#Power banks airplane

[orangameelectronics]

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[mariyekos]

New DMC Anime Trailer Breakdown, Part 1

Okay so thoughts on the new DMC Anime trailer, which you can see here:

Putting things under the cut!

First things first, it's definitely going to at least take a few things from the DMC3 manga.

Second: It at least uses CGI in part....but more than that, on rewatching it... Are those Agni and Rudra!? Which means it also covers DMC3 in part.

Other fun things to note- I'm not sure if Dante's plate is a reference to anything, but he does have New York plates, so we can assume this DMC takes place in the US, even if the games are ambiguously sort of British/European based on architecture and director commentary.

Going to be honest- I'm not sure if these guys are a reference to anything. If they are, it's going over my head, but I could definitely see them just being generic bad guys/hunters.

Rebellion looks nice here! Also, looks like we're continuing the tradition of Dante getting attacked at his shop, because with a Pool table, jukebox, and the posters on the wall, I'm pretty sure this is supposed to be Dante's shop. Fun that we get a shot of him without his coat too, though he must put it on at another point since he has it in the above shots.

Then we have the exploding plane scene, which afaik is new but also feels very DMC. RIP the other people in that airplane though. Still, I like how wacky and over the top it is!

We also have a demon in the background of this shot...

And someone I'm preeety sure is Enzo (from the DMC3 Manga and Bayonetta!) Although on second glance, this guy looks like he might be blond, which Enzo is not. Still, it could just be a design choice they went with.

Following that is a shot of....probably not Jester because of the short nose, but something I'm sure is connected to Arkham in some way. I want to say they wouldn't get rid of his face scar, so I'm banking on there being a plotline related to Arkham having multiple minions Dante has to take down.

The giant hell portal in the sky isn't super special. We see it in both DMC3 and the old DMC anime, after all.

Then water guy...who I also don't remember as an enemy tbh. Could be new, could be my bad memory showing face. But he's a cyclops with axe hands which is interesting.

Dante's bullets are engraved with Jackpot which I find hilarious but also cool. Just imagining him using magic/demonic power to carve that in is great. I do wonder if they're going to have him reload though? Ebony and Ivory generally use magic bullets as far as I remember, but I know Coyote-A ejects shells. This bullet is shot from Ivory though.

EDIT: Looking at it again, these guns aren't Ebony and Ivory. They're both white/grey. Assuming this isn't them being lazy/an animation error, it might be that this is a real bullet...that he engraved using magic or just special gun stuff instead of just making the bullet itself from magic. I am not interested in guns in real life, but I think guns are supposed to have a function where they leave a mark on the bullets they fire so you can identify which gun shot the bullet? So it could be a human-made modification too.

Then there's the demon he shoots, which I think is a reference to Alice and the demons from the DMC3 manga (and a nice reference to the Sin Scissors and other beings that you can get the kill on with a bullet to the mask).

Not totally sure what the thing Dante shoots is, but it looks to be some sort of pendant. Is it some possessed thing that the girl has? Not super important though, because WHY IS ECHIDNA FROM DMC4 HERE?! Not upset, just surprised. Didn't notice this in my first watch.

After that we get Dante saving a girl from a... car? train? Something getting thrown into a diner that reminds me of the one from the old DMC anime, so here's me hoping we might get some fun downtime scenes like we did in that show. Maybe we'll see a strawberry sundae :)

Actually wait-

STRAWBERRY SUNDAE IDENTIFIED! Also I don't have a picture of her on hand, but is this maybe the waitress from that anime? A younger version? I'll look for a picture later, but for the sake of getting this out earlier than later, I'll just say I'm pretty sure she was a redhead too.

EDIT: Rewatching the trailer, the blue cyclops demon from before is in front of a sign that I'm pretty sure is supposed to say Freddie's Diner like in the OG Anime, so I'm going with the waitress being the same woman or otherwise related.

After that we get what looks to be a human that turned into a demon. My bet is that this guy was always a demon who was pretending to be human, but I think it could be interesting if there was a plotline about Arkham transforming humans into demons while trying to achieve godhood.

And hey look, Dante has what looks to be a stab mark through his chest and a hole in his shirt :) i bet this boy is getting stabbed through the chest, let's gooooo!

EDIT: Back, so I'll continue.

On second glance- wait, these guns are both gray, which means they aren't Ebony and Ivory. I'm putting my money into the DMC3 anime including Dante meeting Nell rather than this being an animation/coloring error.

Aaaand I hit the image limit, darn. Part 2 can be found here.

[semiotextiana]

Etel Adnan: It Was Beirut, All Over Again

It was Beirut, all over again,

it was Beirut on the radio

El Salvador on TV

it was Sabra & Shatila

in the memory

it was Usulutan in the heart

It was Beirut, again,

when we thought Beirut went

to rest, but Beirut will not sleep

until El Salvador sleeps

and San Francisco will

not eat

until Eritrea eats

and El Salvador

will not die

It was Beirut all over again

in Managua, in Antigua,

in the shantytowns of

Marseilles,

wherever the radio blares its

sounds

and I mean everywhere

in this electronic age

and the caveman suffers

in the belly of El Salvador

and there are tunnels leading

to the headquarters of Hope

there is hope in El Salvador

because there are people,

there is hope in El Salvador

because dignity has a name,

over there,

because EVIL is so great

so ominous

over there

that even Jesuit priests

have become rebels

for the first time in History.

It was Beirut all over again

that day, and today, and

every day

because bananas and mangos

grow every day,

because the sun, carefully,

shines every day

so there is hope, every day,

under the bombs,

there is hope, every day,

in the bleeding arteries

of El Salvador

and there is Jesus, the “Salvador,”

there,

somewhere, who ascended

to the Pantheon of the Indian Gods,

and in whose Resurrection we

will believe only when

all the people on this Earth,

and all the plants,

and all the animals,

and all the universes,

will resurrect,

and resurrection is dignity,

I mean,

resurrection is freedom,

resurrection is bread and a house

for the poor, resurrection is peace, for all,

for ever,

for ever.

It was Beirut all over again

because orphanages

grow faster than schools

in El Salvador, sunsets set beyond

the people’s reach,

and there is no

other horizon there than

the horizon of terror.

It was Beirut, all over again,

because the sea rose on its feet

and unleashed a litany

of words,

it is Beirut, all over again,

because poets die

rather than surrender,

because they speak of hope,

and do not wear

their words like a necklace

of pearls,

because poets refuse to die,

and carry hope on their

backs, and go from door

to door, like bees do

from flower to flower,

to leave messages of defiance

in the

people’s hearts.

And it is Beirut all over again

with water on the horizon

cemeteries outcrowding hotels

airplanes bringing the worst

of news

and infinite processions of sorrow

And it is Beirut all over again

because people are running

to keep their belly and their brain

in line,

carrying their honor as their sole

piece of luggage

and counting the dead

among themselves

the way we count pennies

in the cities of Power

And it is Beirut all over again

because people mumble their

prayers and expect the

Virgin Mary to listen

and people know they are trapped

and they remember the

tablecloth, back home,

and the food,

before ending up in the morgue

And it was Beirut all over again

with fathers shooting their

sons

and sons burying their fathers

before the mosquitoes made them

unrecognizable

and it was Beirut all over again

when only the banks stood erect

and money increased

at the rate of the wounded

and it was Beirut all over again

with the sky expanding

every second to make

room for the anonymous

heroes of the streets of

El Salvador.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Canary Media:

Airlines are banking on sustainable aviation fuel to reduce the industry’s planet-warming pollution. But the amount of lower-carbon alternatives available to them right now represents just a few drops in an ocean of petroleum.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a nearly $3 billion effort that it said could significantly boost America’s output of sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, over the next few years, Canary Media has exclusively learned.

The agency’s Loan Programs Office has made conditional commitments to two companies in the Great Plains region that are working to turn crops and waste feedstocks into jet fuel.

Montana Renewables, a subsidiary of the industrial manufacturer Calumet, could receive a loan guarantee of up to $1.44 billion to expand its existing renewable fuels facility in Great Falls, Montana. The company makes biofuels for planes and trucks using vegetable oils and leftover animal fats and greases. The expansion would allow Montana Renewables to produce about 315 million gallons per year of biofuels, most of which will be SAF — equal to nearly eight times the country’s total SAF production capacity in 2023.

Colorado-based Gevo is vying for a loan guarantee of $1.46 billion to build a new jet-fuel refinery in Lake Preston, South Dakota. The facility, named Net-Zero 1, would turn corn into ethanol to produce up to 60 million gallons of SAF per year. Because the ethanol-making process creates carbon dioxide emissions, Gevo is planning to capture CO2 at the refinery and send it via the proposed — and highly contentious — Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline to a storage site in North Dakota.

Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo, said the announcement ​“marks a watershed moment for the Net-Zero 1 project and a critical step forward” in the company’s mission to produce low-carbon jet fuel. 

The projects are the first SAF-related ventures to win the backing of the Loan Programs Office, which has issued $42.4 billion in loans and loan guarantees and made $21.6 billion in conditional commitments as of June 2024. The office is supporting other clean energy initiatives such as battery manufacturing, virtual power plants, fuel cell production, and the repowering of old nuclear plants.

The two fuel producers will have to meet certain milestones before they can close on the federal loan guarantees and start putting the financing to work.

[mysimsloveaffair]

I was tagged by @igglemouse. Thanks so much...this will be fun and challenging.

OC: Wade 'Dub' Banks

ANIMAL: Lion

COLORS: Red and Brown

MONTH: July

SONGS: You're A Man Now Boy, Raleigh Ritchie

NUMBER: 1

PLANTS: Philodendron

SMELLS: Fresh Air

GEMSTONE: Onyx

TIME OF DAY: Late Night

SEASON: Summer

PLACES: Batuu

FOOD: Lobster Roll

DRINKS: Sparkling Water

ELEMENT: Fire

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS: Leo

SEASONINGS: Allspice

SKY: Clear and Sunny

WEATHER: Warm

MAGICAL POWER: Flight

WEAPONS: Eyes

SOCIAL MEDIA: SimTube

MAKEUP PRODUCT: Facial Cleanser

CANDY: Red Hots

METHOD OF LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL: Airplane

ART STYLE: Classic

FEAR: Rejection

MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE: Phoenix

PIECE OF STATIONARY: Highlighter

THREE EMOJIS: 😘🤑💲

CELESTIAL BODY: Star

Tagging: @meanttobepixels | @box-of-sims | @treason-and-plot | @deardiaryts4 | and @sheplayswithlifee

[usafphantom2]

[jokerislandgirl32]

✨ for violet because I love her!

Awww, thank you so much for the ask (in response to this post), and the sweet compliment on Violet! It makes me so happy to know people love her just as much as I do 😊. I am flattered! Feel free to ask me anything about her, my asks/dms are always open, I might be slow responding, but I love talking about her and Zach, and their relationship/their kids!

For this I am going to answer with some Violet and Zachbot facts! I hope you enjoy them! Putting a cut because it’s kind of long!

During their time at summer camp, when Violet and Zach first met, Violet helped Zach create his first Zachbot that would be replicated/reproduced in all his other Zachbots. It was Violet who recommended the shape of the Zachbots to Zach because she pointed out to him that the triangular/teardrop shape we currently see used in the Zachbots was more aerodynamic than the square shape Zach had been attempting to use for the Zachbots since childhood.

Violet also helped Zach write the codes for his first Zachbot, leading him to input codes into the Zachbots which meant they would listen to either Zach or Violet above anyone one else. Violet, therefore, has an override code for the Zachbots that can even trump Zach’s commands. Zach can often figure out ways to work around her override codes, but she technically had this power over him/the Zachbots.

Due to spending so much time working with Zach to create the Zachbots, Violet feels a sort of maternal instinct toward them: she feels as if she and Zach are like their parents. Therefore, Violet ends up naming the Zachbots. Zach doesn’t think this is necessary, and he does not call the Zachbots by anything other than their numbers, but he allows Violet to call them whatever she wants. Violet decides to name all of them after places and things related to her hometown, Outer Banks, North Carolina.

Pic Link

Some names are:

Cro

Tan (For Croatoan, the word written by the Lost Colony settlers to identify their whereabouts [it didn’t help, but I need to put my history degree away, okay, okay…])

Outer

Banks (Both are kind of self explanatory)

Hawk (For Kitty Hawk, location of the first power controlled flights made by the Wright Brothers in their airplane)

Wright (For the Wright Brothers)

Manteo (For the Town of Manteo, where Violet lived with her parents until they passed)

[antoine-roquentin]

This series has repeatedly made reference to obscure events in the Dominican Republic from 1961 to 1966 which culminated in an American military invasion. They are relatively unknown and appear murky to outsiders. They united the CIA, the non-violent section of the civil rights movement, and a group of labour movement figures with links to Norman Thomas' post-Eugene Debs Socialist Party of America, the Democratic Socialist Party of today, and the Neoconservative movement that planned the Iraq War of 2003. The next two (maybe three) parts of the series will hopefully elucidate some of these events for readers. The previous part, Part 5, can be read here.

1965 was the fifth time America invaded the Dominican Republic. The fourth was in 1916, initiating an occupation that went on until 1924. America also controlled the nation's foreign trade from 1904 to 1947, collecting 50% of its revenue by heavily taxing its people on imports in order to pay off European powers with Citibank getting a commission to do the counting. These events bookended the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, 1930 to 1961. This resulted in a weak state unable to defend itself or the foreign corporations who wanted to invest in it.

Trujillo's government was a revolution of sorts because he directly took his methods from the mafia to govern. He'd spent years as a plantation overseer by day and gang leader by night, then joined the American-trained Dominican police and became an army officer. He learned how to use violence and manipulation to get what he wanted as well as how to pleas foreigners. In one case, he'd been sent by the occupiers to deal with a guerilla army in the interior. He was so successful that the American troops covered the reports of rapes and tortures he committed while doing so. As one of his trainers said, "He thinks just like a marine!" When the Americans withdrew, he retreated to a former castle that served as a military base, building up power until he could take advantage of a crisis and overthrow the government. Once in power, he set to creating state capacity for his rule by shaking down local industries one by one, collecting revenue and inserting loyalists into their leadership while allowing them the benefits of state backing through investment and coordination. He was so successful that he was the longest serving leader in the Caribbean's history at the time of his death.

Trujillo used a similar system of creating win-win situations to persuade American diplomats and investors to support him. He went on a charm offensive, building a tourism sector internally and using his one-time son-in-law, playboy Porfirio Rubirosa, as an ambassador and press officer. Rubirosa was not only wildly charismatic, he was also reported by Truman Capote to have an eleven inch penis. After divorcing Trujillo's daughter, he married two French actresses and the two richest women in the world back to back, making bank on his divorce settlements. Like much of the Dominican Republic's elite, he lived a charmed life, racing/crashing Ferraris and airplanes (including a B-25 bomber) internationally. Both he and his former father-in-law lived part of the year in lavish apartments in New York City, racing Ferraris and buying out brothels. Some of the money came from Dominican visas that Rubirosa sold to German Jews fleeing the Holocaust and Spaniards fleeing Franco. Trujillo had retreated there to convince the world that he had changed his ways after spearheading the massacre of tens of thousands of Haitians in his country in 1937. In the shadows he worked to mastermind a comeback, making it seem like his people organically wanted him again in the 1942 show elections. He won 100% of the vote.

By 1947, the Cold War was on. Most people forget that this was a process initiated by a strong and muscular liberalism that had just defeated fascism and felt it could do the same to communism. Liberal intelligentsia in American government had undertaken a decade-long march through the institutions and created a new setup for the global economy with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, the United Nations, and Bretton Woods. It seemed to many in the Third World that America had turned over a new leaf and was ready to support democracy abroad. For the entrenched right wing forces in Latin America, however, it seemed like business as usual. Just as he had declared war on the Nazis, Trujillo now worked to find a communist menace to kill  to serve American interests. He used his agents to create a fake Marxist-Leninist party as opposition to run against him in the 1947 election. After picking up 92% of the vote, he used their supposed allegiance to Moscow to crack down on them, winning himself plaudits in Congress.

For many in Latin America, this was the last straw. In Cuba, 1200 men came together in what was termed the Caribbean Legion. Mostly exiles from Latin American dictatorships and sympathizers, they were ready to kill and die for liberalism. Some had fought in the Spanish Civil War and escaped death at the hands of the Franco regime when Trujillo had chosen to accept refugees from Europe as part of his developmental push, only to find their political allegiance was to socialism above all. They were backed by the elected leader of Cuba, Ramon Grau, who saw them as a way to topple a nearby enemy. They also pulled support from the president of Guatemala, Juan Jose Arevalo, who like his successor Jacobo Arbenz was an anti-communist liberal. Among the membership was Carlos Prio, the next president of Cuba, Juan Bosch, the most famous anti-Trujillo Dominican, Romulo Betancourt, a future president of Venezuela, Jose Figueres, the next president of Costa Rica, and a law student/basketball player at Havana University named Fidel Castro.

Figueres was a strange figure, perhaps the most fascinating of the Cold War. A plantation owner, he described himself as a "farmer-socialist". He invested his money in improving the living conditions of his workers, certain that it would make them more productive. He came to power with the help of the Legion in a very odd way, in a civil war that belongs with those pictures of Wikipedia where both sides are in odd alliances, with the right wing Nicaraguan dictatorship backing the Catholic Church and the Communist Party against Figueres' oligarch allies, supported by both America and the Guatemalan government it would later overthrow. Figueres immediately defenestrated those allies and took power for himself despite his talk of democracy, abolishing the army, nationalizing all banks, guaranteeing public education, giving citizenship to black migrants, giving women the vote, instituting social welfare, and banning the Communist Party. He helped establish the School of the Americas where the American military taught torture techniques and broke off relations with every American-backed dictator in the region. At one point, he was the subject of the only shooting war fought between different branches of the American government, when his State Department friends gave him planes to fight ones provided to Nicaragua by the CIA.

The Caribbean Legion would not have any other successes because it faced a classic problem of liberals during the Cold War: its membership was supportive of social reform, and that made the American government suspect they were secretly communists in disguise. The Legion had wanted to overthrow Trujillo, but the Americans convinced Grau to arrest them and confiscate their weapons. Castro managed to escape by jumping off the ship they were captured on and swimming to shore. Even as doors closed for the Legion, however, others opened. Ironically, it was another section of the American government that would save them. Their patron Figueres' liberal anti-communism had its fans in the CIA, which as an organization staffed largely by liberal WASPs from northeastern Ivy League universities felt that the combination would be sufficient to compete with the Soviets for hegemony among the Latin American peasantry. Figueres ended up on the CIA's payroll directly, codename HUMAIL. A lighter hand would be used for the Legion's membership, however.

[greenflamedwriter]

HP au

Since a03 is down HERES a little something :D Enjoy.

Harry Potter AU with Binghe/QIngqiu. Its Cang Qiong school [like hogwarts] with the four houses slytherin etc but the ministry of magic is Huan Hua. And Yue Qingyuan is the headmaster. So Shen Qingqiu [slytherin] bullies and abuses Luo Binghe the kid one year younger and then Binghe gets powerful and then takes his revenge by killing and tortuing his childhood bully.

So of course Shen Yuan dies and gets drop kicked into this HP fanfiction ):

Shen Yuan transmigrated into Shen Qingqiu the rival of Luo binghe inthe opposing house of slytherin to his Griffendor. He was doomed! after Binghe’s rise to power he tortures Shen Qingqiu in the worse way making him wish for death. Binghe's use of leglimency destroys Shen Qingqiu’s mind better and leaves him a husk thats only AFTER his limbs had been ripped off. well better than Shang Qingqiu, who ends up chocking himself to death from mobei juns curse.

Already they were in fifth year and after another year Luo binghe will fall into the abyss during the triwizard tournament, it wasn’t the school years that was the worst, it’s what came after at the ministry of Huan hua.

Luo Binghe would become the new chief warlock and minister and to do that needed a lot of votes so he ended up needing most of the seats of the ministry lords and ladies not only becoming powerful and destroying Shen Qingqiu’s reputation he became a powerful dark wizard. And there were so many loose threads of potential! but that hack writer was always inconsistent, creating plot holes and problems then ignoring it! Airplane should spend less time on Twitter and more focused on this mess of a magical fantasy world!

Poly juice potion! Easily made by third years and yet bypasses the ministry of magic when Luo Binghe and Liu Mingyan pretended to be important figure heads and -you guessed it- stole important and classified documents!

Thank god the bank was run by demons! At least their money was safe along with the cursed artefacts it was protected! If cultivators were in charge all of them would be bankrupt! 

And now here he was staring at the small white lotus before him. Luo Binghe was on his hands and knees bullied and humiliated in front of all of his peers. Shen Qingqiu cursed, it was too late he had been abusing Binghe his whole childhood if he acted nice now it would be ooc!

And Binghe’s eyes flashed with hatred as Ming Fan laughed mockingly, Shen Qingqiu grimaced although it looked like a sneer at Binghe but truthfully. Ming fan was in a world of hurt. This was when everything went downhill for Shen Qingqiu when he started getting his karma and Shen Yaun rotted for it. Now that he WAS the character he knew he had to avoid his fate.

“Enough, you’ve tortured the beast enough.” Shen Qingqiu walked away and of course Ming fan would follow now that left it up for one of Binghe’s ladies to find him. 

During his time trying to find a way to FIX this mess he ends up finding airplane who looks pretty bullied by Mobei-jun. Shen Qinqiu pressed him up against the wall of the boys toilets stalls. “You have to get me out of this! It’s your dumbfuck writing that landed me here!”

“Hey I’m in here too! My death is just awful!” Shen Qingqiu scowled then closed his eyes, “If you help me, I’ll keep you away from Mobei-jun and break that curse.” Shang Qinghua looked relieved and decided to tell Shen Qingqiu ‘everything’ about his draft and plot lines and where they were going to go. Turns out airplane had been in this world longer so he figured out early on it would go with his original script and not the one he settled on to pay the bills.

“Why are you avoiding a-Lou?” Ning Yingying asked and Shen qingqiu grimaced turns out he had his own bully qui jianlou who was also nicknamed a-Lou and it triggered Shen Qingqiu of his past.

Also, the reason Shen Qingqiu bullied Binghe was because he had a crush on Ning Yingying although Shen Yuan never saw the appeal and also trying to go after Binghe’s ladies is a no- no!

And he could see he was stressing binghe out not attacking him, the waiting and anticipation probably had his nerves on edge the poor thing.

His response was so crazy it might work hopefully Luo binghe may understand and be disgusted and want to avoid him maybe if Shen Qingqiu plays it up in the torture later on it might make Luo Binghe back off? Who knows it was worth a try.

“I like him.” Shen Qinqiu spoke “An infatuation that I misinterpreted as loathing sometimes you get the two confused.” Ning Yingying blinked “You know pulling pigtails? You tease or bully someone you like?”

She puffed her cheeks “that’s not very nice! And it’s not true you’ve never expressed any interest in a-Lou like that!”

“Well I would never treat someone I love like that but the thing was a-Ning I didn’t know! Now that I understand what those feelings are I’m ashamed, and I do know a lot about Binghe.” He spoke nose in the air. And Ning Yingying placed her hands on her hips eyes narrowed.

“What’s his favourite colour?”

“Red, he wears it in his wardrobe all the time and if not that then Black.” Because of his poor upbringing he couldn't experiment on colours and always settled on black, it was easy to clean as well.

She blinked not expecting that, then began to question Shen Qingqiu on everything he knew about Luo Binghe and he answered every single one. He was a binghe stan and read these books religiously and battled many a troll online he can recite Binghe’s introduction chapter by heart! 

And Ning Yingying watched how he grew more animated and passionate as he listed of each question he knew Binghe’s favourite food [the same one as his mothers meal that he cooked for her and she smiled and complimented him and it was plain congee, which he feeds his ladies with all the time and yet each one never appreciated it or cared to understand the signifigance] his best friends, his favourite subject his least favourite subject.

“It’s charms which makes sense since he’s-“ he cut himself and remembered Luo Binghe would probably see these memories in a pensive, he grimaced when he realised how uch he was geeking out.

Ning Yingying watched how Shen Qingqiu stood up straighter clearing his throat as if he wasn't just waxing poetry about Binghes hair. The thing is the wizarding world was sensitive to certain topics such as dark light and nuetral wizards. Dark wizards were ostricised and looked down on for being evil. And since Shen Qingqiu is from a dark family and an advocate for it is obviously the villain while Binghe is a prophosised chosen one. Luo Binghe had little romps through the castle stealing a pensive and using it. And if it came to light that Luo Binghe was a dark wizard well-

Oh it was a shock to him too airplane called it irony, that Shen Qingqiu the first son of a line of dark witches and wizards had a light core because it was revealed that he was a bastard and would soon be disowned for being a light wizard. Unable to continue that line meanwhile binghe the champion of the light was in fact a dark core wizard because of his father Tianglang-Jun jun who was currently in Azkaban.

 Charms was a light subject while defense or actual dark arts itself was obviously dark. Luo binghe was going against his core and if it goes on for too long may end up destroying it. Hence the abyss he learns that little secret and ends up becoming all powerful and over turning the Huan hua masters and overtaking Cang Qiong school and changing the subjects to be more aligned with the proper cores.

One person had almost destroyed their core by two opposing sides using the wrong magic that rebounded, Liu Qingge. Who was currently in a coma in the medical bay being looked after by their professors. He would’ve been moved the Qian Co peak to be monitored by mediwitches but Mu Qingfan moved into the school personally so to make it easier for school mates and Liu Mingyan to visit her brother since there was nothing they could do for him but wait for him to wake up.

Of course Shen Qingqiu must have murdered Liu qinnge in his sleep and airplane said; “Nope all me, to frame Shen Qingqiu as public enemy number one away from the obviously suspicious me. But this time I won’t do that so Liu Qingge will wake up and tell everyone it was ‘him’ that did a dodgy spell and not you!” 

Yes the reason that Shen Qingqiu wasn’t suspended after their duel was because they couldn't take the other side of the story innocent until proven guilty.

Blame Yue Qingyuan for that, the headmaster of Cang Qiong. Their was a weird relationship between him and Shen Qingqiu and airplane told him it’s better if he didn’t know he’ll tell him depending on if they live or not.

 Which wasn’t reassuring.

“Ming fan stop bullying the beast, it’s just depressing at this point. We’re fifth years it’s time to act our age.” Ming fans face fell “Of course Shen -shixiong.”

How he got followers is beyond him, his Ning Yingying is his friend was also puzzling.

And he could see Luo Binghe’s glower.  _________________________________________________________

“A little birdie told me you had a crush on me.” Shit.

Keeping his expression blank he calmly replied “Yes? What of it?”

“It seems unfair that I was faced with so much abuse over something so trivial, I deserve compensation.” 

Shen Qingqiu sneered “as if, this one can’t take back everything he’s done. So what do you want?”

“Well I was just wondering what if you were lying? Just to avoid all the consequence of bullying me?” Shen Qingqiu Definitely wilted in guilt. “I’m sorry.”

That seemed to shock Luo binghe at the apology but Shen qinqiu meant it. Luo binghe didn’t deserve any of that.

 Also how crappy is this situation? If binghe even believed it or returned his feelings that is borderline abusive and a dash of Stockholm syndrome if Shen qinqiu was reading this he would spit blood!

Although Luo binghe did have some questionable wives who were just as cruel then became his ladies to his lord so maybe binghe would be into it-

He kissed him, Shen Qingqiu made a startled noise at the back of his throat as binghe kissed him and- and- he was good at it! So binghe already had some ladies under his belt, good for him!

And Shen Qingqiu moaned, melting into a puddle like putty in Binghe’s hands, he was really good at this. Shen Qingqiu eyes slid shut deepening the kiss and following Binghe and chasing him when he pulled back until the kiss broke.

Oh he had to prove it. They had to pretend.

“D-don’t mess with my feelings if you don’t mean it.” Shen Qingqiu scowled, face flushed red and he was fighting to calm down and not feel so hot. “Likewise.”

So pretend dating. He could do this, when binghe took his hand as both slytherin and griffendors were paired he stiffened then scowled pulling at Binghe’s hand under the table. Binghe had his other hand in his cheek looking up at Shen Qingqiu, he hadn't had his growth spurt yet and Shen Qingqiu knew when Luo Binghe got bigger and towered over him Shen QIngqiu became more irritated and lashed out more in fear as well as envy.

 “Surely this looks worse, Qingqiu.” 

Huh? He looked at him oddly, how was it worse? He glanced at their shared hands then looked back up “Uh, how is it worse?” he still didn't understand, Binghe looked delighted and leaned close to whisper in his ear “hands under the table to do strange things,” Binghe’s hand moved to Shen Qingqiu’s thigh although they were still holding hands so Shen Qingqiu’s was taken along for the ride and it still didn’t make sense to him.

“Or this,” then Binghe moved their combined hands closer to the inside and Shen Qingqiu snatched his hand back his ears red “Shamless.” He hissed beneith his breath.

Binghe was mocking him but this was fine he could do this. Better than the alternative.

Unaware that binghe had learned. Leglimency early on practising with his ladies and more contact with someone the more he can use it without sharing eye contact and since Shen Yuan was new to the magical world didn’t know when someone’s mind brushed against his and had no defences and was an open book.

_________________________________________________________

As Luo Binghe is now suspicious of Shen Qingqiu he, with his invisibilty cloak takes Liu Mingyan and Ning Yingyin as they follow Shen Qingqiu as he disapears at odd hours. It's suspicious.

So, As they follow him and Shen Qingqiu is going through secret turns and loops in the castle that even they didn't know about startle to see him going towards the medical ward.

And see him approach Liu Qingge's bed.

Liu Mingyan almost exposed them so Luo Binghe grabbed her arm keeping her still.

Truthfully Liu Mingyan visits her brother all the time and swore to avenge him and expose Shen Qingqiu as a murderur. Yet each time she visits her brother always has fresh flowers, she assumed it was Mu Qingfan or some student who idolised her brother but truthfully he didn't have many friends.

So the three watch in stunned fascination as Shen Qingqiu disposed of the flowers Liu Mingyan almost snarled before freezing when Shen Qingqiu reached into a bag and pulled out a fresh batch of flowers to place beside the bed.

And his face, Shen Qingqiu looked miserable. Alone in the ward he had no need for pretense. And yet he scratched his neck as he gazed down at Liu QIngge.

"You need to wake up you know. And cut down on the beatuy sleep you're already too beautiful." He spoke reaching out and taking Liu Qingge hand. He looked awkward and irritated.

"I still not used to this- and don't laugh at me!" Shen Qingqiu growled out glaring at the sleeping man "Muggle's spoke about talking to comotase patients and that sometimes they can hear them." He rubbed his thumb against a pale calloused hand that barely responded.

Shen Qingqiu sighed closing his eyes "This is stupid."

But he kept talking, about his day, his spells how Liu Qingge should hurry up and wake up.

"They think I'm going to hex them every time I walk past and yet it was you or tried a spell that was not in lign with your core but no your Liu Qingge you don't listen to reason."

Shen Qingqiu waited and only watched the steady rise and fall of the others chest.

"The more you lay asleep on this bed like the useless shidi you are, the worse it'll be." Shen Qingqiu pressed his lips together looking more and more irritated.

"Liu Mingyans in danger." He spoke with a smirk on his face as he leaned closer, "If you don't wake up I'll hurt her. And it'll be your fault because you decided to lie in instead. I'll do it, it'll be so easy. And you will just let it happen."

And the strangest thing happened.

Liu Qingge's hand twitched.

The three watched stunned as Shen Qingqiu gaped then with new vigor leaned closer "I'm going to do it Liu Qingge, you'll wake up and find out your little sister is dead because of me. The scum villain." He spoke energetic "It'll be so easy, I'll just use polyjuice potion and pretend to be someone she knows someone familiar and lead her out to a secluded area I'll even use that persons wand."

His face truly looked monstrous, like a villain and yet it was all said to wake up Liu Qingge. Because he knew his brother would do anything for his sister.

The things he said was in contrast to his actions and instead of exposing or revealing any answers of Shen Qingqiu only raised more questions.

And Liu Mingyan watched as how Liu Qingge brow furrowed and how even Shen Qingqiu held his breath a genuine smile on his face waiting for Liu Qingge to wake up-

But nothing.

Shen Qingqiu slumped in disapointment. Still holding Liu Qingges hand in a vice like grip.

"Maybe you don't care about her, huh?" he tried one more time but nothing.

Shen Qingqiu scrubbed his face then flinched when he felt something behind him.

"You are doing well, Shen Qingqiu. Talking helps the both of you and this master knows Liu Qingge will wake up in his own time."

Shen Qingqiu looked away "But what if he doesn't? this- does it even work?" Shen Qingqiu asked ripping his hand away and looking up at Mu Qingfan.

The Medi-wizard sighed and looked down "Magic is...a delicate thing. And is very unpredictable the only thing we can do is observe and wait."

"Damn this Shidi of mine, casuing everyone grief...he responded a little at one point."

"Oh? What happened?"

Shen Qingqiu turned around leaning his arms over the chair and resting on it "I threatened his sister, I thought he was going to wake up."

The wizard nodded "Maybe that might wake him up, if Liu Qingge could hear and has some awarness it might give him the push to wake up. Liu Mingyan visits but she never speaks if she keeps consistent it might reinforce that something is wrong. It might wake Liu Qingge."

Shen Qingqiu nodded.

"There's only so many times I can threaten Liu Mingyans life..." Shen Qingqiu joked but still looked hopeless.

Luo Binghes hand clenched against the fabric as he gestured for the others to go.

missing the next interaction.

"You will end up like Liu Qingge if you continue on like this."

Shen Qingqiu looked away "This one has no clue on what you are reffering to Mr Mu."

"Liu Qingge has a nuetral core and tried a very powerful light spell. Thats what made him end up in this state. Your home studies and dark arts could land you in the same boat." Shen Qingqiu tensed "This student-"

"You are a light wizard, Shen Qingqiu. Not a dark or even nuetral. A pure light wizard and if you continue to do spells not alligned with your core then being bed ridden may not be the worse of it."

Shen Qingqiu sighed "This one would gladly but- it's impossible. My family are trying to salvage the dark arts- not all of it is evil!" Take a look at Luo Binghe! In his adventures he's always used his powers for good and to protect his wives!

"If it came out that their son is a light wizard- it doesn't matter if I'm related or not they'll spin it that any one can magically change their cores and alligment it'll reflect badly on the community."

Mu Qingfan sighed "I can't force you, but only in lessons but if you can help it never perform any dark art spells. And take this if you're going to damage your body." Shen Qingqiu blinked at the potion.

"Take that twice morning and night. it'll keep you stable." Shen Qingqiu blinked "I- thank you...and thank you for beliving me and letting me visit Liu-shidi."

Mu Qingfan shrugged "I'm a doctor I knew what happened from the lab results, but this one can't reveal the information as its client confidentialty and only Liu Qingge could reveal his core and story if he wants to."

Shen Qingqiu nodded in other words Mu Qingfan would love to put the rumours to rest that Shen Qingqiu was innocent. But with Yue Qingyuan being so biased and if Mu Qingfan showed no evidence then they would assume that Shen Qingqiu was manipulating them to get away with murder!

____________________________________________________________

In potion lessons, Shen Qingqiu sneers "Honestly? You have been a student this long?" He noticed Luo Binghe stiffen and moved towards the other moved bhind him as he leaned over Binghes shoulder and took his hands and guided them.

He began to cut the ingredients the right way and even the timing on when to place them in "Remember to crush these not to cut them-" He spoke then tsked in Luo Binghes ear as the other was stood frozen.

"You can cook- I fail to understand how you can be this incompetent at potions." Shen Qingqiu bemoaned, this was because of that stupid fake potions book wasn't it!?

As Shen Qingqiu moved to his own cualdron, he let his thoughts run wild and Binghe was listening to everyone of them.

Damn those brats, Binghe had great potential and they sabotaged him. oh look there he goes.

Luo Binghe listened to his guidance and started treating potions like he did cooking ignoring the book and listening to his instincts instead.

look, he's a natural! of course Binghe is the best and could excel at anything he chooses too but people are so jelaous they have to hold him back! Such a waste!

But there are times when Binghe pretends to be stupid! I can see you, y'know that white lotus act doesnt work on me, protagonist!

Shen Qingqiu sounded annoyed and was even taking it out on his potions. He was really passionate about Luo Binghes wasted potential.

He heard Shen Qingqiu sneer "Was it that hard to be competent?" He asked with a raised eyebrow as Luo Binghes potion passed with flying colours for once.

Of course he's competent, Binghe is amazing. If he wanted to could wipe the floor with anyone here including me! Shen Qingqiu thought looking at his cauldron and Binghe felt his ears flush red.

"Beast- why is your face red?" Shen QIngqiu spoke ah I hate calling him that! but he'll find it suspicious if I stop now- and I cant call him Binghe its too shameful! i don't deserve to call him that, after what I did.

"Are you allergic? Do we need to call Qingfan?" He asked his tone was devoid but Binghe could see the worry.

He's not sick is he- is Binghe even allergic to anything? Does he know? Maybe we can get him tested he was muggle-raised he wouldn't have HAD the wizard vaccines for dragon pox and kneazles shit!

Shen QIngqiu was starting to sound more panicked but Luo Binghe watched in slow motion as Shen Qingqiu placed a hand over his forehead "You're not running a fever..."

Luo Binghe took his hand "This one is fine- just..." Binghe looked away.

"Can you stop calling me that?"

"Hmm? Call you what?"

"Beast, I have a name."

He noticed the relief as the other found himself easily agreeing just as uncomfortable with the name as Binghe was and yet...it started to change. Binghe was almost seeing it as a term of endearment and never bothered to correct it.

But it obviously bothered him.

"Call me Binghe. We are together aren't we?" Binghe asked squeezing Shen Qingqiu hand before relaxing. Now it was Shen Qingqiu's turn to flush.

"I-you, shamless!" He ripped his hand away and went back to his cauldron grabbing his book...that was upset down and Shen Qingqiu eyes were laser focused on the writing.

But clearly not reading it.

I cant call him that- too informal! too close I don't deserve it! Shameful! Only his girlfriends call him that! and this- this isn't, he's just testing me because its pretend!

Ah, Luo Binghe leaned closer "Qingqiu." The other stiffened as he spoke in his ear "Your book is upside down." Shen Qingqius face exploded red.

Binghe was disapointed the first time he heard Shen Qingqiu call it pretend he thought it was another form of bullying. Until he heard his thoughts. Shen Qingqiu liked him and that was the truth, and honestly thought Binghe was playing with him.

But the best part was how even Shen Qingqiu thought if he liked guys, hypothetically and dated it would take him months maybe even years to get the courage to hold someones hand. His last girlfriend took ages to kiss and then weeks later they broke up.

Pretending made his Shizun a bit more forward, too thin face. But to not be caught in the 'lie' ended up inniciating a lot more. Luo Binghe sat back down, his palm on his cheek as he watched his flustered shixiong. Luo Binghe was observent and had noticed how other students older and younger would act towards people they liked.

And Binghe was slowly starting to accept the truth that Shen Qingqiu truly had no idea, misplaced loathing for loving. Luo Binghe scowled when he thought of the relationship he had with the headmaster, Shen Qingqiu was just as prissy and even yelled at the teacher in front of others. And yet he saw the two always going to the office or having tea together in the mornings.

Just what was their relationship?

He couldn't read Yue Qingyuans mind, for some reason his mind was very strong and not easy to gain access into, when his eyes locked onto Binghes he immiedtly backed off and never tried again.

Luo Binghe still hadn't forgiven Shen Qingqiu at first but then noticed the other actually stick up for Luo Binghe and even told his followers to back off. For the first time Luo Binghe was able to just...be at Cang Qiong and learn without worrying about someone trying to hurt him and the more time he spent with Shen Qingqiu the less he was bothered.

...it was nice.

He didn't want to forgive Shen Qingqiu but he could see he was trying, and even went out of his way to help Luo Binghe. He even secretly left the castle with Binghe to get him his wand.

Shen Qingqiu told him to shut up as he payed for it, as Luo Binghe could never afford his own wand and had to get it cheap or second hand, of course Shen Qingqius thoughts were crying for Binghe.

No wonder he was behind! Imagine the power he has with an actual wand that works for him!

Something tells Binghe that maybe the reason Shen Qingqiu was frustrated with him, was how weak and pitful he was as a kid but knew he was a strong and powerful wizard. Then once he realised WHY Binghe was doing so poorly went out of his way to fix it and the weirdest part?

Luo Binghe soaked up the praise and actually wanted to TRY and be better, he never cared for school before but now he actually tried.

When he showed his homework to Shen Qingqiu for pointers the other sniffed "Adequete."

Luo Binghe is amazing! Look how much he's improved even his penmenship has gotten better! Thats my Binghe the smartest student in this school!

Luo Binghe, may have became obsessed to the point of even neglecting his girlfriends. He never told Shen Qingqiu and his girls never minded either they were just happy to be a part of his life and didn't mind sharing.

And Ning Yingyin was his first with Liu Mingyan his second then Sha Hualing came after, and the thing was...they reminded him of Shen Qingqiu. His explosive temper could rival the demon saintess, the way he was cold and aloof and barely spoke like Liu Mingyan or when he genuinly cared and only wanted what was best for binghe he was smart Shen Qingqiu but at times came across as naive he had some strengths but understanding people? That was his weakness. Like Ning yingying.

And to think if it wasn't for her, Luo Binghe may have missed this.

________________________________________________________

On another adventure to expose Shen Qingqiu, he found out he was having private lessons away from the school in a hidden underground classroom.

Probably indoctirating his followers, even though they were dating and Luo Binghe found himself liking Shen Qingqiu of all people he still didn't trust him.

Luo Binghe was the chosen one he was told that as soon as he entered the wizarding world but at what? He still didn't understand it or what people wanted from him and Shen Qingqiu was his enemy. Almost all the adults around them told them that.

Shen Qingqiu was scum, evil and cruel and Luo Binghe was their saviour.

So when he and Ning Yingying entered the room, both Shen Qingqiu and they were surprised. It was a classroom with Shen Qingqiu teaching spells on a chalkboard.

This couldn't be it...right?

"Ah can I help you?" He seemed flustered a little and Luo Binghe smiled. "Not at all, this one heard you were giving lessons, and both Ning Yingying and I were wondering if we could join your study group."

"Piss off, Griffen, go away." Ming Fan growled but Shen Qingqiu spoke "Theres no need, you can stay. Pull up a chair."

Ming fan do you have a death wish!? and Ning yingying is right there! How are you expected to gain her attention while being a dick to her best friend honestly? Well, I never choose him as a friend for his brains.

"Now, that we've learned about the dangers of polyjuice potion and the petrificus totalus-"

"Is it true that you can use that to...do something to someone?"

"Like sexual assualt? Possibly." "And obliviate could remove such a memory?" The girl asked petrified "Yes, hyopthetically- are you okay?" He asked noticing her pale "How would you know?"

"Check a medi-wizard. They are well equipped with such things." He spoke no nonsense.

Luo Binghe felt Ning Yingying squeeze his hand almost horrified.

Luo Binghe was too, not once had he even considered such a thing...and these were light spells?

"Now onto Cores." Shen Qingqiu waved his wand and three chalkboards appeared with the chalks moving simultainlously to create illustrations, others awed at the talent of such a feat. Even Luo Binghe was watching.

Shen Qingqiu caught his eye then flushed looking away luckily as he was done as some chalk faltered in his hold. This is nothing! Binghe can do that and more!

"Now," he pointed to the middle board that had a venn diagram of Dark, Nuetral, Light with nuetral overlapping with too.

"Every witch or wizard has a core. you are born with such core and cannot change it, thats a myth going directly against your core could damage your meridians."

A hand raised "Whats meridians?"

"Its your magical veins in your body, squibs are usually people born unlucky, most are witches or wizards who have lost their magic and thats what a squib is a mage who has lost their magic."

"Then why aren't we taught this?" "Power in ignorance I imagine. Now Nuetral users can use only basic light or dark magic. Same as how dark and light can use nuetral" he circled an area and Luo Binghe realised it was in layers, like a number system.

Dark being 5, 4 3. Nuetral being 4, 3, 2 and with Light being 3, 2, 1

"So there are spells that all cores share, a 3 type spell such as alohamora. Why is that?"

"It unlocks doors so...an action spell?"

"Yes, spells that have no gain nor energy, even levitation is a 3 spell. But what can you tell me about the patronus charm?" "That its difficult?"

"Exactly its a light charm against dark creatures such as dementors. Now why do you struggle with it?"

"Because we're dark witches." The others stared and realised thats why they've been failing most of their lessons. Shen Qingqiu nodded "Exactly, this school curriculumn in all of china by the laws is only allowed to study light magic only."

"But- it'll make us lose our magic!" One cried and Shen Qingqiu nodded "They won't see the harm. If dark magic dies out only light magic will remain. So much has been lost for these new laws such as the Parcel tongue ability. And parcel tongue was the last of witches talking to creatures there were others who could speak to all manor of animals not just snakes. And now such an ability is gone, others who can shapeshift, veelas who can charm and bewitch so much gone. Because of ignorance."

There it was, the dark magic properganda.

"But I don't struggle?" A hand rose and Shen Qingqiu smiled "Maybe it might be that you are not a dark wizard?"

"No I am! My family is I'm a dark wizard!"

"Its okay, its okay!" Shen Qingqiu panicked at the sight of tears and flipped a board "See- Wei Wuxian is a prime example of why we can't change our cores and his input is important!"

"Wei Wuxian? That traitor? He deviated to the light side!"

Shen Qingqiu shook his head "I have letters," he flicked his wand and a ton of paper appeared and floated towards each student in the class.

"Most stole his work and research or even censcored the tomes he created, he wanted to appeal but they said they wouldn't publish unless these corrections were made. Here is the passages and theories he wanted to write. Currently his husband is fighting the freedom of speech amendment at the Huan Hua palace."

"Who?" "Hanguang-Jun."

There was silence "But hes a LIGHT wizard!" Shen Qingqiu nodded full on beaming "He was seen as a pillar for the rightous and active fighter for the light side, others think he's been bewitched by Wei Wuxian but hes the only one fighting alongside other dark witches and wizards for the right of dark magic being explored."

"But Wei Wuxian says that resentment is pure dark and shouldn't be tampered with."

"Wei Wuxian is a nuetral Core."

He didn't think he could keep shocking them "What he meant was as a nuetral wizard who had already damaged his meridians with pure light magic couldn't contain the dark resentment of the dark and ended up overtaxing his core. He almost died if it wasn't for Lan Wangi, now he's a squib whose lost all magical ability." And to think airplane left this out, if he hadn't listened to the rat and sent out letters inquiring about cores with the great demonic cultivator he wouldn't have found all this out.

"Wei Wuxian was an advocate for the dark side as he was best friends with Lady Wen. A dark witch who speicilised in medicine she almost lost all of her research by light wizards if it wasn't for the Grandmaster of demonic cultivation. Both worked together and he decided to be a test subject to investigate further into core magic. Core's are private there is a law that you can't reveal your core to anyone unless you have explicit permission from that person. Even medical witch and wizards cant tell anyone that a client has damaged their cores thus keeping it more silent from the wizarding world."

A hand raised "How can we check our cores so we don't lose our magic?"

"Well, I have just the thing here." Shen Qingqiu began to put on gloves and went over to retrieve something a crystal ball.

"Now this, is a magic glass that clouds with smoke. Black, grey and white. If you touch it, it'll show you your core."

"Now there is a curtain here if you want to do it privately, or if others don't mind sharing can come up now as I prepare the curtain. Don't all touch it at once or it'll get confused. One at a time."

He moved away to fix the curtain as others stood up walking towards the ball.

"Mines nuetral...but my parents told me I was dark?"

"Even the dark familys will also want their children to be dark they will disown any who have otherwise. They know how the light wizards will spin it that the dark are forcing their children to learn dark arts against their core and may even take them away deeming them unfit." The boy looked horrified as did the others.

Ning Yingying shook her head "They wouldn't!"

"Seen Wei Wuxian? The prodijy? How fast was he cast out when he began demonic cultivation." Ming Fan spoke and she deflated. She placed her hand on the orb and it was pure white. Of course. Ming Fans was grey.

And others began most pitch black but a small few were grey.

"Qingue-shixiong? What spells are grey and what spells are dangerous?"

Shen Qingqiu paused the curtain set up "I-I don't really know, no one has documented them. I could only guess so far."

"Then...then why don't we do it? You have a researcher who can help as well!"

"i don't know- we are not doing wei wuxian is doing we cant damage our bodies for this."

"It's going to happen anyway, in lessons we'll write down which magic was hard to do and which was easier and if anything hurts."

Shen Qingqiu pinched the bridge of his nose "I'll inform Mu Qingfan. Better to have a mediwizard on hand."

Once they were done and all students left Luo Binghe stayed behind.

Shen Qingqiu was avoiding his eyes, "Luo Binghe, can I help you?"

"To think this was where you were sneaking off too..." He raised his wand and Shen Qingqiu stiffened "Binghe?"

Why's he pointing it at me? Is he going to hurt me- why I didn't do anything I thought we were friends-

"Petrificus totallus."

Shen Qingqiu seized and fell backwards unable to even cry out but Luo Binghe caught him before his head could crack against the stone floor like an egg.

"There is something I want to try."

Shen Qingqius eyes followed him, his heartbeat thumping in his ears.

Luo Binghe picked up the glass and paused as it turned Pitch black and hummed "Thats peculiar."

Shen Qingqius eyes widened he wasn't-

no- no he can't find out! its too early! If this secret came out his life would be ruined!

"here, can you hold this," he placed the ball on the ground and raised Shen Qingqius hand, the other kept staring at Binghe Please- please don't-

His hand touched glass and a bright light filled the room.

Shen Qingqiu shut his eyes, and the spell released as he was unfrozen and snatched his hand away and scrambled back.

Luo Binghe was blinded covering his eyes as he looked up and Shen Qingqiu punched him in the face.

"Fuck you, and to think your nothing more than a beast!" He hadn't meant to say that but he was angry even shattered the glass ball of course he directed the glass away from Binghe. He hated him right now but he didn't want him hurt!

He stomped away missing the dazed look on Binghes face as a cupped his cheek.

Luo Binghe may have realised he went too far. But Shen Qingqiu...was a very powerful light wizard...

Shen Qingqiu gets a howler acts calm and collected but then ends up crying in the bathroom.

 Binghe finds him, comforts him but finds himself liking Shen Qingqiu when he’s crying a deep part still hurt by him finding sick delight from all the times Shen Wingqiu bullied him.

 It was poetic karma.

 But Shen Qingqiu didn’t care about his family, he looked at Binghe perplexed and admitted it wasn’t his family- he’s effectively homeless. Someone of high standing having to live off the streets and he only had a few months left of school.

 “I don’t know what the do,” he admitted “I already have a summer job at Knockturn, so at least I have some income and hopefully it’d be enough. Sure I wanted to move out-  but I thought I had time to prepare at least.”

And even so what if that money wasn’t enough?

 He doubted it. He can’t afford a place to stay and eat and the same time not to mention he’d be buying his own school robes or he’d have to rewear these and hope the school doesn’t accidentally change their uniform.

He remembered so many parents buying those stupid pointy hats for first year and they ended up getting rid of them after, how annoying.

 He’d have to do what Luo Binghe did, maybe…

 Shen Qingqiu wiped his eyes with his wrist, and realised the position he was in.

 And Luo Binghe was holding him, and looked up at Shen Qingqiu with a series look on his face.

 “Live with me.”

Shen Qingqiu’s mouth fell open- what!?

 “What but that’s-“

If anyone was going to live with Luo Binghe it’d be one of his girlfriends! They might kill him to find out he was living so close to the modern Adonis!

 Luo Binghe chuckled suddenly looking amused.

 “Please, this Binghe lives alone, and it would help if someone helped share the rent.”

 Shen Qingqiu felt awful, here he was feeling sorry for himself and Luo Binghe was struggling at home.

 From what Shang Qinghua told him, it was the last place Binghe had fond memories of his mother, the only thing he had left was his fake jade pendent, as he had to pawn of her belongings for his school clothes.

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes glanced down feeling something break at Luo Binghe’s threadbare clothes, and how he only asked for food from his girlfriends and they barely noticed anything was wrong, always asking Binghe to buy them gifts. Because it was the boys that had to gift the girls even when they were flat out broke.

 Shen Qingqiu looked away.

“Can I live with you? It wouldn’t be- I would t be imposing?”

“Not at all, Qingqiu.” Luo Binghe spoke cuddling Shen Qingqiu closer, hiding his pleased grin into the crook of his shoulder.

 “This Binghe would be delighted to host you.”

___________

The next year was the tournament, but Shen Qingqiu found himself forgetting about it when he lived with Binghe.

 He ended up taking additional shifts and was exhausted when he returned home.

 Working retail was no joke! 

Lifting heavy boxes when he was t used to that labour was a nightmare!

But worth it for his pay check, he split the bill but ended up paying more than Binghe.

 He was saving up, even when he came home ate food and collapsed in bed, exhausted it didn’t matter!

 Luo Binghe deserved nice things!

 He felt bad though for leaving Binghe with the cooking and cleaning even when Binghe was struggling with his own shifts, so Shen Qingqiu split the rent from a 50/50 ratio and payed more he told Binghe it was the least he could do when the other told him it wasn’t fair.

But to Shen Qingqiu it was, he was pants at doing laundry, although he did try to do the dishes in the morning. He was a good roommate after all. But with the additional laundry and cooking from Binghe it didn’t make sense and so Shen Qingqiu payed more for Binghe’s labour and for the food detergent the extra person needed.

“Take it as extra payment for the food and laundry detergent.” He said.

 A shame they were underage and could t use magic! Ugh!

 Even so- Other than paying rent, Shen Qingqiu wanted to get Binghe a present his birthday was during Christmas and both decided to stay at Cang Qiong over the holidays. So he needed to buy his presents in the summer [before he forgot] and as well as buy Binghe his uniform. Shen Qingqiu’s was still good from the previous year, since his parents bought expensive clothes that tended to last.

 But Binghe on the other hand? It was his sixth year! He had to have good clothes!

 And school supplies! His bag was falling apart and his cauldron wasn’t going to last long now that Binghe was using it more often when he found out he wasn’t as useless at potions as he thought!

Of course while Luo Binghe felt as if he was doing more work, he couldn’t help but find it nice as he had someone else to help lighten the load.

He was exhausted when he came home from working at Potions and pots, now that he could understand it better he was helping the shop owner get more potions out for his clients quicker.

 And when he remembered he had to dry and iron their clothes he felt more tired.

So his surprise to see the basket empty, and saw them all put away instead.

 He came to the living room to see Shen Qingqiu asleep, mouth open with drool down his chin with an open book in his lap.

 Luo Binghe’s chest tightened at the sight. How adorable.

 He moved closer silently and glanced down at the book, and saw it was about demonic beasts and flora.

Huh studying even when school was out. That reminded Luo Bknghe he had homework. But he was finally have a day off to do it, now with the extra help. 

 And to hear his thoughts of buying Binghe’s school uniform as a surprise.

 Maybe because he wouldn’t be caught dead standing with Binghe unless he was dressed the part, but even so-

 Luo Binghe felt touched, not even his girlfriends had been this thoughtful, always demanding presents instead and completely blind to his problems.

Although Luo Binghe was proud and didn’t advertise that he was struggling in a sea of students who looked worse of not for lack of money, but by playing too rough and destroyed their uniform and parents refused to pay for it.

To anyone who didn’t know him, they’d assumed that Luo Binghe was just a bad kid always messing around.

 Not realising he took extra care of the only items he had, one rip and his week was ruined.

 And Shen Qingqiu was saving up to buy him things. He didn’t have to work those extra shifts, or exhaust himself. He did it to surprise Binghe, and to get him his Christmas present.

 Binghe of course was working extra to hopefully bribe his mentor at the Potions and Pots shop for his limited edition Demonology book.

 The man was working with potions and barely opened it! It was gathering dust!

 And when Binghe showed how serious he was the man promised to give it to him if he worked extra shifts.

 Just a few more and it was his.

 He couldn’t wait for the look on his…on Shen Qingqiu’s face.

_______________________________

When they returned to school after summer holidays, Binghe confessed to Shen Qingqiu that he still had to work at the local town outside Cang Qiong [name of the town with the skinner] 

 And told Shen Qingqiu that he worked on weekends when most students had their day off, to send the money back to their flat. Even if they weren’t living in it, he still had to pay the monthly fee.

 Shen Qingqiu’s eyes widened. How long was Binghe working!? Oh no wonder he never did homework!

 “Is their any vacancies?”

“Hmm? Why?”

“I’ll work there too- I’ll check if any of the local shops have openings.”

“Qingqiu- it’s fine! This Binghe is used to it.”

“You need a break! All you’ve done is work.” Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t allow it, Binghe’s grades would suffer more this year if he worked himself with no breaks! Hell Shen Qingqiu was looking at his school days as a vacation! 

 They also had to work in the winter as well now that he thought about it.

 “Okay, if this one worked we both get one weekday off,” 

“Shen Qingqiu it’s fine- it’s my house-“

“But I’m living in it. It’s unfair for Luo Binghe to do all the work.”  

Ah and he was looking forward to his vacation-

“Mister Shen? A word.” Yue Qingyuan appeared out of nowhere.

 And Shen Qingqiu glanced his way “Yes, Head Principal Yue?”

 God he nearly died! Don’t scare him like that!

 “If you’ll follow me.”

Shen Qingqiu blinked then glanced back at Binghe, he noticed all of his girlfriends at the table watching them, then felt awful that he was hogging Binghe all to himself!

 Shen Qingqiu patted his arm “This Qingqiu may be awhile- your girlfriends are waiting for you.”

 Luo Binghe’s face spasmed and Shen Qinqiu wondered what was wrong- until he remembered they were pretend dating at school he wondered if Binghe forgot after all he dropped the charade when they lived together and didn’t touch him as much. Not needing to play it up for others.

“I bet your sick of my face Aha- go say hi to Ning Yingying for me.” He smiled and walked off with the principal before Binghe could say anything.

 Luo Binghe scowled as he walked towards the table with his girlfriends.

 Sha Hualing was sitting in Liu Mingyans lap, Hmm it appears they no longer want his company.

Luo Bknghe found himself relieved by that and of course he slumped into the chair as he leaned his head on Ning Yingyings shoulder, and sighed miserably.

“That bad?” She asked and he hummed, “it sas awful. Both of us had work so I barely had a chance to even-“ 

It was so domestic and wonderful, but they barely had time to sit and talk- and since Shen Qingqiu was always asleep he couldn’t get a read on his thoughts.

 “He still thinks it’s pretend?”

“Hmm-Hmm.”

“You should tell him.”

Luo Binghe blinked wondering why Ning Yingying gave him a hard look “Because it’s not pretend anymore, for both of you.”

Luo Binghe’s gaze narrowed, as he tried to grasp her mind and found the shields up.

 He could rip past them but didn’t to stay polite.

 “You’ve met someone else?”

“Don’t be mad.”

“Why would I be?”

“…it’s Ming Fan.”

“…”

He was judging her hard, “I know he bullied you but he promised he would apologise-“

“That’s not it- Ming Fan!?” He asked sceptical, and Ning Yingying nodded and he turned and almost missed him.

Ming Fan had a glow up.

 He wasn’t as handsome as Shen Qingqiu or himself but defiently upgraded from ‘passable’ to good looking.

 And he watched how even Shen Qingqiu who entered the hall did a double glance and even called his name in shock-

And that work preened under the attention.

Luo Binghe wanted him dead, was Shen Qingqiubeasily swayed?

“It’s hard to grasp his type.” Ning Yingying spoke looking as perplexed as him.

 “First Shang Qinghua, but with you we figured he liked smart handsome men, but it appears even Ming Fan draws his eye.”

So average pathetic people?

Was Binghe too handsome? Was that why Shen Qingqiu thought it was pretend? He assumed it was a joke?

As Shen Qingqiu, he nodded looking proud.

 Ah, he thought just as it should be, Binghe with his future wives they all look good together. I hope I’m invited to the wedding although being best man at Binghe’s wedding may be a dream come true he might ask someone else.

Binghe might ask someone else, because he would be in place of husband, not best man.

Binghe paused as he had that thought.

Marriage? That was a little quick although maybe living together made him feel strange.

“What did he want?”

“Hmm?”

Shen Qingqiu glanced at him while spreading butter on his toast.

 Luo Binghe wished he cooked his school meals for him.

Shen Qingqiu would always enjoy his food, face closed in bliss. Alas he didn’t want others to see Shen Qingqiu looking so spoiled.

 “Oh, we’ll um. Yue Qingyuan was aware of my living situation.” Shen Qingqiu but his lip as he tried to cut his bread into an even triangle.

 But Binghe felt himself grow cold, Shen Qingqiu was leaving him?

 That stupid principal- he saw how he looked at Shen Qingqiu their strange dynamic and rumours circulating that Shen Qingqiu was brutal to the people he liked and the way he was treating Yue Qingyuan meant he was practically fucking him!

 No- no he can’t leave!

“He decided to help me out,” Shen Qingqiu spoke taking a breath “Apparently as the whole world found out about my controversial core, my family kicked me out. Well since I’m a light core it gained a lot of sympathy,” Shen Qingqiu sneered, probably hating to be pitied or looked down upon.

 Of course since I’m the perfect victim the wizarding world would bend over backwards to help but people like Binghe? Or Wei Wuxian? Anyone whose not a light core gets shafted- 

“I’ve been proposed some offers, but since I’m still in school they promised to wait, Yue Qingyuan told me I could start my exams now and graduate early.”

Luo Binghe’s eyes widened “What?”

Shen Qingqiu sat up, eyes alight with excitement “Ues and their high paying jobs too- I showed some interest in working with Hanguang-Jun but he’s a top seater, even though I’m exiled I still have a seat and they want me to fill it now that I’m a light core they think my vote would result in Light magic as the main curriculum and make dark magic illegal.”

Sha Hualing gaped “That’s illegal and what about demons? All our magic is dark!”

“That’s why I need to work for Hanguang-Jun. The quicker I study and apprintence and show my aptitude I may become his secretary.”

“Why him specifically?”

“He’s the only series seat member at Huan Hua, the others who are sympathetic to the cause either have a disreputable past or would be seen as biased.”

“Why? Aren’t we doing okay? Do you want to leave that badly?”

Shen Qingqiu blinked only just remembering Binghe and it hurt more.

“What? No! This is to pay you back! I’ll be earning three times what we’re got now and you can graduate without having to worry about anything.”

Luo Binghe clenched his fists, it felt unfair.

 “I don’t want to be in your debt, and I didn’t offer, to make you indebted to me.”

I didn’t think that, Binghe has suffered so much I just want to help him and make easier for him he deserves a break.

“Please, Binghe. I’m not doing this because I feel obligated to, I just want to, your education shouldn’t suffer anymore.”

“So is that all its for? My education?”

What was Shen Qingqiu pampering Luo Binghe like he was some pedigree dog? Was he going to get some payoff after make sure Binghe was well educated.

Shen Qingqiu frowned, “Binghe,” he sounded lost, unsure why Luo Binghe was upset.

 “Didn’t you…want to be chief warlock?”

Luo Binghe looked perplexed, “Why would I want that? I have enough on my plate being the chosen one. What’s the point in laying roots if I get cut down one day.”

Shen Qingqiu flinched, “I thought,” 

If Binghe didn’t want to be chief warlock- was it just spite? Revenge? 

 Surely that can’t be the only reason. He’d want to change things, make it where people like him in the wizarding world would live better.

Or at least that’s what Shen Qingqiu believed.

 “I don’t believe in wasting my time in things that don’t suit my end goal, and being Chief warlock isn’t my future, and if you don’t understand that then you never knew me at all.”

Oh that hurt.

Sha Hualing cackled “Owch, breaking up on the first day?”

Shen Qingqiu blinked at her, forgetting she was there and Sha Hualing bristled at the look.

Oh, I completely forgot about that.

And Luo Binghe’s face still looked cold so Shen Qingqiu nodded “Ah, of course, Luo Binghe.”

He nodded then stood up to leave, his breakfast lay there untouched.

Luo Binghe stiffened, almost calling out- no Sha Hualing was saying crap, 

“Leave him alone.”

Ning Yingying spoke and he scowled but saw her face as she shook her head,

“Remember when he got that howler? How he looked indifferent? But you found him in the bathroom crying?”

Luo Binghe nodded and Ning Yingying glanced at Shen Qingqiubas he turned the corner and disappeared.

 “He looks the exact same now as he did then-“

Binghe wasted no time dumping Ning Yingying off his lap as he ran to chase Shen Yuan.

“Ning Yingying!” Ming fan cried as he helped her back up.

A/N: 

 Ming Fan Neville longbottomed us lmao.

Luo Binghe finds Shen Qingqiu and explains his reaction and that Shen Qingqiu had a lot of assumptions and expectations and Luo Binghe felt as if he wasn’t meeting them.

And Shen Qingqiu apologised stating that he never meant for binghe to feel like that and asked what his plans were if chief warlock wasn’t in the cards.

Binghe wanted to open a restaurant. And Shen Qingqiu melted and told him how wonderful that was.

Yue Qingyuan looks into Binghe’s accommodations and learns that the ministry was paying for Binghe’s house. So why was Shen Qingqiu and binghe working?

He calls binghe in. And binghe assumes he’s in trouble since he and Yue Qingyuan don’t get along well. And finds that Yue Qingyuan asks him his housing issues then gets it sorted because of that Luo Binghe is then compensated over a grande worth of money. He finally feels as of everything is looking up! Even Shen Qingqiu can’t believe the good news then blows up about that two big realtor that was taking money from the ministry AND binghe and was even blackmailing binghe would lose his home if he missed a payment.

“Once I’m in Hua Huan ministry I’ll hunt that rat down and make him wish for death, I’ll ruin him. Drive his buisness into the ground, make it impossible to find work, and give him a taste of what you went through- Binghe?”

Binghe was in love.

_______________

After the ‘exposing’ his core Luo Binghe was threatened expulsion. And Shen Qingqiu came to his defence.

Shen Qingqiu forgave Luo Binghe. He was still mad but didn’t think Binghe deserved to lose his right to his education over a mistake.

But Yue Qingyuan did not.

 “This is serious, Luo Binghe you are dismissed.”

As Shen Qingqiu was left alone, he felt awkward he and Yue Qingyuan had a history and he knew what that history was even so.

 “Luo Binghe paralysed you and exposed your core. That is a violation of basic wizarding rights, akin to rape. And yet you defend him? Why?”

 “Binghe would’ t do that-“ Shen Qingqiu spoke.

Yue Qingyuans eyes flickered but then returned to Shen Qingqiu as he continued.

“I bullied him, hurt him, and all of a sudden act like I’m in love with him. He was bound to snap, he thought I was pranking him and probably wanted to catch me in the act. He was just trying to protect himself anybody would be wary in their school bully changed and acted out of character.”

Yue Qingyuan looked at him in pity, “You think you deserve it. You think your getting your karma and think that makes it okay for others to hurt you. But Shen Qingqiu with that type of thinking, when do those types of people stop? What happens when you know longer can tell whose the bully and whose the victim? You may have hurt him, but Luo Binghe is old enough to understand his own actions and is aware enough that he is responsible for those actions no matter the reason.”

“Please don’t expel him, he’s good- he’s a really good kid.”

 Yue Qingyuan sighed, “You used to have better judgement than that, but for you Shen Qingqiu the boy won’t be expelled.” Shen Qingqiu relaxed.

“Instead I’ll personally see to his detention myself.”

“Thank you, Headmaster Yue- should I get him?”

“No need. He’s probably went to class you should return yourself.”

Once Shen Qingqiu was gone Yue Qingyuans warm gaze dropped turning cold.

He flicked his wand and the invisibility cloak was ripped from Luo Binghe who was trapped, his face red from anger.

 “To think Shen Qingqiu was defending you and you have the nerve to spit on that kindness.”

How!?

How did that old man know he was here!?

Yue Qingyuan would never reveal that he could sense when someone was trying to read his mind. And Luo Binghe was stunned, he barely saw the sect leader move!

He was strong. Really strong.

As Yue Qingyuan approached, Luo Binghe didn’t feel afraid just humiliated and annoyed.

“Shen Qingqiu may have flaws, but to spit upon his kindness is too far.” 

Yue Qingyuan reached out…and cupped Luo Binghe’s face.

Luo Bonghe felt his head tilted up, feeling his heartbeat quicken- what was he doing?

Yue Qingyuan dazed at him, cold and dismissive. Luo Binghe could feel sweat heading down his neck as he couldn’t move.

 “He felt like this. Trapped unable to move while another could do whatever he pleased.”

 Yue Qingyuans hand lowered and Luo Binghe’s throat bobbed. Yue Qingyuan was powerful, and Luo Binghe was arragont.

 He never understood the vastness of their power until now- he still couldn’t move.

“Shen Qingqiu was powerless, as you did whatever you liked…”

Yue Qingyuan was going to-

His hand squeezed his throat, not enough to hurt but to cut of oxygen, and Luo Binghe breath falterered feeling his heartbeat quicken as Yue Qingyuan gazed at him with indifference.

 “Do you understand now, Mr Luo? Or should I give more demonstrations.”

Uh- more demonstrations.

 Yue Qingyuan may have officially jump started Luo Binghe’s sexual awakening.

 “You can do whatever you like?”

And Yue Qingyuans lip pulled into a sneer, “Mr Luo, Shen Qingqiu may think you hung the stars and the moon but from what I see, is nothing but a self absorbed brat. I can’t find anything to be impressed with.”

 “You should see my dick, then you’d be impressed.”

Yue Qingyuan probably thought he was joking, but the man only tightened his grip, and Luo Binghe was powerless against it feeling a thrill as Yue Qingyuan leaned closer.

 “I prefer someone with more experience than a fumbling teenager who can’t tell when someone is saying no.”

Yue Qingyuan let go and Luo Binghe could finally move and breath while he panted.

 “You’ll be having detention with me. And Binghe, if you don't persuade me that what Shen Qingqiu see’s in you is true, then I will make life very difficult for you.”

Luo Binghe understood the threat. Yue Qingyuan could’ve been the youngest chief warlock by his prowess alone but decided to be a principal and said that it’s be better that someone who was older like the Palace Master should be chief warlock instead. 

 Even so, Luo Binghe shifted grabbing his cloak and sulked out the office.

He already slept with his girlfriends and learned all he could know, but when it came to men he was ignorant.

 He bet that if he played it right Yue Qingyuan would scratch that itch when Shen Qingqiu was being obviously obtuse with his teasing.

“I want to learn how to please men and you should teach me.”

Yue Qingyuan raised an eyebrow, then tensed when Luo Binghe grew bold moving forward groping the principal.

Yue Qingyuans face grew thunderous, “Luo Binghe-“

The boy grew coquettish as he purred “It’s fine isn’t it, this Binghe knows you have fantasies about your precious Shen Qingqiu but you don’t want to ruin your relationship with him pretend I’m Shen Qingqiu take out your frustration-“

 “One more word and I’ll stick it shut.” Yue Qingyuan warned feeling more irritated as Luo Binghe pressed closer, “Hmm, I just want to be more informed on how men have sex I want to be prepared if Shen Qingqiu and I take that next step. I don’t want to hurt him.”

Yue Qingyuan pushed him back turning around to ignore him until-

“Or I could contact the ministry about that full body bind you pulled. All it would take is them seeing a student in that position with the head principal of Cang Qiong and you’d be ruined.”

He was blackmailing him.

Yue Qingyuan glared and Luo Binghe beamed. Jackpot.

…nope he regretted it.

 Yue Qingyuan covered his bases. He actually treat it as a lesson. Making a rebound spell so binghe couldn’t get within a foot of him and actually gave binghe sex education. With the boring diagrams and vague descriptions on sex like it was theory.

 Luo Binghe was so bored and yet it was educational. 

 Even so he decided to back off from teasing Yue Qingyuan because the lesson itself was punishment enough. 

Yue Wingyuan was worried about Luo Bonghe and even though he did not want to touch that stick with a ten foot pole he decided to broach the subject.

“Mr Luo.” 

“Hmm?”

Binghe was copying down lines, about how he will never do something without that persons explicit permission.

And Yue Qingyuan wondered if maybe- 

“We’re you ever…assaulted as a child?” Well assault was a strong word, here Binghe paused as he looked up.

“Huh?”

“Did an adult touch you inappropriately when you were young? Was your boundaries constantly crossed so now you don’t understand what a boundary is?”

Luo Binghe blinked, and almost felt offended.

“No! No one has- why would you think that?”

Yue Qingyuan raised an eyebrow “Well given that you’re making me worried about making a student pregnant with your escapades, or possibly in danger of an std your are more sexually active for a student your age.”

Luo Binghe eyes narrowed “That’s normal.”

“What isn’t normal is to pursue a teacher who is eight years your senior.”

Wow only eight. Luo Binghe thought he was older.

 “To not understand the basic principles of consent.”

 Luo Binghe placed his pen or paper down.

“What? Want to know my history?” Luo Binghe leered and Yue Qingyuan only gazed at him cooly, unaware that it was really doing something for him.

 “No. I’ll just inform Mu Qingfan and set you up to a mediwitch.”

“You want to send me to a shrink?”

Luo Binghe spoke flabbergasted, and Yue Qingyuan nodded “Yes.”

Luo Binghe thought it wouldn’t help but then it turns out the more he talked, the more he was told that his lack of power and control when he was bullied made him react. Having sex and finding out he was good at it gave him confidence not to mention his first time wasn’t really consensual.

Luo Binghe didn’t understand he was raped by a women and thought that was impossible as all men liked it? The mediwitch only gave him a pity look. And told Binghe he was becoming the bully, he had this dynamic where Shen Qingqiu was now the victim. And flipped their dynamic. When it comes to acedemics Shen Qingqiu bullied him, looked down on him and now seeing Shen Qingqiu looking flustered and unsure gave Binghe the confidence and wielded his sexual knowledge as a weapon. And looked down on Shen Qingqiu.

“This isn’t healthy.”

 Luo Binghe pressed his lips together.

 He didn’t understand it before but now…

“The only good thing about your relationship with Shen Qingqiu, is that he respects your boundaries, he only lets you control how far you’ll go.”

“That’s because he’s scared to.”

“Maybe he’s happy just being friends? But he doesn’t discourage any type of act of intamicy. He lets you decide how far you want to go and with that your in control. But that is a lot of trust he is placing in your hands and that’s when you need to start thinking of his needs and when you need to stop.”

 Luo Bonghe blinked, after all…he had already read Shen Qingqiu’s mind, he wasn’t a threat anymore. Playing these mind games was just cruel at this point.

 “You think about that, I’ll see you at your next session.”

When he came back to Yue Qingyuans detention he was more subdued, and less flirty. Yue Qingyuan was almost getting used to it. “What is it?”

“What I did to Shen Qingqiu others can do. Isn’t there a system to stop students from taking advantage of one another? A rebound on wands to the caster gets hit with the spell instead of a victim?”

Yue Qingyuan nodded, “Yes, I have been working on such an array to stop students from hexing and jinxing the others as well as other types of malicious spell casting. I figured what if I only make it where you can only cast spells in a classroom? But that creates a resentment and all students need to do is wait until they graduate before attacking others because they were curious on what would happen if they did.”

“But a rebound to make them experience the spell will make them think twice, it’ll put them in their victims shoes.”

“Maybe an alert so the security would be able to apprehend both parties so no one gets hurt.”

 And Luo Binghe and Yue Qingyuan worked on an array together for their detention.

This ends up saving Shen Qingqiu’s life from a vindictive Qiu Haitang. And Shen Qingqiu feels frustrated when she was ejected from their friend group and yet Shen Qingqiu felt as if he was just filling in for Qui Haitang.

 Shen Qingqiu scowled, even with Luo Binghe’s hand wrapped around his waist but his attention was on Ning Yingying, and Shen Qingqiu felt something sink in the pit of his stomach and felt heavier.

 It wasn’t going to last, he glanced at Luo Binghe who smiled at him, he smiled back.

Soon it’d be me being banished from this group, after all it’s only pretend. After Luo Binghe is satisfied he’ll forget all about me, so what does it matter?

Luo Binghe’s smile faded.

“Hmm? Binghe? Are you all right?” Luo Binghe’s grip on his waist tightened, “Qingqiu, you know I like you right?”

“Yes and I like Binghe.” Obviously.

“And I like Binghe,” Sha Hualing spoke as did Ning Yingying and Liu Mingyan which wasn’t helping his case.

 Luo Binghe opened his mouth then shut it. Shen Qingqiu didn’t care that Luo Binghe exposed his core, which lead to Qui Haitang finding out and blaming to Shen Qingqiu’s parents. He forgave him because he thought it was payback. That it was justified to a bully from a victim.

But from a lover?

Luo Binghe realised that Shen Qingqiu never saw their relationship as official or real only pretend. Because Luo Binghe didn’t treat it as such, he was callous in his feelings and Yue Qingyuan was right, a child acting petty and was awful. 

 Luo Binghe betrayed his trust, Shen Qingqiu wasn’t forgiving but he had pursuade himself that the relationship was pretend to spare his own feelings.

 If Shen Qingqiu didn’t have that thought to call back on, Luo Binghe would have hurt him beyond anything he could fix.

As he went to Yue Qingyuan that night, he felt ashamed of himself. And found his mothers words coming back to him hauntingly.

Remember to be kind.

 She would be disgusted with Binghe.

Yue Qingyuan glanced up, seeing Luo Binghe diligently doing his notes without lip.

��something was wrong.

So Binghe asked if there was a way to rebound the worst curses such as the full body bind or even stupify.

[echoequinox]

Just flew on a plane for the first time in a few months and forgot how much I love them and I took notes about her the whole time, waxing poetic about how beautiful and graceful she is

---

She's flexing her little wings before takeoff :) Making sure she's ready

Latios and Latias arent enough we need a sexy plane woman Pokemon, like those planes the furries wanna fuck

The little narrow struts on the undersides of her wings... little aerodynamic things with antennae like quills

We're passing a truck yard for like, construction equipment and they're the kobolds to my big plane dragon wife

Magical draconic runway in the shape of a big rune that eases in traveling dragons while also serving as a landing strip

The rumble as we take off, that ROAR of hers. She's so beautiful and powerful. The speed that pushes you back in your seat and pops your ears and shakes you around and then the DIP as you take off and that feeling of disorientation but she's fine. She loves it. And in SECONDS, the ground is like toys, like ants beneath us. It took less time than writing this for cars to be the size of bugs. The world is so small to her. She's so beautiful and strong and carries us aloft with such grace. I love you plane

Oh those little struts I mentioned move as we do!! They help guide her just a little bit! Probably help with banking and shit

Cartography wizards (cartogramancers? Lol) astride enormous dragons who keep note of all the changes in the landscape below. Listing every road, every footpath, every river, scribing it into an endlessly long magical atlas. Noting how the roads below form glyphs and runes, how they mirror the natural magic of rivers and tributaries, how homes and castles are built in the most defensible - or beautiful - positions and seeing vistas groundbound humans could never dream of seeing. The beauty of it all.

Fantasy alternate history ww1 where biplanes are replaced with steampunky dragons

Walter White looks up and sees two dragons fucking *lighthouse awed face meme*

This is getting away from airplanes and more toward dragons, I love the plane I think that a machine with the sole purpose of holding people tight and carrying them to far away places to see loved ones and new experiences is so beautiful, it's such a FASCINATING marvel of engineering prowess. This thing is BUILT on math and that's so cool. Every inch of her frame, every cubic centimeter of metal and plastic and cloth, are all accounted for in every flight equation. It's amazing. She's amazing.

I could *feel* her start to dip. That's another amazing thing - every single thing she does is NOTICEABLE. Every dip, every shudder, every increase or decrease in speed. My heart is pumping in time to her turbines, the electricity that runs through her veins is nearly palpable as we prepare for our descent

I'm polyamorous the way a plane is, compared to private jets and shit - they want to please everyone, they just want everyone to be happy and loved and safe, they want to deliver them with speed and safety and warmth and just. I love u miss plane

When my dog first came home with us, only a couple weeks old, he'd sit in the yard and look up at the sky as planes went by and made noise and he had a sense of total awe. I wonder how many dogs are looking up at me now while I look back down at the ground with equal splendor

Very funny to still see those pizza huts with the red rooves

The lights come on as we descend. She's been half asleep, coasting on air currents and pointing herself where she needed to go and now that we're dropping she's awake and aware. She's circling the landing strip like some kind of predator, watching and waiting for an opening so she can swoop down and attack the tarmac

Seeing the way cities are laid out, in perfect little beautiful grids, is so relaxing. Suburban sprawls packed with strange, enormous lives in little blocks of land, chunk by chunk, eventually touching residential, long strips of business and economy, commerce and trade and social lives, into the large, messy, chaotic industry beyond that. Infrastructure is beautiful. The leylines upon which planes were borne.

Water towers are so funny, why the hell did we refurbish an outdated means of water reservoirs, surely there could be a way to store more water more efficiently in treatment plants. Are they just for the Fun Cultural Aesthetic? Are they REALLY still that useful as a buffer?

Those little struts *are* at least partially used for banking but I think they're probably more like communications arrays combined with.. ballast isn't the right word. Counterweight? Idk. Beautiful regardless. Still love the little antennae

A little boat skims across a river, under a bridge where a highway passes over. I can tell it's moving fast, even from this high up. Tiny ecosystems exist beneath the hull, trillions of microbes, so far down beneath me now it's hard to make out any details other than the trail of white foam spray behind the boat.

Another water tower.

And another. Wild.

She rumbles as she drops, like she's grumpy, like she doesn't want to be on the ground. Silly girl, you can't fly forever. You need fuel and new passengers. She's flexing the little bits along her wings again, preparing for true descent now. The whistling is getting lower and lower pitched as we lose speed. I'm sure she isn't happy about it, but it's only going to be probably a half an hour or less before she's up in the air again. Calm down, girl.

And...

Touchdown.

One last roar as we slow. Beautiful. 💖

[clinicsharmartia]

People trying to use the LGBTQ+ community as a reason not to support Palestine is disgusting. The way they say this with their whole chest as if they think that's an actual, valid excuse as to why you shouldn't support innocents being carpet bombed is diabolical.

"You'd get stoned if you went to Palestine!!" Do you realise how out of touch and delusional you sound? Where did you get this information from? Where are the statistics and data charts to prove it? Or is this just a racist assumption that you've created based on your views of Muslims, Arabs and Middle Eastern countries? Homophobic people live and thrive in every single country, no matter how progressive they claim to be.

When the news of October 7th first came out and Zionists were rushing over to me with this excuse, I said "why is that relevant?" Now that I am more educated on the matter and history, I see people still using this excuse and now I ask "why is that relevant?" Stop using our name in vain. Stop pretending that you actually care about us. What you are doing and saying is not only hurting and further isolating the Palestinians and their suffering, it is also making our community more vulnerable to hate and bigotry as you are making it seem that all queer people care about is ourselves and our comfortability.

There are multiple counter arguments to this. I've picked a handful of them to share with you.

Palestine doesn't have a government. I don't know where people got this idea that they do, but they don't. (To my knowledge from my own research) They have (had) systems and groups and organisations but they don't, and since occupation, have never had a legitimate government with different political groups that you can democratically vote for. There is the PA (Palestinian Authority) that holds some power in the West Bank, but they can't actually do anything and most of the Palestinians who live there say that they are a burden. ("What about Hamas- not a political group). So please explain to me how they are supposed to make pro-queer and trans laws if they don't have a government? Also, and I can't stress this enough, people are not their governments. To all the countries that say they stand with Israel, there are hundreds of thousands of people saying no we don't. Rishi Sunak, prime minister of the UK, stated that he stands with Israel and that he is going to send them aid to help them fight back and defend themselves. A week later, 500,000 people showed up in London to protest for a ceasefire and the rights and freedom of Palestinians. If you actually spent two seconds to listen to stories of queer people/couples that have visited the West Bank you will hear that to some, this was their most welcoming and accepting experience abroad, and to all, there was not a moment they felt scared or ashamed.

Is that really what they're meant to be prioritising right now? The comfort and safety of an American twink? The entrance to Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza which is holding reportedly 30,000 people who are injured or displaced, was bombed by Israeli airplanes, killing 15 and injuring 60. Two other hospitals holding thousands of people also experienced bombing around them. They have bombed bakeries, schools, refugee camps, one of the oldest standing churches in the world, as well as over 50% of all residential buildings and many, many more places. The death toll has risen to almost 10,000 including 4,000 children, and this isn't even including people who weren't killed by bombing. Israel has dropped more than 18,000 tonnes of explosives on Gaza, an area that is only 41km long and 6-12km wide. They had to use ice cream trucks to hold dead bodies because of how stuffed the morgues were, but now, their dead are being buried in mass graves where they are forced to preform improper funeral rituals. They have run out of food, water, clothes, medical supplies. Doctors are having to preform surgeries using an iPhone flashlight because electricity has been shut off. Doctors are having to use vinegar as antiseptics because they've run out. People are forced to get medical procedures done, to GIVE BIRTH, without any pain-killers. But yes, of course, while Israel is using white phosphorous bombs on them they are supposed to be thinking about what they can do to better their society.

There are queer Palestinians living in Gaza right now, and they are experiencing the exact same thing non-queer Palestinians are. Israel is not prioritising them, they are not making their bombs so they can detect who's gay so the bombs can avoid them, they are not moving them out of Gaza and to a 5-star hotel somewhere safer. Israel's aim is to eradicate ALL Palestinians. This includes the queer ones. And they are crawling and screaming and begging, bloodied and bruised, for you to listen to them and support them and help them, yet you turn a blind eye and cover your ears while continuing to yell about the rights and lives of queer people.

Who told you that Israel is a queer friendly country with queer friendly laws? The Jerusalem Post, a news outlet in Israel, reported that in 2022 anti-queer hate crimes increased by 11% since 2021. Here is the link, which provides more information on homophobic crimes in Israel in 2022. Israel hasn't legalised gay marriage or gay adoption and a survey done in 2023 shows that 43% of Israelis strongly oppose gay marriage. What part of that is queer friendly? What part of that screams "gay haven"?

Pinkwashing has been used for decades to try and justify the genocide in Palestine. Don't let it get to you. Your activism shouldn't be conditional. If you actually think that bringing queer progressiveness into a conversation about colonisation and genocide is appropriate and a good thing, you should be thoroughly ashamed. Free Palestine means freeing ALL Palestinians.

[orangameelectronics]

Power banks for cell phonesThe Ultimate Guide to 22.5W/18W Portable Power Bank 20000mAh

So, you're in the market for a portable power bank, huh? Well, you've come to the right place! Today, we're diving deep into the world of 22.5W/18W portable power banks, specifically the 20000mAh ones that support logo customization and come with removable charging cables. Sounds pretty cool, right? Let's break it down for you.

## What Makes a 22.5W/18W Portable Power Bank 20000mAh Special?

First things first, let's talk about what sets these bad boys apart from the rest. The 22.5W/18W power output means faster charging for your devices, which is a game-changer when you're on the go. The 20000mAh capacity ensures that you'll have plenty of juice to keep your devices powered up throughout the day. And the best part? You can customize these power banks with your logo, making them perfect for promotional giveaways or branding your business.

## The Benefits of Removable Charging Cables

Now, let's chat about those removable charging cables. Having the ability to swap out cables means you can use the power bank with different devices, whether you're an Android user, an iPhone aficionado, or something in between. It's all about versatility and convenience, making your life easier when you're out and about.

## Why You Need a Portable Power Bank in Your Life

Let's face it, we rely on our devices more than ever these days. Whether it's your smartphone, tablet, or even your smartwatch, having a portable power bank in your arsenal is a must. No more worrying about your battery dying at the worst possible moment – with a 22.5W/18W power bank, you'll always be prepared.

## How to Choose the Right 22.5W/18W Portable Power Bank 20000mAh

With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right power bank for your needs. Consider factors like size, weight, charging speed, and of course, customization options. Think about how you'll be using the power bank and what features are most important to you. Do your research, read reviews, and find the perfect power bank that ticks all your boxes.

## Wrapping Up

And there you have it – the ultimate guide to 22.5W/18W portable power banks with 20000mAh capacity, logo customization, and removable charging cables. Whether you're a tech-savvy gadget lover or just someone who needs a reliable backup power source, these power banks have got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Level up your charging game with a portable power bank that's as unique as you are.

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

Your droid name becomes the nickname 'Corsair' because f4u (the first 3 letters after the a-) was the code for the Corsair airplane in the pacific, WW2, and there is literally nothing more star wars than shamelessly ripping off various WW2 design aesthetics

Also Corsair is a cool nickname and a lot easier to say. Congrats on being promoted to astromech, now get in the fighter and hope you have plot armour

human meat sack: "Get in the fighter, Corsair."

me, shoving My Evil Twin at the fighter: bleep bloop BLEEP "They mean u, buddy!"

My Evil Twin happily going off to do murder: blep blat BLURT "YIPPPEEEE!!!! If I die then install this copy of my system into the largest most destructive space ship you can find and start praying" (gets blown up 1 minute later)

me, heading off to install a copy of My Evil Twin in the largest most destructive space ship i can find: bloop bloop beewooop "My Evil Twin who art certainly in droid hell, please give me at least 5 minutes to get off your stupid ship before you hit the self destruct button while trying to blow up a planet or something."

i roll away to complete my mission, run in to a wall bc part of my chassis is blocking my view port, ricochet backwards into an uncontrollable spin, snag my left main wheel on a loose power cord, and flip over on my side where someone will eventually find me and repurpose me for spare parts.

the galaxy is saved. at least until someone randomly opens a file labeled My Evil Twin that they got off an old droid memory bank, resurrecting both me and My Evil Twin from droid death once more :/

rinse and <press F4 key>

[rosieblogstuff]

5 chapters ago, Mac and Jack arrived at exfil to discover their exfil team had been murdered and the bad guys were lying in wait. A gunshot wound (or 2!), a plane crash, and a couple busted legs later, things are getting desperate...

The hike toward the building that Mac may or may not have seen from the air is slow going. Even now that the morphine’s kicked in, and Jack’s able to walk under his own power, their pace is snail-slow.

The stream they’re following zig-zags through the snowy landscape. They’re heading upstream, or what would be upstream if they could see any water. It’s cold enough, and the water movement slow enough, that the stream is frozen over and mostly hidden under piles of snow. It must be a larger stream in other seasons because the banks are wide and relatively flat. It’s a lucky break because any more difficult terrain might be impossible right now.

Between the splint, the drugs, the walking sticks, Jack remains upright and moving. But he’s dragging. Every step is slow and unsteady. He’s breathing harshly and they’re moving incredibly slowly.

If Mac helped him, they’d move faster. But Mac is struggling to keep his balance and carry the supplies.

The way the stream curves around trees, the airplane is out of sight quickly in spite of the slow pace. Mac briefly considers leaving a cairn to mark their direction, for when Phoenix exfil comes to find them, but it’s equally likely to lead any bad guys toward them, so he skips it. Not that it probably matters, since they’ve left a very visible trail of footsteps and he’s not up to disguising it right now.

Maybe he’ll come back later, or tomorrow, after he gets Jack settled.

At least there’s water nearby; the emergency kit has some, but they’ll need more tomorrow if nobody comes for them before then. The stream will provide that, at least until they run out of water treatment tablets. They also have fairly fresh snow. As long as they can find shelter, they can figure out the rest.

Ahead of him, Jack comes even with a tree that leans over the streambed and stops to rest against it. Mac comes up next to him and eyes the tree, but it’s not big enough for them both to lean on. He lets out a long breath and appreciates how he can just not move for a couple minutes.

“How are you doing?” he asks.

Jack’s whole body radiates exhaustion. In spite of the slow pace and the chill, his forehead has a sheen of sweat and he’s breathing like he’s been exercising. “‘M good. Just need a minute.” He’s standing stiffly, mouth pulled into a line.

(More on AO3)

[richincolor]

New Releases

A whole slew of books just as the school year is starting. After my bank recovers from Back-to-School shopping, maybe I'll pick up a few of these. Click below to read about all the books coming out this week.

Neverwraith by Shakir Rashaan Entangled: Teen

Being the new kid is always gonna land you in it. Yasir Salah isn’t like the other guys in his new suburban Georgia high school. Lately, he can feel something shifting in his body. Raw. Edgy. Volatile . Like his eyes changing colors and heat on his skin when some alpha bro comes for him…or how just a grin from the gorgeous, untouchable girl at school sends vibrations shooting through his entire body. Only it’s not just being at a new school. It’s a new town. New rules. New flow . And everything feels way smaller than his ex-life in Atlanta. All he can do is what he’s been keep a low profile and try to not be noticed…and keep his anger under control. But they never warned him. They never told him what he is. And they sure as hell didn’t tell him that the world is gonna need him.

All You Have to Do by Autumn Allen Kokila

In ALL YOU HAVE TO DO, two Black young men attend prestigious schools nearly thirty years apart, and yet both navigate similar forms of insidious racism. In April 1968, in the wake of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, Kevin joins a protest that shuts down his Ivy League campus… In September 1995, amidst controversy over the Million Man March, Gibran challenges the “See No Color” hypocrisy of his prestigious New England prep school… As the two students, whose lives overlap in powerful ways, risk losing the opportunities their parents worked hard to provide, they move closer to discovering who they want to be instead of accepting as fact who society and family tell them they are. 

Sign of the Slayer by Sharina Harris Entangled: Teen

High school is supposed to be about studying, socializing, and marching-band practice. Not fighting vampires. Then one night flipped my world inside out―now, my life sucks. But it isn’t all bad. I’m at a slayer academy, learning things like the real origin of vamps and how to make serious weapons out of thin air. Every last one of them will pay for what they did. I’m doing great. Until I come face-to-face with the actual vampire prince…and I’m not sure of anything anymore. Vampires are supposed to be soul-sucking demons. But Khamari is…something else. He’s intelligent and reasonable―and he seems to know things about me that could change everything. He’s also hiding something big, even from his own kind. And when a threat from an ancient evil is so extreme that a vampire will team up with a slayer to take it down, it isn’t just my need for revenge that’s at stake anymore. It’s the whole damn world.

My Father the Panda Killer by Jamie Jo Hoang Crown Books for Young Readers

San Jose, 1999. Jane knows her Vietnamese dad can’t control his temper. Lost in a stupid daydream, she forgot to pick up her seven-year-old brother, Paul, from school. Inside their home, she hands her dad the stick he hits her with. This is how it’s always been. She deserves this. Not because she forgot to pick up Paul, but because at the end of the summer she’s going to leave him when she goes away to college. As Paul retreats inward, Jane realizes she must explain where their dad’s anger comes from. The problem is, she doesn’t quite understand it herself. Đà Nẵng, 1975. Phúc (pronounced /fo͞ok/, rhymes with duke) is eleven the first time his mother walks him through a field of mines he’s always been warned never to enter. Guided by cracks of moonlight, Phúc moves past fallen airplanes and battle debris to a refugee boat. But before the sun even has a chance to rise, more than half the people aboard will perish. This is only the beginning of Phúc’s perilous journey across the Pacific, which will be fraught with Thai pirates, an unrelenting ocean, starvation, hallucination, and the unfortunate murder of a panda. Told in the alternating voices of Jane and Phúc, My Father, The Panda Killer is an unflinching story about war and its impact across multiple generations, and how one American teenager forges a path toward accepting her heritage and herself.

I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea

Henry Holt and Co.

There will be blood. Ace of Spades meets House of Hollow in this villain origin story. Laure Mesny is a perfectionist with an axe to grind. Despite being constantly overlooked in the elite and cutthroat world of the Parisian ballet, she will do anything to prove that a Black girl can take center stage. To level the playing field, Laure ventures deep into the depths of the Catacombs and strikes a deal with a pulsating river of blood. The primordial power Laure gains promises influence and adoration, everything she’s dreamed of and worked toward. With retribution on her mind, she surpasses her bitter and privileged peers, leaving broken bodies behind her on her climb to stardom. But even as undeniable as she is, Laure is not the only monster around. And her vicious desires make her a perfect target for slaughter. As she descends into madness and the mystifying underworld beneath her, she is faced with the ultimate continue to break herself for scraps of validation or succumb to the darkness that wants her exactly as she is—monstrous heart and all. That is, if the god-killer doesn’t catch her first. From debut author Jamison Shea comes I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me , a slow-burn horror that lifts a veil on the institutions that profit on exclusion and the toll of giving everything to a world that will never love you back.

The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu Quill Tree Books

Clementine Chang moves from Earth to Mars for a new start and is lucky enough to land her dream job with Dr. Marcella Lin, an Artificial Intelligence pioneer. On her first day of work, Clem meets Dr. Lin’s assistant, a humanoid AI named Kye. Clem is no stranger to robots—she built herself a cute moth-shaped companion named SENA. Still, there’s something about Kye that feels almost too human. When Clem and Kye begin to collaborate, their chemistry sets off sparks. The only downside? Dr. Lin is enraged by Kye’s growing independence and won’t allow him more freedom. Plus, their relationship throws into question everything Clem thought she knew about AI. After all, if Kye is sentient enough to have feelings, shouldn’t he be able to control his own actions? Where is the line between AI and human? As her past and Kye’s future weigh down on her, Clem becomes determined to help him break free—even if it means risking everything she came to Mars for. 

The Lightstruck (The Darkening #2) by Sunya Mara Clarion Books

Vesper Vale sacrificed everything to save her city from the cursed storm. After becoming a vessel of The Great Queen, Vesper awakes from a slumber three years after her life altering choice. What she finds isn’t a home freed from the terror of the storm, but one where its citizens are besieged by the even more sinister force of The Great King and his growing army of the lightstruck—once regular citizens who are now controlled by the ominous light encroaching on the city. And the people are all looking to Vesper, now revered as a goddess after her sacrifice, as their city’s only hope. To save the rings from the Great King, Vesper must contend with the obligations of being a deity to her people and the growing chasm between her and Dalca, the prince she swore never to love. Haunted by the guilt of their past choices and faced with the pressures of a city near ruin, Vesper and Dalca find themselves torn between the growing factions within the city and the royal court. But in order to save her city from the light, Vesper must face the power most outside of her control—the goddess within.

A Tall Dark Trouble by Vanessa Montalban Zando

Twin sisters Ofelia and Delfi know better than to get involved with magic. Their Mami has seen to that. After all, it was magic that cursed their family, turning love into a poison. Romance is off the table for the Sanchez women. They’ve seen the curse take hold enough times to know how that road ends. And yet. Sometimes a girl catches feelings and just can’t help herself. When Ofelia and Delfi begin having premonitions of a series of murders, the sisters know it is time to embrace their magical inheritance to get to the bottom of the mystery and save innocent lives. Teaming up with their best friend Ethan and with brooding detective-in-training Andres, the sisters set out to learn the truth. They just need to make sure Mami doesn’t find out what they’re up to. Meanwhile, in 1980 Cuba, Anita struggles with a different magical conflict. Her mother, Mama Orti, is a bruja who belongs to a secret coven of elders and Anita knows she will be forced to join the coven herself one day. She sees no escape, though the thought of staying and letting this future claim her is terrifying. Ofelia, Delfi, and Anita’s stories collide as each woman steps into her power and embraces who she truly is, refusing to be subdued by any person, coven, or curse. In this stunning YA contemporary fantasy, debut author Vanessa Montalban explores the interlocking struggles of three generations of women in one family. An unputdownable debut for anyone who roots for magic, sisterhood, and love. 

House of Marionne by J. Elle Razorbill

17 year-old Quell has lived her entire life on the run. She and her mother have fled from city to city, in order to hide the deadly magic that flows through Quell’s veins. Until someone discovers her dark secret. To hide from the assassin hunting her, and keep her mother out of harm’s way, Quell reluctantly inducts into a debutante society of magical social elites called the Order that she never knew existed. If she can pass their three rites of membership, mastering their proper form of magic, she’ll be able to secretly bury her forbidden magic forever. If caught, she will be killed. But becoming the perfect debutante is a lot harder than Quell imagined, especially when there’s more than tutoring happening with Jordan, her brooding mentor and— assassin in training. When Quell uncovers the deadly lengths the Order will go to defend its wealth and power, she’s forced to choose: embrace the dark magic she’s been running from her entire life or risk losing everything, and everyone, she’s grown to love. Still, she fears the most formidable monster she’ll have to face is the one inside. Brimming with ballgowns and betrayal, magic and mystery, decadence and darkness, House of Marionne is perfect for readers who crave morally gray characters, irresistible romance, dark academia, and a deeply intoxicating and original world.

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim Knopf Books for Young Readers

One sister must fall for the other to rise. Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts. Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point. Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.

Never a Hero (Monsters #2) by Vanessa Len HarperCollins

Despite all of the odds, Joan achieved the impossible. She reset the timeline, saved her family – and destroyed the hero, Nick. But her success has come at a terrible cost. She alone remembers what happened. Now, Aaron, her hard-won friend – and maybe more – is an enemy, trying to kill her. And Nick, the boy she loved, is a stranger who doesn’t even know her name. Only Joan remembers that there is a ruthless and dangerous enemy still out there. When a deadly attack forces Joan back into the monster world as a fugitive, she finds herself on the run with Nick – as Aaron closes in. As the danger rises – and Nick gets perilously closer to discovering the truth of what Joan did to him – Joan discovers a secret of her own. One that threatens everyone she loves. Torn between love and family and monstrous choices, Joan must find a way to re-gather her old allies to face down the deadliest of enemies, and to save the timeline itself. Vanessa Len’s stunning Only a Monster trilogy continues with this second installment, a thrilling journey where a secret past threatens to unravel everyone’s future.

[wuxiaphoenix]

Worldbuilding: The Fastest Ship on the Water

If your characters are traveling, you want to know where the rivers are. For many reasons. Rivers are water sources. Obstacles. Territorial boundaries. And trade routes. The history of civilization is a history of rivers. The Nile, the Yellow River, the Tigris and the Euphrates, the Danube; these are some of the better known. But every river has its own history, and its own challenges.

There can be a lot of obstacles to crossing a river beyond “the bridge is out”. A flood is a classic reason for said bridge to be out, and nothing sane people want to mess with. River monsters are another classic obstacle; from the mundane like alligators and Nile crocodiles, to exotic electric eels and piranhas, to supernatural gargoilles and kelpies. (See also shellycoats, water bulls, hellbenders, and a host of lesser-known water monsters. Water cougars are an Appalachian thing. Seriously.)

But what about a flood that’s broken an ice dam upstream, so your heroes are dodging ice chunks? Or the more businesslike hazard of loose rafts of timber being floated downstream to a mill? Floating at speed, turning and bumping, with all kinds of jagged, lung-puncturing branch ends sticking out. Death by logroll is not how your characters want to go!

Neither is getting shot by the guards of the next kingdom waiting on the far bank for spies and enemy scouts. Or captured and keelhauled by river pirates. Yes, river pirates are also a thing. Wherever you have commerce, you have pirates. And given how much less muscle power river shipping takes versus overland caravans, there is a lot of river traffic. Even if it’s slower than a straight line.

And sometimes it’s faster. Much faster.

Pre-airplane, and even for a few decades post-airplane, rivers were not only the cheapest, but the fastest way to bring cargo between places.

...But only when they were frozen.

It is, in fact, possible to put ice skates on a sailing ship. Note, you want to pick the right ship. Some designs are more dependent on the force of water holding them together than others. But if your hull can take the strain, and your mast and sails can take the winter wind - ice-rigged ships are fast. Some can reach four times the wind speed; over 100 mph is quite doable. Ice-rigged boats on the Hudson raced trains - and won.

Of course, this only works if the river freezes hard enough to support a ship. But if it does... instead of winter being a time when nothing moves, it might be when everything moves. The savings in time and energy, when wind just has to push runners over ice instead of a whole hull through water, are phenomenal.

Not to mention, picture a fleet of iceships charging down on a hapless enemy at speed. Zoom!