#OOF... you know i don't even know what to say about these results. like 'the patron saint of things that break AND left behind?'

[mad-hunts]

what are you the patron saint of?

patron saint of bones.

patron saint of frameworks. of structures. of solidity. patron saint of things that break. patron saint of things that are left behind. the bones survive long after the body, the building: what is there left for them, when the rest has gone? what do bones do with nothing to hold around them? who holds the bones?

tagged by: @divingdownthehole and @babydxhl ! (thank you :D)

tagging: @sanguine-salvation , @question-marked, @fanplastik, @twcfaces, @qu-tipie, and @violetgleams!

[kabuki-writes]

Since the emperors canonically have mommy issues. What do you think if their dear empress gets pregnant??? 👀👀👀

First of all: Hell yes! THOSE EMPERORS HAVE SERIOUS MOMMY ISSUES! Like holy Jupiter!

I mean we don't really know what happened to their mother according to GII, but since we get a hint on their father being violent towards his children and the mother not being present in the movie, i personally have the headcanon that she either died in childbed or during the twin's early youth. A lot of Roman Emperors and Generals took their sons with them on war campaigns, to train them in the ways of military - a good example for this is Caligula, who accompanied his father Germanicus in Germania and got the name "Caligula" (latin for "tiny soldier boots") from the Legionaries. Given that Septimius Severus was a military man himself, i could imagine him taking Geta and Caracalla with him. And that meant quite a rough childhood for them, especially for Caracalla, whom i headcanon to be the "least favorite son" due to him being mentally ill. So the twins don't really know motherly love or someone, who deeply cares for them in a way that a mother would do - something they will seek in one way or another later in life.

Before i digress too quickly.. what do i think about them being confronted by the Empress' pregnancy? First of all, i will not spoiler anything for the fic, so this is my general headcanon only:

I think Geta would be very overwhelmed at first, but since i headcanon a breeding kink for that man, he will quickly be super happy about the news and do ANYTHING to pamper and protect his Empress. And i think that he would be a good father actually. I mean, he kinda had to protect his twin brother throughout their youth and he did it with brotherly love. He had witnessed firsthand the terrible nature of his own father and therefore i would not say that he traps into the same personality. Maybe a child would even ground him a little bit more?

With Caracalla... oof. He would be super excited of the news, always asking about the pregnancy as well as he would advise all the servants to care about the Empress 24/7. But let's face it, this man is very mentally unstable, and speaking realistically here, he is not going to be the best father material. Not because he would get agressive towards his child or something, but because he is kind of a child himself. He would kinda care for a baby the same way he would for Dondus, but that is a monkey! Also he would quickly lose his patience or be bored by the way that a baby is not able to do much stuff, which results in him giving it into the hands of handmaidens very quickly. Also he NEEDS attention all the time, having a baby around that needs the Empress' full attention, it could end up in him getting frustrated about this as well.

[mysteryshoptls]

R Azul Ashengrotto - School Uniform Vignette

"By a mere die"

[Classroom]

Azul: Good afternoon, all. Oh, Idia-san, I see you've arrived already.

Idia: Azul-shi… You finally showed up to the club room. Look at this.

Idia: I finally got my hands on the latest edition of the "Magical Game of Life."

Azul: The "Magical Game of Life"…? If I recall, that's a board game, yes?

Idia: Right! You roll a die to move your little car along the board, get married, have children, buy a house, sometimes go bankrupt…

Idia: It's a decision-game revolving around whatever life may throw at you!

Idia: Here, we're in the Board Game Club, we should toss a few dice around and play a proper board game.

Azul: Ah, no… I think I'll pass. I am not very fond of games that rely on luck.

Idia: Here we go again, you always say that. All you play are strategy games like land cultivation, or shop management.

Idia: Don't you ever get bored of always picking games you constantly have to use your brain for? It's not bad to pick something that's got an element of randomness to it, you know.

Azul: Those luck-based games just are at the whim of chance.

Azul: I prefer games that allow me to polish my strategizing skills.

Azul: A game like the "Magical Game of Life" in which all we do is throw some dice around is just utterly imbecilic…

Idia: Uh-huuuh. So basically…

Idia: You have no confidence that you can win in any game that doesn't require strategy. …Right?

Azul: Excuse me?

Idia: Even the great and powerful Azul-sama cannot hope to win against pure luck. You don't have the intellect to coerce the outcome of the thrown dice, hm.

Idia: I seeee, I seeee! Fweheheh, I get it, I get it. Okay then, it's fine, you don't have to play.

Azul: …Who do you think you're speaking to?

Azul: Do you think I would lose to you in a game where all we do is roll dice?

Idia: Heehee… I never said I thought you'd lose. I'm just saying you don't have to go through the trouble.

Azul: You certainly know how to provoke people. …Fine.

Azul: I shall go along with your little game today.

Idia: Here we go, let's get the game on a roll! First, pick out the color that'll be your car…

Idia: Geheh. Looks like you lose another three turns according to the all-powerful dice.

Azul: How…

Azul: How could my life be affected by a mere die…!?

Idia: And while you're doing that, I've struck oil.

Azul: What is with that sudden development!? Why did an oil field suddenly appear in the middle of a shopping center!?

Idia: Hey, chill, it's just a game. It's your turn now. Roll the dice already.

Azul: …It's a 2.

Idia: …Oh-hooo?

Idia: "You purchased a home, but it is in disrepair. Lose 5,000,000 Madol. Oof! That sucks!

Azul: There is no way that I, of all people, would fall for a scam like this…! This game is absurd!

[Interior Hallway]

Idia: Whew, Azul-shi was a sight to see last week. I still remember how infuriated he got… Bwahaha.

[Classroom]

Idia: Oh hey, Azul-shi. You're early today.

Azul: 5… 5… 3.

Idia: Azul-shi?

Azul: One more time, 5… 2… No good, next… 3.

Idia: Heeey.

Azul: Perhaps I need to use more speed. 5, 5… 5! Yes! ….Oh, Idia-san. You're here.

Idia: Yup. You looked like you were in your own little world, what's going on?

Azul: Ah, yes. As you can see, I've been practicing dice rolling.

Azul: As the result of all my practice, I now have a 1 in 3 chance of rolling the number I want.

Idia: The number you want!? How is that possible…?

Azul: I hold the die with the 2 facing up, then toss with a flick of the wrist. I'll get about 4 and a half rotations with the strength I put in.

Azul: Watch the die roll… See, a 5!

Idia: Azul-shi, don't tell me… Have you been practicing throwing dice ever since you lost in the Magical Game of Life last week!?

Azul: I merely lost last week due to my negligence.

Azul: It became a simple game of chance simply because I was unprepared.

Idia: But that's the point of board games like these…

Azul: Not at all, it only happened due to a lack of preparation.

Azul: If I focus on the game and compensate for the luck element…

Azul: I can even conquer this sort of board game!

Idia: You're… Trying to remove the element of chance from a game of luck!?

Azul: However, I'm still not at my peak. I can still improve even further. I'll try throwing the dice a little stronger this time…

Idia: Azul-shi? Heeeey, Azul-shi, you hearing me?

Azul: A 4… Off by one pip…

Idia: He's completely immersed. I don't think he hears me at all.

Azul: 4… 4… And a 3 this time. I'll need to steady my wrist more… Another 4…

Idia: Y'know, I always thought that despite how he looks, Azul-shi is pretty straightforward and tenacious…

Idia: And goes all out for everything.

Azul: Alright! That is five 4's in a row! There's no way I will lose now!

Requested by @pianostarinwonderland.

[jajasmiinee]

----------------------------- ☆ -----------------------------

bf!chris sturniolo

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warnings : fluff!

y/n

chris

matt

nick

english is not my first language so i'm terribly sorry if there's any english error

enjoyy!

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ꔫ bf!chris - who would buy you anything you lay your eyes on

✧ you're at the mall with chris, your boyfriend. the main reason you're there is to buy a new shoes for you. and you already bought one. you and chris passes a boutique store when you saw a pretty pink dress with a flower design. well, you just took a glance and continue to walk. you'd be lying if i say i don't want 'em, but you felt bad to spend more money. your thoughts were cut off when suddenly chris took your hand and walk through the boutique store. "you want this dont ya? then let's buy it" without waiting for your response, he already paid and give it to you with the brightest smile

---- ☆

ꔫ bf!chris - who would tie your shoes everytime

✧ you and chris are just taking a night walk. you finally noticed that your shoe lace untied "oof-" you knelt down to tie it back when chris stopped you "no! let me do it, baby!" he quickly tie your shoe lace and pat your head

---- ☆

ꔫ bf!chris - knows what you need

✧ "urgh- i just got my period this morning.." you walk towards to chris that's sitting at the table, taking a seat beside him "can you help me buy the-" within seconds, he put a bunch of pad on the table "no.. i want strawber-" you couldn't finish your sentence when chris push the pads away and he gave you a nice cut strawberries onto the tables "you know i likes it with bob-" "right behind you sweetheart" chris replied while still scrolling through tiktok "hm?!" your eyes widen when you saw boba milk tea without.. boba..? "where are the pear-" "oop sorry, that's nick's. here's yours" he gave you a milk tea WITH boba "hmp!" you slammed the tables and so do chris "oh you think you're funny? oh so you're suddenly copying me now? hmp hmp hmp!" you tried to hit chris but he managed to avoid it "hihii" you leans in as a joke, well, chris kisses you back.

(inspired by celine and david tt !!)

---- ☆

ꔫ bf!chris - who wouldn't go to sleep angry at you

✧ you and chris are tugged into bed, facing the opposite side of each other. y'all got a quite massive argument earlier which is resulting this type of situation. you could feel the loo light movements beside you, chris. seems like he's uncomfortable. "y/n my lovee??" as you were about to fell asleep, he called out you name "hm?" you answer in irritation "love look at me.." chris pull your waist closer "whatt..?" you furrowed your eyebrows "i'm sorry about earlier.. i was being an asshole. please don't be mad at me" chris snuggle into the crook of your neck "hm hm yea.." you answer, half asleep "ooow lovee!! do you even paying attention??" chris pouts "i heard you loud and clear chris, yess i forgive you sweetheart" you chuckles softly, your eyes flickering in sleepiness "yayy okayy" chris laugh happily and cuddle with you. falling asleep in each others arm

(based on when chris said that he couldn't sleep when he's mad to his brotherssssss)

---- ☆

ꔫ bf!chris - who's never embarrassed to match with y/n in public

✧ you and your boyfriend brothers decided to eat out together, to a fast food or anywhere that's delicious. matt and nick was already in the car waiting for you and chris to jump in "can you be faster?!" matt shouted "we're done!" you smiles brightly "go- oh!" matt eyes widen as he looks at you and chris. wearing matching spiderman hoodie "seriously?" nick laugh "why nottt?" you whined "fine get in the car i don't give a fuck about it anymore" matt rolls his eyes "you're just jealous mate"

---- ☆

ꔫ bf!chris - who wouldn't let you do any work when you're sick

✧ you have a quite high fever today. you snuggles in your bed all day, letting chris take care of you "ngh" you whine as you tried to get up "woah woah woaaahhh! where are you goiiinggg?" chris hold your shoulder and squeezing it lightly "i need to tidy up my panties chris. it's been a long time since i tidy it up" you give chris a weak smile "no worries, i can do it!" chris pat his chest, prouuuddd "chris. it's my PANTIES. you? tidy? my panties?" you raised an eyebrow "i've seen them so many times doll. i even fucked you in them" chris replied with a wicked smile "oop. fine then" you lay back down "well i'm not wrong though"

---- ☆

ꔫ bf!chris - who would never let you pay when you're with him. even if you insist

✧ you went to a coffee shop with chris. he wanted to follow even though he doesn't drink coffee that much. you're at the counter, taking your drink. a matcha latte. chris hate matcha. and matcha with coffee?? oh man.. "how much is it?" you ask the cashier "that would be $7.80" the cashier replied "oka-" you were about to pick up your card when you suddenly hear ‘bing!’ "huh?" you lift your head up a bit to look at the small screen. seeing ‘payment success!’ you look at chris. forming wicked smile on his face

---- ☆

ꔫ bf!chris - who would share with you even though he hate sharing

✧ you stay at the sturniolo's house for a quite fee days due to some renovation to your house. you lay on chris's bed while him and his brothers are streaming. you felt thirsty. you took a glance at chris, seeing he's drinking pepsi. you approaches him and asked "chrissss, can i take a sip please?" you pouts "yea of course, y'know what. take it all i can take a new one" Chris replied "really??" you gasp "mhm!" chris nodded with a reassuring smile "thank youu" you jump excitedly while taking a sip

---- ☆

ꔫ bf!chris - who would satisfy all your cravings

✧ you were sitting in the living room with chris. you stomach grumbles, you came across some wingstop mukbang. "oof.." you mumble as you watch the person eat. "babyy" you called chris out "ye- oh" chris was caught of guard when you gave him the cutest eyes "what do you want sweetheart?" chris ask with a sly smirk "hihiii can i have wingstop pleaseee?" you whine "of course" chris immediately order some

----------------------------- ☆ -----------------------------

so short man i thought it was longerrrr

[ticklish-n-stuff]

Tickletober day #5: Boo!

This is a sequel to my first ever Kazuha fic 'cause I'm mentally ill for Kazuha, if you couldn't tell

Don't be surprised if most of my genshin fics end up being about Kazuha

Look at me go, 2 fics in one day

Enjoy<3

Also on ao3

______________________________________________________________

Beidou x Kazuha (platonic)

Lee: Kazuha

Ler: Beidou

Warnings: Tickles

______________________________________________________________

What better time to strike some sweet revenge than spooky month? 

Beidou surely hasn’t forgotten about Kazuha��s prank during his so-called massage. She had been plotting her move for a while. As everyone knew, the samurai was very perceptive and catching him off guard is no easy task. Though, if Beidou was anything, it was stubborn. But most importantly, she tackled each task head on, much like now, literally. 

“Boo!” she yelled out like a war cry as she swept Kazuha off his feet, carrying him bridal style, much to the samurai’s embarrassment.

“Captain? What are you doing?” 

She could tell that Kazuha had gotten flustered from that, but was still hiding it well behind his polite tone, that wouldn’t do. 

“Teaching you what happens when you mess with this ol’ captain~” with that, she threw the boy over her shoulder. Chuckling in amusement when she heard a startled yelp. She carried him like a sack of potatoes over to her quarters, ungraciously dropping him into a pile of pillows. 

A small ‘oof’ could be heard when Kazuha fell on the ground. His face slowly grew red like maple leaves after being carried like that with such ease. Beidou truly was something. “Captain, let’s talk about thihiHISSS!” a squeal emitted from the samurai’s mouth when Beidou pounced on him, her fingers getting to work swiftly as they made contact with the anemo user’s sides. Scribbling softly over the clothed skin. 

The captain let out a low whistle, amazed by how easily the usually calm samurai could crumble from a few wiggly fingers. “My, my, who knew that the ever strong Kazuha was as ticklish as a little boy~”

“Ahahah! Beidou, plehehease!” a whine came out of the white haired male. His brain felt so scrambled up in ticklishness that he didn’t know whether to cover his face or try pushing at Beidou’s hands, resulting in an adorably funny Kazuha flailing his limbs all over the place. 

“Please what? Please keep going? Gladly~ I’m having the time of my life watching you lose all that composure” Beidou has her usual grin on her face, or at least that’s what most would say. There was a softer, endeared look, one that the samurai would’ve noticed if he wasn’t so busy laughing his pretty little head off. 

His breathy bouts of laughter grew more frantic and squeaky when he felt Beidou’s fingers lightly pressing between each rib. Each jab made him want to jump out of his skin. “You know that’s nohohot what I meheheant! Ack! Beidohohou!” Kazuha’s hands finally settled onto weakly gripping Beidou’s wrists, practically putting no effort into getting her to stop. If he could talk, he’d probably brush it off as him having lost his strength from laughing so much, but I doubt that explanation could’ve even fooled himself. 

“No? But you sure seem like you’re enjoying yourself. Just look at you! All smiles and giggles, without actually trying to stop me~” her fingers managed to reach the soft spot under his arms, watching Kazuha double down into another fit of laughter. 

The samurai could feel his head grow all fuzzy. The teasing on top of the tickling was doing a number on him. The embarrassment of the captain having figured him out so easily made him feel even more vulnerable. All he could really do now was allow himself to take it, leaning his head back as those joyful titters fell out of his mouth like cascades. 

“See? Much better when you let yourself enjoy it” yeah this was supposed to be a sort of punishment as revenge, but getting to hear Kazuha’s unfiltered laugh for once was way better. At most, all she had heard from the samurai were the usual polite chuckles. Seeing that persona slip out felt more rewarding than any treasure. 

Her fingers eventually stopped tormenting the samurai’s underarms. Instead opting to slip under his garments to reach his bare middle. She let out a chuckle when Kazuha flinched over the cold fingers touching his warm skin. 

“Eheheheh! C-Captain, not thehehere…!” Kazuha would arch his back before falling flat again, the feeling of the captain’s fingers softly tracing around his sensitive stomach really drove him up the wall. 

“Pshh, stop denying it already. You ain’t fooling me.” Beidou smirked when Kazuha squealed, a whine getting mixed into it when her index finger slipped into his navel, causing him to giggle up a storm. 

“Nohohoho! I cahahan’t! Plehehehease!!” Kazuha pleaded desperately, but the joy in his tone was unmistaken. He was just that ticklish.

“It’s like a giggle spot… or a giggle button! Just have to press here and you giggle like a madman!~” she kept playfully poking and prodding at the small indent until Kazuha started to hiccup through his giggles. Absolutely adorable! Could make a grown man squeal from cuteness. 

With that, Beidou finally relented on the ticklish torment, letting out a hearty laugh when Kazuha desperately gasped for breath between his hiccups. “You okay there, kid?”

Kazuha responded with a shaky thumbs up, too embarrassed out of his mind over what just happened, and his unstopping hiccups. He really was turned into a mess of a person. Definitely going to keep this in mind next time he decides to mess with Beidou. 

“Good~” the electro user playfully ruffled his hair, her smile turning more fond as Kazuha’s hiccups slowly subsided, leaving behind a blinding smile from laughing so much. It was very different from the usual smiles he gave, which were normally more reserved and small, but this one could put a diamond to shame from how valuable it was. “Not gonna lie, you can be pretty adorable~” she teased, chuckling when the samurai let out a flustered groan.

Looks like there’d be only tricks during this spooky month, not that Kazuha minded.

______________________________________________________________

[bitterkarella]

Midnight Pals: Delirious

David Niall Wilson: Submitted for the approval of the midnight society, i call this the tale of the author who writes reality Wilson: OR…? Wilson: does reality write her???? Koontz: whoaaaaa! Wilson: i know right????

Wilson: so there's this best-selling author King: oh i love it already! King: see that's what i like to see, a relatable protagonist Wilson: a best-selling author of sexy potboilers King: this just gets better and better!

Wilson: so she's writing these sexy potboilers about a sexy reporter who has sexy adventures Wilson: with sexy results! Edward Lee: bro why are we talking about this writer bro? we should be talking about this sexy reporter bro! Wilson: oh don't worry Wilson: we will!

Wilson: this author worries that she might just be a hack Wilson: until she finds a mysterious website Wilson: a website that causes her writing to become reality Wilson: OR…? Wilson: reality to become her writing! Koontz: whooooa! Wilson: with sexy results!

Wilson: in a fugue state, she writes bizarre stories Wilson: about a real fucked up panopticon HOA Wilson: or a kid who commits suicide in church for the attention Wilson: but are are her stories becoming reality? or is reality becoming her stories???? Koontz: whoaaaa!

Wilson: the question of whether her stories are becoming real OR whether she's somehow writing about things that are real without knowing it requires some investigation Wilson: [stroking chin] if only there was some sexy reporter on that beat

Koontz: oh! oh! but david! there IS a sexy reporter! Koontz: oh darn wait never mind, i forgot that she's not real Koontz: she's only a character in the writer's stor- Koontz: oh! Wilson: now you're catching on, dean!

Wilson: now it seems like she controls reality with her own computer! King: oh, like the- Wilson: NOT like your 1983 short story Word Processor of the Gods King: oh then like Wilson: NOT like the classic 1991 John Candy vehicle Delirious!

King: wait how'd you know what i was going to say? King: unless you Wilson: [reveals computer to audience, winks]

King: ya know, this reminds me of my story Word Processor of the Gods King: it's about the scariest thing I can think of King: having a fat wife

King: this guy has an awful fat wife and a shitty son King: but he alters reality with a magic word processor to erase his shitty son King: but it turns out… now his wife, never having had kids, is even FATTER! King: cursed by his own hubris!

King: like, she was ridiculously fat before but now King: oof! like, she can't even fit through the door she's so fat! King: she's gotta be, like, 300 pounds! Barker: really steve? 300 pounds huh? King: i can't even conceive of a higher number!

King: so the writer uses his magic processor to delete his shitty son and awful wife from reality Tabitha King: Joe Hill: King: oh i wasn't talking about you guys! King: i would NEVER King: you guys are the best!

[ryuichirou]

So i'm reading your yandere/hypnosis post and i get to Vil being utterly jealous enough to try on Rook; and it makes me think about his drive and the second place club lol (Leona, Jamil and Vil) like D: poor them they're always outranked by that ooonnee person! Can our boys catch a break? whether that person knows or not I always tend to feel bad--especially for Vil since i remember his inner speech in book 5 and the fact that his most trusted person ended up being such a big fan of the person who makes him feel like second best. wait i love rookvil i think i made myself sad LOL NOoo--aahh I rambled im sorry, i guess the main question i wanna ask is what do you think about those particular three always having to come second to their respective counterparts? I think your opinions and insight is so interesting that i'd like to know your thoughts on this! and you don't have to answer for all three characters if you dont wanna I was just curious on your thoughts! Anyways, have a good day and stay hydrated! it's hot this summer oof

Anon! Took some time to get back to you as well, sorry for the late reply. Summer is already over, but it’s still SO HOT…

Without diving into just how much I love the ending of book5 and the whole Rook-Vil-Neige thing (I feel like I talk about it all the time LOL)… It is interesting how these Vil, Jamil and Leona always get to be second best, isn’t it? But ironically, I don’t think I ever grouped them in my head based on this. Maybe it’s because of how different their situations are? But also now that I think about it…

Vil isn’t better than Neige, and he tries to be better by working hard.

Jamil is better than Kalim, but he can’t be better because of his status.

Leona may or may not be better than Falena in some ways, but he doesn’t even bother.

Ignoring the fact that this “better” is always subjective and in actuality things are more complex than that… and also trying not to sound like an armchair therapist that’s just telling anime boys “you should have done this you idiot”, but.

Jamil got the most development in that sense because this internal conflict is very straightforward, in fact, he was the easiest one to describe with these little sentences I just wrote. Jamil wants to stop pretending to be worse than he is, he wants to work hard and to show how great he is without being forced to get worse results than Kalim. He is only the second best because he consciously allows Kalim to be the best whenever he is given this choice. And he isn’t always given a choice: a lot of times the system decides for him, just like when Crowley chose Kalim to be the housewarden. Still, even in that situation, Jamil knows for a fact the shape, the density and the nature of this ceiling he can’t break, he’s been aware of it for his entire life. This is why it’s easy to pinpoint moments of Jamil’s growth: when he expresses how much he hates pretending to be worse than Kalim, when he says that he won’t hold back anymore, when he gets to dance and rap at VDC as a lead-vocalist and, ironically, when he gets scolded by Leona in ch6 (I have some issues with their sub-story, but still).

With Vil, the difficult part is to understand what exactly he understands as “beauty”: I mentioned it in a bunch of Vil-centric posts, but we’ve seen how in-canon he was described as too beautiful, therefore not as relatable as Neige. So this isn’t about beauty, and in a way I think this isn’t about Neige either. This is about Vil’s own feeling of self-worth and self-expression, and how people perceive him; Neige is just a very good point of reference, a good metric, especially considering that they always end up being compared to each other and that comparing numbers of followers is easy and seemingly objective (which is a cruel trap a lot of people fall for).

What I’m trying to say is that Vil isn’t fully and constantly aware of “the shape of this ceiling”, or rather why he can’t reach Neige; this is why we had that ending to his book. This isn’t solely about skill or quality, but those are the main things Vil focuses on.

And Leona… I am not sure about him, to be honest, because it boils down to one problem that I have with him: I am not sure what he wants.

It’s easy to compare him to Jamil because it seems like his issue lies in being frustrated with the system: he will never be the first because Falena is literally the first born son. But I don’t think it’s fair to compare a prince with a servant like that, because even though Leona wouldn’t be the king, he still has a lot of power and opportunities, and we’ve seen Falena valuing his strong points and expressing that he wants Leona to help him. One might even say that he invited Leona to be by his side, as a brother and an equal. But this isn’t what Leona wants in actuality, is it?

His “ceiling” seems to be obvious, but I guess his actual frustrations lie elsewhere, and those are kind of difficult to see because of how inconsistent he is. But maybe it’s just me being frustrated with his character again lol

I am replying so late because I really thought I would have some kind of conclusion about this whole thing, but it seems like I don’t lol Still, it was an interesting topic to think about.

Thank you for your ask! <3

[wavesoutbeingtossed]

One of my fave mashup nights: liverpool n2 this is what you came for/goldrush and the great war/you’re losing me

Why did I not even remember she played Liverpool during Eras lol.

Also I see you anon, trying to sneak in a 2-for-1 deal for Mashup Madness! 🤔 Just kidding.

This Is What You Came For x Gold Rush

So once again, it's kind of incredible to me when she takes a quintessentially dance/pop song and kind of yeehawifies it to turn it into a fun folky medley. And as someone whose tastes lean more folk-rock, I fully support it.

Everybody's watching her, but I don't like the gold rush.

She does some reaaaaaallly interesting things with the melodies and her vocal delivery in this one! I loooooooove her hitting the high notes in the "ooohs" gold rush and I love the kind of improvising she does with the "Eagles t-shirt/dinner parties" lines. And dropping the beat for the last verse of gold rush because we love a Girl and her Guitar moment!

Thematically, the songs are a great match too!

Baby, this is what you came for, lightning strikes every time she moves -> But I don't like a gold rush, gold rush, I don't like anticipating my face in a red flush // Everybody's watching her, but she's looking at you -> Everybody wants you, everybody wonders what it would be like to love you // We go fast with the game we play, who knows why it's gotta be this way -> I don't like that falling feels like flying 'til the bone crush // We say nothing more than we need, I say, "Your place," when we leave -> At dinner parties I call you out on your contrarian shit and the coastal town we wandered 'round had never seen a love as pure as it

I love the juxtaposition in the mashup story of everyone's eyes being on her, but in her mind they're all on him, because she's so infatuated with him.

(lol I don't think I ever realized how few lyrics are actually in This Is What You Came For. Also fun fact, years ago one of the coaches at my club used to use this as the song for warmup so this song is forever ingrained in my head.)

and now for the main event:

The Great War x You're Losing Me

So this is one of those "she has to do it" mashups because I distinctly remember having conversations with friends like @soberqueerinthewild and @taylortruther about the parallels between The Great War and You're Losing Me with the war motifs and then she went and did it 😂 We feel you blondie.

This might be one of my favourite lines she's ever mashed up because it's the entire theme of the combination, but also the end result of the relationship and a huge part of TTPD:

I can't find a pulse anymore, but I survived the Great War.

Oof.

(That's "So Long London" in one line.)

In this mashup, the "Flashes of the battle come back to me in a blur" end up culminating in her pulse (and the pulse of their relationship) flatlining which is just elite storytelling 🤌

I find it soooooo interesting that she sings nearly all of The Great War, until she slips into the bridge of You're Losing Me after the bridge of The Great War. That was the night I nearly lost you, I really thought I lost you... but how long could we be a sad song 'til we were too far gone to bring back to life? THAT is what the mashup comes down to: how many battles like these could we fight before it ended us? How much blood had to be shed before we realized there was nothing left to revive?

I can't find a pulse from all that bloodshed, crimson and clover.

Instead of the battle being a sign of fortitude, being burned for better like it is in The Great War, it turns into the realization that it was just, well, death by a thousand cuts in You're Losing Me. They weren't actually strengthened by going through this test, it was just more hits against the relationship. The pipeline from All I did was bleed as I tried to be the bravest soldier to I can't find a pulse from all that bloodshed is gut-wrenching. It's someone who gave and gave and gave all they had until there was nothing left to give.

She spends the whole of The Great War mostly blaming herself for the conflict, and vowing not to keep repeating it if they make it through, but then by the bridge of You're Losing Me, she's saying: actually, I offered you nothing but understanding and compassion, and you stopped giving me any of that in return, so why am I doing this still? Why do we keep ending up back here if I'm now carrying this load on my own? Why am I fighting in your army and you never fought for mine?

To me, it feels like the story of the mashup is this major conflict between two people that seems like it might break them, and they come to a ceasefire, but it actually was just a détente instead of an "good faith treaty." In the end, there could only be one victor, and that was herself. And not in the sense that she "beat" him, but in the sense that if she continued the battle, she was going to lose herself. So by leaving, she ended the "war" on her terms. (And I don't mean war as in attacking the person, in this case the war is what became of their relationship in the mashup story.)

It comes down to: I vowed not to cry anymore if I survived the Great War.

It's like: in its original form, "I vowed not to cry anymore if we survived The Great War" sounds like someone saying "I'm going to leave this in the past and stop bringing up this thing that almost broke us if we make it through the conflict." But in this instance, where it changes from "we" to "I," it sounds more like, "If I make it out [of this relationship], I'm not going to let myself ever get to that low a point ever again." It's heartbreaking but also such a testament to growth and coming out of grief and trauma.

It's also really curious to me that "You're Losing Me" became such a B Stage favourite as well, because you'd think it'd be too heavy or too, I don't know, specific to include in mashups on the regular, but I get the feeling it might have been its own form of bloodletting for the better. Plus, it's a damn fine bridge and she knows it lol.

I looooooooove her vocals during "you were playing with fire," like yes GO OFF GIRL. Also, it's wild how much the crowd loses their mind when the bridge to You're Losing Me comes in. That bridge is IT and gives so much catharsis. Also speaking of catharsis, her smirk at "I'm the best thing at this party" is amazing! Yes queen, you are still bejewelled, and nobody should forget it. (Least of all your partner.)

Hope you enjoyed double the fun today!

(and as always: I still have many of these to go through, so please refrain from sending more mashup madness asks until I get through them thanks friends 🫶)

[matan4il]

Watched Eurovision last weekend and tried to only pay attention to the music but oof, the Israel derangement was horrid. Were any of the other contestants nice to Eden or at the very least not total assholes to her because where's she's from? Please tell me someone was decent or even mildly professional.

Hi Nonnie!

I'm glad to tell you that there WERE people who were personally decent to Eden and the Israeli team, from what I've heard.

One of the parts that suck is that it feels like talking about it too loudly might bring those people into the line of fire. I can say that about myself, that while I was treated awfully by some people in fandom, I've had people be absolutely wonderful to me, and I've had to keep my mouth shut and not thank or celebrate them publicly, because that would have drawn the fire to them. They absolutely do not deserve that. And it sucks that I can't even be openly grateful. Same with the people friendlier to Eden, we Israelis have heard stuff, so we know of them and are thankful, but I don't think anyone has said anything too public, because no one wants to endanger them.

Still, I hope it's been long enough since the final, that we can safely share a few things. Also, I'll emphasize that most of this is hearsay, I can't verify any of it, because it wasn't published officially, this is just the stuff we hear.

The Israeli singer who grew up in and was representing Luxembourg was really lovely with Eden. Tali could have easily avoided ANY association with Eden, so I give her credit for not doing that. The German singer was the nicest to the Eden and Israeli delegation, and I also heard that Germany actually stood up for Israel when the EBU wanted to disqualify it, rightly pointing out the differences between this situation and Russia's ban. I heard good things about the Austrian singer as well, the Latvian, and the Georgian singer. There's probably more that aren't popping into my mind right now, but this is a start, and it's nice knowing kind people, who won't bully a 20 years old singer just because of her nationality, do exist, right?

Another part that sucks is that even some of the people who were nice backstage to Eden, were only willing to do so away from the public eye. I think the most extreme one is the 2023 runner up, Finnish performer Käärijä. He ran into Eden backstage and was totally cool with them doing a short, quick rendition of his ESC song together (which you can see in the link below). It was clearly just two people who love music having fun together, but once the vid was posted online, people started attacking him for supporting genocide (because that's not a leap of logic at all), and he quickly put out a message denouncing everything he's said and done ever, including being born. Then he just had to reassure all of his bullies that he's "okay" even further. The Norwegian 2023 singer who was supposed to deliver her country's jury results had already announced she won't as an anti-Israel measure, so when he was supposed to give the Finnish jury vote, he simply announced he won't, letting people make the connection, and figure out for themselves that it was an anti-Israel move.

Still I think you can take the ones who weren't loudly nasty to Eden, and assume most were nice enough to her privately, even if not publicly. To figure out who those probably were, on top of the ones I mentioned above, I'll just give a short rundown of the performers who were being awful about Israel to different degrees (so you can figure out who was at least decent by way of elimination): Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, the UK, the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Lithuania, Norway, Finland, Slovenia, San Marino, Denmark.

I hope I helped... Have a good day! xoxox

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[grandlinedreams]

... hi, it's me again ʕ⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴥ⁠ꈍ⁠ʔ i'm on finals week so i need a heavy dose of daydreaming with my comfort characters. can i request some hc (or an escenario, again whichever you prefer) about law helping the reader to study for an exam? maybe his reaction to the reader thinking that their grade wasn't good enough after taking the test? (great score, not the full mark) thank you sm ! i love your writing and i hope you have a great week and take proper rests mwah .⁠｡⁠*⁠♡

Oof, finals week is always a doozy :( you've got this bb, I'm hoping that you got wonderful scores!!

[Heads up!: modern!au, fluff, comfort!]

You've been studying for weeks. Hours upon hours spent poring over your notes and text books, making flashcards and begging Law to help you review them, make sure that your grasp of the content was solid.

Highlighter stained fingers and paragraph after paragraph ㅡ burning the midnight oil until you can't keep your eyes open any longer. Law helps where he can, both in studying (he even drags out some of his old notes) and in making sure that you don't turn this into a detriment to your health.

("I'm not just your boyfriend," he intones as he more or less pushes you towards the bed, "I'm also a doctor. And I don't want you to pass out, so bed. Now.")

And ultimately, you have a good feeling that all of your hardwork will pay off ㅡ you're a good student, you pay attention, you ask questions when you need to.

It feels like a slap to the face when your score doesn't reflect that. At first you think you've read it wrong, trace it with a finger and mouth it to yourself ㅡ and then disappointment slams into you like a lead weight.

With yourself, with the material, even your professor (who, oddly enough, is one of the sweeter people you've had for a class) ㅡ it isn't fair.

You tried. You tried so hard ㅡ and it still isn't enough.

Law's first warning that things aren't okay is the fact that you don't answer your cellphone when he tries to call and ask what you want for dinner. The second is that the lights are off in your shared apartment, something that never happens (both of you have odd sleep schedules even when things are normal and there is almost always a light on somewhere) ㅡ and that he can't find you.

Your shoes are at the door, jacket hung up, along with your keys ㅡ you're home, but where is the question.

With limited space, there is only a handful of places you can be and when he sees you're not in the room that doubles as both a study and his office, he checks the bedroom.

Yor back is to him and were it not for the tremble of your shoulders, he'd think you were asleep. But you're not, you're crying and his heart sinks.

"[Name]," he says as he approaches, coaxing you up and into his arms, "why are you crying?"

It takes a minute or two for you to answer, sniffling as you take a shuddering breath. "Got the results of the exam back."

Law frowns. "And?" He prompts gently, wiping at your face, tear tracks cooling on your skin. He watches you, the tremble of your lips as you tell him your score, and his frown deepens. "That isn't that bad," he says, "that's only a couple points off."

"But I studied my ass off, Law!" Frustration colors your tone. "I worked so hard to ace that exam and it doesn't feel like I did enough."

Law understands the need for perfection, for everything to have a place and for nothing to be subpar ㅡ but he also knows how detrimental that can be for both your self-esteem and your overall health.

"You didn't do anything wrong," Law says, cradling your face gently. "You're still on the higher end of score for that exam, [Name]. And you can always ask your professor where she docked points and why."

Law has a point, and you sniffle before you press into him, sighing as he rubs your back. "You're right. I'm sorry for crying, that's stupid."

"No, it isn't." Law chides gently. "But these past few weeks have been stressful for you. I brought home dinner, and I can start a bath for you after, if you'd like."

You press a soft kiss to his shoulder. "Can we cuddle after?"

"Of course."

You hum, letting yourself cling to your boyfriend a little longer. "Sounds perfect."

[toxicroyjamie]

Do you think Ted was a good coach?

Oof. Controversy!

This is a loaded question, because if you look at his end results, you can't deny that he's a "good coach" in the sense that he was able to completely turn the team around and take them to the top of the league. He was definitely doing something right!!

However I feel like I can't really call him a "good coach" with my whole chest because he doesn't know ANYTHING about the sport he's coaching, nor does he really seem to make any effort to learn (like, he doesn't understand the offside rule until 3 years after starting the job. Why?) He's certainly good as part of a coaching team, because he's excellent at building relationships and connecting with his players, but he would be nowhere without Beard, Nate, and Roy, because at the end of the day a team just can't be successful if their coaches don't know anything about the strategy/technique of the game.

Also, Ted's expertise is in coaching kids, not adult professionals, and that really shows in how he handles Richmond sometimes. His whole "winning isn't what's important, it's all about teamwork and having fun and being the best version of yourself :)" is a fantastic mindset for, say, the coach of a little league team, but (as Beard points out) not as wonderful for coaching professionals whose whole job is winning. They're not there to have fun and learn the value of teamwork, they're there to win. I get that the return to football as a fun childhood hobby is a theme on the show, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I feel like Ted doesn't always fully understand the gravity of the sport for people who are truly invested, and he doesn't always do a great job of balancing "having fun and growing as individuals" with like. Doing what these men are paid millions of dollars to do.

As a preschool teacher, I think the way Ted handles conflict is also very reminiscent of how adults handle conflict between young children, which is another thing that would make him a fantastic coach for a kids' team but works against him in a professional setting. In s2, for example, rather than just going to Roy as a superior speaking to an employee and telling him to get over himself and coach Jamie because he's a grownup and that's his job, he tries to get Roy and Jamie to talk it out and come to a resolution like they're two kindergarteners fighting over a toy. He was doing Social Emotional Learning on them, and even though it ultimately benefitted them as individuals, it was not the best or quickest way to deal with a workplace conflict like that between two adults. Can you imagine going to your boss like "hey, the person who's supposed to be training me won't talk to me at all or answer any of my questions and I'm kind of lost" and they were like "lol and what do you expect me to do about that? That's on you, I'm not gonna tell him what to do" insanity

TL;DR I think Ted is fantastic with people and that's a huge asset to him in coaching, but I don't think he knows anywhere near enough about soccer to be a bona fide "good coach" of a professional team. I also think the way he handles his players and their conflicts would be an asset to him if he were a kids' coach or a teacher, but sometimes is frustrating and infantilizing when applied to professionals

[13leaguestories]

Hi! I have finally decided to start the journey of creating an interactive fiction story. I absolutely love your works and have always found I have an inkling for writing, If you have any basic tips or general things that helped you I would really appreciate it because looking online is so confusing. Im a 19 year old full time college student and athlete so it will be a slow process but any insight would be extremely helpful. Thankyou! :)

Oh shit, I was in the same boat. Used to be a college athlete as well so I know exactly how much time you're about to have on your hands to do other things lmfao.

General advice and biggest: do not over exert yourself. I know this is something everyone says and it feels so ... simple. But I am being 100% honest. Even when you think you're on a roll and can write like 50k in one sitting, don't. I say that because burn out WILL catch up and burn out doesn't just leave after a week of a break, that bitch takes forever to truly recover from. I don't know how else to say it but please take care of yourself. Your brain, hands, all that.

Keep it light and fun. Remember to keep it light and fun. I wrote Dragon Racer while in college and a lot of shit fucked with my mind leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

Another piece of advice that I know folks always talk about but always like to argue: write for yourself. I kinda lost that along the way but it really is true. At the end of this, you're the one whose going to fall out of love with something you wanted to do. That doesn't sit well. This is for you, first and foremost. Ask yourself if only a handful of people ever read your work and if that makes you never want to write again. If the answer is yes then some self reflection needs to be had. Just being honest. Where's that meme of "try to change my mind."

Of course you want folks to read your stuff but if you're not in love with what you're doing then it will feel like a job and that's when it falls apart.

Resources wise ....

Just learn coding. Never stop learning. Never cut yourself off from learning coding.

Tons of writing resources. Have an entire folder on them. Also figure out what your weaknesses are (yes, we all have them, I for one suck at action) and get advice and guides on them. Like, there are tons of them everywhere. Like this is literally just my subfolders: Do not ask how many files and folders are in those. Literally just type in something to a search engine like "shades of colors" or "ways to describe sadness" shit like that and you'll get tons of results. Have numerous articles about the same thing.

Read. Read. Read. Read.

Read some more. And I mean things you wouldn't normally read too.

Either get a writing circle or join writing groups so people can give you their thoughts. You need that, period. Ask other writers. Most of us don't bite. Some of us do.

https://www.motoslave.net/ for Twine things. That's my bible for SugarCube

Oof that's enough, hopefully. I really do wish you all the luck in your writing. And I'm honored you even thought to ask me for my sliver of advice and thoughts on it. I love seeing more writers appear, we just want to share our vision and the world can never have enough of that especially nowadays will bullshit AI.

[dnalt-d2]

the entire debate on wether or not lea is the cause of quackity getting doxxed or not is a complicated one

many people are arguing that because the information about quackity can technically be found in a public (government) website, then it does not count as doxxing, since a doxx is the publishing of private information with the intent of causing harm

the information lea shared (a paypal payment stub that had an email adress, and was identifiable as the admin "Quid", and then a skype screenshot that showed the same email adress being associated to the skype account, and said account having the full name of Q's brother in it) was not uploaded with the intent of threatening Q's safety via publishing his personal information.... but it WAS published to try and tie in his brother (who had some serious accusations on him back in 2020-2021) to the company based simply on speculation

mind you, what this then cause was for individuals to go "oh wait, you all didn know that? you can literally find every single information on Q if you go to this website and put this information, you even get the name of his lawyer!!!" (paraphrased), and suddenly, screenshots of this website and all the information on him that were in it were being shared on twitter, and getting thousands of likes and retweets, all the while with people justifying it by saying "well it's public information, so it's not doxxing" "q fans upset that people are sharing public info about a public figure" and such

the main issue here is that, while yes, the infromation can technically be accessed by anyone because it's a public website... there's a difference between knowing it's there and actively spreading it to the view of thousands of people who didnt even know or want to know it

so.... no, lea didnt technically doxx Q. however her actions (and her response) actively led to other individuals taking action and actively threatening him, as well as others justifying and even celebrating that is happening

so it's a complicated case imho

Oof

Yeah

That is

Uh

Complicated.

Holy Hell

Thank you also for the information, that clears some things up

QUITE A BIT

For starters, I wanna clarify in case it didn't come across correctly before, that while I don't think this is what Lea intended to happen, it definitely wasn't cool for her to put that stuff out there, and it REALLY wasn't cool to add any of those extra comments. (Or certain other comments that at this point I haven't felt it's my place to comment on) Just that I can believe it wasn't INITIALLY done maliciously, but as a result from WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE bombarding and practically threatening her for information. Which is why I'm all for keeping CERTAIN things more private

This all really just feels like a huge snowball effect because people can't fathom that they won't be in the loop for every single decision behind this business's actual behind-the-scenes organization, and some people in that business are feeling way too pressured, causing them to make decisions that MIGHT SEEM OKAY IN THE MOMENT but then realize immediately after that "Oh wait it actually wasn't, oh shit, I didn't think that would happen"

This is why I hate speculating and spreading information I don't have verified without clearly stating I haven't verified it. Because that's how stuff like this happens. It's why I haven't made comments about his brother in the first place, because I just straight-up don't have all the information on all that, and it's not even been proven true. But people hear a whisper and suddenly they're just grasping at it like the thinnest of straws for their argument

Once again though, thanks for the info, I always like to keep informed on things, even if I'm not actively talking about it

[better-page-sage]

What The Undertale?! Roles and Crap

THE SHITTY COLLAB PROJECT IS HERE! (And this is a long post sorry guys)

For those who don't know, my friends and I took turns choosing the roles. The result was this and regret. You're gonna regret reading this.

I will be providing some explanations to the roles, as y'all would be even more concerned without context.

Frisk is replaced with Hatsune Miku! She is the eighth pop star to fall Underground. Idk what else to say bc I don't know that much about Vocaloid.

Chara is replaced with Iono (Pokemon S/V)! Before she died due to unknown causes, Iono was more than happy to be an entertainer for the king! After death, she blames the Underground residents for all the suffering she went through.

Flowey is replaced with Bill Cipher (Gravity Falls)! Personality-wise, he's pretty much the same. Power-wise, he's kinda weak without the six souls. Skill issue lmao.

Toriel is replaced with Miles Edgeworth (Ace Attorney)! I chose this role with the intention of Phoenix Wright being Asgore, but my friend fucked with my plan oof. ANYWAY, Edgeworth was a former advisor to the king (Why an advisor instead of an ex? You'll see why soon....). He is incredibly protective of anyone who he sees as frail. He also has a more fatherlike personality than what I've seen in the few Ace Attorney videos I've watched.

Napstablook is replaced with Catnap (Poppy Playtime)! His appearance is more based on his normal form than his monster form. He's also a lot shyer than his original counterpart. He hides under his paws when nervous.

Sans is replaced with Alastor (Hazbin Hotel)! I haven't seen Hazbin but I have a few friends who are obsessed, so I do know a few things. He's a lot less lazy than the character he replaces, but doesn't care if you kill most of the cast. There is only one person that you can kill that he gets upset over, but we'll get to that in the next role. Instead of running an illegal food stand, he runs a radio show where he talks about cooking. Only a few ingredients are illegal.

Papyrus is replaced with Lucifer (Hazbin Hotel)! Sorry, Radioapple shippers, but the ship is not canon in this AU. Instead, Lucifer and Alastor are frenemies. They also live in separate houses. Like I said earlier, I haven't seen Hazbin, so, unless a Hazbin fan corrects me, Lucifer makes all sorts of pastries using apples. He also makes custom duck figurines that he sells!

Monster Kid is replaced with Scott Howl (Monster Prom)! I don't know anything about Monster Prom. Sorry, guys.

The Annoying Dog is replaced with the Flerken (Marvel)! Not much changes here.

Undyne is replaced with Zooble (The Amazing Digital Circus)! They're a lot more chill than Undyne, but the reason that they're after Miku is because they want to set everyone in the Underground free. Nothing personal (unless it's the Genocide Route). At least they can swear here. After the initial chase scene, Zooble collapses with all their parts being scattered throughout the area, and Miku has to gather them and put them back together (the equivalent of pouring water on Undyne).

Mad Dummy is replaced with Clay (Pokemon B/W/B2/W2)! I haven't played B/W, but all I can say is that Mad Mew Mew is not in this AU. Sorry, anime catgirl fans.

Alphys is replaced with Gangle (The Amazing Digital Circus)! Thank god someone else in my friend group ships Abstragedy! During the initial encounter, she trips and breaks her comedy mask. As Miku helps her up, she asks if her limbs are slack (a reference to Snapcube).

Mettaton is replaced with Fizzarolli (Helluva Boss)! His Box Form is more akin to a Tamagotchi, but he's a lot happier working for the king than he ever was entertaining in Hell (he gets paid more and is treated better).

Muffet is replaced with Angel Dust (Hazbin Hotel)! He still sells desserts, but they're a lot more...... interesting looking. He's pretty much the same as he was in the pilot.

Gaster is replaced with Professor Layton! Not much is known about him.......

Asgore is replaced with Skrawl (ChalkZone)! Now do you know why Edgeworth used to be an advisor? Personality-wise, he's blunt about his motive to kill you to free everyone, but he also wants to make sure you go out with as little pain as possible (he wasn't always that way). He pretends that he doesn't care, but he completely falls apart in the Pacifist Route. No, he didn't kill Iono.

Asriel is replaced with Luke (Professor Layton)! After the death of Professor Layton, he would cling to three people: Miles Edgworth, Iono, and Skrawl. The former two would be openly excited to see him, but Skrawl had a cold exterior with a warm interior. Of course, Luke died soon after Iono, with similarly unknown causes.

That's all for now. Gonna work on What The Deltarune?! soon. I told you you would regret reading this.

[shy-urban-hobbit]

🖤 and/or 💛 with lambert/aiden from the kissing list please :3

I went with 💛 - reunion kiss for this one 😁😁

"Alright, what the fuck is wrong?" Geralt asked, reminding himself to put his ale back on the table calmly rather than slamming it down like he really wanted to (two Witchers in the inn was already drawing enough attention without making it look like a fight was about to break out between them), having finally reached the end of his tether.

"Nothing. Besides the usual." Lambert answered sulkily, trying to glare a hole into the table top, only pausing when his eyes would flick up to the door briefly when someone new entered, arms tightly folded across his chest. Those four words the first response he'd given all evening that hadn't been monosyllables at best or a grunt of acknowledgement at worst.

Geralt felt his eye twitch. His little brother was acting every bit the surly teenager he'd once been. Even back then, getting him to open up about anything had been akin to pulling teeth, worse even - at least pulling teeth yielded some results.

"We only left Kaer Morhen three months ago, things can't be that bad already?" He cajoled, hoping Lambert would let something slip.

"Well, maybe I'm just having truly shit luck." Lambert drained his tankard before standing, "I'm going to bed."

Geralt watched the others retreating form. Some things the youngest Witcher felt deeper than any of them, no matter how much he tried to brush them off.

Lambert's mood hadn't improved the next morning. If anything, it seemed to worsen after Geralt mentioned he was heading in the same direction as him on his way to meet Jaskier. By mid afternoon, Geralt was ready to shove Lambert's face in the next pile of horse dung they came across after he snapped at him for breathing too loudly. It didn't escape his attention that Lambert kept scanning the road and not just in casual observation - he was actively looking out for something, but every time Geralt tried to ask Lambert would either just growl at him or spur his horse a little further ahead in the on road equivalent of slamming his door in Geralt's face. Not that Geralt minded that much, the constant, acrid stench of Lambert's negative emotions was starting to put both him and Roach on edge.

After a night spent in the woods with separate camps, the two Wolves arrived in Ellander and at the temple of Melitele, where the White Wolf was due to meet his bard. Lambert found himself tagging along to say hello to Nenneke, he'd always found her fearlessness on calling bullshit when she smelt it refreshing (plus, watching her treat Geralt like an errant child would never not be funny). He couldn't quite discern the look she threw him when she informed them Jaskier hadn't arrived yet, although her "Jealousy is unbecoming on anybody. Including a Witcher." helped shed some light.

Luckily, Geralt saw fit to drag him out into the gardens before he started asking questions.

"Is that why you've had a stick up your arse, you're jealous of me and Jaskier?"

"Don't talk shit." Lambert snapped, "I didn't even know you were meeting him until you told me."

"And it was after that you went from a dragon with a sore head to one with a full on fucking migraine."

"It's my business, and shockingly it's got fuck all to do with you and your peacock. So why don't you just-"

"Geralt!"

Both of them turned at the yell, Geralt to be greeted by the sight of his bard waving at him and Lambert by a blur that slammed into him with enough force to knock him onto his back with an "Oof!" that was swallowed up by a pair of soft, chapped lips, an agile tongue dipping in cheekily when Lambert's lips parted in a smile once he realised who exactly had attacked him.

"Hello, you." Aiden said, grinning down at him once they parted. Not that Lambert was letting him go very far, his arms locked around the others back.

"You're late." Lambert said simply, " I waited for you as long as I was able but you never showed. So I started moving, hoping I'd run into you on the road but everywhere I tried...I was starting to think..." He squeezed Aiden in lieu of finishing his sentence, the other rubbed his nose against Lambert's in the way the Wolf recognised as him offering a silent apology.

"Well, glad to see you know each other already. No awkward introductions necessary." Jaskier chirped, sounding amused.

Lambert wouldn't say that exactly. He chanced a look at Geralt who looked positively dumbstruck as he stared down at them both, his sword half drawn, frozen in the act of coming to the others aid.

"And I'm afraid that's partly my doing. Aiden and that infallible Witcher timing saved me from a rather unfortunate encounter with some giant centipede thingy. Unfortunately, he didn't come out of it unscathed and far be it for me to leave my rescuer bleeding out on the roadside."

"For a troubadour, you make quite the competent healer." Aiden broke in, lifting his head at Lambert's gentle insistence as he checked him over for evidence of new injuries.

"Twenty years of practice, dear." Jaskier threw a meaningful look at Geralt, "He offered to escort me the rest of the way when we found out we were heading in the same direction."

Lambert finally relinquished his grip enough to let Aiden stand, taking the offered hand and watching Geralt warily for the moment he knew was coming since the word "Witcher" had flown from Jaskier's mouth.

Geralt had absolutely no idea what had been used to turn this strange Witchers eyes that almost luminous green rather than the traditional yellow and orange hues. He was almost of a height with Lambert when they both stood. His armour was light, leaving the arms bare apart from a set of plain leather gauntlets, the scars criss-crossing dark skin proudly on display and around his neck...

Geralt's fingers twitched towards his weapons in the same moment Lambert took half a step forwards, subtly placing himself slightly in front of the Cat, the two of them locking eyes in a silent conversation. Everything seemed to be holding its breath. Aiden kept his mouth shut, the slight ocean salt tang of apprehension present for those who could smell it and even Jaskier had fallen silent, his usual fresh apple and rain scent turning slightly rotten in his confusion as he looked between the three of them.

Geralt was the first to look away, "Well met Aiden. Lambert, make sure you say goodbye before you move on." He started herding Jaskier away, his eyes screaming that this "Goodbye" was going to include getting some answers. Lambert groaned.

"I recognise what that look means. Could've gone worse though." Aiden said, wrapping his arms around Lambert in a proper hug.

The Wolf shrugged, "Fuck him. He's got the messiest love life out of all of us, he's in no position to lecture me about you. Now c'mere."

He pulled Aiden into another kiss, putting his all into it now that he wasn't caught off guard.

"I really am sorry I made you worry, Pup."

"Let's find an empty room and you can make it up to me."

[gascon-en-exil]

What do you think the top and bottom preferences are for all the male FE lords?

Oof, that's a lot all at once...and it also assumes that all of these guys are into men which is quite the stretch for some of them. Still...

Marth - How in the world am I supposed to answer this one? He's got a canon girlfriend and his personality is several different flavors of bland depending on the game. I'm sure the Smash Bros. fandom pegs him as a bottom since he's the fem counterpart to Ike there...but he could honestly go either way - so vers.

Alm - Again, painfully heterosexual so I have no idea how to answer this. Might have fooled around with his villager buddies, but I doubt they ever got to anal. Let's call him a side (i.e. sleeps with men but not into anal) and move on.

Sigurd - Deirdre-sexual in canon, but might have gotten drunk and fooled around with Quan (and Eldigan?) when they were in school together. Probably has bottom or sub top tendencies as a result in the extremely unlikely event event that he's ever with a guy, because Quan is just like that.

Seliph - If we take his Chosen One status as topping, then he does that. It's so hard to say, but it'd be comically fitting if he were a calm and self-assured vers in contrast to his cousin...

Leif - Whatever he does he's pissed about it, so hardcore top or bratty power bottom. He has issues.

Roy - Can I just say he's 15 and move on? Eh, the game pairs him up so I suppose not...but he's just so bland.

Eliwood - I'm sure the internet would peg him as a weepy bottom, but I see more attentive service top. Will bottom in the right conditions, but more assuredly than his reputation likely suggests.

Hector - Aggressive power top probably with internalized homophobia who also likes having his ass played with but is insecure about who knows that.

Ephraim - Aggressively vers for his knight buddies or Duessel or whoever else he has as an erotic sparring partner. *coughs* If it's Innes, they fight over who gets to top...even though neither of them really lose no matter what.

Ike - Looks and acts like a top, but could swing vers for the right guy. This probably means Ranulf, because top!Soren is super exotic and rare.

Chrom - Bland...I don't know, tops so when he's fucking m!Robin he can close his eyes and pretend he's with f!Robin or the village maiden or whoever. (Also I'm not counting Avatars as lords here.)

Dimitri - Physically cannot top in most cases lest he accidentally kill his partner with his superpowered Blaiddyd cock, so he's gotten accustomed to bottoming. Felix can take it though on account of his equally superpowered Fraldarius ass.

Claude - You will never know what he's into until the moment he tries it out, and even then he might not be entirely honest about it. Vers, and mischievously so.