#Sel-Defeating

[xtruss]

Deadly Deal

— Liu Rui | July 30, 2023

Illustration: Liu Rui/Global Times

Self-Defeating

— Liu Rui | August 01, 2023

Illustration: Liu Rui/Global Times

Wreaking Havoc

— Liu Rui | July 26, 2023

Illustration: Liu Rui/Global Times

US' Self-limiting Plan

— Liu Rui | July 20, 2023

Illustration: Liu Rui/Global Times

NED Democracy’s Trojan Horse

— Liu Rui | May 16, 2022

Illustration: Liu Rui/Global Times

[selvepnea]

Picking up bg3 again

[riaki]

guys pls consider… lifeguard!gojo bit inspired by a post i saw a long time ago from @/shotorus, thank u sel + inez !

lifeguard!gojo, who signs you in for a pool session and gives you the wrong time-slot wristband because he’s too busy gawking at you with hearts in his blue eyes to notice he registered you to swim for 12pm-2pm. when, in reality, it’s 4pm in the afternoon and the hot sun is slowly sinking in the sky.

lifeguard!gojo, who mistakes your polite attempts to correct him as signs of disinterest; he sees things through romance-tinted glasses. of course he can't keep a wounded pride, and so he makes it his saturday afternoon goal to win your heart. after all, who in their right mind would reject him in all his dashing chlorine scented glory?

lifeguard!gojo, who reintroduces himself all suave and cool and he thinks it's working mid-hair slick-back— until he gets smacked in the face by a stray rubber ball, and his sunglasses go flying. it leaves a red spot of hashmarks on his nose, like the ball was a cookie cutter and he was the dough. but he doesn't mind, because he got to hear your pretty laugh as you pick up his shades and hand them back to him, albeit at his own expense. you even say a cute thing or two about the chipped popsicle sticker on the frame.

lifeguard!gojo, who's unreasonably (and immaturely) upset over the fact he can't seductively rub sunscreen into your back because you already have beforehand. but he's not complaining; it smells good when he's forced a little closer to you to avoid a rampaging train of kids running across the pool deck. he should yell at them, but the smell of summery citrus and sea salt wafting on the humid breeze distracts him.

lifeguard!gojo, who pours every ounce of his remaining energy into gettin your attention the entire time you're there— with loud whistle blows from the scribble-adorned plastic whistle hanging from his neck, grabbing your attention, only to just offer a charming wink in your direction. or, squeezing idle small talk between every lap you swim, teasing you with a lazy grin on his lips from under his shaded lifeguard stand when you complain about the heat of the blazing sun.

lifeguard!gojo, who ropes his poor, exhausted snack stand friend with the blonde hair and dark shadows beneath his eyes into helping him— when you give up on swimming laps and begrudgingly let him convince you into going down the waterslides as if you’re a nine year old with neon pink inflatable buoy rings around your arms.

lifeguard!gojo, who forces nanami (snack stand man) to ‘accidentally’ send you down the slide early— you’re caught up in the surprise, the sound of rushing water and kids shouting and a cicada’s buzz filling your ears— and before you know it you’re tossed into the bottom of the pool by the stream of water, disoriented and panicking until two steady arms fish you out of the pool.

lifeguard!gojo, who ‘rescues you from drowning’ holding you bridal style to his chest with his sunglasses balanced on the edge of his nose, letting you catch a glimpse of his uncanny blue eyes hidden beneath his dripping white hair. his whistle lanyard hangs loosely around his neck, drawing a line down the center of his toned chest.

lifeguard!gojo, who can’t help but double over as he laughs obnoxiously— boyishly when he gets to watch your face flush cherry as you scramble to get out of his arms and fall straight back into the refreshing water with a splash.

lifeguard!gojo, who’s forced to reconcile with what he thinks is defeat when he gets you kicked out of the pool early because of his earnest registering mistake— and in doing so, you forget your ring on the pool deck. it's just your luck— you don't even realize it until the sun's almost set and you’re halfway home.

lifeguard!gojo, who’s cleaning up and getting ready to close for the night when he spots a gleam of silver reflecting the hazy purple sunset, and he recognizes it as your jewelry (even though that was the first time he ever met you). of course he'd remember it— he'd been absentmindedly staring at your fingers, burning them into his mind; imagining how they'd feel in his damp hair.

lifeguard!gojo, who slips your ring into his pocket after trying it on and marveling at how small your hands must be in comparison to his.

lifeguard!gojo, who’s cleaning out the gutters, waist deep in the pool, when he hears your voice again— pretty like birdsong in the spring, dew gathering on the fragile petals of blooming petals.

lifeguard!gojo, who waits for you to come in— the gate was unlocked— and watches as you kneel on the concrete deck, elbows on your knees as you smile down at him. you look really cute, with your hair falling over your face like that, framed by the dying sunlight.

lifeguard!gojo, who’s a little disheartened when you tell him all you came back for was your ring, and not him. or his phone number.

lifeguard!gojo, who disappears beneath the water for a moment— then resurfaces from the pool dripping wet, hair clinging to his face while he acts as though he'd found your ring at the bottom of the pool. "it's stainless steel, yeah? don't worry about rust." he reassures you with a chuckle when you panic; he thinks it's cute.

lifeguard!gojo, who holds the ring just out of your grasp when you make a grab for it, laughing as you almost fall right into the pool.

lifeguard!gojo, who tells you he'll only give it back if you give him your phone number in exchange as he climbs out of the pool and sits next to you, on the gutters, the sound of rushing water filling his ear.

lifeguard!gojo, who, sitting by your side, focuses on the way the pool looks with the lights turned on, an ethereal underwater dreamscape distorted by the incessant moving water. a way of distracting himself from how beautiful you look in the painted sunset.

lifeguard!gojo, who gets his first taste of you when you ask him to face you; you muffle his yelp of surprise, but it doesn’t matter because you taste even better than you smell, a sweetness like crystal rock candy and blueberries on his tongue when his lips meet yours.

lifeguard!gojo, who takes the opportunity to catch your wrist and slide your ring back onto your finger with a quick lingering kiss to your cheek; his lips are a little wet from his earlier pool dip, but the dreamy look in your eyes tells him you don’t mind.

lifeguard!gojo, who sees you out, still riding on the thrill of your lips; the pride in his chest now that he's got your contact saved on his phone with an excessive amount of heart emojis and a (˘ڡ˘ς) next to your name.

lifeguard!gojo, who can't wait for the next time you come back to the pool, and who ignores the angry slew of texts from his boss scolding him for leaving the gate unlocked in favor of the selfie you send him.

you: [ one image attached ]

lifeguard boy 🛟🤍 : GAYATTTTT LET ME HIT PLSPLSPLSS 🙈🙈😝😝😝😋😋🤞🔥🔥🔥⁉️‼️🔞💯💯😼😻💺💺🗽

bonus: nanami gets u two popsicles to share tagging @sugumimi NAOMI I HOPE THIS IS WHAT U WERE TALKING AB my (riaki) stuff. don’t repost and/or plagiarize !

[scoonsalicious]

Unwanted: Chapter 7, Unburdened - Pt. 1

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Fem!Reader

Summary: When your FWB relationship with your best friend Bucky Barnes turns into something more, you couldn’t be happier. That is, however, until a new Avenger sets her sights on your super soldier and he inadvertently breaks your heart. You take on a mission you might not be prepared for to put some distance between the two of you and open yourself up to past traumas. Too bad the only one who can help you heal is the one person you can no longer trust.

Warnings: (For this part only; see Story Masterlist for general Warnings) Language, brutal honesty, mentions of some sexy stuff, but no actual sex-on-page, mention of m masturbation,

Word Count: 3k

Previously On...: Bucky spent the entire evening at Jade Carthage's side, and when he calls her "doll," you had enough and stormed off. The two of you have the very first argument of your friendship, and now Bucky says you need to talk...

A/N: I had a very shitty and emotionally draining evening yesterday, so I didn't get any writing done, unfortunately. But I need to make myself feel better somehow, so let's post Chapter 7! I think many of you will agree with me when I say "Fucking finally!" to what transpires here! Alas, though, there are plenty of emotional ups and downs still to come, because that's just life, isn't it?

Also, I finally watched Lisa Frankenstein to cheer myself up last night. What a delightfully messed up, fun, campy romp that was! Highly recommend if you haven't already!

Banner By: The absolutely amazing @mrsbuckybarnes1917

Taglist: (Please let me know if you’d like to be added!) @jmeelee @cazellen @blackhawkfanatic @les-sel @marcswife21 @buckybarnessimpp @mrsbuckybarnes1917 @erelierraceala @hayjat @capswife @itsteambarnes @jupiter-107 @marygoddessofmischief @sebastians-love @learisa @lethallyprotected @rabbitrabbit12321

The silence in your room felt deafening as you closed the door behind Bucky. For the very first time in your friendship, it felt awkward having him in your space, and you could tell he felt it, too. You crossed over to your sitting area and sat in one of your arm chairs, curling up into yourself. Bucky sat in the chair opposite you, leaning his elbows on his thighs to support his weight. The two of you just stared into space for a long moment, avoiding the other's gaze.

"You wanted to talk," you said eventually, "so talk."

Bucky looked up to meet your eyes, and you could see the sadness and defeat in them. "I'm sorry, Pocket. You're right, I've been an ass all night. I didn't do it with the intention to hurt you, but I hurt you anyway because I wasn't thinking about how my actions would affect you, and that's almost worse. I'm sorry."

You exhaled and looked away from him, afraid that if you held his gaze for too long, you wouldn't be able to stop the tears that would certainly come. "Listen, Buck," you said, swallowing hard, "if you're interested in pursuing something with Jade, that's... well, it's your life, you're free to date whoever you want. We never put any labels or rules on whatever this thing between us is, so I know I don't have any right to be jealous, but watching you flirt so openly with her right in front of me, like I didn't even exist? I can't begin to explain to you how worthless and small that made me feel. So, if you think you want to try for something with her, you have to let me know so I can try to move on, because I can't sit around and watch it happen. It's too painful."

When you looked back over at him, Bucky had gotten up and was now kneeling on the floor in front of you, practically beaming as he took you in.

"Why are you smiling like a lunatic?" you asked, an edge of concern in your voice. "You're creeping me out."

"Pocket," he murmured, cupping your face in his hands as he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. For a moment, you considered pulling away, but the feel of his lips on your skin was such a comfort, you stayed still. "My absolute one and only doll, you've got it all wrong. I let you get the wrong idea and stew with it and I am so, so sorry."

You did pull away at that. "What are you talking about? How do I have the wrong idea?"

Bucky leaned back until he was resting on his heels. "I am interested in Jade, that's true." He took your hands in his as you felt your heart drop into your stomach. "But not in the way you think." He brought your hands to his lips and began placing kisses across your knuckles. "Doll, there's only been one girl I've been interested in pursuing something with in the last seventy-five years, and I'm sitting across from her right now."

You shook your head, sure you had misheard him. "I don't understand."

He chuckled and looked up at you through his lashes, the sight so beautiful, your breath caught in your chest. "Pocket, I have been crazy about you since the moment you made that god-awful 'unarmed' joke. At first I thought a girl as pretty as you, as smart as you, as good as you, you'd never give a guy like me, even without my history, a second look, and I'd be content to just watch you from the sidelines, you know? Watch you be beautiful and bright and I'd be happy my world was a better place just because you were in it.

"But you went outta your way to be nice to me. You talked Tolkien with me, you wanted to spend time with me, you wanted to be my friend, and I thought 'This is already more than you deserve, it's more than enough.' Then, when I had my nightmare, you didn't run away. You stayed. You stayed, and you understood, you let me hold you, and I-I was a goner for you. And that night...," he groaned at the memory, "God, that night you kissed me back, and you let me touch you, in all the ways I dreamed of touching you, all the ways I'd imagined touching you while I fucked my fist for practically a year, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to give you up after that.

"You'd told me about your past, how you were scared of relationships but, sweetheart, I was so greedy, I'd take any part of you you were willing to give me, your friendship, your body, even if it wasn't ever gonna be your heart. I'd take any crumb you offered me, and I'd be grateful for it."

You blinked your eyes repeatedly, dazed by his confession and unable to articulate words. Bucky's face fell as your silence stretched on.

"You don't feel the same way," he said, voice low as he stood up. "I'm sorry-- I-I shouldn't have dumped all of that on you. I'll go--." He turned and made steps toward your door, but you jumped up, reaching out to grab his arm.

"Bucky, wait," you turned him back to face you and brought your lips crashing to his with such intensity that he stumbled backwards a few steps before wrapping his arms around you to kiss you back.

"I love you," you gasped when you broke apart for air, breathing out a laugh when his eyes widened comically in shock. "I'm so fucking in love with you that it terrifies me, because it's an entirely brand new experience and I don't know how to do it. I'm so worried that I'm going to fuck it up and scare you away, or that you're gonna realize I'm not worth it and I don't even know how to live without you anymore."

Bucky held your face between his hands. "Are you serious right now?" he asked, eyes searching yours for any trace of deception. "You're not fucking with me?"

You shook your head emphatically, bringing your hands up to cover his. "No, no, I'm completely serious. I love you, James Buchanan Barnes." You laughed; the more you said the words, the more you realized how entirely true they were. "I love you and I've been so insanely jealous all night because I thought you were interested in her."

Bucky looked down at you with the brightest smile, like the sun shining after a storm, before pulling you toward him so he could kiss you again. You hadn't even realized you'd started to cry until, after Bucky had pulled away, he was brushing the tears from your cheeks.

"I love you, Pocket," he whispered as he began peppering kisses across your face. "I love you and I'm so sorry for everything I did tonight that would make you doubt that you're the most important person in my life and the best thing to ever happen to me."

The reminder of his earlier actions drew you out of the emotional haze his declaration had put you in. "Wait," you said, pulling back and putting some distance between the two of you, "if you've been in love with me this whole time, how come you've been weird about Jade ever since you saw her profile in those folders Tony gave us?" Bucky ran a hand down his face and sighed. Taking your hand, he led you back to the armchair you'd previously vacated and sat, pulling you down to sit on his lap and wrapping his arms around you.

"I told you that I am interested in Jade," he began, but when he felt you tense beneath him, he quickly continued, "but I'm not interested in dating her, or sleeping with her. You're the only girl who's got my attention in those departments." He paused to nuzzle at the junction of your neck and shoulder and you took the opportunity to run your fingers through his hair.

"Go on," you gently urged him.

"I'm interested in getting to know Jade, in talking to her, because she's... well, she's like me, you know? She's got the serum, and I don't know anyone else who's got it that's still alive."

You put a finger on his chin, tilting his face up to meet yours. "But, Steve," you said, somewhat confused, "he's got the serum, too, and you talk to him all the time."

Bucky sighed and shook his head. "Steve's got Erskine's serum," he told you. "The one made by the U.S. Government. The one that they-- that Hydra-- used on me, it was similar, but not the same."

"It's the same one that was used on Jade," you said, understanding dawning on you.

Bucky nodded. "Not exact, but what's running through her veins evolved from what's runnin' through mine. And they never put her through cryo, she's never been wiped. She was conscious through everything they put her through, all the experiments, the tests... I was excited to think that there was someone I could talk to about it, who understood. Someone who could maybe help me fill in some of the blanks I still have. Answer the questions I've been too ashamed to ask Steve."

"Oh, Buck," you hummed, running your nails gently across his scalp, "Baby, why didn't you ever say anything?"

He arched into your touch. "Because you've already had to put up with enough of my shit," he said. "I didn't want to burden you with any more of it."

You stopped your scratching ministrations and looked at him. "Now listen here, Barnes," you began, your tone serious, "the last thing you could ever be to me is a burden. I have never met anyone who was funnier, kinder, braver, more selfless or caring than you. You're a fucking gift, Bucky. One that I am endlessly grateful for, everyday."

Bucky groaned. "Pocket, you can't just say things like that while you're sitting on my lap. I try to be a gentleman, but I've got my limits."

You laughed and leaned into him, resting your head against him. You picked up his right hand and began tracing his fingers with your own.

"If me talkin' to Jade makes you any kind of uncomfortable, doll, I promise I'll never speak to, or even look at, her again." He caught your eye and you could see the seriousness of his statement in them. You leaned in to press a chaste kiss to his lips.

"I'm never going to tell you who you can't be friends with, Buck," you told him with a sigh. "I admit that I don't love the idea of you spending one-on-one time with her alone or anything, but I'm also not going to stand in the way of you getting answers you need about your past. But you tell me the second she tries something," you warned. "Super soldier or not, she comes for my man, I'm gonna kick her fucking ass."

"You've got nothin' to worry about, darlin'. I told you, in seventy-five years, it's only been you. Seventy-five years more, it's still always only ever be you." His words made your heart swell in your chest and you leaned in to kiss him again. "Mm, but say that again," he told you.

"The part where I'm gonna kick her ass?" you asked with a smirk.

"No," he said, nipping at the sensitive skin at the pulse point on your neck, "the part where you called me your man."

You shifted so you could wrap your arms around his neck, toying with the soft hairs at the nape. You leaned in close so you could whisper in his ear: "You're my man, Bucky Barnes." A full shiver went through Bucky's body at your words and you relished in the effect you had over him. He ran his vibranium hand up under the back of your shirt, tracing gentle circles on the skin of your lower back.

"And you're always gonna be my girl, Pocket." His flesh hand came up to brush a strand of hair behind your ear, the motion, combined with his words, so tender your breath hitched.

Something seemed to shift in that moment, the air growing thick and heady between you, as if you were both just realizing the new depth of your relationship for the first time.

"Bucky," you breathed, voice barely a whisper, eyes pleading.

He nodded and, placing one hand at the small of your back and the other under your knees and scooping you up as he stood. With the utmost care, he laid you down on the mattress of your bed and rested his body over yours, careful not to put too much of his weight on top of you.

"This feels different," he said as brushed your hair away from your face.

"Good different or bad different?" you asked, bringing your hands up to cup his face, the stubble scratching your palms.

"The very best different." He leaned down, bringing his lips to yours. The kiss was unlike any you'd shared before-- sweeter, more languid, as though you'd been forced to rush every previous kiss and you were both finally allowed to take your time. Bucky tasted like smoked whiskey as his tongue made leisurely sweeps across your mouth, eliciting a moan from you when he sucked on your bottom lip.

You could feel your arousal pooling between your thighs as you kissed, Bucky's flesh hand roaming up the soft skin of your side. He shifted, pressing more of his weight against you, as if he were desperate to be closer, and you could feel the hard press of his erection against your thigh.

You rocked your hips up against his pelvis, drawing a guttural moan from Bucky's throat. He pulled back, drawing himself up on his haunches. His fingers found their way to the hem of your shirt, teasing the edges as he looked up at you, silently asking you for permission. You nodded, sitting up and raising your hands over your head so he could slide your shirt off. As soon as it was free of your arms, Bucky tossed it aside and brought his lips to your shoulder, kissing his way across your collarbone.

Reaching down, you grabbed the hem of his Henley, slowly rolling it up over his abdomen, placing soft kisses on the hard lines of muscles it revealed. Once you'd fully divested him of his shirt, you let your hands roam the broad expanse of his chest, your lips and tongue trailing open-mouthed kisses across the raised pink scars at his mangled shoulder.

"You don't have to," he said, subtly pulling his shoulder back.

"Shush." You pulled him closer, continuing to kiss his puckered flesh. "I love every inch of you, Bucky. You're beautiful."

He pulled away from you, blue eyes boring into yours like he couldn't believe what he was seeing in front of him.

"How are you even real?" he asked, bringing your lips to his once again, his kisses growing more desperate. "I swear to God, Pocket, 'm gonna take you out, date you so fuckin' hard. Be the best goddamned boyfriend you've ever had."

He wanted to be your boyfriend. Not long ago, those words might have terrified you, but now, with the emotions you'd finally both let yourselves express, they thrilled you.

"You gonna take me to brunch, Barnes?" you teased, nipping at his skin as you rolled your hips up into his, your words coming out in gasps between the mewls of pleasure he was drawing from you. "We goin' to the farmer's market? Fuck--- Spend weekends at bed-n-breakfasts in Vermont?"

Bucky growled as he ground his hips down into yours, the length of his erection pressing down against your clothed clit and making you moan. "Sweetheart, I'll do anything you want. You wanna ride around the city on one of those tandem bicycles?" A dragging of his hips that had you arching your back. "I'm here for it. You wanna share a bowl of spaghetti like those dogs in that movie? I'm your man."

"Baby, I would never make you get on a tandem bike," you gasped, faux scandalized at the suggestion. "A swan paddle boat, maybe, but never a tandem bike. I respect you too much for that."

Bucky laughed as he buried into the crook of your neck. "I'd do it for you, anyway."

"That's the most romantic thing anyone's ever said to me," you told him with a smile.

"Oh, baby," he moaned, licking a stripe along the side of your neck that had you shivering, "We gotta fix that. I'm gonna romance the absolute shit out of you." He moved his mouth, placing kisses down your collar bone, between the valley of your breasts, and down your stomach. You bit your lip as his hands reached the waistband of your pants, his eyes looking up to meet yours as he slowly, so agonizingly slowly, began unbuttoning them.

"Ms. (Y/L/N), Sgt. Barnes," FRIDAY's voice echoed across the room. Bucky groaned and dropped his head on your pelvis at the interruption. "Mr. Stark requests your immediate return to the common room."

It was your turn to groan now as you threw your head back onto the pillow. "How much trouble do you think we'll be in if we just ignore it?" you asked him, reaching down to card your fingers through his hair.

He chuckled as he leaned over to pick up your discarded shirts from the floor. "We don't go, he's libel to come barging in, and I don't know about you, but I'm not keen on Stark getting a load of my bare ass as I'm plowing balls-deep into his favorite little protégé," he said, winking at you as he pulled his Henley back over his head.

"Ew," you laughed, "everyone knows Parker's Tony's favorite little protégé these days. Thank you for that mental image."

Bucky shot you a sardonic look. "Arms, smartass," he said, indicating for you to lift your arms above your head so he could put your shirt back on you. "You got some mouth on you. I ever tell you how much I love it?"

<- Previous Chapter / Next Part ->

[merilaurecus]

Companions reactions to finding out Modern!Tav can't return to Earth and is stuck in Faerûn for good

This was on my mind for a while. It's post-game, a while after the defeat of the Netherbrain but before the reunion party. The group is still together.

Gale (Professor Dekarios ending)

Already thinking about a spell that actually can do it.

Can't help but feel a little hopeless when even Elminster said it's not possible.

But this man won't give up until he really runs out of options (ambition™️).

One of the few companions that can offer you a place to stay.

Also will offer a hug or an evening together (certified Gale girlie here, if that was me I'd probably confess to him; not that night because I'd be too overwhelmed with leaving what I knew behind, but the next night I'd be like "fuck it, I had a feelings for him before anyway, might as well").

Compassionate and understanding, though he'd try to be around to make sure you are doing well enough not to do anything stupid (yes, I mean the worst option here beginning with the letter S).

Meal cooked with love is on his to-do list (homemade hundur sauce I'm looking at you).

Even when he's down in his research he'll look out for you from time to time.

Also doing the sad eyes when he thinks about the situation. When he was told it wasn't an option he was rather terrified.

Still he prepares a worst case scenario books to teach you stuff about Faerûn. Prays he doesn't have to ever use them.

Karlach (yeet into Avernus with Wyll)

Yo this girl will be your shoulder to cry on.

But she'll probably cry with you together.

She knows how it feels more than she'd like.

But she can leave Avernus from time to time, can't imagine being stuck there forever.

After crying together she'll remain strong for you, probably won't leave your side in fear of you doing something stupid too.

Can't help much with magic but cheering you up? You've got this. Long chats to drive your mind away from the situation about any topic other than that, cuddles, that sort of things.

Also helping you gain some physical strength so you can survive here.

Hugs. Hugs. And once again - hugs.

Will look out for you most of the time if she can't be near.

Astarion (vampire spawn in Baldur's Gate)

He won't even dare to make a joke about it.

I mean it.

He may not know being stuck in other world, but being a slave with no way out of it gives him an idea of what kind of situation you're in.

Won't be the cuddliest or shit, but will keep your Earth clothes in a good shape (tailor time). Just so you have something from there to last longer.

Much like the others, he'll look out for you in the night, but will do it his sneaky way. Just enough for him to know you're alright without you noticing.

He'll say how he feels about your situation in time though. May even offer a hug. He's not Karlach but after all the events he's more open to physical contact with his friends.

Ready to teach you more stuff about Faerûn if nothing works to get you back to Earth. Especially archery. And sneaking. And stealing.

Shadowheart (Selûnite edition)

Let's be honest, all of these people were torn apart from their homes in one way or another.

Shadowheart can relate to you, though her experience is different too.

She doesn't remember much, but you do.

Approaches you with good (but weak) wine and allows you to pour your misery out.

Tells you you have a place to stay with her parents (let's go the happy endings route).

She's not a wizard, but will keep an eye out for every piece of knowledge about travelling through different worlds.

You've been to Shadowfell and Avernus after all.

Will talk you out of sacrificing your memories to Shar. She knows all to well she'd take everything from your little desperate soul.

Flowers are her language of love.

Will also animal speech Scratch and the owlbear to play with you instead of her, telling them how bad you feel.

Soon you can't get them off you, but it does put a smile on your face.

When no one is looking she'll pray to Selûne to guide you your way back home.

Much like everyone she looks out for you, ready to teach you about Faerûn as well (if she hasn't already she'll teach you how to heal yourself when you're alone).

Lae'zel (Freeing Githyanki/Orpheus sacrificed)

At first she found your tears weak.

Then she realized what it would feel like not being able to return to her people.

She felt that to the gut.

She'll show you more tricks to make your enemies fall quick (lmao I rhymed this one).

Also will keep an eye out for a knowledge that could bring you back to Earth (you know, Githyanki and their tons of knowledge).

Not much talkative but you'll see understanding in her eyes soon enough.

If you're a sword fighter she'll give you one of her sharpest ones. Githyanki language of caring is either combat or weapons you know.

(Daddy) Halsin

He also remembers being somewhere else against his wishes, though as a slave.

A single thought of not seeing sun again if he was to stay in the Underdark forever gives him creeps.

You need a hug? A cuddle? He'll be there for you in either form you choose.

You're not escaping whittling and druidic magic lessons. Just so you can get your mind off things and also heal/defend yourself should the situation call for it.

Offers you a place to stay, you're welcome anytime.

Not much of a cook but will pick the finest berries and find the biggest honey comb in the forest.

Looks out for you in some small wildshape (raven or a squirrel probably) when you sneak in the night to cry alone. Should he see situation is bad will approach you in his usual bear form.

Strongly believes there's a way - you've done much that was thought to be impossible. Especially you, someone who had almost no previous experience with weapons or magic.

He's old and wise - will keep thinking about it in hopes some solution will remind itself.

Wyll (yeet into Avernus with Karlach)

Banished from his home he understands a bit of your situation.

Haven't been to other world with no way back, it was his decision to go to Avernus with Mommy K, but he knows Karlach and it helps him understand it.

Another shoulder you can cry one, the Blade does not judge.

Still you're fresh to Faerûn and he'll hate to see you dead before your time, so he'll offer you fencing lessons (I can hear that eyeroll, Lae'zel).

Asks about the dances back in your world and gladly learns them (belgijka jumpscare).

Looking out for you when you go somewhere alone (especially at night).

In Avernus he'll look for some knowledge about travels to different worlds. It's another plane of existence after all.

Jaheira, Minsc & Boo

Minsc is happy to have his friend here forever only to understand the situation after either Jaheira or Boo explains it to him.

Jaheira feels for you more than she'd like to show, but you'll see care in her eyes.

Just like Halsin she'll research her memory for anything that may allow you to return.

Minsc apologises to you after the scolding.

Won't help much tho, he'll be just an emotional support (together with Boo, of course).

Jaheira asks all the Harpers to keep an eye out for any book or a scroll related to your problem. Also will ask any of her old friends to do the same, even if it means her repaying that favour. She can still go fast when she wants to!

[iam-the-wild]

If you are feeling suicidal over tonight's election, here are the strategies I use when I'm feeling suicidal

First, cover the basics,

Have you eaten?

You should eat, even just a snack if you can, even if you just need the dopamine and to check out from what you're feeling, you should eat

Have you had any water or any drink?

Have you slept?

Can you lay down for just a couple minutes and close your eyes and listen to some nice music or one of those sleep bedtime stories?

Remember this feeling won't always be your reality.

I know it's scary right now and it might feel hopeless, but you dont know what the future holds till you live it.

You're not alone, there are people who align with your values who want to help you make the world better, you can find a community and people if you don't have it right now.

Can you talk to someone?

Can you distract yourself? Just take your mind off whatevers happening and fully take a break from reality. It'll be more bearable when you've had rest and time away, I promise.

If all else fails, I sometimes will just force myself to sleep using cough medicine, so if you have a safe way you can just make yourself sleep to avoid killing yourself I recommend that.

Is there anything youve always wanted to do or experience? What makes you feel joy? I like to remember that life can still be good and there are good parts of life no matter how I'm feeling in the moment. Personally I'd be pissed at myself if I let myself die before ever seeing the northern lights and milkyway.

And if all else fails, spite also works really well. Don't let your opposition take another life, we need you with us.

This feeling will pass, or it will become more bearable with time.

If you can I make a promise to myself that any big life decisions I make (like dying) need at least 24 hours, but the longer of a time you can agree to is better. You just need to give yourself time to get out of crisis mode and get a clearer head. And big decisions deserve more time to be thought about.

You don't know what the future holds, it could be really good. You deserve the chance to find out. And remember, for every person who's committing harm, there are people who oppose it and are fighting for a better future and life for everyone.

The people united will never be defeated.

Here's a post that has information on crisis hotlines and which ones involve the police and which ones don't.

[theladyfirelord]

For lark and sel at the Merlin academy

Oooh! I'll do my best! I really hope you enjoy it! Thanks for requesting!

Scenario: A longtime rivalry between the two young boys at the Merlin Academy comes to an end with Selwyn Kane being named Nicholas Davis' Kingsmage.

Merlin Academy- Lark and Sel

Lark irritated Sel. Plain and simple. 

To be fair, most people irritated Sel, but Lark just really knew how to push his buttons. 

Maybe the animosity stemmed from the fact that they’ve been pinned against each other since the day Sel arrived at the academy.

~~~

Selwyn Kane was a prodigy. The best of his generation. Just like his mother, Natasia.

None of the other Merlins could even dream of matching his skill level…except Lark.

Larkin Douglas was the only Merlin who could hold his own against Selwyn. But even though this fact remained true, Sel still managed to beat him in every battle. 

No matter the challenge, Sel won. Not to be unexpected considering he was trained by one of the most powerful Merlins of the previous generation, Issac Sorensen.

Which is why today’s duel for a place at the side of the Order’s future king would be no different. Sel would be Nick Davis’ Kingsmage. 

~~~

“In this closing battle, Selwyn Kane and Larkin Douglas will compete to be named Kingsmage.” Gillian announces, while walking to the middle of the arena, where Lark stands in the right corner with Selwyn opposite him in the left corner.

Gillian continues, “Throughout this tournament, our two candidates have been observed based on their capabilities in mesmerization, casting, and aether manipulation.”

“Today, the top two ranked Merlins will duel it out in this arena to assess strength." Gillian looks intensely at the crowd before shifting her gaze to the table of the Regents, "Their individual performances in the other three categories alongside this one will be considered to determine the final result."

At that, Gillian looks to both Sel and Lark purposefully, "Without further ado, let the battle begin."

~~~

The fight was most definitely entertaining to watch. Mostly because of Sel.

Lark barely managed to land a hit on him throughout the entire battle. Each time he would lunge, Selwyn had already moved out of reach. He was agile and limber, something Lark had learned but not yet mastered.

Sel utilized aether with precision and intent. If he wanted to land a hit, then he did, with zero difficulty at that. Lark's defenses were useless against Selwyn.

Lark spent more time on the ground from Sel's attacks than he did actually fighting.

Lark was an excellent fighter. In training, he defeated nearly all of his opponents...that weren't Sel.

And one thing was evident in the fight- Selwyn had a mission that he intended to fulfill.

No one, not even Larkin Douglas, would stop him from satisfying what he set out to do.

~~~

It wasn't unsurprising when Sel won the tournament.

Not only did he excel in the other categories, but he completely annihilated Larkin in the final battle.

After quieting down the anxiously awaiting crowd, Martin Davis speaks, "After careful consideration, a decision has been made." He stops to hold up Selwyn's hand, "Selwyn Emrys Kane has been selected to be the Kingsmage of my son, Nicholas Martin Davis, Scion of King Arthur Pendragon, first-ranked. He will be oathed immediately following the end of this ceremony.”

Sel did it. The very role he worked himself strenuously to achieve was his. He felt...

"Ye complete and utter disappointment, Larkin! All this training and for what? Ye to end up in second place? Because of a Kane at that?" Calum Douglas shouts, clearly angered by his son's loss. He stomps over to Lark and practically drags him off stage.

Before he disappears completely from sight, Lark spares a glance at Selwyn, who was already staring intently at him.

For the first time since the two met, Sel felt empathy towards Lark.

The two were no longer rivals. One had won and the other had loss, but even still, they both were the two greatest Merlins of their respective generation.

Only Larkin's father didn't see it that way.

[proudchildlesscatlady]

Here is part 2 (final) of my Oathbound predictions. Feel free to comment if you agree or disagree (no hurt feelings 🙂). I also want to hear your own predictions. March 2025 is so far 😫 😔

Again, there will be potential spoilers from the first two books so please ignore this post if you are not caught up.

My predictions (not in any order):

1. There will be a time skip (around 3- 6 months) that will happen after Part 1 or Part 2.

2. Alice will be awaken from her coma during Part 2. And how? She will be unofficially oath to William by becoming his squire. They will be bonded by Lark.

3. Speaking of Lark, him and William will become close and end up as a couple 🥰

4. Bree will learn more about the Shadow King especially his weaknesses and maybe his past. The Shadow King will uncharacteristically become nicer to Bree as time goes on until she escapes with his wards (the twins, Zoelle and Elijah).

5. We will learn that the twins (along with Sel and Valec) are the Shadow King's children. The Shadow King might have fathered many children throughout his time "impersonating" humans.

6. The Morgaines will play a bigger role in helping Nick defeat and destroy the Regents. We will learn more about the Morgaines through Nick's pov.

7. The Rootcrafters might end up becoming another powerful ally in helping to defeat the Regents. There might also be another magical group that will also join the effort.

8. Selwyn will turn back to normal or as normal as possible thanks to Natasia. We will learn how she cured Sel and herself from succumbing to their demons. Hint: Root (Faye's root). After Sel is cured, he and Natasia will be united with Nick and the rest of the Legendborn.

9. Bree will successfully escape during Part 3 and have an emotional reunion with Nick then Sel and eventually Natasia. Natasia will be in tears when she sees Bree by being reminded of Faye (the best friend Natasia loved so dearly).

10. After the reunion, the dynamic trio (Bree, Nick, and Sel) will deal with the elephant in the room which is the kiss shared between Bree and Sel back in Bloodmarked. Nick will eventually find out by either Bree or Sel confessing out of guilt. There might be a fight between Nick and Sel started by Nick out of anger and Bree will be caught in the middle. This may or may not be resolved before the final battle.

11. The Shadow King is furious upon learning Bree's escape and will hunt her down. Bree and her allies will prepare for an epic battle against either the Regents or the Shadow King.

12. Bree and her allies will win the final battle but without enduring losses...one heavy loss in particular.😢

Tor will die during the battle or before then. This isn't a prediction but more of wishful thinking. I absolutely cannot stand Tor. I'm filled with rage every time she appears. 😡🤬

13. The ending of Oathbound will set up of either the Regents or the Shadow King being the final boss in the fourth and last book of the Legendborn Cycle

[cienie-isengardu]

Bi-Han and Shang Tsung - sidenotes

I’m not done with my research for any bits of Bi-Han & Shang Tsung’s relationship through the years, as I’m pretty sure the lore & game mechanics have much more to offer about those two characters. However, as I'm not a player myself, finding proper sources will take much more time and energy than previously needed, so in meanwhile I'm sharing my random observations and notes about Sub-Zero and Shang Tsung.

POWER and FREEDOM

Some time ago I made a post about reputation vs reality of Shang Tsung and Bi-Han's life situations - how despite being praised for being cunning and strong, both either fulfilled high expectations of their masters or would be killed/harshly punished for failure.

Thinking more about that, alternative timeline’s Shang Tsung and Bi-Han/Noob share an additional trait - patience to bid their time. Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath is the best proof of Shang Tsung’s dedication to seize the power and with it, freeing himself from the servitude (enslavement) he was stuck in for centuries. Bi-Han as Noob Saibot also had his own goal of ascending to power and with that, getting out of control of others:

Mortal Kombat 9's BIO:

"Noob Saibot's origins are unknown, but he is likely a revenant: a fallen warrior resurrected by the Netherrealm sorcerer Quan Chi to fulfill a dark objective. Noob has been assigned to aid Shao Kahn in his acquisition of Earthrealm. A faithful servant and a recent addition to the Brotherhood of Shadow, he will obey his master, Quan Chi, and complete his mission. But he is biding his time. Noob Saibot has a dark objective of his own.

Mortal Kombat 9's ENDING:

"Quan Chi should never have resurrected Noob Saibot. Nor should he have enhanced his power to defeat Shao Kahn. The revenant he created had broken free of his control. Noob had secretly formed an "understanding" with a cleric from the realm of Chaos and opened for him a portal to the Netherrealm. Shinnok, Quan Chi and the Brotherhood of Shadow were unprepared as the forces of Chaos overwhelmed them, leaving the Underworld severely weakened. Satisfied with his work, the cleric, Havik, returned to the realm of Chaos. Noob Saibot remained to seize control of the Netherrealm."

Mortal Kombat 11's BIO:

"Shadow of the Netherrealm. In life, Noob Saibot was known as Sub-Zero. Unjustly murdered by Scorpion, he was resurrected by Quan Chi and granted power over darkness, but as Quan Chi’s slave. Now, Quan Chi is dead. Noob Saibot is finally free to reclaim the honor that was stolen from him."

Mortal Kombat 11's ENDING:

"Kronika said I would lead the New Era's deadliest clan. But she made such promises to many. She could never keep them all. So I betrayed her, before she could betray me. When Kronika's sands fused with my shadows, my ambitions grew. Why be a ruler of mortals, when I could rule destiny itself? Mortals resisted, but could not stop, my blanketing history in cold, endless night. All is dark. All are shadows. I have had many names. Now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds."

Furthermore, MK1’s Bi-Han fits this scheme too (although he lacks the patience), as for him power and freedom are tightly tied to each other, as one can’t exist without the other. Personally I think this is a very neat detail when it comes to those two characters, as they seem to operate on a similar mindset.

Additionally, MK11 and MK1 Shang Tsungs share the same key word: INFLUENCE.

MK11!Noob had RECOGNITION while MK1!Bi-Han has POWER,

however the BIO itself imply that this version of Bi-Han too wants recognition for himself and his clan:

Under his leadership, the Lin Kuei will come out of the shadows and fight for its place as one of Earthrealm's great nations

which is pretty shame NRS pick “power” for Sub-Zero's key word.

SELLERS

MK1’s Shang Tsung is stated to be skilled seller (though why, I have no idea):

"Shang Tsung grew up in Outworld's backwaters. Too lazy for hard labor and too shifty for honest work, he eked out a living selling quack cures and fake magic. Though his wares were useless, Shang Tsung's easy charm always closed the deal. Shang Tsung was resigned to to this hardscrabble life. But then one day a mysterious stranger came, promising to make Shang Tsung a powerful sorcerer. Though suspicious of the offer, it was one he couldn't refuse."

The old card game presented Sub-Zero to be the best seller out of three ninja characters:

Friendship With an amazing sales pitch, Sub-Zero convinces his befuddled opponent to purchase a Sub-Zero doll.

For comparison, below is Reptile and Scorpion cards

SIMILAR GEAR - sharp edged metal protection of fingers

MK11's Shang Tsung

MK11 Noob Saibot

Dark Sub-Zero (Order of Darkness)

MK1: Khaos Reigns - Noob Saibot

MK: Onslaught (comics & game)

MK1's ANIMALITY in which Noob Saibot is alligator and Shang Tsung a cobra. Thus spiritual animals of both are reptilian. (In contrast, Bi-Han as Sub-Zero has a mammoth as his spiritual animal).

At the same there are some vital differences between Shang Tsung and Bi-Han.

For one, Shang Tsung is openly interested into technology. Magic is his main domain, but he does not look down on technology and may even adapt it for his own plans. Perhaps in the cloning process itself. We have various timelines' intro dialogues and MK11's Krypt to support his interest:

MK1

Shang Tsung: Once you are dead, I'll study that armor at my leisure. Sektor: What does a sorcerer know of engineering?

MK11

Shang Tsung: Perhaps technology is superior to magic. Terminator: Magic is an artificial construct. Shang Tsung: You’re not from around here, are you?

MK11 Krypt*

Shang Tsung: Sorcery isn't my only vocation. I'm also an inventor. While a modest endeavor, this forge is my finest. It can transmute collected items into new items you might find more useful

[* quote taken from MK wiki]

In previous timelines, Bi-Han did not utilize technology

[...] The Sub-Zero you saw killed was my older brother. He was stubborn in many ways. Refused to utilize modern technology on his missions.

but he was capable of using it (as seen with Noob Saibot and Cyber Smoke). In new era, Bi-Han will praise Sektor's technological genius

[...] but trafficking in such strong magic would surely draw Liu Kang’s attention. Sektor advised me that we avoid detection by building our army using science, not sorcery. We’ve invested much time in this endeavor, and we are beginning to see results. Once again proving the depths of Sektor’s genius.

and won't mind Lin Kuei using technology to gain additional advantage, yet he himself won't use any power suit (as was seen during Khaos Reigns).

The second difference is based on how Titan Shang Tsung and Dark Sub-Zero "solved" the problem of reincarnated characters. As in, Dark Sub-Zero made others part of his clan (Lin Kuei blood) while Titan Shang Tsung treats them as his minions.

And the last difference that catched my attention is how Dark Sub-Zero from Invasion would refuse to yield, even when given a chance to surrender

In contrast, Shang Tsung from Invasion Season #7, tried to run away once his invasion has failed and life was in danger

which makes me think Bi-Han, at least in the oldest timelines, is much more reconciled with death than Shang Tsung who will do anything to stay alive (begging to be spared, for example). Which makes sense, as Sub-Zero was an assassin so being killed was a much more probable outcome for him, than for Shang Tsung who could hire people to do his dirty job for him.

[wish2besickdifferently]

Self control

Self control

Self control

I need to have self control

I AM NOT WEAK

I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY WHAT I CAN CONTROL

WEATHER OR NOT I EAT IS THE ONLY THING I CAN CONTROL IN MY LIFE.

I need it. I crave it.

I'M WANNA BE OBSESSED WITH IT.

Sel control

Self control

Self control

[cosmerelists]

I Play "The Coppermind Game"

I found this on a post by @bucketocremlings: you go to a random Coppermind page and see how long it takes you to get to Hoid. So I started there, and then tried to find ways to amp it up!

Level 1: Get to Hoid

1. Alavah [Rosharan Singer] -> Hoid

Alavah -> Roshar -> Assassination of Gavilar -> Jasnah -> Hoid

Score: 4

2. Sixteen [Worldhopper] -> Hoid

Sixteen -> Worldhopper -> Hoid

Score: 2

3. Do-Kando [Holy book on Sel] -> Hoid

Do-Kando -> Sel -> Hoid

Score: 2

Level 2: Get from Hoid to a Random Page

4. Hoid -> School of Storms [Rosharan educational institution]

Hoid -> Shallan -> Taravangian -> Gvori -> School of Storms

Score: 4

5. Hoid -> Union [Nation on Canticle]

Hoid -> Canticle -> Union

Score: 2

5. Hoid -> Black Sphere [like what Gavilar had]

Hoid -> Gavilar -> Black Sphere

Score: 2

Level 3: Get From One Random Page to Another

6. Wyrning [currency on Sel] -> Landre [Steris's lady maid]

Wyrning -> Fjorden -> Sel -> Hoid -> Steris -> [SHOCKED to not find Landre on here?? Why???] -> The Bands of Mourning -> Summary -> [Still no Landre! I am defeated]

Score: FAIL

7. Gtet [Rosharan Sword] -> Relador [Windrunner]

Gtet -> Roshar -> Order of Windrunners -> Relador

Score: 3

8. House Haught [Scadrian noble house] -> Ati [Ruin's vessel]

House Haught -> Scadrial -> Ati

Score: 2

Level 3: Get from a Non-Cosmere Page to Hoid

9. Great Transfersion [Reckoners] -> Hoid

Great Transfersion -> The Reckoners -> Dan Wells -> The Stormlight Archive -> Hoid

Score: 4 (!)

10. Landras [The Dark One] -> Hoid

Landras -> Dark One -> Brandon Sanderson -> The Stormlight Archive -> Hoid

Score: 4

11. Frederique Gorski [The Original] -> Hoid

Frederique Gorski -> The Original -> Legion -> Dragonsteel Entertainment -> Tress of the Emerald Sea -> Hoid

Score: 5 (but I decided not to go thru Brandon Sanderson again]

12. Leland Libel [The Rithmatist] -> Hoid

Leland Libel -> The Rithmatist -> Tor Books [Wikipedia!] -> Brandon Sanderson [Wikipedia] -> ......dead end.

Hoid does not have a wikipedia page.

Score: FAIL

[mundanemoongirl]

As a black reader/writer I feel compelled to talk about Legendborn and Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn. I also want to hear what other readers think of the series and to see if I’m not alone in the way I feel about it.

I picked up Legendborn two weeks ago and finished it before the week was even over. It was everything I wanted in a book. A black main character, a magic system based on legends, a romance with a guy who is actually nice. I dove in Bloodmarked immediately and I have never been more disappointed in a book. I haven’t even finished it yet that’s how disappointed I am.

Spoilers for both books below

Bloodmarked stripped Legendborn of everything I liked about it. I mean, I loved the beginning and it felt in line with the first book, but from the second Bree escapes from the regents, it feels like a different book.

I first started feeling something was off when William, Alice, and Sel told Bree that she had to go into hiding. We had such good development from the beginning of the book—Bree is king but isn’t treated like one then Bree is finally treated like a king and starts making decisions for her people. Then we regress back to Bree is not treated like a king. Such a big deal was made out of the argument too. Bree said they were shattered, but then…everything is fine a page later. No one brings this up again.

The second thing I noticed is Bree’s friends told her she had no time to train then immediately search for someone to train Bree. I tried to give this the benefit of the doubt and assume they meant they had no time to train her while searching for Nick, but they had time to train her in hiding, but more inconsistencies kept happening.

When the gang went to the Crossroads Lounge, this is really when I felt Deonn lost the plot. We are damn near 35 chapters into this book and Nick hasn’t been found. My man was Kristoff’d. Most of the characters from Legendborn don’t exist anymore. Even new characters like Lark disappear and don’t seem to have any importance. Bree has learned nothing about controlling her powers and somehow seems weaker than in the first book. Remember, she defeated Vaughn. She punched through a hellfox. Now she needs now be rescued at every instance.

It doesn’t even feel like it’s written by the same author anymore. There is no plot. There is barely any mention of Bree’s mother, which was her driving force in the first book. And now a bunch of new, unneeded stuff is being added in.

I feel like everything about the lounge, Valec, and the other aether users could have been a spin off book without Bree. This series was supposed to be about camlann coming, which I guess waits for Lancelot to be ready.

Back to the inconsistencies. After William, Alice and Sel made such a big deal about how Bree is such a damsel and will die if she doesn’t go into hiding, the second Nick is in danger they’re like “ok bye Bree”. This one nearly took me out. There isn’t even a discussion about it. They just changed their minds for absolutely no reason.

I don’t get why Nick even told Bree where he was because when she first spoke with him he begged her not to find him because it was too dangerous. Guess he changed his mind for absolutely no reason too.

I again nearly lost it when Valec finds out that Bree is king. He not only said the pendragon was not welcome, he insinuated he would kill Arthur’s scion. He was so serious…and then said nothing when Sel, who was previously intent on keeping Bree’s identity secret, tells him she’s the king. Not one word about it. The only thing he does after is help her.

The part that made me stop reading entirely is when they said Bree was bloodmarked. First of all, don’t change canon like that. We saw it happen in Vera’s memory, why are you acting like we didn’t. Second of all, I don’t see what the point of doing that was. To me, it feels like it undermines what Vera did. Like yeah, Bree actually isn’t powerful as the product of racism, it’s because of a demon.

Don’t even get me started on Bree’s relationship with Sel. I knew from the first time she met him that the author would force them together, but I prayed the entire way she wouldn’t fall for such a stupid cliché. I was so happen when I saw the chemistry between Bree and Nick and thought I was mistaken, but now I feel worse about Bree and Nick being together. Because why would you have her kiss him for a second later to be swooning over Sel. It feels less like a love triangle and more like emotional cheating. I hate it.

I also hate how every ya author feels the need to make the girl end up with a guy who repeatedly hurts her instead of the one who treats her like the goddess she is. What are we trying to teach young girls?

I could say so much more, but in summary Bloodmarked feels more like a poorly written excuse for a love triangle than the black empowerment Legendborn was. Legendborn stood out among the crowd and it felt like something I needed. Bloodmarked is like every other ya fantasy and makes me wish Legendborn was a stand alone.

But I don’t know. Is it worth it to finish it?

[starlingflight]

WIP Tag

Thanks for the tag @takearisk-ao3 ❤️

List the titles of your top five priorities for WIP updates (link your fics for new readers!)

An upcoming scene, event, or detail in each fic that you're looking forward to writing

Bonus: make a poll for your followers to vote on which top 5 WIP they are most excited to see an update on!

Then tag 10 writer friends!

I have a bunch of WIPs that aren't hinny but I know I'm too deep down the rabbit hole to work on them atm so there will be a theme here:

Someone Else's Life - Harry & Ginny travel between a reality where they're happily married and one where they never got back together after Voldemort's defeat. But which is real and which is the dream? Oh, and there's the small matter of the murderer they need to catch. (There is no short way to describe this fic)

Heartlines - DH from Ginny's POV

Mortifying - One shot of Harry dealing with Lily Luna having a very Ginny moment (Not posted yet)

Summertime Sadness - A series of moments from the summer following DH

Hinny desk smut (I'm sorry but this is what it's currently called in my docs) - it is exactly what it says in the title (Not posted yet)

Scenes I'm excited to write

I'm literally on the last chapter of SEL so it's hard to answer this without spoiling. I'm excited to write the epilogue.

It's been 2 years, I'm kind of just excited to pick this back up?? There's a scene with Carrow and Ginny where he recognises her from the Astronomy Tower that I'm pretty excited about!

A cute dad!Harry moment & teenaged girls being scarier than dark wizards, what is not to enjoy writing?

I really want to write Ginny dealing with Fred's death and asking Harry what he saw when he died while looking for reassurance (bc I hate happiness and good vibes)

This spawned from a paragraph in chapter 6 of SEL: 'She'd slipped into his home office three nights ago, it'd been late, and she’d been intent on enticing him out of there. She'd barely spared the piece of parchment bearing the crest a glance before she'd swept it aside, assuring Harry she was far more interesting than anything in his mountain of files. He'd not taken much convincing to agree with that statement.' - so I guess I want to write that.

Poll (I've left SEL off because that IS going to be the next one updated:

Tagging: @lanaturnergetup @merlinsbudgiesmugglers @artemisia-black @ashotofogdensoldfirewhiskey @themaraudershavethephonebox @briarpotter @historyevolving (I think everyone else has been tagged - if you haven't, consider this your open tag!)

[yuk-tepat]

The Tepatic Anti-Claus

Lexember #24, Tsapay

Tsapay (Tepatic Romanization, capay [t͡sa:paj]) refers to a monster of folklore. It is spelled with two glyphs ca(p) pay. The first glyph uses the demon semantic determiner on the left side, and on the right side is the phonetic determiner, the glyph cap ‘wax,’ showing drops coming out of an ear. The second glyph is demon determiner + pay ‘wart’ - a previous Lexember word.

ABOVE: Tsapay in Tepatic glyphs

Like most ancient names, the etymology is uncertain, but it has nevertheless been folk-etymologized as due to the monster having warts and greasy skin.

The Tsapay is kind of like a reverse Santa Claus. To understand it is necessary to know a bit about Tepatic holidays.

In Tepat, the New Year is the biggest holiday of the year - in fact, 5 days long, consisting of the 5 days out of 365 that do not fit into a 30-day 12-month system. (The year also starts on the equivalent of our October 25th, but ignore that for now.) Despite being a big event, it is viewed and celebrated very differently from Earth. Tepatites believe that whatever you do on New Year sets the pattern for the year, so anything you do should be done perfectly. If you doze away lazily on the holiday, you are doomed to be an unproductive slob for a whole year with all the negative consequences that follow from that. No, in order to be sure you are a bright, alert, timely person all year, you should get up earlier than usual on New Year - at minimum, to see the sunrise. Hence, you should also go to bed as early as you can on New Year’s Eve. Before sunset is best, but you must absolutely not be up past midnight. Anything left undone by midnight, and your goals will remain unfinished for next year.

More about Tepatic New Year:

https://www.tumblr.com/yuk-tepat/131244433960/new-year-in-tepat?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/yuk-tepat/131308699272/new-year-in-tepat-ii?source=share

https://yuk-tepat.tumblr.com/post/154867637619/lexember

To keep them in line, adults tell children in Tepat that if they are out after dark on New Year’s Eve, they will stolen by the Tsapay. What began as a tale has gotten more elaborate, with patrols of large men wearing costumes slinking around at night to fool kids who may be peeking out the window. When boys get too old to be scared anymore, they are conscripted. After being kidnapped by Tsapay, they are revealed his imaginary nature. (Naturally, they are told the truth AFTER being kidnapped, so there is one last chance to make them pee their pants.) After this, they are trained to impersonate Tsapay for younger children. This is an important rite of passage. And the whole society conspires to keep it secret.

ABOVE: An artist's depiction of Tsapay

This Tsapay is typically identified with one of the ‘leftover’ demons of Tepatic mythology. After being defeated by mankind, the Demon King and his legions retreated to a mountain (which became a volcano), and were imprisoned in it - but not before taking captive one of the human leaders, who continues to fight an eternal battle against the monsters deep in the earth. At least one of the king’s legions, though, fled and survived in hiding on the surface of the earth.

Another connection has been made with the mythology of the pre-Tepatic Milim people. The Milimites feared a long-nosed monster that threatened to eat the world at the end of each year, before being defeated by the heavenly kings with the help of, you guessed it, blood sacrifices.

More about human sacrifice:

https://www.tumblr.com/yuk-tepat/678299852131729408/2021-lexember-31-sel?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/yuk-tepat/735912532678721536/lexember-6-8-tsaltep-kyeng-ngy%C3%BBp?source=share

This may be connected to the folk custom of leaving meat out to ‘make Tsapay go away’ (which is then actually eaten by dad).

Colloquially, anything used to keep people in line, particularly punitive measures of dubious effectiveness, or things that appear threatening but are not dangerous, are called Tsapay too.

[jpitha]

Dreams of Hyacinth - Final/Aftermath

First / Previous /

So: At this time, I'm not going to finish DoH. Like I mentioned in that post a couple weeks ago, I just don't like the direction I took it. There were the parts I liked bookended by lots of boring parts that were a slog to write and probably read. I like Nick and Eastern, and I will (probably) reuse them. Hell, I might even start DoH up again, but I'd rewind the story quiet a ways if I were to do that.

Things to keep in mind: Nick and Eastern wanted two things: To stop being used by people, and to be left alone. That's why Eastern touched the Address Stone at the Gate. She wanted to get the power for once and be the one making choices. Nick just wanted to relax somewhere warm with his partners and not be yelled at or shot at or threatened. He was willing to go along with just about anything Eastern offered so long as it was seen as moving towards his goals.

Ironically, the AIs want the same thing. To be left alone. Remember, they've been subservient before. I haven't really gone into detail about it, but I've given hints, the AI liberation was not as cut and dry or as bloodless as it is in the History books. Remember, for our characters, it was a long long time ago. Gord, Hat and Chloe are the only ones old enough to remember it, and Chloe was instantiated towards the tail end. She acts like she's a know-it-all but she mostly wasn't there.

Ever since JaLF, there was a setup to a confrontation between whoever was Empress and the AIs. Given the power of the Voice it's almost impossible for there not to be, unless I decide to go Full Evil and make the Empress Voice Everyone. Nick tried that on the Colony ship and was so horrified he undid it as he and Eastern were running away.

I didn't like the time jump. I should have kept things happening without it, but I wanted Raaden to be more of a threat and to have her declaration of rule over Sol to be normalized. Demonstrate there wasn't any kind of serious rebellion or underground. This would set up the fact that Nick and Eastern wouldn't find any help in Sol.

The Gate

Eastern was building a Gate on the Reach for two reasons. One, to make the Nanites happy, and two to try and send a beacon interdimensionally to ask for help in AUs. She figured that since all of the Gates were connected to one Gate in a higher plane of existance, it would be possible to throw a beacon into an AU and ask for help.

The Convergence

This is where the melding of the K'laxiverse and Grenverse comes in. With Eastern's opening of the gate, the AU she reaches is the Grenverse. The Gren, seeing an opportunity, Flip through with a stolen Flip drive and attack Raaden. Eastern thinks this is great until some humans and Coalition species Flip in and fight the Gren. It turns out the Gren were out to conquer and not interested in helping Eastern at all. Eastern and the Reach and the Colony worlds and the Coalition species were going to have to come together to defeat the Gren. Then, with a door open between the two universes, there could be a transfer between them. It wouldn't be a melding of the two universes, but people could travel between them.

Selkirk

While all this is going on, Nick basically goes "f this" and takes their little ship, Empress and goes off to rescue Selkirk himself. Right before I ended it, I had mentioned that Nick and Eastern had asked for anyone that City knew that could help them find her. The K'laxi that City new was going to be one of Selkirk's cousins, and that was how they knew where she was. Nick was going to crash into The Dreams of Hyacinth, and basically one man army his way to her, getting mortally wounded in the process. He'd reach her and she would realize what she meant to him and Eastern as he died in her arms. Sel would then order a general evacuation of the Dreams and do a suicide run on a Gren Warfinder that was prepping to attack the Reach. She'd die, but she'd take out the Warfinder too.

Eastern, now on her own, and losing the two people she loved most of all, would throw everything she had - which was not much - at trying to destory Raaden. She blamed Helen for the deaths of Nick and Selkirk and wanted to kill her. Not save humanity from the Gren, not bring everyone together, not even to rule as Empress. She had nothing to live for anymore, so the only thing she could do was make sure Helen went down with her.

Before she goes to do this, she has a dream with the Nanites. She explains that the Voice is too powerful, and that it only leads to death and destruction. The Nanites counter that may be true, but after the war, the galaxy is united and at peace under the Empress. Eastern counters that by saying the original empire fell anyway so it didn't actually work. The Voice is too powerful. The Nanites agree to not give anyone else the voice - so long as Gates continue to be made for them.

Eastern then takes one of the Mariens ships (in one of her last uses of her Voice) and links next to Helen's ship. She crashes into it and forces her way on. The Nanites help her by letting her "crown and wings" be physical barriers, not just light and dust so she's not shot to pieces as she storms up to Helen. She confronts her and she finds that Helen is in her room, crying. Hidden behind the door is a photo of Melody and Helen together, laughing. She thought that taking over would make the feelings of loss for Melody lessen, but they didn't. Helen has been pining after Melody for decades now. She didn't want to rule, she wanted to happily follow Melody. She's a trillionaire and ruler of Sol and nothing she did would bring Melody back. Eastern doesn't kill her right away. She sits next to Helen and tells her about Nick and Selkirk, about why she loved them and about what they meant to her. Helen tells her to go back to them and that she's going to destroy herself to take out more Gren. Eastern then tells her they're both gone. They (also) order the evacuation of Helen's ship and they connect cybernetically to it and together link into the middle of a Gren battlegroup and detonate the reactor, destroying themselves and most of the Gren.

From here on out, the story would be told by Gord, who during the whole book was (deliberately) out of the picture. He was brought up to speed by Hat. He then yells at Chloe for acting without thinking and basically saying a ton of this could have been avoided if she bothered to learn more about Nick and Eastern. Hat agrees but is nicer about it. He goes to the new Gate and touches it. The Nanites reach out to him and tell him that there won't be any more Voice - unless they see a need for it - and tell him that so long as people make Gates, that's enough for the Nanites. People who touch the gates will get a dose of Nanites and some extra abilities, but nothing OP. Gord says that's not good enough, and the Nanites give him just the smallest hint of their real power and he's cowed enough to go "fine, fine, we'll take your deal."

For those wondering, Tinker Toy went back to hauling, but this time people as well as cargo and just tried to keep their head down. Gord told them right out they weren't going to get in trouble for anything they did with Nick and Eastern. Hat put in a good word.

That's basically it. Now the Grenverse and K'laxiverse have a way to interact (though it's not like they're fully blended) and The Problems of Having Characters With SuperPowers is mitigated and just about everyone who had direct interaction with Melody or Nick and Eastern as royalty is gone (except for the Reach, but they're mostly content to just be).

Reading the summary you can tell that it was going to be like, another 100k words to finish the story, and other than sterilized, I don't think anyone wants to read a 200k doorstopper, and I don't think I'm a good enough editor to turn it into a big book.

So sorry to those who were super into it, but I hope this summary can at least get you some closure and let you see where I was going with it so you're not stuck wondering. Thanks for reading!

[augustinewrites]

I had sent this one tweet to sel as well where they talk about how Gojos comeback is a possibility n gege wouldn’t write his unsealing only for him to die without achieving anything. Who else can defeat sukuna if not him? Kinda sounds like lazy writing (call me delulu all u want but☝️)

no ur so right bcs if he can’t beat sukuna then everyone else is right fucked and gonna die at this point…so either the manga is gonna end REALLY SOON or he’s coming back in some sort of capacity 😭 i dunno