#TAL Education

[broodygaming]

C2 Spoilers

it drives me NUTS when people say that Taliesin and Matt decided together backstage to kill off Molly. It makes 0 sense and it's ??? just such an unnecessary rumor to spread. People on reddit often spout it like it's just a known fact. Like, as if Taliesin didn't famously complain about having to pull all nighters over a busy weekend to roll and conceptualize a new character cuz he had ZERO backup. As if Molly didn't JUST have a huge lore drop and was clearly building to be a major focus of the next branch of the story. As if Matt didn't have LOADS of lore and planning already done that he had to to redo and reconfigure to fit with the Tomb Takers going and exhuming Molly to continue their plans. Matt said he had this whole thing where Lucien was gonna show up in a different body and hunt down the M9 to kill Molly and take his old body back. He SAID that!

Idk why this drives me nuts. It just feels... almost disrespectful. Like. Y'all. Taliesin isn't a baby. He fucked up. It's okay. He made a dumb choice in the heat of the battle and doubled down and it got his character killed. Things escalated and there wasn't a healer and it's JUST as simple as that. Stop making shit up to justify something that only SEEMS LIKE IT'S ORDAINED because these people are talented story tellers. Blowing all the work they did to reconfigure the story and just HAND WAVING and being like "they planned it ahead of time" is just rude. If it all seems preplanned it's cuz Matt busted his patootie off and reweaved a frayed tapestry into a beautiful work. Happy accidents and all that. CMON.

[somegrumpynerd]

Fun fact: best french word is l'hôpital

[jazzdailyblog]

Alan Dawson: A Drummer's Drummer and Master Educator

Introduction: The world of jazz drumming is filled with numerous influential figures, each contributing uniquely to the evolution of the genre. Among these legends, Alan Dawson stands out not only for his extraordinary skill and versatility as a drummer but also for his profound impact as an educator. His ability to blend technical proficiency with deep musicality made him a sought-after…

[disasterhag]

I love the action lab guy because it’s like Mythbusters but instead of the insurance companies and lawyers and safety team keeping shit in check, it’s this guy’s wife occasionally reminding him not to do stupid shit. And it pretty much all takes place in and around his house.

This guy answers 2am tumblr type questions and has all the self control of 2am tumblr.

Question: can we see x rays with the naked eye?

Mythbusters method: wouldn’t even do it because that seems unsafe

This guy: so I grabbed my homemade xray machine

Question: What happens if you jump out of a moving vehicle?

Mythbusters method: we are going to use buster to simulate a jump as Adam and Jamie drive

This guy: my wife is driving and I’m jumping

Question: Can you burn snow?

Mythbusters method: with fire chief on standby, we attempt to light the snowball on fire in this field with nothing around it

This guy: oops caught my desk on fire

Question: Do Spiders Get Dizzy?

Mythbusters method: consult a biologist, build a spider analog

This guy: find a spider and spin him around really fast and then make him walk in a straight line.

Question: Can we use an umbrella as a parachute?

Mythbusters method: using safety harnesses and shit, see how big of an umbrella we need to build for it to be effective

This guy: jumps off high places until his wife says no. Safety harness who?

[clearholidaysindia]

Suraj Tal Tourist Spot in Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

Suraj Tal is a stunning high-altitude lake located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Nestled between the majestic mountains, this beautiful lake is known for its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery. It’s a perfect spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. If you’re looking for offbeat places near Suraj Tal, you’ll find plenty of hidden gems waiting to be explored.

One of the best places to visit near Suraj Tal is the famous Rohtang Pass. This high mountain pass offers spectacular views and thrilling opportunities for trekking and photography. You can enjoy the fresh mountain air and take in the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Another nearby attraction is the picturesque village of Keylong, where you can experience local culture, delicious food, and friendly people. Walking through the village gives you a taste of life in the Himalayas.

For those who love adventure, the stunning Chandra Tal Lake is a must-see. Known as the Moon Lake, it is famous for its unique shape and vibrant colors. This lake is perfect for camping and enjoying a peaceful night under the stars. Overall, the places to visit near Suraj Tal offer a mix of natural beauty and cultural experiences, making your trip to this region unforgettable.

[fables-if]

The Night of Ataegina and Betatun

A high fantasy interactive fiction story based on Spanish mythology, folklore, and paganism. Set in modern-day Spain. Most locations and all the characters are fictional, except the type of fae that will be seen during the story.

Summary:

After leaving Imeria during your eighteen birthday to chase your dreams and college education, you return to the little village in Southern Europe that saw you grow up after receiving the horrible news that Caterina, the old woman that took you in after the death of your family and your adoptive grandma (or yaya, as you call her), is terminally ill and has a few months left.

During your return, Imeria is set in motion to host an ancient festival and masquerade. It’s supposed to honor two ancient Iberian deities, one called Ataegina, ruler of the underworld, and the other one Betatun, deity of fertility. Most Imerians don’t believe in the ancient legends but those who do, like Catelina say that it’s the most dangerous night of the year because the frontier between the mortal and the magic realm is so thin anything can happen. 

Returning home under the threat of Caterina dying is already hard enough, but will you be able to adapt back into Imeria and rekindle old friendships or form new ones? Will you uncover the deep and rich history of your home and the old magic it carries? 

We shall discover it all very soon.

Features:

Customizable mc: Gender, pronouns, and physical appearance

Build friendship or romance with four characters.

Learn more about Spain's folklore and pagan traditions. Uncover your family history and your abilities.

Develop your MC's personality as you go

Two characters are gender locked but you can choose the gender identity of the other two

Your choices can't be undone and will have consequences.

Characters:

Caterina: An older woman, well into her 80s who took in the MC after most of her family died. She doesn’t seem to have a family of her own, or at least that’s what Mc believes. Caterina has a sweet disposition, always up for helping anybody. She raised MC with the stories of the folklore of their village, so she will always know how to honor the traditions of Imeria. MC doesn’t remember very well what she did for a living but she used to do fortune and tarot reading for some villagers and they usually came to her for advice and help. 

Ana: She runs The Golden Apothecary, a small store where she sells traditional remedies. Her family has run the Apothecary forever, and it’s considered a family craft. Ana has golden shoulder-length wavy hair, almond ocean-blue eyes, and a button nose. She’s no taller than 167cm, with a voluptuous body and soft features. Ana is in her late 20s to early 30s.

Personality-wise, Ana is soft-spoken, sweet, and very open-minded. She strikes to accept everyone with open arms, as long as they’re good people. Unfortunately, some individuals mistake Ana’s kindness with weakness, which is untrue. Ana is extremely smart, stubborn, and strong-minded, she’s always kind but only to those who deserve it. She can be a lot to reckon with if she deems you a bad person. Ana dreams of seeing the world but there is something tying her to Imeria.

Supernatural or not (spoiler):

Ana is a Xana, a river spirit that helps those she finds worthy by offering them pure water or gold. Some people believe that Xanas interchange human babies with fairy babies. As a river spirit, Ana can’t be apart from her river or she’ll suffer horrible consequences.  She met Caterina when Caterina was a young maiden and bathed in her river. Ana saw the purity of her soul and gifted her magic. Xanas are mythological creatures that originate from Asturias, a northern region of Spain with strong Celtic influences.

Anne, An or Antón: Anne/An/Antón works on their family farm along with some of their siblings. The Zamora’s farm supplies Imeria with its fresh produce. Everyone knows the family since they’re a happy and amicable bunch. Anne/An/Antón is pretty tall, around 185cm, they have wide shoulders, a big frame, tan skin and are chubby. The shape of their face is round, with little freckles, big green eyes, long eyelashes, and a hooked nose. They have short straight brown hair and are a bit hairy.. Their voice is deep and loud, almost booming, exactly like their laugh. Anne/An/Antón is super extroverted, knows everybody in the village, and has a sunny and sweet disposition. They are super strong, from all the physical labor but their secret hobby crocheting, they’re always making little dolls for the children of the village or making clothes. In general, they’re super well-liked and have a golden heart. Anne/An/Antón is the MC's childhood best friend and neighbor. Unfortunately, after leaving Imeria they didn’t keep in touch. Anne/An/Antón is 25 years old. 

Supernatural or not:

Anne/An/Antón is an Ome, a mountain spirit, and a giant made of rock that turns into mountains after living for many centuries. Their whole family is made of Omes graznidos. Omes Graznidos are a type of mythological creature that originates from Aragón, a northeast region of Spain surrounded by mountains.

Diego, Diana, or Dix: Diego/Diana/Dix is new in Imeria, they have been living in the little village for less than a year. Nobody knows where they came from, they remain a bit of a mystery for everyone. They set up a popular lounge called “The Velvet Moon” in the middle of the village, very exclusive and chic which clashes with the rest of the decoration of Imeria. Still, the young Imerians love the place. They’re 31 years old but look slightly older. 

Diego/Diana/Dix is of average height, standing around 174cm, they’re pretty slender, with a petite frame and olive skin. They have an angular face, with sharp features, long shaggy black hair, and clear eyes that almost seem silver-colored. Diego/Diana/Dix keep mostly to themselves and can be seen riding their motorcycle around the village. They have a limp and can be seen using a cane. As mysterious as they are, they’re pretty talkative once you get to know them, and are very protective of those they love. Diego/Diana/Dix seems to be interested in the MC, since they’re always watching them, and seem to have a secret that they don’t want to share with anybody. They are very self-reliant, have learned to survive by themselves and have a hard time trusting others, but once you have earned their trust, they’re loyal to a fault. 

Rumors say they have a criminal past and are mixed with a bad crowd, but not everything seems as it is.  

Supernatural or not (spoilers):

Diego/Diana/Dix takes the form of a giant spectral dog, with long black hair and a permanent limp, which is called dip by Spanish folklore. They’re supposed to be emissaries from the devil and they suck the blood of the livestock at night. However, not all legends tell the entire truth. 

Bingen: Bingen lives in the forests near Imeria, where he has a small cottage and a little bit of land where he has a vegetable patch. Bingen is a well-known journalist for online newspapers. He’s an ecologist, and his coverage is mostly about the natural world and ecologism. 

Bingen barely sets foot in Imeria, he is auto-sufficient but he comes down to the village to visit Ana and her apothecary, and to buy a few things he needs.

Bingen has a square jaw with high cheekbones, sharp green eyes, and long blonde messy hair, usually kept in a braid. He has a sweet face with a straight nose, and round brown eyes that resemble a little lamb. He’s the tallest of the bunch, 1’90cm, very muscled from all the exercise, and has a big frame. He loves hiking and is very in touch with nature. Bingen has a hard time socializing, preferring being around animals and plants since he understands them better. He, as intimidating as he looks, is a sweetheart and really craves human connection. Bingen is not talkative but expresses his feelings and emotions through his actions. He might have a hard time telling you he cares about you but he’ll help you install furniture or will make you soup when you’re sick. He always shows up when you need him to.

Bingen recently led a rescue of a few teens who got lost in the forest and saved them from a wolf attack, since then a lot of the villagers have respected him a lot and brought little sweet treats to his cottage. He's in between 27-33 years old.

He has struck a friendship with Ana, who frequents the forest often.   

Supernatural or not (Spoilers):

Bingen is a Basajaún a creature that inhabits the forests of The Basque Country, Navarra, and some parts of Aragón. Basajaúns are described as giant hairy men who protect the livestock, and warn shepherds of wolfs during the night. Basajaúns are seen as protectors of the forest but also creatures of great strength and kinda dangerous. 

Rami: A green weasel-like creature, with a long and flexible body, similar to a snake, and little tusks. They’re friendly and sweet and help guide the MC during their adventure. Rami’s fur has healing qualities. 

Extra:

This project is made by an absolute amateur in coding so it's going to take a long time. I have been writing since forever so I trust in my ability to create a good and entertaining story and I hope you guys stay for the ride.

The Night of Ataegina and Betatún is also going to be a surprise gift for a dear friend of mine who absolutely loves Interactive fiction and this project (if I get to finish it;_;) might be the way I ask her out since we both harbor strong feelings for each other. So let's hope she doesn't find out about the project before it's time.

[kirkwallsquad]

i still can't believe veilguard just completely ignored the vashoth. like no one says the word, i think i read it in one codex entry, but none of the like little tutorial information bits. the text when choosing a qunari rook says that some qunari live outside the qun and that culture - which makes them not qunari. we've spent two games talking about the vashoth a lot, it was a core pillar in the iron bull's storyline, and now it's like. no vashoth, no tal-vashoth.

(in inquisition we literally had the vocabulary lesson of kossith - qunari - vashoth - tal-vashoth lol)

there used to be the split of qunari and (tal-)vashoth, but now it's qunari and antaam. which a lot of other people have rightfully criticized as being comically evil to a racist degree and i completely agree with that, in addition to their treatment being really disappointing from a lore and worldbuilding standpoint because the antaam are so interesting to me.

because not only were the antaam the army of the qunari, antaam means body which is so fucking telling of their importance to qunari society. i don't remember if veilguard ever goes into the fact that the antaam aren't just randos who got Evil, but they are the army, they were the invading force, they were the body of the qunari to extend the qun's reach.

wouldn't it be interesting to learn what qunari society thinks about the antaam? like, do they count as tal-vashoth, as deserters to them? should they be cut off or re-educated and re-integrated? and what does the loss of a large part of the army do to the qunari, who are never not at war?

veilguard misses a lot of opportunities for multiple reasons, but the treatment of the qunari and vashoth really got to me.

[thewardenisonthecase]

im gonna be nitpicky and critical about veilguard for a moment here if you'll excuse me

So I've been thinking about the factions and how they're tied back to rook's "backstory" and the one scene where rook decorates their room and talks about their life and lets hope i can ramble in a way that makes sense.

I dont like that Rook's backstory is tied to their faction, nor do I think rook's backstory was handled in a good way.

Like ok, i think factions should have somehow been tied to race and class, much like how origins did it. The reason for that is that from previous games, we know how important who you are and what you do are in society and also, i think it would make for tighter backstories that better account for who rook is.

Like, for example, if you play a qunari de riva, the game just. kinda never. really adresses the gigantic elephant in the room - that rook is a qunari and a crow while qunari are invading treviso. beyond jacobus being a little racist, i dont think there's that much reactivity about it, which is just kinda frustrating/dissapointing. The game just kinda feels like rook's class/faction/race are these three separate things. Idk if this is making sense but in dai and dao, i always felt that my character's race and class were pieces of the puzzle that made up my hof/inquisitor. Playing a human warrior was different than playing a human mage in aspects beyond gameplay. In DAI, i played with a mage trevelyan, mage lavellan and mage adaar and even tho they were all mages, they felt different bc of their race. Even if they fit the role of mage, who they were changed that, so race and class walked hand in hand.

But with Rook, it feels different. It feels like each part of them is disconnected from the other and i think the biggest show of that is in the scene where rook is decorating their room. If Rook is a mage, regardless of race or faction, they have this magic project that they can talk about. And the issue is that, depending on rook's race or faction, it just makes 0 sense for them to have that. How does an ex galley slave lord of fortune rook had time to have a proper magical education in a circle? how did qunari rook even get allowed in a circle?

and the issue is that the faction and the race and the class are not tied together, they're weirdly separate. Why does my qunari rook de riva, when talking about the antaam warlord pin, is not given an option to like. fucking comment on that.

and my issue on the faction thing is that like. You're not fully given rook's whole backstory on the character creation. In fact, that lil paragraph is basically worthless bc all factions do the same thing - you saved some people, superiors got mad, so now you have to disspaear for a time and joined varric. boom thats it. but you're not told where you're from, what you've done, how you joined the faction.

DAI, for example, while also not telling you who you are on the CC, gives us a codex entry which does go into more detail over who the inquisitor was - AND even tho your backstory is mostly determined by your race, your class DOES change stuff - a mage lavellan is the first to the keeper, a warrior trevelyan was raised as a templar i think, a mage adaar gets mentioned how their parents went to other tal vashoth to help with magic.

and while i DO have issues with how backstories are set up in DAI, i still think they're slithgly more succesful than dav, solely bc they let me, as the player, take full control. My inquisitor can't just decide random things about their backstory, its always my choice. Meanwhile, Rook will randomly spill details of the backstroy the player was not privy to out of nowhere, and you have no chance to input or decide anything.

also to get back on that scene. this is VERY nitpicky on my part, but that scene feels so. weird and forced? I think its because the idea of rook just talking out loud about their backstory feels weird bc i know they're doing it to tell me the player. Like ok, obviously, i dont think there's any way to just easily give the player the character's backstory without looking a little weird bc yeah no one irl just starts talking about their life out of the blue but i think the other games were more succesful.

DAO gives you a brief narration from Duncan, which is short enough to tell you the basics of what you need to know. It kinda fits because the whole beggining of the game (the story of the magisters and the blight) IS told via Duncan's narration, so him continuing that makes sense, and which how its written, it doesnt feel off from the rest of the game.

In DA2, we also get told the initial tidbits of Hawke's story via narration, but much like da2, the "varric is narrating everything" IS the plot of da2, so it makes sense. And then in both of those games, other bits of character backstory are either told to you by the NPCs in your character's life (the cousland's family relationship with the howes or the fact that malcolm's dead). it feels natural.

Now like i said, im not a huge fan of how dai deals with character backstory (aka give me a prologue) but i do think that having Josephine bring up the herald's backstory feels more natural than what rook does, because then the inquisitor is talking about their life (and the player's getting a chance to define things about their character) BC another character asked, so it makes sense.

And i know. The reason Rook is talking and doing decoration is explained in game. but my issue is just that. it comes off as a moment to the player and not smthg that would just naturally happen, and it does break my immersion.

i think this came off as very rambly and i dont have a point beyond wanting to bitch about smthg that was bothering me

[mossadspypigeon]

Can you recommend any zionist youtubers who talk about israel/palestine? I am an anti-zionist (staunchly so) but I want to understand the zionist perspective better, especially from the ones who say they are leftist. thanks a lot!

thank you for asking anon! how do you know what side you are on or if you even have a side without educating yourself first? read both like you want to do and continue to read both 💙 i still read pro palestine sources and i recommend doing so.

i’m not on youtube as much as i used to be, but:

camera isnt zionist per say, but is dedicated to discussing and pointing out bias in media.

the first is Dr Einat Wilf (she has an amazing course on zionism vs antizionism too if you want the link). i dont think she has a channel so if you want the best books and videos by her, let me know. she has the We Should All Be Zionists podcast with blake flayton.

Oren is amazing. i recommend his and maybe Noa’s accounts first and then move on to the rest. Camera, Honest Reporting, and MEMRI are necessary for debunking media. the others are educational across the board.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsksduy16U5IOdj1B3k7oV2LZeUZTxi3m&si=qzUHFjVZdpt2ajuC

jns’s the quad is a diverse group of jewish women who discuss various topics every week

others:

Honest Reporting

Jonathan Sacerdoti

Rawan Osman

Eylon Levy

Yasmine Muhammad

(yasmine also talks about negative experiences with islam and while i do not believe islam is bad etc, i still think it’s important to listen to all perspectives. she has some great interviews. btw, islamism is the terrible thing, not islam.)

i dont agree with every opinion all of these people have. a few might think trump is good for israel. i disagree. but also i can agree with people on one thing and disagree on another. i like the quad for instance because they constantly disagree and present nuance.

okay, so i gave you zionist jews and pro israel non jews. i personally dont agree with non jews being zionists. that’s like me, a non indigenous american, joining the AIM movement. just no, zionism is not for non jews, allyship is. that is MY own opinion, before anyone comes for me, but i want you to have a diverse education and hear from jews and non jews.

i have more instagram recs and website recs if you want them.

friends here, anyone have recs?

[abr]

Dunque, riassumiamo i mantra:

- l'attentatore di Magdeburgo è islamobofo,

- quello di Trump era repubblicano,

- Salvini con la sentenza a non procedere perché "il fatto non sussiste", ha subito una clamorosa sconfitta - sic tal Giannini su Ripubblica, domani,

- le multine ai novax eran benecomuniste educative e andavano tenute, quelle ai monopattini no e van tolte,

- le auto elettriche subito, senza se e ma, basta sian cinesi e non di Musk,

- le tasse sono belle e fanno il benecomune (imperituro).

Ecco come si sono ridotti.

Meglio Negazionisti che creduloni psicopatici autoespulsi dalla realtà.

[dragonagekeeper]

Dragon Age Inquisition Polls

See choice descriptions from Dragon Age Keep below

Adaar

You are Tal-Vashoth, a Qunari who has rejected the Qun and never even lived in Qunari lands. As part of the Valo-kas mercenary company, you have earned a living by your own wits and the strength of your blade, ignoring the fearful looks you receive from those around you.

2. Cadash

A cast-off "surfacer," unwelcome among the dwarves or most humans, you have scraped by as part of a criminal fraternity known as the Carta, smuggling magical ore known as lyrium. As part of the ruthless Cadash crime family, you spent your life on the streets of various Free Marcher city-states.

3. Lavellan

If Mage:

The Dalish are nomadic wanderers who strive to keep the ancient elven religion and traditions alive. You grew up in the wilderness, a member of the Lavellan Dalish clan and apprentice to its leader and guide, the Keeper.

If Rogue or Warrior:

The Dalish are nomadic wanderers who strive to keep the ancient elven religion and traditions alive. You were raised in the wilderness to be a hunter, relied upon by the Lavellan clan for food and protection.

4. Trevelyan

If Mage:

Born to the Trevelyan noble family of Ostwick in the Free Marches, you were originally intended for a life of privilege—until magical abilities surfaced at a young age and you were forced into a life of confinement within Ostwick's Circle of Magi. Protected but stifled, educated but isolated, the Circle would have been your entire future had the mages not rebelled against Chantry rule.

If Rogue or Warrior:

As the youngest child of the Trevelyan noble house, you grew up in the Free Marcher city of Ostwick and have enjoyed a life of privilege. With close family ties to the Chantry, and many relatives among the priesthood and the templars, you were always expected to follow a similar path in service of the Maker.

[tallyk1tty]

𝗛𝗶 𝗴𝘂𝘆𝘀!! 𓏵

──── ─────

I'm Talulah, but call me Tally for short!! ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )

(She/her)

[They/them is okay too]

I am a 11 year old(MINOR!!!)

How you pronounce Talulah:

Tal-lul-la

.˚₊‧༉︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶༉‧₊˚.

I'm from SPAIN!!!!!! I WAS BORN THERE AND LIVED THERE UNTIL 2020 BECAUSE I NEEDED A BETTER EDUCATION!!!!!

.˚₊‧༉︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶༉‧₊˚.

Fandoms:

Cookie run KINGDOM🍪(NO, I don't play cookie run ovenbreak)

Dandys world🌼(pretty much left though)

Holes🕳🦎(the book and movie!!!)

Gacha👗

Object shows🏝

There's more but I forgot sighhhhhh

_______________________

Yes!! I am a person with humor and

doesn't judge!!!

(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

DNI: Pedophiles/groomers, zoophiles(THAT AREN'T TRYING TO FIX/CHANGE!!!!), racists, homophobics, RUDE antifurries

_______________________

My Flags!

(And their meaning)

AROACE:

This flag represents when a person feels little to no romantic and sexual attraction to people

APATHETICFEM:

This flag represents people who don't care about what others see them as, but are still fem aligned

-----・┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆・-----

Yes!! This account is where I post my ART and SOME of my tweening!!

examples of my art!

Yeahhhh....if I had more I would show it but I'm completely trash at sitting in one spot and doing only one activity!! Sorry

😓

────‧͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙ ✩ *̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ ─────

I am very silly indeed and I live in my mom's basement.

I struggle with saying in one spot and always get distracted or side tracked, I can also zone out and get upset at the littlest things, usually I hide my anger when it's friends or family, but just know I DO get hurt at certain roasts/insults

Also if it seems I just DON'T listen to what you tell me to do I'm probably not interested in it (PLEASE don't be sad :[)

I also struggle with basic pronunciation and function slowly so yeahhhh

I am friendly btw and will forgive you VERY VERY easily (people who have done wrong things to me will know)

When I'm obsessed with something, I WILL send you every single picture of it I have in my gallery, lol

Also I cry to anything that's NOLSTAGIA☹️

Patty cake patty cake bakers man bake me a cake as fast as you can

_______________________

I am STUPID, LOYAL, AND INSECURE!!!!!!!!!/nm

[tiredfoxtf]

Tango probably has experience dating. He should take Joel on a date. For educational purposes. They hold hands. For educational purposes.

Tango explains that a date can be whatever you want it to be, there is no protocol for it. Romance is kind of an arbitrary concept anyway. Joel still insists on doing traditional couple things.

...for educational purposes.

Tango always had a hard time saying no to people he wasn't indifferent towards. Gem would call him a pushover on more than one occasion because of it, but Tango really didn't mind her friendly teasing. Tango was just an open person. Who is he even kidding, as soon as Joel asked Tango knew he was going to say yes, no matter how much the rational part of his brain yelled at him to decline. He at least tried to give Joel room to back out on his own. But as soon as Android noticed that Tango wasn't saying no right away he insisted on his "proper date". And Tango is so screwed, he is in the trenches, fighting mentally for his life with the rational part of his brain. He knows he does this because it's Joel, he knows that he didn't give a negative answer because he can't say no to Joel, he knows that he is going to be a wreck on this "education date" because had a rent free space in his head and the perspective of holding Joel’s hand even as purely experimental thing made Tango's heart pump the blood too fast. And Tango was overthinking it, he was fixed on the hundreds of different likely and unlikely scenarios that this event will entail. He was so warped up in all of it that he literally had to make a list and then rate all of them on their likelihood of unraveling to somehow calm himself. Unfortunately for him, the ones that he might be afraid the most — that he will confess to Joel practically immediately — was more likely than not.

Joel was looking forward to it. The emotional responses he was getting were not unusual: nervousness and enthusiasm of encountering a new experience, a slight awkwardness of not knowing exactly what he is supposed to be doing and hope mixed with guilt. He knew Tango's inclined to say yes to him, he was really good at noticing at how bad the human was at declining something for his friends. And he knew Joel was kinda using it against him on purpose. He really wanted that date with Tango to happen. So he let himself hope that Tango was somewhat as well. Joel really liked watching Tango stumble on his words as his face was covered in hues of pink and red.

They settled on watching a movie together at Tango's, because Joel really isn't supposed to be in public a lot, as per his job. Which sucks for Joel, he would like to see the movies in theaters for once. But Tango worked hard to make up for it, by setting everything up meticulously book definition of romantic date. Which honestly made Joel incredibly happy. He was expecting to feel more out of place, but Tango did everything to make it feel like he belonged. Just little things like expressing how candles as a light source has been seen as something inherently romantic only for the last couple of centuries, only after they became the inferior to gas laps and electric laps. Only to go on a long tangent about rational use of power and conservation of energy, seemingly forgetting how he got there by taking a putting back on the shelves same 3 scented candles. It was always charming how easy it was for Tango to wander back to something he had extensive knowledge on. Tango initiated a lot of contact that made Joel’s head spin with how much sensory input he was getting, he was holding his hand, he was rubbing his shoulder, he was getting so very close to his casing, he held his hands on his waist, he was brushing his hand against Joel’s cheek. And he made it clear that if Joel wasn't comfortable with something he could back out. But Joel honestly couldn't get Enough.

Everything was going great and according to Tango's insanity induced detailed list. He was a bit dreading that he would be the only one talking or initiating contact, but Joel actually picked up pretty soon. Touching Tango's hands and back mostly. But it was huge for android who literally never engaged in romantic activities. So Tango went at his pace to let him take in everything. But Tango was slowly losing it with every reciprocal move an touch and every compliment or bickering flirt they had fallen into. Honestly it made Tango's stomach twist like he was in love for the first goddamn time, which is so stupid. They decided on a movie to watch. Of course Tango suggested a bunch of classics amongst which were some of his all time favourite romantic comedies and drama. And there were some horror movies too, but he embarrassingly went on to ramble how he didn't get it what was romantic of scaring your partner for some cuddling and generally it's a stupid idea. Which Joel listened carefully and added on some of his own thoughts on the matter. But it wasn't until around half an hour into the film where Tango started to truly panic. Tango was leaning into Joel, holding and making a circular moves on android's knee and Joel had an arm around his torse. Tango could feel his pulse rise when Joel either consciously or to mimic Tango started rubbing circles into his thigh with a thumb. Tango moved his head to the android's neck, he could hear the cooling units pick up. He knew that neck was a sensitive area, he hooked that one up for Joel himself. So he breathed into it, a deep full breath, to let know, to give a chance to say something. But Joel only moved his hand to trace Tango's inner thigh, a little timid and gentle, but it was a non-verbal acknowledgment and encouragement to keep going. So Tango braced his own little caged heart and kissed Joel’s neck. It wasn't big, but it was tender and definitely longer than a slight peck. Joel’s cooling system became louder, because Tango could feel the way heat has become ever so intense. And Tango just couldn't help himself but to kiss his neck again. Okay what. He hasn't planned this remotely. Oh no, he is off the script. If he continues he can do something that would be impossible to explain with "education purposes". So instead of looking into Joel’s eyes, Tango retreated, to his position before. Joel’s hand stopped, but hasn't let go of him. Tango has all the chances to save his sorry skin out of it. Just be normal.

While Joel’s processor runs faster than ever before and all he can think about is a phantom feeling of lips on his neck.

[indignantlemur]

Various Andorian Headcanons:

The list became so long that tumblr wouldn't let me add more, so I'm breaking this up into separate posts.

Andorians and Food

Andorians and the Sea

Andorian Governing Bodies & The Role of Nepotism

Andorian Marriage Dynamics & Divorce

Andorian Proposals

Andorian Religion & Spirituality (And horror stories)

The Andorian Imperial Clan

Andorian Hair

Andorian Holidays

Andorian Courtship Ring Metallurgy

Andorian Medical Professionals

Andorian Awards and Commendations

Andorians and Figure Skating

Andorians and Dancing

Andorians and Currency

The Andorian Facepalm?

Andorian-Vulcan relations pre-ST:ENT

Andorian Language and Conlang

Andorian Weddings and Funerals

Andorian Attitudes on Interspecies Relationships

Andorian-Human Hybridization

The Am Tal and The Andorian Incident

Andorian Clan Identification and Chitin Patterns

Andorian Names

Andorians and Adoption

Clanless Andorians

Andorians and Rites of Passage into Adulthood

The Code of the Ushaan and the Holmgang

Andorian Fairy Tales

Kelenthor the Clanless and Watercolours

Human-Andorian First Contact headcanons

Andorian Fashion and Fabrics

Are Andorians Extroverts or Introverts?

Andorian Family Dynamics

Andorian Cosmetics and Perfumes

Andorian Arts: Theatre/Opera/Poetry/Etc

Andorian Quad Marriages vs Bonds

Temperatures on Andoria

Andorian Humour and Philosophy

The Spirits of Andoria

Andorian Blood Chemistry RE: Toxins and Cyanide

Andorian Homes and Decor

Star Trek Species in the Star Wars Universe

Andorian Mate Selection (Pheromones, Personality Traits, & More)

Andorians on Punks and Goths

Andorians on Diss Tracks

Andorians and Crime & Punishment

Andorian Etiquette vs Human Etiquette

Kelenthor the Clanless - More lore!

Andorian Lore & Character Lore tidbits

Character Lore Tidbits: Thoris

Character Lore Tidbits: Shral

Character Lore Tidbits: Thelen

Andorians and UV Exposure: Do Andorians Tan?

Andorians and Cave Diving

Character Lore: Shral's Family & Childhood

Andorian Conservation Efforts & Environmentalism

Andorian Education and Childcare

Andorians of Human Family Units & Thoris' POV in Ch 5

Andorian Quads and Larger Arrangements

Character Lore Tidbits: Thoris' Childhood

Thoris' Thoughts on Shral's Pining?

Vulcan and Andorian Cultural Compatibilities

Human-Andorian First Contact: Revisited

Andorian Opinions on Romulans

Andorians, Rodeos, and The Post-Scarcity Implications for the Terran Meat Industry

Andorian Jewelry

Shran, Archer, Trip, T'Pol and TATV in Emigre

Changes to Andorian Culture Over Time

Emigre Crew vs Carolers

What Dagmar Got Everyone For Christmas

Andorians and Salt

Thoris' Sleeping Arrangements in Emigre

Andorian Cryptids

What If the Mission in ENT 'Broken Bow' Had Failed?

If Shral Brought Dagmar to Meet His Family

Who Are Thoris' Spouses?

WIP Ask: Mirror 'Verse Emigre

How Old Is Thoris?: Andorian vs Human Lifespans

Character Lore: Emperor Rissithiath th'Zaa'Kor

Shrancher and Andorian Commando headcanons

Andorian Friendship & Human Antics

Andorian Superstitions

Transgender and Non-Binary Individuals in Andorian Society

Vilashral's Family and Potential Objections to Dagmar

Andorian Clans, Parentage, and Another Thoris Tidbit

The Cast Members' Guilty Pleasures

The Casts' Most Embarrassing Memories

Andorian Lawyers and Interplanetary Law

Headcanons about Andorian Doctors

Andoria's Historical Timeline

Am Tal Opsec

-> RETURN to Master Post -> GO TO Emigre Deep Lore Snippets -> GO TO Emigre General Discussions

[hunny-beann]

Desiderium II

Loki Laufeyson x f!Reader

<- Part I

Note: Thank you so much to everyone who left such kind feedback on the first part of this series! <3

Warnings: A little bit of angst, mentions of death/disappearances, a crazy amount of pining

Word Count: 6,170

It had all started well over one thousand years ago, when you and the now so well known god of mischief were but babes at the mercy of the wild world around you.

You, the daughter of a powerful and well sought after witch named Karliah and an experienced healer named Tal, born and raised for eight years within the woods of Asgard until destiny laid herself bare before you and stole you away.

A witchling by blood, and a strong one at that, your parents had brought you up with grace and dignity in mind, each passing day a new lesson, and each moment spent a gift, though one that sadly ended up being in low reserve.

Eight blessed years of life spent with two loving parents, before it was traded for a still well-loved, but slightly more lonely life with your aunt, whose adoration did not make up for your sorrows, but did keep you from going down the wrong path upon your loss.

'Abandoned' they had called you when your dear aunt moved you out of the woods and into the palace to live alongside her, 'Left behind', they'd said.

But deep down, nearly everyone knew the truth of the matter.

Karliah was no weak woman, and Tal no coward. If neither had come for their daughter within the first few days of their sudden absence, then surely something had come for them, something strong enough to harm the most powerful witch in the known realms outside of those found within the royal family.

Most shuddered at the thought of this, and stuck to the tall tales of your improper abandonment instead.

'Poor witchling, left to die, so lucky to have been brought in by the merciful hands of her aunt, the palace teacher, educator of the princes and all other royal manners of children, be them visitors or otherwise.'

Oh, and of course, you.

From eight onward, you had lived within the palace walls, wandering from corridor to corridor and exploring every available nook and cranny until you had all but mapped it out within your mind, branding this once so foreign place as your home with a childlike fondness.

And you had not done such a thing by your lonesome, had you?

No, of course not, for everyone knew of your friendship with the feeblest prince, little Loki Odinson, the magic bearer, the one who used his mother's feminine magic, the seidr, over that which had been deemed stronger by the many men of Asgard.

The boy cared not for his image after all, he was just a child, the second born son of a god, and thus not the one who would have to worry about succeeding the throne himself someday.

No, that duty fell to Thor, more brawn than brains, but oh so sweet, though he notably lacked the vast intelligence of his brother.

It was as if someone had cut the perfect child in twain and created some hilariously different duo to see what the Allfather might do.

And though he loved them both, it was clear that in Odin's eye, the brawn came before the brains nearly every single time.

So, while Thor had his expectations laid out before him upon his birth, Loki had spent his days wandering the halls with you, the little witchling and her trickster prince, bound together by adventure and some childlike wonder found only in the eyes of those who had yet to learn but craved so desperately to do so.

The two of you were as close as close could get, tugging each other along by the hand, whispering secrets into one another's ears, every day a new opportunity to amuse yourselves in spite of the boredom that seemed to surround the palace.

Though, notably, you seemed to be the most interesting character of all, and perhaps that had been what had drawn your trickster prince to you in the first place.

Your mother's daughter to be sure, just as she'd had prophetic visions, ones containing the future in bursts that she often controlled, you had something rather similar, though far less easily grasped.

You, Asgard's little witchling, had prophetic dreams randomly while deep within your slumber, something that you had learned shortly after taking up residence within the palace.

It made you miss your mother tremendously to have her powers, and you resented the lack of control that you had over them, but even so, as each passing dream came true, you found suddenly that you were far more useful to those around you.

You were able to say which one of two dinner options might be best for upcoming guests based upon visions you would see weeks prior to their arrival, and on more than one occasion, you had avoided being caught by straying away from the wrong hallways while on your adventures with your dear friend after having had a particularly useful dream a night or two beforehand

Loki, of course, so heavily fixated on his intense study of magic, was entranced by this naturally inherited power of yours, and would gladly spend hours hearing you talk about your visions, no matter how mundane.

Except after one dark evening, he found that you no longer wished to.

You had woken up pale, a sure sign of a vision the night before, one that the god of mischief, thirteen years old at the time, knew all too well.

He had greeted you enthusiastically, something that was not so uncharacteristic of him at that time, only to find that you did not wish to talk about what you had seen.

Something bad, he'd realized with a start, having never considered before the downside to a power such as yours.

Sure, your mother had been able to control hers in some ways, but yours could appear almost as nightmares to you, uncontrollable and painful, because in the end, waking up offered little relief.

It could still come true after all, more than likely would too.

Not a very fair situation for such a young witch to endure on her own.

So, he decided, you would not have to.

And thus, a promise had been made.

Under the blooming flowers of one of many beautiful trees in the queen's garden, you and the god of mischief locked your pinkies together in fealty.

You would no longer hide your visions, no matter how frightening, from your prince, and in turn, he would never lie to you, at least not on purpose.

It was a childish way to appease one another, but in the end, that promise was what ended up driving you onward far into the future.

In fact, that promise was why you had ended up in the Avenger's Tower in the first place, lying on the floor with an audience of heroes watching as the man who had once been your closest friend rushed toward you, falling to his knees close enough that he could touch you if only he reached out.

You had missed his touch more than that of anyone else throughout your many years of solitude, a fact which gnawed at you slightly when you thought about your aunt and the wonderful hugs she had once given, until the final one, which had oh so sadly been in farewell.

Still, even she could not top the feeling of being held by Loki Laufeyson, though back when he had still done so, he had been Loki Odinson to you, and to everyone that knew him.

It had been Loki Odinson who had danced with you at nearly every social event, Loki Odinson who had mastered the art of sneaking into your room each night, Loki Odinson who had held your hand sweetly since childhood as you'd wandered through paths yet untraveled by your feet, and Loki Odinson who had kissed you beneath that same tree which the two of you had made that binding promise under.

You could only hope, as you looked up at the man before you, that Loki Laufeyson was not so terribly different.

You were unsure if you could take another loss, after all, not after having been alone for so very long, yearning to see the face of the one you once loved, silently praying that he might find you somehow, back in that old cabin where the two of you had carved your names in your youth.

Over your one hundred or so years there, you had all but traced that carving raw, remembering what it had been like to have the god of mischief at your side.

There was no longing like that which you felt for Loki, and of that you were certain.

Even as he stared at you with such a wild expression that you almost wondered if he had gone mad at the sight of you after so many years, perhaps having long since thought you gone from him.

It would not be so strange, after all, that you would have died in the time that passed. As far as your dear Loki knew, you were but a witchling, your immortality fragile and preserved almost entirely by the safe life that you once had led in the palace alongside him until your "disappearance".

You almost shuddered to think about explaining all of that to him now, and wondered briefly in the back of your mind if any part of him blamed you for your sudden absence.

Had his father told him of all that had transpired? Had Thor? Or had your dear prince of Asgard been left to wonder what had become of you, assuming himself abandoned at your hand?

As you gazed up at his still so perfect features, taking in their persistent familiarity, you found that you could not tell.

That is, until he spoke up, voice husky and thick with what almost sounded like grief, or the impending weight of tears.

"Starlight?"

He repeated as if in disbelief, the familiar name causing you to freeze up instantly.

You stared, unable to move nor speak.

The entire room fell silent as everyone watched on in shock at the scene unfolding before them.

There, on the floor, having just fallen out of some magical hole in the wall, was a woman. The very same woman, in fact, that this small group of avengers had just seen smiling within Loki's hellishly realistic dream as the duo lovingly lived out their life together.

A life that had never existed.

A life that, according to the adopted son of Odin himself, never would.

Except he'd never anticipated this, had he?

No, they could see his surprise in the way he stared down at you, his hands hovering just inches away as if he were afraid you would turn to dust before his very eyes if he even dared touch you.

And maybe you would, it was hard to tell when one did not know, after all.

Hard to tell, indeed.

The silence persisted for several long moments, before finally, you spoke up.

"I-I found you,"

You began, a soft smile gracing your lips, though it notably did not erase the obvious exhaustion from your eyes,

"It worked."

Loki frowned at that, his eyebrows knitting with confusion as he remained on his knees before you, the god of mischief, so besotted and enamored by your presence that he would live upon his knees once more, for however long you so required.

A surprising sight, to be sure, at least for all who bore witness to it from the outskirts.

Though notably, you did not seem to pay it any mind, as if his almost pleading body language was a normal part of speaking with him that you had come to know so well.

Loki reached forward hesitantly, his fingers outstretched as if he were about to place his hand upon glass, and with another tired smile, you did the same, placing your smaller fingertips against his with a sense of ease that had the entire room outside of yourselves wondering what could possibly be going on in front of them.

Who were you? What were you doing here? How had you gotten here? And why was the god of mischief himself looking at you as if he'd seen a ghost?

Whatever answers they were seeking though, they did not find quite yet, not in the still pervasive quiet of that room you all inhabited.

Still, all watched on with immense interest as Loki's eyes widened at your touch, and he withdrew as if stung, expression morphing into one of confusion, pain, and longing all at once, all of these being emotions that few in this room had ever seen him experience before.

"What are you doing here?"

Loki asked cautiously as he lowered his hand back down to his side, watching with sharp eyes as you did the very same with a casualness that nearly made him shiver.

If this was not truly you, then it was a damn good copy, one that rivaled any of his own creation in the history of time itself.

You let out a shaky sigh, your smile somehow growing more exhausted each time that you wore it upon your face.

"I needed to find you. I know that it's been a long time, and that you probably won't have any idea what I'm talking about when I say this, but I made a promise, and I am bound not only by my word, or the title I was given, but also by my care for you to ensure that I keep it, no matter what."

You looked down toward the floor, clearly expecting Loki to overwhelm you with questions, having long since anticipated his reaction to a moment such as this one, especially since it had been so very long since your promise had been made...

But to your surprise, he only had one question to ask, one that had the entire room buzzing with quiet conversation and confusion, and your eyes alight with utter shock.

"You've had a vision?"

He asked gently, tone low and concerned, eyes seeking yours and clearly finding the answer he was looking for there within in instant.

You nodded anyway.

Loki turned immediately to the small crowd standing behind him, though he was most notably looking for Tony, his expression pleading for the very first time since he had been imprisoned within this realm.

"I apologize for the suddenness of my request, Stark, but might you have some available space for her to stay?"

He asked quietly, as if trying to keep their discussion private in spite of the crowd watching on curiously.

"I believe this conversation may take us some time..."

He trailed off, thankfully having his question answered before he had to elaborate any further.

"Uh yeah sure, there's an empty room two doors down from yours, have at it..."

Tony trailed off himself after a few moments, before finally he continued,

"Just uh, keep me updated, okay? I try to make it a habit to actually know the people who are staying on my property."

Loki offered the man a rather firm nod in response to his request, moving into a kneeling position and offering his hand to you, his fingers outstretched and his palm upturned,

"Can you stand, starlight?"

He murmured, and immediately you nodded, grasping onto the god's hand and pulling yourself to your feet just as he did the same, allowing the audience to truly see you for the very first time, though it was your clothing far more than your physical form that garnered their attention.

The cloak around your shoulders was a deep and stunning green adorned with familiar gold accents, though on the inside, it was dark and lined with what somehow looked to be a billion little gold stars lighting up a night sky. It was almost as if they twinkled even as you stood still, wrapping the fabric tighter around your neck as everyone seemed to stare.

"Follow me." Loki said quietly, letting go of your hand after a brief moment of hesitance, and though you nodded, taking a few short steps forward just as the god began to make his way toward the door, you did not make it nearly as far as he, instead having your eyes roll back suddenly before you pitched forward without warning, the sensation of a single strong arm wrapping around your waist from behind as voices sounded from all around you being the last sensation you felt before darkness closed in.

The next thing that you knew, you were waking up in an entirely unfamiliar room, in an equally unfamiliar bed with a soft groan of confusion and pain, your head throbbing and your bones aching in spite of your still relatively young age (as far as Asgardians went, that is).

Immediately, your eyes landed upon the god sitting in a chair beside you, his gaze unwavering yet somehow almost casual as he took in the sight of you once more.

How long had it been since he had seen you last? Over one hundred years at least, that was to be sure.

You gazed back at him, a pained groan leaving you just before you spoke,

"What happened?"

You asked, hearing the god of mischief hum from where he sat before he pushed a glass of water in your direction.

You took it eagerly, beginning to drink it in small and controlled sips.

"You over exerted yourself."

Loki said simply,

"Whatever it is that you did to get here nearly took every ounce of energy that you had."

His tone was disapproving as he spoke, but you chose to ignore it in favor of focusing a little bit too hard on your water in an effort to avoid him.

This was harder to do than you'd thought it would be, seeing him after all this time.

It didn't make it hurt any less, not even in spite of all the years that had passed, and you struggled not to stare at the way his hair still fell the same, and his clothing still looked so similar.

It did not appear as though either of you had changed in the slightest, and yet you knew for a fact that such a thing was not true.

"We both know that you were taught better than to risk your health for something foolish."

Loki said, his tone stern but his voice soft, as if he hadn't yet decided how he was supposed to address you.

You sighed in response, looking away at the subtle reminder of who exactly it had been that had worked so tirelessly to teach you better.

You did not dare allow yourself the opportunity to wonder what had become of her.

"We do."

You replied casually, though your tone betrayed your nerves, as did your fidgety body language.

"But this is far from foolish, I'm afraid."

You all but murmured, watching as your old friend leaned closer, urging you silently to continue,

So, you did.

"I-..."

You trailed off, briefly giving up before finally starting over again.

It was so hard to explain, all of this, all that had happened, but Loki deserved to know the truth, and if no one else would tell him, and you had made a promise, then who were you to deny him the knowledge that was so rightfully his?

"Lo..."

You trailed off a second time as you watched the god of mischief flinch at the once familiar nickname, immediately causing you to clear your throat and try again.

"Loki, there is something that I have to tell you, and I want you to know that it was never my decision to keep it from you for this long. When I found out, I searched and searched all over for you, but Odin found me first, and there was nothing that I could do but flee..."

Loki looked down at you, confusion etched into each of his features,

"I do not understand."

He spoke,

"What does Odin have to do with the promise you once made to me? In what manner has he worked his way into this?"

You frowned, unable to meet the gaze of the being who had once been your best friend, and then almost so much more, as you finally spoke.

"Loki, Odin has everything to do with this, because it was he who banished me and made it impossible for me to find you for so long. He saw me as I was searching the palace for you, and could tell from my complexion alone that I'd had a vision..."

You trailed off for a moment, but Loki motioned for you to continue, his body language reminding you of the way that he had once so eagerly listened to the tales of your visions, his eyes always wide and his body always leaned in toward yours, as if he feared that he might miss something if he could not make out every little syllable and each individual pause.

Oh, how you missed those times with him.

Yet even so, instead of lingering upon those thoughts as you so wished to, you carried on.

"He could tell that I'd had a vision, yet when I would not tell him of what, and I insisted that I speak to you instead, he seemed to know immediately what I had witnessed, in spite of how hard I had tried to hide it."

Loki raised a questioning brow at you, his gaze still unwavering,

"So he knew what you saw and did not approve of you telling me?"

You nodded, but it seemed that Loki was not yet finished,

"Alright, that's easy enough to understand, but what does any of that have to do with this promise we made to one another? How did his knowing of your vision stop you from telling me of it for so long? And what could have possibly consumed you to waste so much energy on finding me just to keep your childhood promise after all of these years?"

You flinched slightly at the barrage of questions, but did your best to respond,

"I know this is complicated, but you have to understand, Loki, Odin never wished for you to know, and he was willing to do whatever he needed to in order to ensure that you didn't."

Loki sighed, dropping his head into his hand,

"And what exactly was it that you saw then, starlight? Do you intend upon enlightening me anytime soon?"

He was growing cross with you now, in that very same way he once had with his teachers when they did not give him the answers to his questions as directly as he wished.

He was still so hungry for knowledge, and you could not help but wonder what trouble that had gotten him into throughout your many years apart.

You placed your hand upon his, palm grazing the back of his hand more out of habit than anything else, though you did not move it even when he tensed, desperately wanting to believe that he still found something soothing within your presence, and that you had not lost him entirely, not when he still owned so very much of your heart and soul.

"I am going to tell you, Loki, why would I come here just to break my promise?"

You reasoned gently, watching as your dear god of mischief simply scoffed lightly before looking toward the ground, never one to admit it when he had overreacted.

"What I saw in my vision was no small revelation, and I want you to know that keeping it from you for so very long was never my intention."

You began, eyes growing desperate as you took both of the god's hands into your own, causing him to look up toward you once more,

"I was banished, Loki, never would I have chosen to betray you so otherwise, and I pray that you know that."

The god sitting before you pulled his hands away from yours at that, eyes growing weary, as if he was no longer certain that he could trust you.

It nearly shattered your heart to feel his touch be ripped away from yours after so very long of being alone, of missing him each and every day, but even still you did not reach back out for him again in that moment.

"Betray me?"

He whispered, his tone gaining a slight edge to it as he spoke,

"What do you speak of, witchling?"

He hissed, and you were quick to respond,

"My prince, you do not understand, what I am saying is that I never would have chosen to betray you by waiting as long as I have to tell you what I am about to. You have always been dear to me, and I have felt guilt eat away at me for all of these years that I have allowed this lie to endure in spite of my knowledge, even if I could not risk helping it until now."

Loki sighed, motioning for you to continue,

"Just get on with it then, I desire not to be kept in such suspense regarding my own life, starlight."

You took a deep breath, nodding as you began, trying your best to maintain eye contact even when it got hard.

"Loki, over one hundred years ago, I had a vision of some event far in the future, wherein you sought out your father's treasures, and learned a most difficult truth."

You watched as the being sitting in front of you stiffened slightly, his gaze widening as he slowly shook his head back and forth.

"No."

He whispered, and you watched on in confusion as he continued,

"No, no, it cannot be. You cannot possibly know. My sole comfort throughout all of these years was that you had no way of knowing..."

He carried on, and hesitantly, you reached forward to take his hand once more, and this time, he simply stared down at where you were touching him, as if not entirely believing your touch to be real anymore.

You offered him a look of deep compassion and sympathy, before finally you continued,

"You are not Odin's true son, Loki, but a-"

"Monster."

He cut you off, voice still quiet and body all too still as he stared down at your enjoined hands.

You shook your head,

"No Lo, not a monster, that is not what I-"

"My knowledge of your vision has come far too late, my dear."

Loki said gravely, a deep and humorless chuckle leaving him as he finally looked you in the eyes again, allowing you to see the tears that had built up there in spite of how hard he had tried to hold them at bay.

To the untrained eye perhaps, they may not have been so obvious, but even after all of these years, you knew his eyes far too well to not notice that they were growing wet.

Your brow creased in confusion and concern as you took his other hand in yours once more, squeezing both the way you always had before when he had experienced some great emotional suffering.

"Whatever do you mean, my prince?"

You asked gently, watching as Loki's expression morphed into one of so many emotions that you could scarcely name them all in the brief moment that they flashed upon his face.

Grief, sorrow, anger, longing, disgust, guilt. So many things to feel, and none of them good.

He continued,

"I'm afraid that what you have revealed is a truth long known to me, sweet starlight."

He said quietly, and instantly you understood, your expression falling as sadness overcame you, not only over you being too late to help him avoid further suffering, but over the way that he so clearly felt about himself.

He thought what he was to be a monster, something to be feared and hated as if it meant a thing.

You squeezed his hands again, urging him to look into your eyes, and drawn in by a habit he had once believed to be long since forgotten, he did, seeking out something within you that you were unsure of, but desperately wished to give.

"Loki, I am so very sorry that I was too late to tell you the truth. I studied so long to find some way to get to you, but I could not risk trying anything until I felt more certain of what might work for fear of Odin finding me."

The god before you regarded your words with utter shock, but you simply smiled in response,

"I will explain all when the time comes, sweet prince, but for now, please just know that you are no less Loki to me now than you ever were, nor were you any less Loki when I learned the truth. You are Loki Laufeyson, or even Loki Odinson if you so choose, and you are a crowned prince of Asgard and the god of mischief. No lineage could ever change that or take it away from you. You are no different now than you were back when you did not know."

Loki regarded you with brief confusion, as if he had never anticipated for you to feel such a way, or maybe for anyone to for that matter, and then suddenly, his eyes were squinted, his mind obviously deep in thought.

You had no doubt that this was partially in effort to change the subject to one he was far more readily prepared to discuss, but you did not tell him that you knew this.

He would talk when he was ready, if he ever truly was.

"Hold on a moment,"

He began,

"I understand that you did not explain all, but there is one thing that I cannot ever see making any sense."

He continued, eyes searching yours for the answer to a question that was yet unasked.

You shrugged,

"Lay it on me, Lo, I'm an open book."

Loki bristled a bit at the nickname, but said nothing, likely all too aware of how much of a habit it was for you, even after all of these years.

To hear it fall from your lips so easily though...

He distracted himself with his question immediately to stop that thought where it began.

"I know that you wished to keep your promise to me, that much is clear, but you spoke earlier of you having done so not for your word, and not for your title, but for care."

You nodded, cheeks reddening slightly at the memory, though the god sitting before you was clearly far too deep in thought to consider the connotation of your words as heavily as he otherwise may have.

"Your care is easy to understand, and your word is another worthy mention when it comes to reasons you may have worked so tirelessly to find me, but I do not understand what you mean by your title. What title is a witchling so bound by that would keep her from breaking her fealty to me? Why would you say such a thing at all?"

You looked away, unable to meet your old friend's gaze even as his eyes bore into you,

"Well..."

You murmured, eyes meeting his once more before you quickly looked away again, hoping somehow, that even after all of these years apart that the silence might speak for you the way that it always had with him.

He had been all but capable of reading your mind once, and who was to say that such a thing ever truly went away?

You watched as Loki's eyes widened by a millimeter, a slight inhale alerting you to some subtle realization that had just entered through the back of his mind, one that he had not been at all prepared to consider, but that made far too much sense for his liking, particularly as he considered all that had happened to you further.

His hand found the underside of your jaw, and without warning, he tilted your head upward, forcing you to look him in the eyes, allowing you to see all of the emotions building within his green irises.

Confusion, anger, frustration, but most of all, disbelief, though you could tell that the latter of the four was quickly fading.

"Starlight, did you tell Odin what you saw within your vision that day?"

He asked sternly, and, swallowing thickly, you shook your head, watching as the god of mischief's eyes widened even further.

"No."

He said matter of factly, repeating your answer as if it might make it easier for him to process what he was slowly coming to realize,

"You- You never told him what you saw."

His tone was incredulous as he spoke, his expression incredibly hard to read as he stood, using the grip you still had on his hands to tug you up alongside him.

His eyes found yours once more now that you were standing together, his head shaking back and forth almost as if he were in utter disbelief of what you were saying.

"And you know what he did, don't you? What you've become?"

He asked gently, and slowly, hesitantly, you nodded, watching as the prince of Asgard chuckled from above you,

"What a surprise you've been at every step of the way, starlight."

He muttered, leaning his head down against yours like he used to for the briefest of moments before he pulled away, clearing his throat slightly as he did.

"Well, now that we have some of those things clarified, what do you say we give the others a real introduction, hmm?"

You nodded after a moment of contemplation, moving to wrap your cloak around your shoulders once more, just barely missing the way that Loki's eyes shone at the familiar sight of it, his hands briefly reaching out toward you before he stopped himself and walked across the room to open the door for you.

From there, he guided you out into a long hallway, maneuvering the two of you about until finally, you reached a rather large common area, where you suddenly realized with a start that everyone from before was waiting.

Thor smiled at you from where he sat on the couch, the apologetic edge to it very nearly causing your heart to weep.

There were few who deserved to feel guilty over what had happened to you less so than Thor, who had only been doing what he was told.

You would have to speak with him privately soon, to thank him for having caught you when you fell forward earlier on in the day, if nothing else.

Though, you suspected that the two of you would have plenty to talk about beyond that.

The room was silent as you and the god at your side entered quietly, all eyes on the two of you as Loki cleared his throat slightly before finally speaking.

"So, as many of you have likely surmised, this is the witchling that was present in the portion of my dream that I showed earlier."

At that, you shot a glance toward the asgardian beside you, briefly wondering what on earth he could have possibly been referencing, when he brought the topic back to the discussion at hand, successfully distracting you for the time being.

"That said, she is no illusion or dream, nor is she some spirit come back to haunt me."

You watched as the man who had granted you permission to utilize a room earlier groaned at that, slapping a wad of green paper into the hand of a blonde woman who sat next to him, who simply grinned subtly.

Still, Loki paid this no mind, and continued after a brief pause,

"She is very real, and though both of us are rather confused, we are working together to figure out what exactly is going on here."

At that, a multitude of hands shot up, causing Loki to glare at those who had raised them until they begrudgingly lowered them once more.

"We will happily inform you of all that we know in just a few moments,"

He said pointedly, causing a few of the people who had been so eager to ask questions before to roll their eyes at his dramatics, though they appeared to be fairly used to them by now based upon their reactions.

"But before we get to that, I would like to introduce you properly."

Loki sighed deeply, casting you a sidelong glance of what almost appeared to be sympathy before he finally continued,

"Starlight, meet my... coworkers of sorts, the avengers."

He began, and you gave a small wave to the people in the room, smiling the tiniest bit when a few friendly looking faces waved back, some even eagerly.

Still, that almost peaceful atmosphere was clearly not meant to last forever, because after Loki's next sentence, well...

"Avengers, meet starlight, the Aesir goddess of compassion, mercy, and fidelity."

All hell broke loose.

Desiderium Tag List: @princess-ofthe-pages

Loki Tag List: @mischief2sarawr

[mllemaenad]

Okay. Hang on. Wait a minute. Just a minute ago you gave me this codex entry:

The official story of the Qunari attack upon the South holds that the "Dragon's Breath" plan to attack the south was a rogue action against official Qunari orders. This is true, but it is not the whole truth. The Salasari, Triumvirate of the Qun, represents the Qunari people: the Arishok commands the Antaam, the military branch that represents the body; the Ariqun leads the scholars and priests, representing the soul; and the Arigena guides the craftspeople, representing the mind. After the Breach wreaked chaos across the South, the Triumvirate suggested caution and sent a Qunari representative to observe and report on the Inquisition. But some in the Antaam and the Ben-Hassrath believed their leaders lacked the will to end the threat. Dragon's Breath was indeed unsanctioned, but it was not unpopular. Qunari who had fought the blood mages of Tevinter had learned to fear all magic. They wanted a fast solution. When Dragon's Breath failed, the surviving Ben-Hassrath spies surrendered. In contrast, the Antaam insisted that Dragon's Breath had failed because it did not go far enough. The bas, they declared, did not merit education under the Qun. They must be conquered or destroyed. When their Arishok, who had fought darkspawn in Ferelden during the Fifth Blight, argued against this demand, his own kithshoks declared him corrupt. They ambushed the Arishok at the war council, leaving him badly injured. And then the bloodthirsty Antaam went to war, a body now bereft of mind and soul. —Excerpt from Marloqun: The Loss of Reason by Seer Rowan of Dairsmud – Dragon's Breath and the Antaam Schism

These aren't "Tal-Vashoth" in the traditional sense. They're not a group of rebels or mercenaries who have rejected the Qun. This is a religious schism. The Antaam insist that "Sten"/the Arishok is corrupt – that he's doing the Qun "wrong" because he's defending the bas, whom the Antaam no longer believe are worthy of conversion to the Qun.

This is more in line with, say, the White and Black Divines: both the Orlesian and Tevinter Chantries will insist that they are Andrastian, and that they are the ones doing Andrastianism "right", while the other Chantry is "wrong".

The Antaam, as I understand what has happened here, should very much believe that they are the true followers of the Qun, and that the people back in Par Vollen are fucking it up royally.

This ... kind of just feels like an attempt to paint them as evil? We don't have to contend with why they believe what they do, or even put together a coherent philosophy for them to follow. They're just ... mean, bad, nasty people who follow the elven gods for some reason.