tries to hide his face in Martin's chest. "Enough! You're making me soft."

"That's the only thing soft about you. You're way too thin." Tim chuckles.

Jonny whines as Martin traps him in a soft hug. "Stop. I am a vicious man."

Tim smiles, joining the hug. "Mmh, yes, you're so scary."

"Yes, you make the statements come alive. Even if toy think they're fake." Martin smiles.

Jonny was absolutely fucked. He had to figure out how to keep them alive, and he'll be damned if Carmillia got involved. That bitch better stay the fuck away from here. She better be dead.

.......

It took a year for everything to go to shit. A fucking year. Jonny sat in the empty archives. It started when Sasha got bit by a moth of all things. He didn't think moths had mouths. Then she got sick. Elias was being a dick about it, and soon she was coughing up worms and talking about music she could only hear. She disappeared after that, claiming she was sick and he hadn't heard anything.

Next was Tim. He started to get sick and pale, claimed the light hurt. He wore long sleeves and sunglasses inside, but he didn't change mentally he just... physically, he was changing, and he tried to help, but one day, they were walking, and a cars shadow passed by, and he vanished. He mourned with Martin.

Last was Martin he helped get to the bottom of things. These fear gods were changing his loves, but they were supposed to have a choice. He rubbed his burned hand. Martin went to hill top road and didn't come back.

He should have known better. He can't just play pretend like he was some mortal. He wasn't even human. He could feel something wet drip down his cheeks. He was crying so much lately he was fucking pathetic.

A soft knock on the door made Jonny rub his face and sit up. "What is it?"

"Sup boss man." It was Tim he had sharper teeth, and his eyes were pitch black, but it was him.

"T-Tim?" Jonny shot up out of his seat.

"Yeah, it's me." Tim rubs his arm. "I can promise you I didn't want this. I've become some sort of monster, and you deserve to -" he gasps as Jonny knocks him to the floor in a hug.

"Fuck that, monster or not I still love you." Jonny freezes he never spoke those words since....

Tim pulls Jonny into a kiss. "Are you sure?"

Jonny nods. "You have to help me find Martin and Sasha now. Im a monster, too, I think. I got this weird knowing thing. Elias won't tell me anything, but I know he knows more than he lets on. We I know about the fears, and you've become an avatar. So what? I don't care."

"Jon, I could kill you." Tim still wraps his arms around Jonny."

"And?" Jonny scoffs. "A lot can kill me. it doesn't mean it will stick."

"What?" Tim blinks.

"I'll explain later." Jonny gets up, grabbing Tim's hand. "We have to find Martin."

"Jo-Jon, wait." Tim can't really stop as he's pulled along.

It wasn't hard to find Sasha next her apartment complex was condemned due to infestation. It also took no effort to break into.

"Tell me again why you know how to pick locks?" Tim sighs.

"Immortal space pirate, Tim please keep up." Jonny smirks as the door opens.

"Just because you survived being dragged through the dark doesn't mean I believe you." Tim pinched his brow as worms splattered Jonny, and soon enough, he exploded in worms, leaving a metal heart on the floor and a half eaten corpse. "Jesus fucking christ."

"Don't you hear.... oh hi Tim." Sasha waves as she makes her way across the room. "Seems you've been busy following a different song."

"I didn't have a choice in the manner." Tim frowns, staring down at Jon. He pauses, and his eyes widen, and he jumps back.

Jonny suddenly sits up as his skin knits back together. He now has ears that flare out like a cow and horns. His teeth are sharp he has claws and a long tail. "Ok, the first time I died like that."

Sasha blinks, and the swarm pulls away from Jon. "I'm sorry my brood ate you, and you exploded. Not that I'm mad, but how?"

"Immortal space pirate." Tim and Jonny say at the same time.

Jonny brushes himself off. "Aw shit my disguise failed. Anyway, do you know where Martin is? I'm pretty sure you guys aren't fired, and I'm in love, and I'm not giving up just because you're weird horror creatures. I've fucked weirder."

"I have so many questions." Sasha pursed her lips. "Let me get dressed, and I'll help you look."

"I also have questions." Tim pauses for a moment. "I love you too."

.......

A woman answered the door at hill top road. "Archivist."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, where's Martin?" Jonny crossed his arms.

"Oh, dear archivist mother has plans for him."

"Ew." Jonny scoffs pushing past the woman. "Martin! I don't care what weird creature you've become. I'm not human, so it will be fine."

A confused response from Martin. "I.... what?"

"Martin!" Jonny runs towards the voice, getting caught in a web. "Fuck."

"Hello Annabelle." Sasha waves at the door she looks almost normal minus the moths fluttering around her.

"Mother doesn't want him dead." Annabelle pauses. "What is he hoping to accomplish?"

"True love." Tim dramatically swoons under his umbrella.

"We also warned him not to just run into here but as you can see." Sasha vaguely motions.

"FUCK!" Martin shouts. "WHAT THE FUCK JON?"

"What you act as if this is the first time I've knawed off a limb to get out of something. See, look, it's already growing back." Jonny motions to his newly reformed arm. "Also spider centaur is pretty hot."

Martin pulls Jonny up and kisses him roughly. "You are the weirdest man I've ever met."

"Technically, not a human man." Jonny snickers.

......

Elias was about to pull his hair out. He had no idea how his new archivist had gotten his assistants back after they turned into avatars. It's actually impressive, but since one of them is now the web, he can no longer spy on his archivist. The hats were new, but he couldn't understand why Jon insisted that it's his new thing. It's the middle of summer. He does not need to wear winter hats.

.......

Nastya had returned to the Aurora too much fanfare, and it only took a day for her to ask where Jonny was. She stared at Tim, who crossed his arms. "So?"

Tim sighs. "After we realized we're yaknow truly immortal. He took it the worst and didn't accept it like the rest of us, and he left. Stole a ship and a bunch of shit, but he's been gone for 100 years. Lyf took his position as lead singer, but we have been looking for him."

"We don't have a way to track him." Brian adds. His metal body has been changing to reflect how he looked before the mechanisms. He was very quiet about it, but it was extremely noticeable. His top hat covered his fox like ears. "We all want him back. We found you by accident looking for him."

Nastya frowns. "He's gone?"

Tim frowns and looks away. "He didn't even take the metal box he keeps under his bed."

"Bullshit." Nastya touches the wall. "Aurora, track the ship Jonny stole. I'm getting my brother back. You're going to apologize." She points to Tim. "He's our captain."

Tim nods. "I fucked up."

.....

"Man, you human holidays are fun." Jonny's tail flicked happily behind him. The Magnus Institute was throwing a massive festival for Halloween. Elias was taking statements he insisted on that. "Didn't have anything like this on my astroid."

Martin followed behind with normal legs but 8 eyes and three pairs of arms. "Well , we will remedy that."

Tim seems to have hair that floated like rising darkness. His eyes were pitch black, and his mouth was full of sharp teeth. He was wearing a shirt. Jonny made him say the better Tim. "Martin, I think he likes it for the amount of sweets he's able to get."

Jonny scoffs. "I like the costumes."

"You're not even dressed up." Sasha raised a brow. "You said that was your normal outfit in space."

"Well, yeah, but it's not normal here, and humans don't have ears teeth or a tail like mine." Jonny huffs.

"Point taken." Martin chuckles. "Oh, looks like Elias got a band to play for the festival."

"It's not a band it's an open mic. A feast of stage fright." Jonny hums. "I'll perform something."

"Spoiling us?" Tim purrs.

"Yes, always." Jonny gasps as Martin picks him up.

"You're a hopeless romantic for someone who has lived as long as you and claims to be just as bitter." Martin smiles.

"Only for you guys." Jonny kisses the right side of Martin's mandible. "We could just skip this and have fun in the bedroom."

"Horndog." Tim chuckles. "How about after we hear you sing song bird?"

"Tim's right." Martin's gaze darkens. "You have to both earn it."

Jonny shudders. "Yes, sir."

Tim nods eagerly.

.......

"Impressive costumes." A cheery soft voice came from a tall, muscular sailor captain.

Lyf blinks. "Um, hello."

"Costume?" TS tilts their head.

"I didn't think Nikola would change for Halloween." A man wrapped around the sailors arm.

"Um, right...." Lyf sighs. "Um, could you help us? We're looking for a man going by Jonathan Sims." He hopes Nastya was right in the fake name Jonny chose.

"You're looking for my archivist?" The man's eyes flash green.

Lyf's eyes flashed rainbow. "I'm sorry. Did you say archivist?"

"Correct. I'm Elias Bouchard. This is a nice Halloween festival for my insistute. Jon is with his partners traversing the festive scene." He gives a sinister smile. "I highly suggest the activities while you look."

"That Sounds Like Jolly Good Fun." TS drags Lyf into the festival grounds.

"W-wait, TS!" Lyf groans he had more questions to ask.

......

Inspector: At the Halloween festival with TS. It's being thrown by the Magnus Institute. TS has prevented me from asking more questions to the head of said institute. However, Jonny might be the head archivist.

Archivist: There is a 100% that's bullshit.

Fire Fire: that's a good joke kid

GP: there's a open mic here to perform.

TS: I Made A New Friend.

There's a picture of TS next to a mannequin who seemed nervous in clown makeup. There appears to be human skin stretched tightly around the plastic body.

TS: This Is Nikola.

Inspector: Tim why the fuck didn't you warn us about earth?

GP: What the fuck are you talking about

GP: TS what the fuck.

Drumbot: I am with Nastya. We have found a meat themed activity. I agree with Lyf. This doesn't seem very human. However my phone will be taken for this so I will talk later.

GP: meat?

GP: Brian?

Doctor: I am going to the mushroom tent! Lyf invitation open to join. I think they will enjoy the fact I am poisonous.

Inspector: Marius we still haven't figured out what you are.

Science officer: Not for a lack of trying. Anyway, I'm going to find that meat tent.

Fire Fire: there's a woman named Jude Perry and she's all about Fire I'm going to find her.

Nastya: They did not let me in with Brian. However, they did give me some sort of meat on a stick. Jonny would love this.

GP: ill play my song. If he's here, he'll come to watch right?

Nastya: I will join you.

.......

Brian stumbled out of the tent. His throat hurt from screaming. He stopped in his tracks and when he looked down at his hands and saw flesh. He blinks and continues to stare. He could feel more so than he did before. He could hear the heart in his chest. He can feel his fox ears twitch under his hat. He could feel his tail. When did he get a tail? He always had one before...

A man bumped into him. "Oh shit sorry man." The man paused, tilting his head. "You ok?"

Brian stared at the man, and it was Jonny. He had glasses on and his normal outfit. "I uh...." He could feel everything, and he was getting overwhelmed. "I think... I." He felt Jonny grab his arm.

"Come on, you look like you're about to pass out." Jonny says softly, leading him to a table where three other people are already sitting down. "Hey, I know promised snacks, but we'll he looks like he's about to panic." He sits the man down who stares down at his hands.

Brian blinks as a bottle of water is put in his hands. He can't eat or drink. Why was this... he unscrewed the cap and drained the contents. Something wet dripped down his cheeks. A soft warm had patted his back, and Jonny sat to his left.

"Hey, are you ok?" A soft voice came from Brian's right. A man with eight eyes and a spider mandible gives a soft smile. He hands over half of a sandwich. "I know the tents can be much for anyone."

"Because avatars run them." The man with shadow like hair sighs. He hands Brian a few tissues. "It's impossible to stop others from being dragged inside."

Brian nibbled on the sandwich. It's been millions of years since he ate anything since he could taste. He couldn't even feel the metal in him, but he knew it was still there. It was changed and he couldn't understand, but this was the best meal he had ever had.

"So what's your costume? It seems very realistic." Jonny smiles.

Brian swallows and wipes his face. It was still so overwhelming, but he could handle it. He pulls off his hat to reveal two fluffy fox ears.

"Oh, let me guess! A foxy magician!" The woman chuckles as moths flutter around her.

"No, he's obviously an animal tamer turned animal." The man nudged her and they both giggle.

"He could just be a furry." Jonny wiggles his brows and the table erupts into laughter.

Brian can't help but laugh along.

"Wait, I have one he's a musician." The spider man smiles.

Brian giggles and nods. "Correct!"

"I'm an ex musician." Jonny smirks.

"No, you're not. You take every chance to perform." The man throws a crumple piece of paper at him.

"Ok, fine, I'm a part-time musician and full-time archivist." Jonny smiles. "Ah, right, let me introduce everyone. The man in the better Tim shirt is Tim, the lovely lady with the various moths is Sasha, and the spider guy is Martin. I'm Jon, the archivist of this insistute, currently dating the two handsome gentlemen, and fucking Sasha because she's happily aromantic."

Sasha salutes.

Martin waves, and Brian notices he has three pairs of arms.

Tim throws finger guns. "You're free to join us. Jon's got a sweet tooth, and double boss man got some American sweets for a few booths."

Jonny nods and gets up. "He's an honorary assistant for the day then."

"You probably shouldn't say that, Elias might actually hire him." Martin chuckles.

"To be fair, he hired you." Sasha winks getting up.

Martin chuckles, holding one hand out to Brian. "Come on, we'll help you navigate this place."

Brian realizes Jonny doesn't recognize him. Which makes sense if he wasn't metal anymore. He also left before his body started to change to reflect what he looked like before mechanisms. He sighs and nods. Might as well see what has happened to Jonny.

"I'll lead the way!" Jonny hops up.

"Eye eye boss man." Tim chuckles.

Jonny rolls his eyes. "We are literally together. Don't call me that."

"Fine, sorry, cowboy." Tim smirks as Jonny blushes.

"... go back to boss man." Jonny says with a deep blush on his features.

.......

Drumbot has changed his name to Brian

Brian sent a photo

It's a picture of Jonny between two men looking happy. Both men are kissing either cheek, and he has a sign that says little cowboy and his partners.

Brian: Jonny doesn't recognize me, but I also don't recognize me.

GP: I'm sorry, but Jonny got hitched!

Nastya: He's wearing wedding bands? Isn't that a human custom?

GP: Brian, what switch are you on

Brian: None

Archivist: impossible

Brian sends another picture

It seems to be a selfie. He has grayish goldish skin, soft, long hair, and big fox ears. He doesn't appear to be made of metal anymore.

Brian: The meat tent was actually a guise for a Flesh god.

GP: this literally can't be earth

Doctor: I think I accidently poisoned the nice mushroom man.

Lyf: I need to bleach my eyes.

Fire Fire: I think I believe Brian becoming flesh again over Jonny getting hitched

Archivist: this is all highly unlikely scenarios

Science officer: I am grabbing you Brian.

TS: My New Friend Stole My Arm Then Screamed When It Reattached

Lyf: I'll get TS from causing a panic.

Doctor: Wait let me come with you my love.

Lyf: not until you bathe in a bath of bleach

Doctor: only for you.

GP: I'm going to rip my eyes out.

........

"Brian!" A woman swoops down mechanical wings spread out as she grabs Brian's shoulder. "It even feels like flesh."

"Ah." Martin pauses. "So, is this a former crew member?"

"Yup." Jonny hums and sips on his bright orange drink.

"So how many are there, like 9?" Tim raised a brow.

"Well, Nastya left, but Lyf joined, and Aurora can be considered a mech as well." Jonny shrugs.

"Isn't Brian supposed to be metal?" Sasha nudges Jonny.

"You know that explains what he looks so familair and yeah he is supposed to be metal." Jonny shrugs again, watching Raphaella poke and prode Brian.

"No wonder why he had a panic attack." Tim hums. "I probably would too if I went from metal to flesh."

"Jonny...?" A Russian accent caught Jonny's attention.

"Nastya?" Jonny smiles. "It's been a while and it's nice to see you."

"What happened to you?" Nastya stops right in front of Jonny.

"Therapy mostly, got hitched, and git a degree, became archivist, and just enjoying life with weird horror gods. What's up with you? It's pretty fucked up that you broke up with Aurora because she changed physically but not mentally."

Nastya blinks and opens her mouth, but Jonny cuts her off.

"Yaknow, I spent decades helping her through the breakup and losing my sister." Jonny sips his drink obnoxiously. "Eh, I'm mostly over it, Marius was right. Therapy does help. Anyway, congrats on rejoining the mechs or whatever you're doing."

Raphealla and Brian have both stopped and stared at Jonny.

Brian takes a breath. "I think my ears are malfunctioning."

"No, I heard that too." Raphaella blinks.

Nastya stared stunned at Jonny.

"Have a fun time and stay away from the tents, you'll get pretty fucked up in you go into them, and not in the fun way." Jonny gets scooped up by Martin.

"I think that was very emotionally grown of you." Martin smiles.

"Does this mean the other Tim is here? Oh fuck yeah I'm going to fuck with him." Tim runs off and jumps into a shadow.

"Follow him!" Jonny climbs to Martin's shoulders. "This is going to fucking confuse Elias to no end."

Martin chuckles. "With pleasure."

[pencilofawesomeness]

Hey Pencil, can I ask you what you think of Neuvilette's character after the end of the current Archon quest? Not gonna lie, I was a bit disappointed at how he and everyone else treated Furina, but I was curious about your thoughts on the matter

ohohohohohohohoho anon. Dear sweet anon, you've activated my trap card, otherwise known as the Pencil Essay card, because I have sooooo many thoughts about this.

I will say though, I see Neuvilette in context of the story quests too, especially Furina's, as well as his friendship stories and voicelines. So, er, spoilers for that I suppose, but I can't separate those bits away from his character at this point. Anyway.

I frickin love Neuvilette. As a character, he checks a lot of boxes of traits that I adore, like being hella old, a dragon, somewhat isolated from normalcy, a cinnamon roll that can kill you, and Doing His Best. Now, as an important addendum to this, the fact that he is a dragon is a crucial part of the basis, because that's where a lot of conflict starts. He's separated from his kind, he's not a human yet he is confined to a human form, he remembers that the elemental authority should be his but Celestia took it and the archons have it now. The idea he has that he will forever be isolated, and that there will forever be a certain taste of bad blood between him and the rest of the world is founded. And yet. AND YET. Long ago, Focalors asks for him to help lead Fontaine, and he!!! Agrees!!! Neuvilette's character is rooted in a sense of justice and fairness, and in such, he tries to remain open-minded, and thus, he must witness things for himself. When he is presented a change in perspective, he accepts it.

Honestly I thought the Archon Quest did this rather nicely. He worked with Furina, believing her to be Focalors, for years. While Furina did waaay too good of a job in being as showy as possible, their close proximity meant that some of her true ethics and anxieties did make themselves known to Neuvilette. He knew when Furina was panicking and lying, just not why. Likewise, he has had inklings of when she's been sincere, and also, has a better perspective on how other people perceive her. More on that in a second.

Knowing what we know in hindsight, the Archon Quest is....very harsh. But. I understand why it happened that way. It was very clear that neither the Traveler nor Neuvilette wanted to put Furina on trial, however, neither of them were able to get her to tell the truth in private, and time was of the essence. The threat of a whole populace dying (and!!!! People have already died at this point!!!! Civilians!!!) is kind of a big deal. Something happens, or they all die; full stop. Hence, calling out the big guns. Which, to their credit, was just meant as a display of pressure on an actual deity, not an actual trial with death sentences and the discovery that Furina was a stressed out human all along. Focalors wanted that, however, so all according to plan. But very much not what Neuvilette wanted.

Fast forward. For Neuvilette, I think there is something really special to be said that he cares about both Focalors and Furina. He's only ever seen glimpses of both, but when Focalors aims to die to give Neuvilette back what is rightfully his, he protests! He doesn't want that! If there was a way for Focalors to undo the sea, he would accepted that, despite the janky usurped power thing. She is making a divine sacrifice, one that nobody else will truly know, and he mourns the person that is lost for it. Meanwhile, for all that Furina acted as a mask, and acted as if she was entirely self-sustainable, Neuvilette has shown to be concerned over her as a person. He caves so quickly to meet with Arlecchino when it's clear she's nervous, he asks Traveler to look after her, he tries to ask her when she's clearly being flighty. Even little things, like when he tells Traveler to acknowledge Furina at the beginning of the quest when she's showing off, because he knows she equates attention to success (just not why) and he is throwing her a bone. Yes, he is exasperated just as frequently, but Furina is not making it easy at that stage. Her entire schtick is to purposely keep people at arm's length, to be entertaining before she's likable, so really, I think there's an impressive amount of patience to be had.

The thing I have noticed about Neuvilette is that he is the kind of just that is caring. The law is for the sake of the people, and thus, people have become his focus. He denies this for a long time on account of believing himself to be forever an Other, but it is persistent all the same. He quickly wants to see the melusines treated well and with respect when they are integrated with society. He wants to see justice for those who are hurt. He understands, even, when those who do wrong are not bad people, like with Wriothesley. Neuvilette is, at his core, a kind person; however, he is terrible at expressing care in ways we would expect it. In part because he's just Like That, and in other part because he spent so long unaware of it. Usually, this means that he takes things at face value. If a melusine is being threatened, then there is a problem regarding humans' view of melusines again; if Wriothesley crawls out of hell with a Vision and the new title of Duke, then that means he found something to live for and he will support it; if Furina asks for space, then he tries to give her space. Neuvilette is a sincere person, even if sometimes he misunderstands the emotional complexity afoot.

Back to Furina. When it's revealed that she is a human, and she absolutely crashes, Neuvilette may not be the picture of fatherly comfort, but he is there for her in the way she asks, and even, in the ways she doesn't. She wants to be left alone, because Furina is tired of a facade and at this point she believes that everyone will hate both the fake her and the real her. Neuvillete obliges, and he arranges to pay for her apartment and food and make sure she is taken care of, when Furina is clearly not thinking that far ahead. It's clear that he would visit more often, but he's busy being the effective Archon now, and also, he doesn't think Furina would want that. Face value interpretations and all that. However, Neuvilette still appreciates the good that Furina did accomplish, in the mask and out of it. He doesn't fully understand Furina's hangups, but he respects what she does or doesn't want to do.

Now, Furina absolutely hit that depressive slump of a crash. Homegirl is living off of noodles like a broke college student. She thinks the world hates her and that everyone only put up with her because she was the archon and a superstar. Did she need someone to intervene? Sure. But she pushed Neuvilette and Clorinde away when they awkwardly tried, so Furina has to go through the long story quest way, and come to a bit of her own realization that people genuinely respected her ability to act as a skill and a thing of beauty, not just as a lie.

Furina's story quest offers the very best presentation of how Neuvilette sees her, and how, in his own way, he apologizes but also respects everything she has done and is. When Furina goes on stage, despite her valid reservations, and she gives it her all for that actresses sake, and she gives it her all because its real to her too, and Neuvilette sees this and sees her bravery, her spirit, and all of the hard work that Furina has given Fontaine for 500 years. So he tears a chunk off of his power and he gives it to her, in the form of a Vision.

The Visions are such a wonderful representation, because now that Neuvilette is the sole sovereign, without Celestia's janky throne in the way, he has full power over the granting of Visions. He can stop if he wants, because Visions are made by ripping chunks off of the god in question, but Neuvilette has studied and he has learned that humans are amazing and they earn their ambition, and he wants to give to that. So it's an incredibly purposeful gesture here and it carries the meaning of his care and respect in ways that he cannot articulate.

Neuvilette is kind. He's stiff, dutiful to a fault, has trouble being vulnerable and recognizing it in others, but he is trying, and he is kind. He gives credit where credit is do, and he tries to do the right thing, even when he misses the mark. He accepts when he's wrong, though, like with Focalors and Furina, like with missing how the general populace adores the melusines now, like with Childe when he honestly was baffled by the oratrice's absurd verdict. He's an old dragon and he's slow to catch up, but he makes that effort anyway, which I think is really neat. Neuvilette learns and he implements that. In Lantern Rite, he listened to Furina and finally managed to take a vacation, and he made a dumb little dragon ladle and had fun doing it. And he walked away from that realizing why taking a break was important.

So, er, yeah. I think Neuvilette is neat. Furina too. I really wish we can see them interacting more now that Furina is finally getting it through her skull that people do, in fact, want to be her friend and spend time with her, and I would love to see more on the implications that Traveler has told him of the other archons' exploits and he is forced to admit that they also either have no idea what's going on or that they known of them took the elemental authority on purpose/for the sake of it, but that's either an end-game thing or we'll never get it. Alas. Still I think Fontaine and all of hydro is in good hands with him.

Also he's an awkward dragon yall know I love grandpa dragon men who have parental bones but have no idea how to use them on purpose. I have. a type. of course I'm looking hard at neuvilette he's got the whole package

So uhhhhhh yeah. Yeah. I will. End it there.

[atlafan]

Here’s what else I’m pissed about because now they’re going to have to change Francesca’s story completely.

Okay, so in her book, John dies. She thinks she may be with child. She finds out she isn’t, so Michael goes to India because he feels guilty for John’s death because he loves Francesca and has LOVED Francesca for years.

Two years go by, and Francesca is like okay I’m done mourning, I want to try having kids with someone, and re-enters the marriage mart. She’s a hot commodity because everyone knows she’s not a virgin, so a ton of men go after her. She was also basically running the estate while Michael was gone.

Francesca had fertility trouble. It’s such a real thing that happens, and I connected with her so much for this. Watching your siblings continue to have babies and grow their families while you can’t is one of the hardest things to go through. Being ready to be a mother and not knowing if it’s ever going to happen is a horrible pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

So, now they’re just going to skip all that because in order for the Killmartin estate to stay as it is, they’ll need an heir. And since Micaela is a woman, the estate can’t be given to her. So, that means Francesca is either going to be pregnant with a boy, or will have already have had a son by the time John dies. And now what? The girls are going to bond while they raise the baby together? That’s almost insulting. Like oh these girls are going to fall in love because of maternal instincts???

Michael yearned for Frannie for years. Are we going to get that with Micaela? Because the way the show just set it up, it looks like Francesca is going to be the one yearning. And that’s fine, but I hate the storyline of, “oh I’ve been gay this whole time and I guess I never really loved the person I married”. It’s been done, and that’s not fair to John. I understand that in those days it obviously would’ve taken a person a little bit longer to realize they may not be straight, and that’s fine. But I think it’s going to negate all of the love John and Francesca had.

In the book, both she and Michael fought so hard against their feelings because they both felt guilty about John. But eventually, Michael helped Francesca realize she didn’t need to feel guilty. And she finally went to John’s grave and talked with him and she knew deep in her heart that he would want her to be happy. Michael would make her happy. And Michael is right by her side with all of the fertility struggles. He’s even open to adoption! Most men of his status wouldn’t be.

And I feel bad for even complaining because the representation absolutely matters. It’s a huge win for the community. If I hadn’t read the book and been so attached to tue characters, I’d probably be excited about this change. But I’m just disappointed because I wanted so badly to see Michael on screen, truly being pained by how much he loved her. And I wanted to hear his deep voice say all of the wicked things to her that he does in the book.

Ugh!!