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[bruiser-diablo]

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[lalathemediterraneanmermaid]

Ikepri reigns as real life countries

Hi there again my dear Belles. As we all know, ikemen prince reigns ar based on real life countries, or at least, that's what it looks like, specially knowing character's names, I mean, we have Chevalier (french), Von Obsidian (dutch - german), Ricci (italian), Yves (french), Kagari Amagase (japanese)... But, even though some kingdoms are easily "recognised" in real life countries, there are some others that are not that clear. That's why I've decided to match each kingdom to a country. This is just my opinion, so feel free to expose yours. Hope you enjoy little rabbits!!!!!!

Rhodolite - France

Romantic and Elegant Atmosphere: France is often seen as the epitome of romance, known for its picturesque landscapes, charming cafés, and the enchanting ambiance of cities like Paris. Rhodolite reflects this romantic and elegant atmosphere through the bookshops, the taverns, the little plaza with the fountain, the market, the pastisseries, the landscapes, the town… creating a kingdom where love stories unfold against a backdrop of beautiful scenery and intimate settings. The kingdom features elements like festivals or traditions that celebrate love, happiness, freedom and union.

Art, Fashion, Culture and roses: France has a rich artistic heritage, being the birthplace of influential movements such as Impressionism and home to iconic fashion houses. Rhodolite emphasizes this connection by showcasing characters who pay close attention to this type of visual and external things, such as Nokto with the jewelry, fashion, perfumes, etc. The presence of roses as a symbol of beauty and love could be significant in Rhodolite, with gardens filled with rose varieties and floral motifs present in everything, echoing the French appreciation for aesthetics, and also, it is known that France’s national flower is the rose.

Royal Legacy and Noble Etiquette: France’s history is steeped in royal legacy, with grand palaces, elaborate courts, and a system of noble etiquette that has influenced many cultures. Rhodolite portrays a kingdom that maintains these traditions, highlighting a royal family that embodies elegance, grace, and responsibility. The interactions among the nobility reflect the formal customs and social hierarchies reminiscent of historical French courts, adding depth to character relationships and political dynamics.

Architectural Beauty and Palaces: French architecture is renowned for its beauty, with iconic structures like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the palaces of Versailles and Fontainebleau. Rhodolite showcases stunning architectural designs, blending various styles like Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo, for example seen in the palace. The kingdom is dotted with grand mansions and beautifully designed public spaces, reflecting the importance of architectural beauty in French culture and serving as a backdrop for significant events and gatherings.

Revolutionary Spirit: France is known for its revolutionary spirit, marked by events like the French Revolution, which reshaped the nation and inspired movements worldwide. Rhodolite embodies this revolutionary ethos by portraying characters who advocate for change, challenge the status quo, and strive for social justice. The kingdom is depicted as a place where ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity resonate, driving the narrative of personal and societal transformation.

Obsidian - Germany

Strength, discipline and Military Power: Germany is historically recognized for its strong military tradition and disciplined approach to governance and society. Obsidian embodies these qualities by depicting a kingdom with a robust military presence, emphasizing values such as honor, loyalty, and strategic prowess. Characters in Obsidian reflect the disciplined nature associated with German culture, portraying dedication to duty and strength in adversity.

Industrial Powerhouse and Innovation: Germany is renowned for its industrial strength, being home to leading companies in sectors like automotive, engineering, and technology. Obsidian highlights this aspect by showcasing a kingdom that values innovation and technological advancement, I mean they “invented” the guns. The presence of skilled craftsmen, inventors, and engineers are prominent, illustrating a society that thrives on progress and economic power, mirroring Germany's historical emphasis on efficiency and quality.

Cold and Austere Atmosphere: Germany’s cultural identity often includes a perception of coldness or stoicism, reflected in its architectural styles, weather, and social interactions. Obsidian captures this austere atmosphere through its landscapes, character interactions, and overall aesthetic. The kingdom is characterized by a serious demeanor, where emotions are expressed more subtly, especially fear, emphasizing strength and resilience over overt displays of warmth.

Central European Strategic Position: Germany’s central location in Europe has historically made it a crossroads for trade, culture, and politics. Obsidian represents this strategic significance by showcasing its role as a threat for other kingdoms that surround the obsidianites. Characters navigate complex political landscapes, reflecting Germany's historical importance in shaping European dynamics and alliances.

Architectural and Cultural Grandeur: Germany boasts a rich architectural heritage, with castles, cathedrals, and modern structures that showcase its historical and cultural grandeur. Obsidian features majestic buildings, representing the kingdom’s power and strength.

Benitoite - Italy

Luxurious Lifestyle and Grandeur: Italy is synonymous with luxury and grandeur, known for its opulent fashion, exquisite art, and historical monuments. Benitoite embodies this luxurious lifestyle by portraying a kingdom filled with elegant palaces, lavish celebrations, and a strong emphasis on beauty and aesthetics. Characters dress in fine fabrics and adorn themselves with beautiful accessories, reflecting Italy’s rich cultural heritage in fashion and art.

A nation benefited by the sea: Italy’s long coastline has significantly influenced its culture, economy, and way of life. Benitoite reflects this connection to the sea through its geography, highlighting vibrant coastal cities and a thriving maritime culture. The kingdom showcases bustling ports, trade routes, and a lifestyle that embraces the ocean, with characters engaging in activities like fishing, sailing, and enjoying the beach, mirroring Italy’s deep-rooted relationship with the Mediterranean Sea.

Gastronomy and Sophistication (the best of the best): Italian cuisine is renowned worldwide for its richness and diversity, emphasizing high-quality ingredients and sophisticated flavors. Benitoite emphasizes this culinary heritage by showcasing elaborate feasts, traditional cooking methods, and a strong focus on fresh, local produce. Characters engage in the art of cooking, like Silvio when he swapped bodies with Rio, celebrating gastronomy as an essential part of their culture, reflecting Italy’s status as a culinary capital.

"The cradle of commerce": Historically, Italy has been a central hub for commerce and trade, particularly during the Renaissance when cities like Venice and Florence thrived economically. Benitoite embodies this spirit of commerce, showcasing vibrant marketplaces, trade fairs, and a culture that values entrepreneurship and innovation, I mean, look at Silvio, nothing more to add. Characters are depicted as merchants, traders, or skilled artisans, highlighting the importance of commerce in the kingdom’s prosperity.

Rich Alcoholic Heritage: Italy is famous for its wine production, with regions like Tuscany and Piedmont known for their exceptional vineyards and rich traditions surrounding wine-making. Benitoite reflects this alcoholic heritage by incorporating wine and other alcoholic beverages culture into its narrative, showcasing characters who appreciate fine liqueurs, attend harvest festivals, and engage in alcohol making traditions. This connection to Italy’s rich alcoholic heritage could also be reflected in the kingdom's celebrations, where drinking plays a significant role in social gatherings.

Jade - The Netherlands

Natural Beauty and Green Landscapes: The Netherlands is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, characterized by lush green fields, beautiful flower gardens (notably tulip fields), and tranquil waterways. Jade embodies this natural beauty, showcasing a kingdom filled with vibrant flora and serene environments, where characters are deeply connected to nature. The kingdom features breathtaking gardens, parks, and countryside, reflecting the Dutch appreciation for their scenic surroundings.

Rich Herbal Traditions and Innovation: The Netherlands has a long history of herbal medicine and innovation in horticulture, with a significant focus on cultivating plants for medicinal and culinary purposes. Jade highlights this aspect by incorporating herbal traditions, where characters utilize local herbs for healing, cooking, or crafting potions. The kingdom is portrayed as a center for herbal innovation, showcasing advanced gardening techniques and a thriving market for medicinal herbs, mirroring the Dutch reputation in this field.

Cultural Heritage, Tolerance and Neutrality: The Netherlands is known for its cultural diversity and historical commitment to tolerance and neutrality in international affairs. Jade reflects this spirit by portraying a kingdom that embraces various cultures (obsidianite refugees) and ideas, fostering an environment of inclusivity and understanding. Characters from different backgrounds coexist peacefully, contributing to a rich tapestry of traditions, beliefs, and customs within the kingdom.

Connected Communities: The Dutch are famous for their strong sense of community and interconnectedness, often seen in their cooperative agricultural practices and social networks. Jade emphasizes this sense of connection by showcasing tight-knit communities where people work together for the common good, support each other, and celebrate local traditions. The kingdom features festivals, markets, and communal events that highlight the importance of relationships and collaboration among its inhabitants.

Wildlife: The Netherlands is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including various bird species, insects, and unique ecosystems like marshes and wetlands. Jade reflects this biodiversity by incorporating elements of wildlife into its narrative, where characters have a deep respect for nature and actively engage in conservation efforts. The kingdom showcases natural habitats and characters who are passionate about protecting the environment, mirroring the Dutch commitment to sustainability and conservation.

Tanzanite - Persia

Historical Influence and Rich Heritage: Persia has a rich historical legacy, with significant contributions to art, literature, and science throughout the ages. Tanzanite embodies this heritage by portraying a kingdom that honors its past through storytelling, art, and tradition. The kingdom includes historical sites, ancient temples, and a culture that celebrates its roots, reflecting the grandeur of Persian civilization and its impact on the world.

Persian Aesthetics and Ornamentation: Persian art is renowned for its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and detailed craftsmanship. Tanzanite captures this aesthetic through its architecture, clothing, and decorative arts. The kingdom features elaborate palaces adorned with mosaics, beautiful gardens inspired by Persian design, and characters dressed in richly embroidered garments, showcasing the beauty and sophistication associated with Persian culture.

Philosophy and Mysticism: Persian culture has a long tradition of philosophical thought and mysticism, with influential poets and thinkers like Rumi and Omar Khayyam exploring themes of love, spirituality, and the human experience. Tanzanite reflects this depth by incorporating elements of philosophy and mysticism into its narrative, I mean, Azel is portrayed as a God. Characters engage in discussions about existence, love, and magic, drawing inspiration from Persian literature and thought, creating a reflective and introspective atmosphere in the kingdom.

Trade and Cultural Exchange: Historically, Persia was a vital hub for trade along the Silk Road, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. Tanzanite could mirror this aspect by showcasing a vibrant marketplace where diverse cultures converge, highlighting the kingdom's role as a center for commerce and cultural interaction. Characters might be seen as traders, merchants, or travelers who bring different perspectives and traditions to the kingdom, enriching its cultural tapestry. Let's not forget the trade relationship between Azel and Silvio...

Economy: Persia was known for its wealth derived from trade, agriculture, and craftsmanship. Tanzanite could have reflected this economic strength by portraying a kingdom that values trade and innovation. The kingdom might have  thrived on the production of unique goods, such as textiles, spices, or artisan crafts, showcasing a dynamic economy that supports its inhabitants and fosters prosperity. But the reality that they have shown us is that they are not as economically powerful as they seem. It almost looks like the greater houses are pretty rich while the rest of the population might live in poverty.

Kogyouku - Japan

Cultural Heritage and Tradition: Japan has a rich cultural heritage characterized by traditional arts, crafts, festivals, and rituals that have been preserved for centuries. Kogyoku seems to embody this sense of tradition through its customs, ceremonies, and the way its inhabitants celebrate their history. The kingdom highlights tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and traditional music, emphasizing the importance of honoring one’s ancestors and cultural practices, thus creating a deep sense of identity.

Sakura trees: Sakura (cherry blossom) trees are iconic in Japanese culture, symbolizing beauty, the transient nature of life, and the arrival of spring. Kogyoku incorporates these trees into its landscape, creating scenes of breathtaking beauty during the cherry blossom season. Characters participate in hanami (flower-viewing) festivals, celebrating the fleeting beauty of the blossoms, which aligns with the Japanese appreciation for nature and the passing of time.

Japanese aesthetic: The Japanese aesthetic emphasizes simplicity, naturalness, and the beauty of imperfection, often seen in art forms like wabi-sabi. Kogyoku reflects this aesthetic through its architecture, gardens, and crafts. The kingdom features tranquil gardens with carefully placed rocks and water elements, understated yet elegant clothing, and art that embraces asymmetry and simplicity, capturing the essence of Japanese beauty.

Civil war: The Sengoku period (1467-1603) was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and military conflict in Japan, characterized by powerful clans vying for control. Kogyoku draws inspiration from this historical context, incorporating themes of rivalry, strategy, and the quest for power among noble families. Characters embody the spirit of samurai warriors, showcasing their loyalty, courage, and the complexities of allegiance during a tumultuous era, enriching the kingdom’s narrative with historical depth.

Focus on Honor: Honor is a central tenet of Japanese culture, particularly within the samurai ethos. Kogyoku reflects this focus on honor through its characters’ values, emphasizing loyalty, duty, and respect. The kingdom has a code of conduct that guides the behavior of its inhabitants, with stories centered around noble sacrifices and the importance of maintaining one’s honor in the face of challenges. This aspect resonates deeply with the samurai legacy, highlighting the significance of integrity and personal honor within the kingdom.

Achroite - Sweden/Finland/Iceland

Cultural Coldness and Reserve: The Nordic countries are often perceived as having a cultural disposition characterized by a certain reserve or coldness, particularly in social interactions. Achroite embodies this aspect through its characters, who exhibit a calm and composed demeanor, reflecting the understated communication style of the region. This cultural coldness can be portrayed as a strength, emphasizing the value of inner strength and emotional control, which allows for deep connections beneath the surface.

Commitment to Justice and Equality: Sweden, Finland, and Iceland are known for their strong commitment to social justice, equality, and human rights. Achroite reflects this ethos by showcasing a kingdom that prioritizes fairness and equal opportunities for all its citizens. The kingdom has laws and systems that are pretty strict, emphasizing the importance of social equity in governance and community life, creating a narrative centered around progressive values.

Strong-Minded and Resilient Individuals: The people of the Nordic countries are often characterized by their resilience and strong-mindedness, adapting to the challenges of their harsh environments. Achroite embodies this quality through its characters, who display determination, independence, and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles. The kingdom might celebrate stories of individuals who stand firm in their beliefs and face adversity with courage, emphasizing the strength of character that defines its inhabitants.

Wisdom and Rationality: Nordic cultures value education, critical thinking, and rational decision-making, often relying on informed discourse and logical reasoning to address societal issues. Achroite reflects this emphasis on wisdom and rationality by portraying characters who approach challenges thoughtfully and analytically. The kingdom is depicted as a center for learning and intellectual exchange, where knowledge and wisdom are cherished, fostering a culture of informed dialogue and progress.

Law and Order as Pillars of Society: In the Nordic countries, law and order are fundamental to maintaining a peaceful and stable society. Achroite mirrors this principle by showcasing a kingdom where justice, rules, and civic responsibility are highly valued. The narrative highlights the significance of laws that promote societal harmony and the role of institutions in upholding order. Characters take on roles as guardians of justice, working to ensure that the kingdom remains a safe and orderly place for all its inhabitants.

And that's it my loves!!!! Hope you've enjoyed this quite long but interesting post!!!! Bibble loves you XOXO.

[theroyalsims]

BREAKING: ANYA, GUS STUN IN NEW PRE-WEDDING PHOTO; MORE ROYAL WEDDING DETAILS MADE PUBLIC

We're now only a week a way from the royal wedding, and it's official! Brindleton is abuzz with Royal Wedding Fever!

Today, the Palace surprised us with a brand new photo of the soon-to-be newlyweds and oh, boy! Do they look great together! Along with the new snap, more details of the royal wedding have been revealed.

The wedding will begin at exactly 10 o'clock in the morning. The Crown Princess will be accompanied by her parents, The Queen and Prince Jacques, aboard the Queen's exclusive state limousine as they head off from the Palace towards Brindleton Abbey. It has also been confirmed that Prince Jacques will be walking HRH down the aisle. The Queen will be escorted by her son, Prince Nicholas.

Gus, meanwhile, will travel to the Abbey from The Brindleton Plaza Royale Hotel. He will be riding in another state limousine, along with his mother.

After the ceremony, the procession will take place. The bride and groom will board a horse-drawn carriage - the same one used during The Queen and Prince Jacques' wedding - weather permitting.

Following the procession, the couple will grace the Palace balcony, and they are set to be joined by the members of the Royal Family and the groom's family.

In the evening, a private reception will be hosted by Her Majesty at the Palace.

The Palace also revealed that the wedding cake will be designed and made by world-renowned pastry chef, Flora Albadawi-Craneholm.

As for the gown Anya will be wearing for the ceremony, the Palace remained tight-lipped, although many royal fashion watchers are claiming that the new photo shared is a massive hint of what's to come.

Dressed in a strapless white dress with a layered skirt and a silk belt, HRH looked beautiful standing beside the love of her life. The photo appears to have been taken at the Palace gardens.

Andrea Preaseley, editor-in-chief of Brindleton Sogue, predicts that Anya's wedding dress will be modern - much like HRH:

"I think we'll be seeing a sleek silhouette, and more modern elements. Anya is very much a modern woman, and I think she's bound to surprise us with her wedding ensemble. Maybe off-shoulder since she's very fond of those, maybe even a strapless number. I think there'll be a tiara, for sure, but the veil is 50-50. I'm very excited to see the entire look."

Don't get us wrong - we love this update, but do you think they'll reconsider and push the wedding to tomorrow? Pretty please?

[drewtober]

Hey! Sorry this has taken so long--had a lot of family things come up one after another after another, and lots of work on top of all of it. Been kinda one thing after another these past few months. 🤣

TAGGING AND SUBMISSIONS

I'll open up submissions on October 1st for any pieces if anyone wishes to submit, and I'll check the tags once a day for reblogging. The tag is #Drewtober2024.

LOCATIONS

This list is mainly for quick reference or to spark an idea, but if I’ve forgotten a location in a game that you wanna illustrate go for it! I’m doing this from memory.

SCK - Paso Del Mar High School, Maxine’s Diner, Aunt’s Eloise’s house

STFD - The studio, Dwayne’s apartment, Aunt Eloise’s apartment (this is the only game I've not played, so I'm unfamiliar with all the locations).

MHM - Nancy’s room, the basement, Abby’s room, the library, the parlor, the foyer

TRT - Nancy’s room, the foyer, the library, the locker room, Marie's tower

FIN - The Royal Paladium

SSH - The exhibits, the Henrik’s lab, Nancy’s hotel room, Henrik’s hospital room, Joanna’s office, Alejandro’s office, Taylor’s office

DOG - Sally's cabin, Mickie's speakeasy, the ranger station, the woods, Em’s Emporium

CAR - Nancy’s hotel room, Joy’s office, the security office, Ingrid’s workshop, the various rides in the amusement park, Rolfe Kessler’s workshop

DDI - Katie’s boat, Jenna’s cafe, Whale World, the lighthouse, the beach, the sea caves, the smuggling tunnels

SHA - The ranch house, the stable, the farm yard, Mary’s gift shop, Dry Creek, the cliff dwellings

CUR - Nancy’s room, Linda's room, Jane’s room, the conservatory, the library, the foyer, the alchemy lab

CLK - The Lilac Inn, the tunnels, Josiah's house and barn, the mini golf course, Jim's office, Bogart's pond

TRN - The dining car, the sleeping car, Camile’s car, Jake’s car, the map room car, the dancing studio car, Fatima’s shop, the crypts

DAN - Minette’s workshop, the reception office, Dieter’s studio, the park, the sewers, Cafe Kiki, Jay Jay’s house, Noisette's stained glass safe

CRE - Big Island Mike’s property, the beach, the Hilihili labs, the volcano, Three Finger Rock jungle, Dr. Kim’s base camp

ICE - Nancy’s room + all guest rooms, the fishing shack, the Trapper Dan's Needle, Julius's cabin, the basement

CRY - Renee’s room, Bruno’s room, the library, the miniature’s room, the foyer, the garden, the cemetery, Bernie’s log and swamp, Zeke’s

VEN- Nancy and Helena's room, the ca, the flower stand, the various plazas, Antonio's office, Casa dei Giochi

HAU - The foyer/downstairs, Brendan and Caitlyn’s room/tower, Fiona’s room, the library, the castle grounds, Fiona’s bog hut, The Screaming Banshee Inn, the laboratory

WAC - Nancy and Corine’s room, Mel’s room, Izzy and Leela's room, the basement, the library, the common area, the courtyard

TOT - The basement, the farm house, the barn, the wind mills, Pa’s shop, Pa's museum

SAW - Nancy’s room, the baths, the hidden bath’s, Yumi’s apartment, the gardens, the bento stand, the pachinko parlor, the ryokan foyer, Rentaro's workshop, Takae's classroom

CAP - Nancy’s room, Karl’s office, the gift shop, the security booth, the monster’s camp, the dungeons, the glass blowing studio, the dining hall, the courtyard

ASH - River Heights police department, Toni's ice cream shop, Alexei's antique shop, Brenda's van, Nancy's house, original town hall

TMB - The camp tent, the tomb

DED - Ryan's workshop, Mason and Ellie's offices, the break room, Gray's security room, Niko's office and secret lab, the main lab

GTH - The cemetery, the crypt, the dilapidated house, the mansion parlor, the kitchen, the basement, Charlotte’s room

SPY - Nancy’s hotel room, Bridget's hotel room, Cathedral HQ and server room, Moira’s house, the training grounds, the cookie stand, the train station

MED - Pacific Run camp, the puzzle palace, the Annunaki star cave

LIE - The museum, Melina's office, the stage, the sets, the Niobe's pottery workshop

SEA - The Missti Skip, the Heerlijkheid, Magnus's cabin, the caves, the gift shop

BONUS DAYS/ALTERNATIVE DAYS

MID - Mei and Jason's hideout, the Parry house, Lauren's shop, Olivia's shop, the museum, the courthouse, the Hathorne estate and grounds, the cemetery, the tunnels,

KEY - Hungerkünstler Cafe, Oskar's exhibit, Zlaty Custom Jewelry, Aparát, Radek's marionette theater, Prague castle courtyard, St. Vitus cathedral, the alchemy lab, the astronomical clock

[anshares]

Once upon a time, there was a prince most beloved by all.

He was highly doted on by everyone but especially so by two men: his older brother, His Majesty the Emperor, and by his secret suitor, a childhood friend by the name of He Xuan.

By all accounts, Prince Qingxuan should have a blessed life. Unfortunately it was nothing but a wretched beginning,with a wretched end.

His brother, wary of him vying forthe crown, kept him on a tight leash, while the other man in his life perished on the battlefield. To live your life in a guilded birdcage, that is the tale of this prince.

Click more for full plot!

ROYALTY AU (M/M Flavor Beefleaf)

Shi Qingxuan is a royal prince, brother of Shi Wudu the emperor who is known to be a tyrant

He Xuan comes from a military family but he refuses to practice the sword and prefers to read instead.

They first met in the palace as kids when HX was accompanying his father to a meeting and he explored the palace grounds while he waited for his father.

He is reading by the garden and meets SQX there who is playing hooky from royal lessons and from that moment on they become friends. (SQX the talker and HX the listener). Emperor Shi Wudu, seeing that his brother favors this kid, assigns him as his playmate.

Then one day SQX got kidnapped by rebels, HX tried to rescue SQX and found him after a day. They managed to escape from the kidnappers but were found by one of the rebels,

they tried to run as fast they could and managed to lose the guy chasing them but SQX sprained his ankle so HX had to piggyback SQX

luckily they were found by the royal guards and the rebels who dared kidnapped the Tyrant Emperor’s only brother were executed and put on display in the plaza.

Emperor Shi Wudu awards the He family for what their youngest son did and officially appointed HX as SQX future retainer and personal guard, SWD acknowledges how smart He Xuan is and was impressed by his bravery,

he saw potential in him and to HX dismay he has to learn the way of the sword which SQX teased him over because he kept whining about it during their breaks or sparring sessions.

As they grow up they become inseparable and people talk about how incompatible they are, like how the young prince who is beloved by everyone is with this gloomy person but it works. They are closer as ever CLOSER than anyone thinks.

They sometimes have a rendezvous in the library where they “study” or at the garden where SQX likes picking his favorite berries. SQX feeds HX one and he sucks the leftover juice in SQX finger which leaves him flustered.

The truth is they have been in a relationship for years now but they just hide to protect SQX reputation, as their genders and status won't let them be accepted by society and it will cause quite a scandal.

Hx and sqx also have talks on having life outside the palace and he sees that sqx is not really fond of palace life, and sqx admits that there are times where he just wants to run away from it all but he can't

Contrary to popular belief, emperor swd is known as a tyrant and his brother is no exception to the treatment. As his brother constantly watches sqx every move and punishes him even for the slightest mistake,

making sqx doubt himself and belittling him to the point where sqx life is controlled by swd.

This makes sqx be easily influenced that he himself even forgets he has choices on the matter.

All he knows is that his brother controls his fate, his marriage and as a prince he has a duty to his country, he can't entertain selfish thoughts which is why these few moments of reprieve where he could spend his time with his lover dreaming about life outside the palace is all he could do,

there's nothing bad with just dreaming inside his gilded cage with his lover by his side, he feels like he can soar free.

Even with HX gloomy countenance he is quite popular among the ladies that there were also rumors how HX is gonna be engaged to a woman he is usually seen with and visits his house

but in truth he just treats the girl as a younger sister and is actually from the family where his own sister is getting engaged to.

During a marriage interview where SQX meets with his possible marriage candidates he meets the rumored girl as she was part of the selection. She asked about HX to SQX and disclosed her true feelings about HX.

SQX assumes that something is going on between them and with how the rumors are, SQX gets worried about this so he asks about it to He Xuan, HX assures him that nothing is going on between him and the lady.

SQX is a little bit jealous so HX smirks and “do you want me to show you how much I love his highness” and they proceed to have a passionate night where they assure each other that they are the only ones they will love and be loyal too.

They actually talk about running away from the capital and just settle down in a rural village without their statuses getting in the way they'll just be Shi Qingxuan and He Xuan, just 2 normal people but skirmish/war with the rebel army happens so they have to draft up every son in each family.

It is also perfect opportunity for Shi wudu to get rid of a pest that might ruin his brother’s reputation because he learned of his brother's growing affection for HX since a palace maid witnessed one of their “study” sessions

so he dispatches him to the front lines at the border where he is the appointed strategist. SQX is not aware that SWD knows about their secret tryst.

Before HX leaves, SQX makes him promise to come back alive because he has something to tell him, HX asks why wouldn't he just tell him now SQX says it isn't the right time and at least he will have motivation to come back as soon as he can to the capital.

He was actually going to tell him “I love you” since they hadn’t said it to each other yet, SQX also requests that he write often, HX does but it gets intercepted by SWD and alters the contents so it'll look like HX is gradually changing his mind about their relationship.

Unfortunately HX dies in war with a lot of arrows in his back (like the visual in bloody festival) he tries to get back to camp but with his heavy injuries he won't survive,

he knows this but still tries because he promised SQX he will come back, he hasn't heard what SQX wants to say yet and it seems important.

SQX won't hear news of his death, Shi wudu will keep it under wraps and make up a story on why HX is getting transferred. He tried to ask around and find out why HX hasn't come back yet even though the war is over.

All SWD said was for their service to the country the He family was granted a piece of land to a far away place. HX decided to settle there and get married which was impossible since HX promised SQX,

did he change his mind after being away from each other for years, is this why his letter gradually stopped and the contents were not as sweet as they were during the first year.

SQX can't go out and check it out himself with no good reason, so he look at records and stuff everything checks out, he is hurt but he is glad that at least HX is alive and well somewhere even tho far away from him,

SQX doesn't want to get in the way of HX happiness even if they grew far apart from each other so he decides to let him go but SQX doesnt know that the reward also doubles as compensation for the grieving family and that the family decided to leave the capital because of painful memories.

At the end SQX monologues if it was a sin of falling in love with HX since they are both men and how he wishes in the next life he can love him freely without their status getting in the way and being condemned by society.

Epilogue:

SQX finally gets to go out for inspection and it's in the city where He Xuan's whole family relocated he was all cheerful like even tho HX is probably married now at least he can still visit as his friend as long as he is happy and healthy even if it wasn't with him that's all that matters

so when he asks the parents where he xuan is…. it got sus cuz why the home is so gloomy then he sees the family shrine…..with He Xuan's tablet in it.

SQX is shocked and can't believe what he is seeing because how could that be?? Were all the things his brother said to him are lies all these years….

Sqx didn't even know he had already lost hx years ago, did he die swift and painless, did they find the body in the battle field and give him a proper burial. He wasn't even able to give his lover respects and he couldn't even see him one last time because of her brother's intervention.

What about those letters then? Were they really from he xuan??

and then realizes it's indirectly his fault. He connects the dots and realizes that it's swd's fault but the blame doesn't just falls on his brother but also him for he wasn't strong enough to defy his brother,

didn't fight harder to ensure his lover's safety, he shouldn't have been ignorant, he should've have been more observant, he should've been more…..Then hx mom interrupted his spiraling thoughts as she noticed how pale and shocked the prince looked.

Hx mother knows how close she is with her son so finding out hx this way is shocking.

" Your highness, I wanted to let you know that he died honorably in battle protecting the city and its people.

They were able to find his body and give him a proper burial.

I can't thank the emperor enough for bringing my son home. Also I wanted to give you this, it was one of A-xuan's belongings, a journal. I think it may be best if his highness hold on to it."

After he paid his respects and did his exception he left the city with a heavy heart he didn't expect this outcome. As he journeys back to the capital, he opens HX journal. Its full of entries of hx listing everything that reminded him of sqx,

like how he saw the wildflowers that he used to collect for him to make into a crown as kids, how a nervous soldier reminded him of sqx's inability to lie, how he noticed sqx's influence in choosing the meals sent to the soldiers, etc.

Growing up as royalty he was thought to have a good handle on his emotions but he couldn't after reading the journal and so he broke down,

he sobbed and called out to he xuan even though he knows no one will answer anymore when he calls out the name. He just lets out all his grief, anguish and love lost.

When he calmed down he made a promise that he will devote himself to serving the people better so that they're not left at his brother's mercy and tucks the journal safely back to his sleeves as he sees the capital over the horizon.

-THE END-

[staticspaces]

French Style Chateau

Have you checked out the video yet!?

Now on to the primary suite, this main bedroom was huge, including a massive ensuite with a round stained glass window…as well as a few more photos of the staircase from the second floor!!

This mansion was built in 1985 on two lots in The Bridle Path neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada and was designed to resemble a French style chateau. The 30,000 square foot mega mansion had 10 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, and was located on a huge four acre property that also included a tennis court. It also had a granite cobblestone driveway, a horseshoe staircase at the back and extensive gardens which completed the experience of living in a castle in France.

Originally built by Robert Campeau a financier and real estate developer. Robert began his career by building just one single house in 1949 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His company then known as Campeau Corp was also responsible for building Scotia Plaza, a hi rise built in 1988 in the financial district of Toronto, as well as the Harbour Castle Hotel in 1975. In the 80s, Campeau began a series of leveraged buyouts of companies, both in Canada and the United States. The final company was Federated Department Stores, the owners of Bloomingdale's for $7 billion. This was the beginning of the end for Campeau Corp, as they filed for Bankruptcy in 1990, one of the largest in history. Robert was forced to sell the home in 1990.

The home was purchased in 2002 by Harold and Sara Springer who entrusted architect Gordon Ridgely, interior designer Brian Gluckstein, and landscape architect Ronald Holbrook to bring their vision to life. They brought in 17th century antique furniture from france, original royal academy paintings, Italian marble and even crystal chandeliers.

Other features of the large house included a two-story indoor Olympic-size swimming pool with a retractable floor that converts into a ballroom. It also had an elevator, an oak wood bar, recording studio and even its very own bomb shelter!

The mansion has been featured in several movies including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's 'It Takes Two', 'Kissinger and Nixon', 'That Old Feeling' as well as most recently in an episode of Suits. A party was also held for Jane Fonda in the two-storey ballroom, which was then disassembled overnight so that Campeau could swim in the pool the next day with Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

The Springer's listed the chateau for sale including all of its contents starting in 2014 for $25 million and was last publicly listed in 2018 for $39,500,000. Finally, the home was purchased by Nascond Holdings in 2020 for $30.8 million.

Nascond Holdings is a company owned by the Muzzo Group which is a well known development company in the area. Marco Muzzo caused a drunk driving crash that killed four people and seriously injured two others. It was a very high profile incident several years ago, because of his ties to such a wealthy family. There was also a guest list of people found in the home including Marco's name as the host of the party.

The mansion was demolished shortly after my visit in August of 2022. Not much happened after that until more recently when some activity began to happen on the property. Ferris Rafauli who was also behind Drake's Bridle Path Mansion, is the designer and builder behind the new mansion that will take shape in the coming years.

[lwjsbedtime]

The Prince Wreathed in Spider Lilies: Part I - The Guard and the Concubine (royal guard->general WWX x concubine LWJ)

This fic contains themes that may upset some people: mentions of physical abuse, abusing power/power imbalance, etc. None of this occurs between Wangxian, however it's implied LWJ is often beaten by one of the Wen princes, with the permission of his father.

Wei Wuxian cackled as he ran, surging past houses and vaulting fences until the cries of his fellow guards fell off into the distance behind him. Still, he ran, bounding through the plains of Qishan as if he had the wings of a dire owl buoying him along. Had he a sword, he may have even taken to the skies and flown like one. Alas, training swords were not allowed out of the imperial barracks, and certainly not in the hands of a mere apprentice. Wei Wuxian didn't entirely mind going without; not when the day was bright, and the grassland around the palace ripe for sprinting through.

He clutched the two bottles of wine he'd stolen from Jiang Cheng close to his chest, whooping with glee as he left the other trainees behind. In the distance, he heard a familiar voice cursing his name, sending him into even further peals of laughter. He'd won the wine - imported from the Gusu region at high cost - fair and square. If his shidi didn't like that, he would just have to stew in his distaste. Wei Wuxian, meanwhile, was eager to sample his winnings.

When he stumbled at last into the palace grounds, panting and wild-maned, he realised he'd made a dire mistake - none of the buildings around him were recognisable. Wei Wuxian groaned, his posture deflating under the weight of his annoyance. The Nightless Palace was gargantuan, and with less than a year's stay under his belt, Wei Wuxian still wasn't quite as familiar with the layout as a guard ought to be. In his haste to flee Jiang Cheng, he must have been taken off course from the barrack entrance, and ended up somewhere else entirely. Though, he thought wryly, at least it still appeared to be inside the palace. Seeing none of his fellow guards around to guide him - nor prevent his initial entrance - Wei Wuxian walked deeper into the unknown quarters, seeking a familiar landmark to orient himself by. 

He strolled down a wide, high-walled path for almost a full incense's time, until he was afraid he would be walking it forever. Fortunately, before he could contemplate turning back, the path widened, surging out into an open, circular plaza, several houses wide. The plaza was paved with coloured tiles, arranged into the same sun pattern that hung from the doorway of the palace's main hall - Qishan's official coat of arms. The walls around the edge of which were intersected into neat quarter moons by four identically vast and endless paths.

Wei Wuxian found himself entering this plaza from the southern-most path, and though he knew he probably shouldn't, continued into the centre of it. He rightly should turn around, taking the long way back to the imperial guard quarters, where the quartermaster could scold him for his daring and unruly manner. However, the little guard couldn't find it in himself to turn away from the sight before him - for he now found himself somewhere he'd only heard tell of before. The walls that surrounded the plaza in a near-perfect ring were black as pitch, smoother than ocean-worn rock, and blanketed in thick coils of resentment. It was suddenly frighteningly clear which place he'd stumbled into. 

Wei Wuxian gazed up at the dark stonework in awe. As a trainee guard, he knew of this part of the palace - the walls here were warded by Wen Ruohan himself, distinguishable not only by their towering height, but by the dark, writhing yin woven through the brickwork. Dark and menacing, the barrier protected the empire's most important treasures - the imperial family, as well as their pleasure areas, the gardens, and concubine house.

Despite the threat of punishment if caught out of bounds, Wei Wuxian felt excitement build within him. The royal concubine house elicited many rumours just by existing - a young man surely couldn't help but be curious what lay within. Up till the end of the previous dynasty, it was custom for the imperial family to only take spouses from other noble households, but once the first Wen emperor - Emperor Mao - took over, he had the great insight to implement a new rule - any woman could be taken into the harem and made a proper wife, so long as she'd been thoroughly educated beforehand.

This decree opened up a new world of opportunities to many common women, who would otherwise have wilted away in obscurity - or worse, in poverty. However, as more prospective wives came to the palace, it became increasingly difficult to find spare space within the inner palace to house them. Rumour had it that at one point, there were so many trainee concubines tucked within the Empress' quarters, it wasn't noticed any were missing until weeks later, when the emperor was present for his son's wedding, and found the bride to be one of his favourite hopefuls! Luckily for the groom, he also happened to be Emperor Mao's favourite son, and so escaped the debacle with his head attached.

Soon after that, in order to better protect the emperor's future brides, and facilitate their training, a concubine house was built within the palace walls - not dissimilar to the trainee house in the guard quarters. Though it was situated away from the wives' palaces, it lay quite close to the emperor's own personal chambers, and if rumours were to be believed, was guarded just as fiercely. 

Ever since, girls from all over the empire who were lucky enough to make selection were housed there, until they came of age to find their own place within the harem. The concubine house had experienced trainers and a full curriculum. To be chosen as one of the emperor's future favoured ones was the most coveted and important position in the lands, and many families thus eagerly sent their children along to attend. Even if they didn't catch the attention of Wen Ruohan himself, any educated daughter could become the wife of one of his trusted men, or even a spouse of the princes! Regardless of the outcome, the girls' were guaranteed to be well-kept.

Wei Wuxian wasn't overly interested in women, but ever curious as he was, he'd always wanted to sneak a look at the kind of person destined to sit by the emperor's side. Realising he now had a chance to see one of the legendarily lovely ladies in person, his skin pricked with energy. Only those personally assigned to the royal family were allowed near the concubine quarters. All others, if caught, would be hung for daring to trespass upon the emperor's garden. Wei Wuxian therefore decided that if he wanted to live, he must be very careful as he snooped. Nothing, not even the fear of death, could keep him from satisfying the intense curiosity with which he'd suddenly been struck.

And it was only sensible to look, he reasoned. In a few years, when he graduated from training, he would be put in charge of protecting some area in the palace or other. What if he was chosen to watch over the concubine house? Or even shadow one of the trainee candidates, herself? The rules about conduct in the women's quarters were extremely strict - if he got lost whilst doing his work, he could be beaten within an inch of his life. In that case, wouldn't it be best if he already had a working knowledge of the area? Wei Wuxian was certain it would be.

Distracted by his strange surroundings as he was, the boy skipped ahead carelessly, and very nearly ran into Prince Xu, his unit's most feared instructor - and crown prince - for his trouble. Luckily, he noticed the prince at the last possible moment, and managed to hide himself around the trunk of one of the extensively pruned pear trees that ringed the edge of the plaza.

Prince Xu had his eyes fixed upon something to his left, and so missed Wei Wuxian's jerky, panicked movements as he rushed to hide. The little guard watched as the prince exited from out behind a door in the wall, seemingly forged at that moment by the darkness that clung to the brickwork. His usually arrogant expression was pulled downwards into a sneer, turning his sharp features ghastly. As he sauntered forward, Wei Wuxian caught sight of something dripping off the dark-dyed gloves in his hands. His eyes tracked the substance as it as it fell downward, till it splattered upon the ground in small, incriminating, red drops. Blood. The little guard's every nerve shook with excitement. Someone had angered the prince enough for him to maim them. And in his own home, too! But who would dare?

Curious to see who - or what - had drawn the crown prince's ire, Wei Wuxian waited for him to leave before quickly vaulting over the nearest ward wall. He scaled along its crest till it intersected with the door the prince had exited from, now hidden from sight by knitted tendrils of yin. Though the little guard was impressed by this feat of cultivation, he realised he hadn't the time to dally atop the emperor's barrier wall investigating it; not if he didn't want to be seen and dragged down for punishment. Swift and silent as a mid autumn gust, he crouched down to his knees, and dropped over the opposite side of the barrier.

When he hit the ground, the boy found himself in a garden so densely planted with bushes, it was almost maze like. It seemed to Wei Wuxian it would take forever to traverse such a disorienting new landscape without being spotted as an intruder. Downhearted, he looked back to the wall, only to find that it was from this side was almost twice as high, the ground having been dug out and flattened so its originally imposing height grew even more daunting.

Wwx's heart sped in his chest. That didn't bode well for his planned hasty retreat. Even a skilled cultivator could only jump so far, and confident though he was, he was a child still - a boy of fifteen, with only five years cultivation training to his name. The dark stone stretched eternally upward into the sky, its face smoothed down with resentment so no footholds remained to latch onto. If he didn't know any better, he'd think the garden was designed not for beauty, but to prevent anyone foolish enough to jump inside from getting back out.

With a sigh, Wei Wuxian turned back to the hedge maze. Getting out would have to be a problem for his future self. For now, he should instead focus on traversing the garden before him - with any hope, there would be another way out on the other side, and perhaps a concubine or two to gaze upon, if he was truly lucky! Feeling much more confident with that in mind, he strode forward into the maze. 

After an incense stick's time prowling down leafy lanes, 'round corners, and over the occasional hedge, Wei Wuxian found himself very much dejected. He was going to die in this maze, his body would rot, and he'd be found a skeleton many moons later if he didn't find an exit soon. He considered turning around and facing the wall as he rounded what must have been the hundredth corner - what else could he do? - when a glint of light beyond the leaves caught his attention. Skidding to a halt, WWX dropped down to peer through a gap in the bush, only to feel his heart halt in his chest. 

Beyond the hedges, on the other side of maze, sat a boy of around his own age. The boy was decked in finery such as Wei Wuxian had never seen a man wear before, not even the emperor himself - nor his sons, who were somewhat ostentatious in dress and manner both. Ringed by an array of ornamental flowers, and cast golden by the light of the afternoon sun, the boy sat upon a carved bench, his clothing cut low to bare the skin of his shoulders and collarbones to the sky. Wei Wuxian's face heated, his eyes stuck to the scandalous amount of skin left on display for anyone to see.

Though he was no prude, and often went topless around the other apprentices during the heat of summer training, something about the way this boy was almost overdressed, save for his chest, his wrists, and - Wei Wuxian swallowed thickly, wetting his chapped lips with an equally parched tongue - his ankles, made it seem as though he'd stumbled upon something truly indecent, like an unclothed maiden. 

Additionally, the boy was so startlingly beautiful - much more so than any maiden he'd ever seen - that he found himself unable to look away, as if caught in a fairy's spell. Wei Wuxian could believe he now gazed upon a fairy. The boy's outer robe was so pale a white it seemed to turn irridescent in streaks as the breeze touched him. The inner layers of his clothing were darker, ranging from a dusty rose, to firey bright, to the crimson of spilled blood, with the innermost layer being halfway sheer, and embroidered so it seemed grafted to his alabaster skin by way of tiny white roots. With intricate loops of gold wrapping his wrists and throat, and winding through his otherwise loose hair, he gave the impression of a spring flower newly bloomed.

While he was about as interested in the latest trends as he was in women, Wei Wuxian thought the boy looked quite lovely dressed as he was. The adornments - many as they were - only accentuated his naturally fine features: unblemished skin, pure and soft-seeming as flower petals; a perfect, peach-like mouth; lashes that hung thick and dark from sweetly tinted lids, casting long shadows over the planes of gently rounded cheeks; eyes that shone gold in the sunlight, and darkened to a soft, honeyed brown under the shade. He was practically a work of art; some court painter's star-specked daydream, mercifully brought to flesh. 

Very suddenly, the little guard felt overwhelmed. To be so lovely, there was no doubt in his mind just who the boy was. He was too elegant, too beautiful - too special to be any other. Clearly, Wei Wuxian had just stumbled upon a young prince - perhaps one of the ones closer in age to Wen Chao, the recently deceased second prince who'd attempted to take the place of his eldest brother, and been felled by his father's blade. The emperor had been so enraged by his son's presumptuousness, he'd punished all his younger sons to discourage further coups from being staged.

Until further notice, the princes were to be shunned by all as if they were less than servants - as easily replaceable as hunting dogs. A punishment would explain why such a beautiful boy now sat here in the garden, all alone with eyes that exuded great sadness. Wei Wuxian couldn't imagine him being left alone otherwise. Wei Wuxian was having trouble leaving him alone now, when being discovered could be the death of him. The pull of big, weepy phoenix eyes was almost too much for him to bear.

Without quite realising it, Wei Wuxian found himself rounding the bushes for a closer look at the prince. So taken was he with the boy's appearance, he didn't notice what he'd done, nor that he'd been spotted until those light eyes pierced into his own from across the courtyard.

As Wei Wuxian met his gaze, the boy glanced away, his eyes turning down till they rested upon the ground at his feet. Quick as he turned, Wei Wuxian caught a flash of fear darkening his expression, his own eyes catching on a startling split of crimson painted down the middle of his swollen bottom lip. The boy's mouth was bloody, his right cheekbone - now hidden from Wei Wuxian - mottled an unsightly black, bruised like the withered petals of late spring blooms under the Qishan sun. Upon closer inspection, there also lay the crimson outline of a handprint around his neck, almost but not quite hidden by beauty paint - the afterimage of violence blossoming where someone had grasped tight until his soft skin bruised. Wei Wuxian felt his blood boil. Someone had hurt the prince - had hurt this tender creature deserving only of kindness - and he had a good guess as to who the culprit may be.

Hesitantly, careful to project his movements, he took a step toward the bench, his hand outstretched in an offering of peace. "Are you alright?"

From where he stood, WWX could see the muscles bunching under the heavy fabric of the boy's robes, as though he was poised to take more abuse, yet dare not run away.

Slowly, the boy's bloodied lips parted. Wei Wuxian watched each movement of them with deep intent, feeling something strange settling uneasily in the pit of his stomach.

"You should not be here, gongzi."

A voice so hoarse and frail one would suspect the owner to be unused to speech came from out that perfect mouth. WWX found it unnerving for a child his own age to sound so defeated, but then he knew of Wen Xu's cruelty only too well.

Hoping to offer comfort, he dared to step closer to the forlorn prince. "Does it hurt?"

The boy stiffened further at his question, and WWX winced. He laughed awkwardly. "I mean… Prince Xu did this to you?"

Hesitantly, the boy nodded, still not daring to raise his head. 

"You should not be here," he repeated, his hands clenched into the ends of his sleeves, as if the soft silk could protect him from further harm. His voice as he spoke was a hoarse, fragile thing. But then, with the fingerprints that bloomed so starkly against his pale neck, Wei Wuxian was surprised he could speak at all.

Wei Wuxian strode forward until he was within reaching distance of the young prince. When he deemed himself close enough, he knelt, shimmying forward so he was situated between the boy's knees. To his chagrin, this seemed to make the prince even more upset than his initial question had, pearly teeth coming out to worry at the broken skin of his lip until it bled again. Yet, despite his obvious fear, he did not pull away, nor lift his head to meet Wei Wuxian's eyes. Wei Wuxian couldn't tell whether to feel alarmed or relieved by this.

The little guard reached into his shirt slowly, still projecting his movements even though the prince refused to spare him a glance. Though the boy seemed almost hellishly bent on affecting an aura of calm composure, Wei Wuxian could feel the way his thighs trembled faintly against his body, a barely-there show of anxiety.

"I won't hurt you," he reassured him, pulling a handkerchief out from within his clothing. "Prince Xu is a terrible bully. Nobody will blame you for bearing his temper."

The boy inhaled sharply as Wei Wuxian took his cheek in hand, but sat still and compliant as the blood was wiped from his lip. Wei Wuxian took this chance to inspect the prince's other wounds, and found himself hissing in sympathy. Surely no amount of disrespect from a sibling could warrant such a barbaric punishment?

Up close, the dark ring around the boy's neck was even more gruesome - black and swollen, with thin sections of skin split around it, as if he'd been choked by a noose. His eyes flitted up to the boy's cheek, which was in just slightly better condition. Wei Wuxian could tell the bruise here was older, caused by something that may have been a fist, or possibly the blunt end of a sword. By this point, it was hard to tell - the wound had clearly been healed by a cultivator to prevent disfigurement - suggesting that whatever had caused the injury had been swung with enough force to crack bone - yet not so far as to completely alleviate the boy's suffering. This had been purposeful, no doubt. The wound was left to linger as a reminder - cross the first prince of Qishan, and you shall suffer the consequences. 

Wei Wuxian, to his surprise, found himself wanting to return the pain Wen Xu had inflicted here back upon him. Not even the warriors under his command faced such brutality, yet it was so eagerly directed upon a waifish youth? He'd never particularly liked the crown prince - not since he'd taken Jiang Cheng and himself from Lotus Pier several seasons ago - but at this moment his neutrality turned to utter disgust. How could the future leader of the empire prey upon those weaker than him with such easy disregard?

After a moment of tense silence, the boy spoke again, bringing Wei Wuxian out of his treasonous thoughts. "You are a guard?"

"In training," he corrected. Frowning, he wiped at a particularly stubborn bloodstain on the boy's chin. He didn't know what he was thinking. How could he exact vengeance on Wen Xu when the person the prince had beaten was much higher in rank than himself? Besides, if he thought too deeply about it, his anger would no doubt show on his face, and frighten the little prince away.

Instead, he asked, "What did you even do to be hit like this?"

At his question, the boy - already stiff - went completely rigid. For a moment, it appeared as if even his breath had left him; as if he'd been cursed into the form of a statue. Wei Wuxian's concern doubled. Whatever had happened to him, it clearly hadn't been pleasant. Even the worst recruits in Wei Wuxian's age group were never struck with more than the back of the prince's hand across their face. To have been beaten and choked with such vitriol, Prince Xu must have true enmity with this younger prince.

Even worse, in cleaning the boy's chin of blood, he'd uncovered evidence of past injuries upon his flesh - yellowed bruises dotted over his cheeks from where hands had held him still, fingertips cruelly digging into soft flesh; a slight raised mark poked out from under the collar of his robes, over his heart. Across his collarbones lay a cluster of red bruises the little guard was unsure as to the origin of. Wei Wuxian couldn't see how the emperor could stand for one son doing this to another, unless he truly despised the boy - or else wished to witness them contend for the throne. Even so, surely this was going too far. 

The prince's rasping voice once again broke him from his thoughts.

"I refused him," he admitted, clearly hesitant to say more. "I am not…meant to see anyone. He did not accept reason."

Wei Wuxian's frown deepened. The boy's fingertips had again begun to worry at the trail of his sleeves as he spoke, a nervous habit that had upon closer inspection led to the fabric fraying over time. For an instant, it seemed as though the boy wanted to look at him - as though he were trying to convey something to Wei Wuxian - but had grown too meek to follow through at the last moment. 

"Oh!" Wei Wuxian sat upright as understanding hit him. He pulled away from the boy enough that he could survey the surrounding area, relaxing when he saw no interlopers spying their way. Relieved, he leaned in, close enough to whisper. "Is this part of a punishment? You not seeing anyone?"

The corner of the boy's mouth turned down at his question, his brow furrowing ever so slightly.

"I am still in training. I cannot…see you," he repeated, adding an odd emphasis to the end of his sentence. 

Wei Wuxian cocked his head. What sort of training meant you couldn't see anyone? It sounded more akin to torture, but must be very important indeed if the boy was so bent on sparing not even a single glance his way. Then again, given the way the first prince had reacted to his very presence by harming him, perhaps he was simply too afraid to defy his brother's orders. Wei Wuxian couldn't have that - this prince looked far too lonely to be confined to his own company. 

Wei Wuxian gave the boy a quick smile. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone I was with you."

The boy's breath hitched, and he dared to glance up for a moment, before seeming to realise he shouldn't have dared. In the single instance their gazes met, the sharp-edged judgment in his eyes scalded Wei Wuxian. Unconsciously, he leaned in closer as the boy's gaze returned to the ground, itching to catch another glimpse of his pretty face.

"You'll have to wait like everyone else," the boy gritted out, his silken coat creasing in his lap under clenched fists. "Even the emperor isn't yet permitted to see me."

Wei Wuxian's grin widened in response. "So, the emperor won't find out."

The boy's lashes spasmed, as though he wished to look up once more but restrained himself at the last moment. His mouth, now cleaned of blood, parted in what seemed to be shock - or indignation.

"It is a crime to go against imperial orders," he managed after a moment, voice weak. From the way he trembled, Wei Wuxian could tell he was either very angry, or very afraid. The slight furrow of his brows made the little guard presume the former.

Wei Wuxian chuckled, laying his head back into the boy's lap so he could gaze up at his shocked expression freely. The prince was truly lovely, even making such distraught faces. Wei Wuxian thought he'd be rather happy if he could look at the prince forever - maybe if he was lucky, he would one day be assigned as his personal guard!

"I won't tell if you won't." He assured, picking up the wine bottles he'd earlier placed on the ground. Feeling playful, he waved them before the imperial heir's face. "Share some wine with me?"

The prince flinched away from him, training his gaze on the wine to avoid looking into Wei Wuxian's eyes. His brow pinched further at the suggestion of drink.

"It is not permitted to imbibe alcohol," he murmured, glaring at the jars of Emperor's Smile as if they had caused him personal offence. 

Wei Wuxian laughed. "Alright, alright. I won't force you!"

The prince startled slightly at his enthusiastic reply, his head jerking as though to stare up at the boy before him, before again recalling his orders.

Wei Wuxian slipped his head off the prince's lap, quickly bouncing up onto the bench to seat himself beside him instead. He quickly settled in, manuevring himself so that the pair sat shoulder-to-shoulder and hip-to-hip.

Carelessly, he thumped one of the bottles down on the bench at his side, and uncorked the other. "You sit, and I'll drink. Just keep me company, alright?"

The boy was motionless for a moment, his body stiff as a little bunny caught under the force of Wei Wuxian's cheer. The little guard nudged him gently with his elbow to get his attention, causing the prince to start. At last, he nodded his head in a jerky little downward tilt.

"That is….not against the rules," he admitted. 

Wei Wuxian smiled at him fondly. "Good. I would be so lonely if I had to drink without even one friend by my side."

The boy hummed, his fingers still worrying the embroidered piping of his sleeves. Wei Wuxian felt the distinct urge to grasp his hands up into his own lap to quiet him, but resisted. As it was, the prince had suffered enough excitement for the day. He wasn't sure it would be the best idea to touch him without warning. 

"Friend?" the prince whispered.

Wei Wuxian gulped down a mouthful of Emperor's Smile before replying. "We've shared our woes together and now we're sharing wine. What else would we be?"

Again, the boy hummed. Somehow, he sounded more content this time; less wary of Wei Wuxian beside him. To the little guard's delight, he found the prince's voice possessed a soft, lyrical quality that was soothing to the ear. Quietly to himself, he thought he would like to hear the boy speak more, perhaps on another day when his throat wasn't raw from a beating. Perhaps then, he could read from a poetry book, or perform a song as Wei Wuxian watched. He was certain the boy could sing beautifully - as a Wen prince, he was sure to be trained in many arts. 

As the afternoon progressed into evening, Wei Wuxian chattered on, holding a largely one-sided, yet still pleasant conversation with the lovely prince. Slowly, he felt the boy relax beside him, taut muscles unwinding to something less painfully braced for attack.

He sipped the wine from the jars a little slower than usual, unwilling to leave so soon after he felt the boy's body slump against his own. When he finished the last drop of wine from them, he took another few sips, pretending to still have some drink left. Then, when it became obvious he could not possibly still be drinking, he put the jars away and reached around to tuck the boy's shoulders under his arm.

Though still early autumn, the evening wind that blew through Qishan was chilled, and the prince's clothing poorly insulated. Wei Wuxian thought it unlikely he should want to return to his quarters yet, after being attacked by his own brother earlier in the day - and indeed, the prince made no such move to leave. Wei Wuxian couldn't help but feel a bit smug. As a future guard, it was his duty to protect members of the royal family. For the first time since his indoctrination, he felt as if he'd actually accomplished his job.

The prince seemed grateful for the extra body warmth, not moving even a cun after being pulled into Wei Wuxian's grasp. Instead, Wei Wuxian felt him relaxing in increments, till all the resistance left his body. Another moment later, the prince's head came to sink down upon the little guard's shoulder. Wei Wuxian's heart stuttered in his chest, though he managed to continue telling his tale of the rivers that flowed through his childhood home of Yunmeng - just barely, his breath for some reason catching in his throat - until he felt the prince's breaths even out, lulled to sleep by the sound of his voice. 

By the time twilight had swept over the land in full, and all pretences of there still being wine were gone, he risked a glance over at the prince's sleeping face. The prince's eyelids fluttered as he dreamed, his soft features bathed a dusky hue by the light of the setting sun. Like this, he looked so peaceful, none of the hurt of waking life following him to the land of sleep. Though he knew he shouldn't - he'd already grown far too bold - Wei Wuxian reached out to brush a strand of hair from the prince's face. The feel of his hand upon the boy's forehead made him wrinkle his nose, and turn his face deeper into Wei Wuxian's shoulder to escape the feathery touch. The little guard huffed a laugh, quieting only when it seemed as if the prince might wake.

It was with a sudden, startling clarity that Wei Wuxian realised he'd always recall this evening; a small bit of colour amongst the crimson of Qishan's flags - a feeling of warmth catching at the embers of his youth. For as long as he lived, the little guard would remember the day he first met this Wen prince, an unfavoured son in the land of darkness and light. And, he thought, when Wei Wuxian, trainee guard became Wei Wuxian, imperial watchman, perhaps he would be lucky enough to spend more such days in the reclusive prince's company. Wei Wuxian found his determination suddenly reignited. He would climb the ranks until he was trusted to shadow the prince, giving them the opportunity to meet. Perhaps then, he would be able to dissuade Wen Xu from enacting his inhumane punishments upon the boy.

In a perfect world, the future lay clear before Wei Wuxian, and so he accepted it as the truth. But, unbeknownst to the boy still growing into himself, the Wen empire had rotted the land, their gluttonous poison spreading to the very bowels of the earth over which they reigned. There was no longer any perfection to be found; every comfort hard come by.

Wen Xu's ire could not be diverted. And the prince was hardly anything so dignified.

In his excitement, Wei Wuxian had utterly forgotten about the other residents of the leisure quarters - the emperor's consorts, his concubines, and - in a large house, located right under the emperor's watchful eye - one hundred odd beauties from across the land, each one exceptional in their own right. These were the children lucky enough to be trained for entry into the imperial harem - and occasionally, the capital's brothels - though too young yet to serve.

A-Zhan was one of them. Though, he hadn't always been.

----

Unnoticed by the little guard, A-Zhan glanced up at him from out the corner of his eye, his breath catching at the sight that met him - the strong, handsome profile of a boy on the cusp of manhood. Wei Wuxian - he'd introduced himself as such - laughed, and he quickly glanced down again, heart thundering shamefully in his chest.

Upon coming to this place, he'd glared defiantly at anyone who bothered him with orders. For a while, he'd refused to do anything he was asked, believing it all to contradict some long-forgotten list of rules he held in mind. After the tenth or so flogging and a night left out in the rain - his small body claimed by a fever the following morn - he'd given in and accepted instruction. He wasn't permitted to look anyone in the face, not now, and certainly not in the future. Even if it was demanded of him by the emperor, he would not be able to bring himself to do it. His face could be tilted upwards into the light, of course, but his eyes must always remain downcast, a reminder of how far below others he was.

That he was now looking at this boy - this Wei Ying - who called him friend and only sought a moment of his company, was a crime punishable by far worse than what the first prince had done to him. For almost a decade, he'd been fastidious in his upholding of the rules, unwilling to so much as blink without being commanded. Yet somehow, he couldn't bring himself to look away from this particular person, and despite his dread of being caught staring, it also filled his chest with a feeling that was somehow both painful and light.   

The guard smiled, and the concubine returned the gesture, trembling lips hidden away underneath the curve of his cheek. Together, they spent one glorious summer afternoon in the other's company, irrespective of their disparate ranks, and unsure of the feelings blooming in their hearts.

A-Zhan almost regretted it. He had been planning to resign himself to a life under the emperor's thumb - if only to get the beatings to stop - and now found himself uncertain once more.

----

WWX, coming on strong: I won't force you. 😄

LWJ: ...And why the fuck not? 🥺

----

So…I think I posted a snippet from this fic before? In any case, this is the entire first chapter, more or less. Pretty sure this is the edited version as well. If there are any mistakes I missed on a quick reread...whoops? 😅

I figured I might as well post it now, since I'm not liable to edit the remaining 15 chapters any time soon, and also because I'm still sick and feeling lazy. ✌️

(I really love concubineji. You can fit so much trauma and pining in that bad boy.)

[ask-the-tale-of-kingdoms]

{ Responding to this }

"I see that we share similar ideals." Symania chimed, fully agreeing with the Simbobeon. She too would never side with harm, nor abuse towards another child. "However, please duly note that I wish to remain vigilant. As even with one's appearance, I cannot eye of a Pokemon's true intention. So I must state what needed to be spoken."

"Now, as for your wish of being convinced to linger within my kingdom…". Wait… Was that… A flaming gleam in her eyes? And was the queen… Ambitiously grinning? It would quite clearly appear to seem that she is determinedly ready to fill the flying hybrid's ears with a slew of words upon words. Excruciatingly dedicated and willing to do what she could to persuade Lief.

"• If you are someone who only prefers to stay on the basis of sight-seeing, I'd happily advise to visit areas within Valinthea. Such as Gliodus Pond, Celestidea Garden, the four Meteor Pillars, The Statue of Origeon, and the field of blooming Starlight Fruits. There are many others, but this is simply my recommendation~. Hm… There is but one other small landmark I truly wish to suggest to take sight. However, it is something that doesn't normally stay put and solely requires flight to access.

The majority of livable structures from within my land purely focuses on the comfortability, satisfaction, and safety of my citizens. Should you move from this plaza and take sight of the living quarters, you will take immediate notice that most homes are designed base on the diversity of the Pokemon. From marble to stones to mud blocks and to even pure crystalize materials. The focus is never solely directed towards aesthetics. To put it simply, I want to ensure the piece of land that the resident chooses to live on would fit directly towards their ideal environment. Granting them a freedom of choice towards their desire home.

Should you ever be harmed to the point of injury, I would always set forth my own finances to treat my people to achieve full medical services from Valinthea's doctors. To both citizens and outsiders, I will always do what I can to grant them the utmost of proper health. This while ensuring that the doctors are paid well for their services.

There are no mandatory curfews. Regardless, a selection of guardsmen are set to become more active during the fall of night. For those who are more of a night-Noctowls, it is an absolute must to protect them from danger and observe to prevent anyone from causing said danger.

We wield a place for children who had become lost, abandoned, and have no home to turn to. With the aide of both a Flygon and an Absol, the Pecha Sprouts facility is under care. I solely brought up this particular information, as I have a rather instinctive feeling that you may hold some form of entertaining joy with the little ones. They do hold quite a fond interest towards outsiders~.

If you ever are in need for a hearty meal and an endearing closed-quarter environment, I'd highly recommend visiting the newest resident's inn, Nobuyuki. Many are welcomed and always leave feeling satisfied. My, I cannot deny how divine the meals are, hmhmhm~. Due to the more outgoing stylistic choice towards the building, it is quite an easy location to spot. Most notable is the angelic-like winged roof.

Within this land, you will be treated as an equal. No matter where you were born, no matter your wealth, no matter the type of Pokemon you are, you will always be set within the same stance as others. While yes, the royal status may be seen as greater by most, you will not be treated nor seen as someone beneath by said respective royals. You will be treated as a person, as a fellowship, as someone who matters like the rest within this world. Discrimination will not be tolerated, as it holds no place here.

My citizens are kind, friendly, and welcoming Pokemon. For a considerately handful of residents that you would meet here, you will be greeted with open arms. It is of a community whom strives for their homes to retain a loving atmosphere. I am confident, as long as you are accommodating and civil, that you will not be plighted in a unfavorable situation."

"While it would be ideally pleasant to have someone new here, I will not force you to remain. It is by your choice if you wish to stay or depart."

{ @ask-team-misfit }

[sabraeal]

Tenderness Like a Bruise, Chapter 2

[Read on AO3]

Took a small break from frantic bingo writing to make this for @puffdragongirl‘s birthday! Robin asked for MORE OD ANA, and since I had always meant to continue with this fic...I was happy to tack another chapter on!

The petal and wings of Wisteria may burst across this man’s throat, but he’s no royal messenger Od Ana’s ever seen. Too young, for one; his pale hair fluffs out from his scalp like a chick’s feathers, kind that shouldn’t be wandering so far out from under their mother’s nethers. His daemon’s been ridden hard too, her flanks heaving the way an experienced rider would never allow. 

Still, she’s got enough spirit in her to give Od Ana one of those wall-eyed stares, the kind that shows white all around. That’s what they get, having their reputation precede them like it does. The prince’s messenger and his witch daemon. Sometimes he’s got her so far away you can’t even see her. Can’t trust a man like that. 

They’re lucky that daemon doesn’t take more after a horse and balk for the shock of it.

Ah, but whatever she thinks of its bearer, the bad news is stamped with the royal seal all the same. “There’s the message. From the prince himself!”

There’s a certain amount of pomp to these things; the messenger holds it out, a little square that can’t have much more than a handful of lines scrawled on it, and bows like it’s some lordly edict. And for all that, Obi sits back in his hips and takes it, opening it with little more than a flick of his wrist.

There’s a trick to it, of course: apply the correct amount of force at the right angle and wax sheers from the sheet without even clipping the Wisteria wings. But messenger boy doesn’t know it; he just stands there gawping like he just fell off the wagon, impressed by nothing more than a party trick. Od Ana hopes for his sake he learns to hide it better. There’s plenty of thorns in Wistal’s garden that would enjoy having a bumpkin in their pocket. The king, for starters.

“Ah, but also...Sir Obi...on my way here...”

Od Ana glances up, claws flexing over collarbone, and, ah, she’s seen that wide-eyed gaze before, that starry shine. She may have no name to put to a face for him, but it looks like whatever reputation has wended its way back to Wistal has more in common with Hiro’s hero worship than city folk superstition.

The messenger’s reedy voice drops to a whisper. “I heard news about the string of attacks on noblemen.”

Obi glances up, the bristle of his hair brushing her feathers. “Oh yeah? A new development?”

“Well...” Under Obi’s direct attention, the boy shies the way young men do at a pretty girl’s doorstep. “They say that the lead suspect is, ah...”

Hisame Lugis. The name springs to her beak on reflex, instinct. She’s only seen the man once, malingering at the edges of a ballroom, but she’s heard enough about that little ladder-climber to know he’s the sort that wouldn’t be shy sharing a few knives to the back among friends. Especially if those lucky pals were thinking about putting their grubby paws on the same heiress of Seiran.

“...Sir Mitsuhide Lowen.”

The papers flutter to the cobbles, Obi’s hands boneless above them. “What?”

Obi might have a memory like a steel trap, but between the two of them, it’s Od Ana who reads faster. She hunches over his shoulder, skimming the prince’s sloping script, and still, she can’t put it all together, can’t make it make sense. The lords, the murders, Sereg, Mitsuhide. Maybe from a distance the edges blur into a big picture, like one of those fancy paintings in Wistal’s galleries, but from here, on the ground, she can’t see it. Can’t see how anyone would think a man like Mitsuhide Lowen would send another man to do his dirty work. Dust, that he’d have dirty work to begin with.

She’s got a hundred thoughts buzzing in her head, each more nasty than the last, but Obi doesn’t say a word, doesn’t do anything but lean over the stone and stare out over the plaza. Shirayuki’s down there right now, with Ryuu too, and neither of them know, neither of them could even suspect...

Her beak clicks, annoyance biting at her like mites. “You aren’t actually thinking of going.”

It’s not a question, it’s a hope. A blind one, flung out into the wind as an attempt to slow their descent. Because she already knows the answer: he is. And the longer he says silent, the more sure she becomes.

“Don’t.” It’s not in her to plead. Birds don’t have knees, she’d always say-- not where Shirayuki hear-- but, oh, Obi has enough for them both. What’d be nice is if he could stop getting on them. “Zen hasn’t even asked for you.”

“He has.” The words roll off his lips just like that first step he took in the forest. Playful, testing the edge of his limits, flirting with the promise of pain. The next one will be worse, she knows, and the next, all the way up to when it suddenly isn’t. To when it’s all gone. “There’s no other reason for Master to send another guard up here.”

Not unless he’s already expecting Obi to come sit at his heel. That’s how these Wisterias work, of course: everything written between the lines. Obi wouldn’t be sagging underneath his sir if he wasn’t fluent in it. If they both weren’t.

Doesn’t mean she has to like it.

“We have something good here.” And she’s not ready for that sting again, for the burning in her chest as another bond breaks, left to die somewhere out in snow. “Something real. There’s no reason to give that up to--”

“They need us.” One corner of his mouth lifts, helpless. “And if we turn our back on them now, on Mister...”

His shoulder lifts, and oh, she knows that hopeless look all too well. If we don’t go, his smile says, then we aren’t who she thinks we are.

The worst part is: he’s right.

“Shirayuki,” Suzu observes, far too mild. “Your flask is going to boil over.”

“What? Oh!” With a blink, the apparatus comes into focus, and ah, yes, that is too rigorous a roil when she’s looking for something just a hair above a simmer. “Ah, thank you.”

His shoulders shrug the way a hanger might, all wires and sharp edges, coat surviving through sheer hardiness of the fur. “Don’t mention it.”

And just like that, he walks away. No, ‘gee, Shirayuki, what’s got you so distracted?‘ or ‘is there something on your mind?’ Hermia gives a sympathetic blink,  but she doesn’t so much as croak to slow him down either, just sits on his shoulder like a moss does on a log while he wends around the lab, aimless.

Shirayuki sighs, turning the valve on her burner until the flame flickers at a much cheerier orange. Fiddles with the legs on her alembic’s stands for good measure too; anything to keep her mind from drifting back out to the market, to the stairs she’d watched for nearly half an hour before Suzu came to distract her with work. His work, specifically, but it had been better than sitting on cold stone and wondering.

“Worrying,” Perkunas hums, paws catching her around the ankle. “You’d been worrying. Like you are now.”

“I’m not,” she snips, because she isn’t, not at all. It’s just that Obi and Od Ana exchanged one of those glances of theirs before they left, the kind that came just before a blizzard blew down from the mountains, or before adopted brothers climbed up a balcony to steal her away to the mountains. The kind that said trouble was coming, and they’d have to put themselves right in its path.

Not that she’s been turning that over in her head all afternoon. She hasn’t. It’s just been there, tugging at her thoughts the same way Perkunas tugs at her patience, siphoning off gulps of her attention until--

Well, until things boil over. Which she’s half tempted to do as well, if Perkunas can’t leave her hem alone. “Oh, honestly,” she huffs, ducking down to glower at him. “Aren’t you supposed to be the wise one?”

He only stares back, all glossy eyes and innocence, as if one of his claws weren’t already caught around a stitch. If only she were Od Ana, she could click her beak right at him and let him know just how close he’s coming to her limit, and--

The lab door clanks against the shelves, her only warning before an all-too familiar voice calls out, “My Lady!”

It’s impossible to tell who cries “Obi!” first, but it’s Perkunas who trundles down the stairs so quick it yanks at their tether, hard enough that she hits a hip against the table trying to follow. She hobbles over to the top of the staircase just in time for his head to butt into Obi’s shin, and oh, she feels that all the way back in her mouth, molars jittering together with every descending step.

The hand that scritches behind Perkunas’s round little ears is thoughtless, a habit, but when Obi stops in front of her, smile stitched poorly into place, the space he leaves is purposeful. For a moment, she wishes he might reach for her, might catch her elbow in a palm, but instead he turns to a spooked Suzu and lilts, “Sorry about that. Mind if I whisk her away for a minute?”

“Uh?” Suzu glances between them, wide-eyed. “Go ahead.”

Hermia ruffles her feathers, all mouth when she adds, “Doubt we could stop you.”

It’s Od Ana’s place to click her beak, to drawl a clear, you got that right, but--

But she’s not here. And that, more than anything, makes her breath catch, makes her practically gasp out, “Lead the way.”

It’s strange to see Obi how the guards must, his back to the pillar and arms folded, all his usual warmth filed away for professionalism. Perkunas scampers after him, parking his round bottom right over one of his boots, and-- and it’s the sort of thing that might make her laugh, if he could meet her eyes.

“According to the messenger--” Obi’s voice echoes in the empty hall, a low, rasping thing made for grim conversations and even grimmer secrets “--the royal guard is sending a messenger to Sereg to basically put Mitsuhide under arrest.”

“That’s...” Her tongue plumbs the cavern of her mouth, suddenly strange with unfamiliar words. “That’s absurd. H-how? Why?”

One of his shoulders shrugs, the lazy sort he used to do back when he spent more time hanging down from trees than with his feet on the ground. From when she used to wonder if he had a daemon at all. “The decision is based on the testimony of this knight, Taws.”

And who is he? she wants to ask. How is his word worth so much more than a man like Mitsuhide’s?

All she manages is a strangled, “Mm.” Partially from the anger constricting her throat, and partially--

Ah, well, it’s distracting for Perkunas to paw at him like that, hopping around and bapping at his waist, enough that the wool scratches at her own hands. And when Obi bends down, scooping him up...

“Master didn’t mention any of it in his letter,” he grunts, arranging the chubby body over his shoulder. Perkunas trills, the round dome of his head bonking into Obi’s jaw once, twice, before he figures out how to fit beneath it, like a child who had long outgrown a lap but is loath to admit it. “So I guess he probably hasn’t heard. Yet.”

Shirayuki smooths a palm over her waist; it does nothing for the phantom press there, nor the one just behind her thigh, but, well, it’s hardly unpleasant. “Ah...”

His gaze meets hers over Perkunas’ head, and oh, it would be nice if she could fit as neatly, if only so she might be held when he says, “I’d better look into it.”

Perkunas grunts, annoyed. “Why?”

Obi’s mouth pulls thin. “Because I know for a fact what kind of person Mitsuhide is.”

That steadies her, makes her knees feel more solid than commissary jelly. “Yeah,” she breathes, giving her head a stiff nod. “So do I.”

“What about us?” Perkunas whines, wiggling in his arms. “Do you think they might come after us?”

Obi’s grip stiffens, eyes pulsing wide.

“I won’t let that happen,” he promises, pulling Perkunas closer. He gets another head butt for his troubles. “You just stay here in Lilias, the both of you.”

“But--”

“Okay.” It’s a betrayed look her daemon turns to her, his clownish face rumpled in a grimace, but she just stares at him, serious. “We’ll stay put, if that’s what will help.”

Obi lets out a sigh, his whole body slumping down the pillar in relief, Perkunas cradled tight against his chest. “Yeah, it sure will.”

His head lifts, and Perkunas wiggles again, squirming until his back half plops on the the ground, front paws still clinging to Obi’s shoulders. “Anyway, you little sausage,” he laughs, scrubbing him behind the ears. “If they were gonna threaten Master through you, it wouldn’t make sense to go round about it like this. No--” his brows tilt, thoughtful “--they’re after him and the aides. I’m sure of it.”

“I don’t like it.” It’s so easy for Perkunas to say those things, to play the petulant child when he’s all clumsy cuddles and funny faces. If she tried-- well, there’s a reason she doesn’t. “Couldn’t you just tell them...?”

“Nah, they’ve got enough on their plate. This is my job.” Obi presses his head to his, serious as he says, “So I gotta do it.”

Perkunas sits back, arms hanging sulkily over his belly. “All right,” he whuffs, put out. “If you gotta.”

“That’s the thing,” Obi says, smile too tight. “I really, really do.”

It’s easy to keep her head when it’s all just...logistics. Shikito still has to arrive from Wistal, and Obi has a handful of leads he can chase all from the leisure of his desk. Permissions to seek as well, not the least from Makiri, who won’t be happy to see one of his most experienced guards snatched out from under him right before inspections. The more she doesn’t think about dates or times, the further it seems, like that lunch she keeps promising Izuru or Suzu’s thesis defense.

But when he leaves her in that hall by herself, begging off to go send off a few notes before dinner, it’s--

It’s real. Too real. And much, much too close.

There’s a fluttering by the window, a golden shape taking form on the sill, and all it has to say is, “Shirayuki,” and--

And that’s enough. Her eyes blur, and with a single step she buries her face into Od Ana’s breast.

“I’m not crying,” she tells her, because she can’t be if feathers catch the tears before they ever fall. “It will all be fine. I know it will be.”

“Of course,” Od Ana agrees, beak nuzzling at her hair. “It can’t be anything else.”

And oh, how nice that would be, if only either of them believed it.

[enfyswanders]

Stratford-Upon-Avon: June 26-29, 2024

As an English major and theater nerd, I pretty much had to visit Stratford-Upon-Avon, the hometown of William Shakespeare. Surprisingly, though, the highlights of this part of the trip for me weren't actually Shakespeare-related, though the Shakespeare tourism was really cool.

My first day there, I wandered around near my hotel and found a Ferris wheel to ride. I bought a ticket and got the whole ride to myself.

(Above: View from said Ferris wheel.)

After riding the Ferris wheel, I heard a four-piece band of preteens out busking in the plaza and absolutely slaying "Killing In the Name" by Rage Against the Machine.

I stayed to listen to their entire set, a set which seemed to be curated specifically to part Boomers through Millennials from their money. I wrote down all the songs I could remember at the end of the day:

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana

"Zombie" by The Cranberries

"Glory Box" by Portishead (?!?!?!)

"7 Nation Army" by the White Stripes

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra

"Sweet Home Alabama" by Leonard Skynyrd

I can't overstate how incredibly talented these kids were. I feel so blessed to have been able to catch their show. I tipped them £5 and asked them to promise never to stop making music.

Also: Look at the geese by the Ferris wheel and River Avon! (Fun fact: Avon means "river," so it's the "River River.") (Another fun fact: "Stratford-Upon-Avon" means "The Street Where You Cross the River.")

Another non-Shakespeare highlight was my visit was the MAD Museum, full of mechanical art, automata, and Rube Goldberg-style devices. It's fairly small, but I had an absolute blast wandering around and admiring everything.

But, of course, I also did Shakespeare things. My first full day in town, I bought a ticket for one of those open-top, hop-on/hop-off bus tours, which was recommended in the Rick Steves guide as being the best way to get out to see Anne Hathaway's (Shakespeare's wife's) childhood home, which is just a bit outside of town.

It was well worth the money and the trip. Her cottage is beautiful, and was in her family for several generations. You can see some sections that are fairly authentic to when she would've grown up there, and then there's an enormous garden, which includes a lot of really neat sculptures.

I also visited Shakespeare's grave, inside Holy Trinity Church. At the time Shakespeare lived, it was common practice to dig up people's graves about 20 years after they were buried, to make room for new bodies. Shakespeare was appalled by this, and not only arranged to be buried inside the church, he also wrote a curse to be placed on his resting place:

"Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones."

While I was in town, I was hoping to see a performance of something by Shakespeare, but apparently I visited when there were no Shakespeare performances to be had. Instead, I visited the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and saw a production of Kyoto, a gripping political thriller based on a true story about the UN Climate Talks.

The protagonist(?) in the play is an American lawyer who served under Reagan, who after Reagan's second term was hired by OPEC to sabotage the UN Climate Talks. I never thought someone could make UN parliamentary procedure gripping, but I was wrong. I was on the edge of my seat for this play. If you ever get a chance to see it, do.

The theatre itself was beautiful, and almost completely in-the-round. I had a fantastic seat on the second level, only slightly off-center from the midpoint of the stage.

I don't have photos of them, but I also visited Shakespeare's New Place (which is mostly just a fabulous garden) and saw the exhibit for Shakespeare's Birthplace (the latter had a super long, slow line to get into the birthplace itself, and a lot of people in line were coughing, so I opted not to go in).

The most important Shakespeare-related thing I did during my visit, however, was having high tea at the Shakespaw Cat Cafe.

All the cats there are named after Shakespeare characters. Above, Horatio is trying to steal Hamlet's treats, and I'm holding Raven, an adorable kitten who blessed me by crawling into my lap and snoozing for a bit. 10/10, would drink tea and pet kitties again.

Things that made me giggle during this part of the trip:

[dreamedtakeoff]

Places to visit in Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸. 4k.

1. Royal Palace

2. Almudena Cathedral

3. Sabatini Gardens

4. Plaza de la Villa

5. Plaza Mayor

6. Gran Vía Avenue

7. Puerta de Alcalá

8. Retiro Park

9. Retiro Pond

10. Egyptian temple of Debod

11. Madrid Rio Park

12. Arganzuela's Monumental Bridge

#travel #spain #madrid #madridcentro #madridespaña #walkingtour #royalpalace #placestovisit #almudena #sabatini #sabatinigardens #plazadelavilla #plazamayor #granvia #puertadealcala #alcala #retiro #retiropark #parquedelretiro #retiropond #debod #templodeldebod #madridrio #arganzuela #architecture #walkingtour #4k

[vaquitap1nk]

Pure Vanilla Cookie & (Y/N) Cookie: A Hint of Vanilla

It's Father's Day. It was sunny, and it was the perfect weather. Pure Vanilla Cookie and baby (Y/N) Cookie was in the garden, while Pure Vanilla Cookie was tending to the widespread garden of various flowers. The little baby Cookie was fast asleep for their morning nap nearby.

Two bluebirds sat on the fountain, like they were put on watch duty to watch over the little Cookie while Pure Vanilla Cookie got to work.

Within a few minutes, Pure Vanilla Cookie was finished tending to the various flowers in the garden. As soon as he finished, familiar Cookies came to greet him.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie!" one Cookie shouted, "Are you here?"

Pure Vanilla Cookie turned to the direction of the voice and smiled.

"Gingerbrave, Strawberry Cookie, Wizard Cookie, and Custard Cookie III! What brings you here?"

"We wanted to wish you a Happy Father's Day! I hope you're not too busy.." replied Strawberry Cookie.

"No no, you're fine! I was just tidying up the garden. You actually caught me at a good time."

A blueberry tweeted and sat on Pure Vanilla Cookie's flower staff.

"Hello Bluebird!" said Pure Vanilla Cookie, "What can I do for you?"

The Bluebird kept tweeting, and Pure Vanilla Cookie kept nodding like he completely understood what the bird was saying.

"My friends, would you like to come see (Y/N) Cookie? They just woke up from their morning nap."

Pure Vanilla Cookie took the children inside the white lily greenhouse. Under the gazebo was a small crib, surrounded by many bouquets of vanilla orchid flowers, given by the inhabitants when the baby was born.

Pure Vanilla Cookie set his staff down and picked up the little baby. The little baby wore a small waffle cone hat, and around their little onesie what a small ornament of the typical blue ice cream cone symbol.

"Hello, my little vanilla bean," Pure Vanilla Cookie said softly, "Did you have a good nap?"

The little Cookie yawned and rubbed their eyes.

Custard Cookie III walked up to the Cookie like he knew them.

"Oh look at that!" he said, excited, "Another royal! As a future king I must introduce myself. I am Custard Cookie III, your future king! I appoint you as my subject!"

Wizard Cookie turned to Custard Cookie III.

"You do realize that the baby is indeed royalty, right?"

"Ah yes, that's right!" Custard Cookie III said as he turned back to the baby Cookie, "You're always welcome to visit at anytime!"

(Y/N) Cookie laughed.

"Want to go to Father's Day breakfast with me? We're getting ready to go to the plaza for a hearty feast."

Gingerbrave's eyes glistened. "Yeah! Let's go!"

At the plaza, the Vanillian residents were all helping themselves to a lovely feast of different foods with their fathers and father figures. (Y/N) Cookie, still a baby, fed on fresh milk, locally from the Vanilla Kingdom. Safety first! Pure Vanilla Cookie made sure that the milk was consumable.

"Mm yum, this food is delicious," shouted Gingerbrave Cookie, "Thank you so much, Pure Vanilla Cookie!"

"Anytime, my friends."

Pure Vanilla Cookie laughed as one hand was holding and feeding the bottle to the baby, while the other hand was feeding himself. Occasionally he'd stop to make sure that the baby wasn't choking on the milk.

"Happy Father's Day, Pure Vanilla Cookie."

It was Black Raisin Cookie.

Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled. "Black Raisin Cookie! Thank you so much, my friend."

(Y/N) Cookie immediately recognized Black Raisin Cookie and yearned to go to her. Black Raisin Cookie, was surprised to say the least.

"You want to come to me? How do I even hold a baby? I don't want to cause them any harm!"

With Black Raisin Cookie's one arm, Pure Vanilla Cookie showed her how to properly hold the little Cookie. (Y/N) Cookie stared at her with wonder and amazement and snuggled to her. Pure Vanilla Cookie passed Black Raisin Cookie the bottle so the little Cookie can continue feeding.

A little while later, after Gingerbrave and the others had left, (Y/N) Cookie was fast asleep in Black Raisin Cookie's arms. The little Cookie was having what others call, a "food coma".

"Where do you want me to put them, Pure Vanilla Cookie?" Black Raisin Cookie asked.

"Hand them over to me, I would like to sit outside in the garden to admire this beautiful day with them."

And that's what Pure Vanilla Cookie did. Him, the baby in his arms, and the joys of nature were harmoniously existing together, as the faint chitter chatter of the denizens lurked nearby fountain. Sounds of splashing of the water fountain, the tweeting of the birds, just the whole environment itself was enough to give Pure Vanilla Cookie peace.

"I love you, my little vanilla bean." Pure Vanilla Cookie whispered as he kissed (Y/N) Cookie's forehead, with them smiling faintly afterwards.

- 🌧️ anon (that's right, I'm the writer!)

DEAR GOD THE PART WITH BLACO RAISING, THE PART WITH BLACK RAISIN OMG OMG OMG OMG I LOVE THIS, I LOVE THIS SO MUCH

[queenamayaofrosas]

Queen Amaya's Royal Announcements:

All About Rosas!

Greetings, my fellow Rosans! Today, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate our beautiful kingdom, Rosas! We are a land steeped in vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and most importantly, the warmest, most welcoming people in all the realms!

From the bustling marketplaces of Soleil Plaza to the serene rose gardens of Whisperwood, Rosas offers something for everyone. Tell me, in the comments below, what's your favorite part of our kingdom?

[mistressmdc]

Disney Dreamlight Valley

Ever since I saw Sims YouTuber, deligracy, play the demo of Disney Dreamlight Valley, I knew I had to get the game. I really wanted to wait until actual release, but I decided to purchase the Ultimate Edition when it was on sale on Nintendo Switch (several days or so ago from when I post this).

Before I go into my gameplay experience so far, this is a reminder that this game is still in early access. It's basically public beta testing. There will be bugs. Lots of bugs. From my experience on Switch so far, I had issues of the game crashing whenever I unlock characters. There were a few times when I'm unable to exit the in-game menu. Sometimes the map will show nothing but my avatar's head of where I am currently located. Other than that, I've been having fun doing the quests and meeting the characters. The dialog is charming and it's been fun going through the story/lore.

The gameplay itself is straight forward. You do quests. You can do multiple quests at the same time. You garden, fish, go mining, talk to the other characters, etc. You can go through the daily duties to gain dreamlight to unlock biomes/realms or complete quests. If you're someone like me, I like to grind to acquire money. You'll need a lot of money to upgrade homes/stalls or build houses for characters. You'll also use that money to buy cosmetic things like clothes and other stuff to place in your house/biomes. However as you do things with the royal tools, your energy level depletes. To gain back your energy, you need to either go back home or sit somewhere. So here's a tip, once you get the recipe to craft a chair. Craft all the chairs and place them everywhere so you don't have to keep going back home/Plaza.

I also highly recommend crafting a bunch of storage boxes and placing them everywhere. Even though you have the option of selling your items to Goofy in every biome, it's nice to have the storage option especially when you're gathering items for a quest. Whenever I have multiple quests going on at the same time, I'll put aside the already gathered items into storage so I have room in my backpack inventory. I tend to place both a chair and storage box next to the stall Goofy operates to buy/sell items.

Spoiler Alert! I know this is Goofy's "birthday", but my head canon is that he's a Shawol.

[abookishdreamer]

Character Intro: Neicus (Kingdom of Ichor)

Nickname- The Blond Brain by Dione

Age- 35 (immortal)

Location- Skyline district, New Olympus

Personality- He's intellectual, cool, & suave, viewing debate as one of the greatest intellectual arts. He's single.

He has the standard abilities of a god except shapeshifting. As the god of debate & appeal his other powers/abilities include speech manipulation, dispute inducement, vocal projection, and seductive magnetism.

Some members of his family includes his younger sister Dimósia (goddess of debate) & niece Peitho (goddess of persuasion & sensuality). His relationship with his sister is good despite their busy schedules, but he hasn't been around his niece much.

Neicus shares a condo in the Skyline neighborhood of New Olympus. He lives in The Parthenos Plaza with his best friend Favian (god of philosophy). Neicus gets around in a sleek silver sports car & has been thinking about possibly getting a pet griffin!

He takes great pride in his appearance and physicality. Neicus has a whole skincare routine & keeps his facial hair neatly trimmed. He often frequents the medical office of Paean (goddess of physicians) at the royal palace on Mt. Olympus for teeth whitening, the plaza's gym for a high cardio workout, and the Gold Rays tanning studio for a healthy looking golden bronze glow. Neicus describes his personal style as "sophisticated casual." He opts for quality over quantity when it comes to his wardrobe- pressed silk shirts, khakis, as well as fine leather shoes, sneakers, & sandals going upward of 500 drachmas a pop! He also has his suits expertly tailored.

A go-to drink for him is a white russian. He also likes dry martinis, scotch on the rocks, pinot grigio, champagne, negronis, rum & cokes, and beer. His usual from The Roasted Bean is a large decaf espresso.

His go-to thing to eat for breakfast is the chipotle chicken, scrambled egg, & avacado sandwich on ciabatta bread from The Bread Box. He'll also order hash browns, sweet potato home fries, and turkey sausage patties from The Hearthside Diner.

Neicus' bond with Favian is deep. They like to think of themselves as brothers. They even got matching friendship tattoos on the inside of their wrists.

A guilty pleasure for him are buffalo wings! He opts for a 20 piece whenever he goes to Olympic Chef.

Neicus' main source of income comes from being the head of the communications department at New Olympus University. He personally teaches the new media communications class. Neicus is also an esteemed speechwriter, even writing the speech that King Zeus delivered on the country's millennial anniversary celebration! For other means of income he models for/endorses Platinum Alchemy, Cerulean Stone, Ouránio Théama, & Thunderstruck (Zeus' underwear brand). Neicus is also a frequent political commentator on The Agnostic Network. With his personal ventures, he's trying to step into the world of professional boxing.

His favorite dessert is the mille-feuille from Salon du Sucre, the patisserie owned by Aphrodite (goddess of love & beauty).

In the pantheon Neicus is friends with Pathos (god of emotion), Litismós (goddess of culture), Sophia (goddess of thought); his best friend's sister, Porus (god of resourcefulness), Eikono (goddess of iconography & literature), Nomos (god of laws), Horkos (god of oaths), Kéfi (goddess of mirth), Aion (god of time, eternity, & the zodiacs), Aplistos (god of avarice), Dione, Momus (god of mockery, satire, & ridicule), Amphictyonis (Amy) (goddess of diplomacy), Hydros (god of water), several river gods including Achelous (god of freshwater), Priapus (god of fertility, vegetable gardens, livestock, sexuality, & masculinity), Rhapso (goddess of sewing), and Chiron (the immortal centaur).

As for his love life, Neicus is enjoying not being tied down in a relationship. A new development has been him & Rhapso getting more flirtatious and familiar with each other, including a situation that happened in her dressing room where Neicus gave her a foot massage after she was complaining about her stiletto heels. Despite finding her incredibly attractive, he hasn't made a real move for fear of ruining their friendship. Neicus shared a kiss with Apheleia (goddess of simplicity) at an induction ceremony & has dated Nymphe (goddess of self-care). He's currently seeing a theater actress, a mortal woman named Petroula Aetos.

His all time favorite food are king crab sushi rolls.

In his free time Neicus enjoys reading, writing, playing video games, football (soccer), swimming, golf, sunbathing, basketball, poker, tennis, bike riding, playing pool, and surfing.

"You don't win a debate by suppressing discussion. You win it with a better argument."

[signedtimes]

The Best Reasons to Visit Seoul

Seoul is one of the world's largest cities and the capital of South Korea. The city with more than 10 million people is the political, cultural and economic center of South Korea. The vibrant city with 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and numerous museums as well as grand Shopping plazas, markets, restaurants and skyscrapers is a preferred tourist destination. This is an overview of Seoul's major tourist attractions.

Gyeongbok Palace located in Seoul's major avenue, Sejongro is the most popular royal palace of the country. The grand palace built in the 1300s, later destroyed and restructured many times, has magnificent arched gates, gorgeous pavilions and halls featuring Korea's architectural beauty. Changdeokgung Palace is another famous Seoul palace and this 15th century historic palace encompasses beautiful buildings, secret gardens and castles. Walk through the Bukchon Village, a scenic area that has numerous conventional Korean wooden homes 'hanok'. Stroll down the alleys with architectural courtyards, beautiful outer walls and tiled roofs. It has also many old-fashioned cafés, restaurants and popular art galleries.

Shinsegae Department Store is one of the most popular shopping centers in Seoul. You will get all types of products here including fresh fish, fruits, traditional foods like kimchi, brand name shoes, cloths and more, arranged on different floors. Lotte and Hyundai stores are the other two big centers and the food court of Lotte is also notable. Bugaksan is the peak near the Blue House and is an ideal place for hiking. It offers a fantastic view of the city at a height of 342 meters. Here you can take-in Seoul's ancient fortress and many scenic areas nearby. National Museum of Korea that holds more than 220, 000 objects is the largest in the country. It has vast exhibition halls, 6 permanent display galleries, a children's museum, restaurants and more. Leeum Samsung Museum of Art is another best-known museum and is notable for its wonderful architecture and impressive collection.

Itaewon neighborhood close to the U. S. Army base is very popular among foreign tourists. This expatriate-friendly area has numerous trendy clubs, bars, restaurants and shops that sell various products. Club Volume featuring the best DJs and French café Le Saint Ex are particularly notable and enjoy a dinner at Kate's Kitchen. Trip Insadong, the famed cultural art market and view its great collection of Korean paintings, sculptures and more. Stroll along the beautiful, 5. 8 km long Cheonggyecheon Stream to enjoy the natural beauty and relax. The calm stream is 15 ft. below street level and has many petite falls and overhead bridges to enjoy.

Round-the-clock Namdaemun market is the busiest market that has thousands of shops arranged in many multi-story buildings, countless vendor booths and food stalls offering traditional cuisine. The vibrant street is the best to buy a range of items at incredibly low prices. The War Memorial of Korea is actually an enormous military museum and is a must visit for history buffs. The renowned memorial that holds planes, guns and tanks narrates the history of wars the country had fought with many of its enemies, but mainly its neighbor North Korea.