#The Fortunes of Jaded Woman

[geekpopnews]

Livro de Caroline Huyhn será adaptado para a TV

Caroline Huyhn é escritora e conhecida por abordar a cultura vietnamita-americana e a imigração. Seu livro de estreia "The Fortunes of Jaded Woman" ( não traduzido para o português), será adaptada para a TV. #CarolineHuyhn #TheFortunesofJadedWomen

O livro de estreia da escritora e vietnamita-americana Caroline Huyhn vai ganhar uma série. A Heyday Television, em parceria com a Universal Television, adquiriu os direitos de “The Fortunes Of Jaded Women”, publicado em 2022. No Brasil, o livro ainda não tem um título e não ganhou uma tradução para o português. No entanto, a obra tem conquistado boa parte do público, não apenas nos Estados…

[vxnuslogy]

— a reason. ft aventurine

— warnings: slight cursing and violence and spoilers for the new hsr quest

— author's note: this is very long and very much a giant word vomit. first work in hsr is aventurine, i fear favoritism is real.

‘everything happens for a reason.’

aventurine has never felt so sick and tired of that phrase. something about it makes his fists clench from beneath the table and stomach flip and twist uncomfortably from within.

if everything happens for a reason, then what was the reason behind his clan’s massacre? what was the reason for the stirring in his guts whenever he looked in the mirror? what was the reason behind all of his fortune now turned to misfortune?

aventurine hated not knowing the reason.

“and this pretty thing,” jade motioned towards you by her side. standing motionless, back straight and all. “is [name]. be sure to play nice, aventurine.”

what was the reason behind your new recruitment? better yet, why were you placed as his new assistant? the last time aventurine checked, he was doing perfectly fine. steadily climbing up his rank with his risky gambles and bargaining skills. he couldn't wrap his head around it so he just sighed and accepted it.

“thank you for always looking after me, jade.” his voice carried evident sarcasm but the woman only smiled and pushed you towards his direction. he had to physically stop himself from recoiling from the action and gave you a smile.

“it's a pleasure to meet you, [name].” he held his hand out for you to take. you were hesitating, aventurine noticed. but after a few seconds you slowly slid your hand into his and gave it a firm shake. “the pleasure is all mine, mr. aventurine.”

the blonde man held onto your hand for a moment longer before slipping it away and tucking it behind his back. he surveyed your form making you want to squirm under such a gaze, and he noticed.

“let's be good friends.”

—

working with aventurine was strange, not that you didn't expect it. you spent the past six months running around the IPC from one office to another carrying mountains of papers and constantly picking up calls from the communication device in your ear. other times, you'll be out and about trailing aventurine like a lost duckling when you need to accompany him to missions that require him to be physically present.

honestly, working for the stoneheart will eventually give you an early death from a heart attack. not only is his risky gambling habits very concerning, his way of speaking wasn't exactly everyone's cup of tea. more often than not you’re needed to play as a peacemaker, the middle ground of negotiations to prevent any physical fights from starting.

but it wasn't as bad as you'd assume. you clock in around 9 in the morning and clock out at 5 in the afternoon. sometimes if certain tasks require you for overtime, you'll clock out at around 8 or 9 at night max. all the work aventurine assigns to you aren't all that difficult to handle as well. just simple reports that need to be proofread so he won't have to read over them multiple times, scheduling interviews, picking up calls and informing him of his new missions, and if the situation calls for it, you play as a spy to gather information.

overall aventurine was a good boss.

today was like any other tuesday morning. you clock in just before 9, get your coffee and another cup for your boss, pick up the last reports from the strategic investment department, and then make your way into aventurine’s office to brief him on his schedule.

his office was on the fancier ends, no surprise there as he was one of the ten stonehearts. your shoes clicking when they met the marbled floors, your eyes skimmed through the reports, trying to guess which proposal will be approved or disapproved. when you reached a familiar door, you fixed your hair and readjusted the insignia pinned to your vest. an aventurine stone, just like your boss.

you knock thrice -short, short and long- before you hear a muffled voice tell you to come in.

“good morning, mr. aventurine.” you greet with a slight bow as normal. “as punctual as ever, [name].” raising your head you nod towards topaz’s direction in acknowledgment before making your way to his desk. “here are all the reports from the last mission. i’ve read through all of them and made sure everything is in order.” placing the papers on the table, he dropped the ones in his current hand before taking the new ones, all the while, you place down his coffee which he gladly took.

“you aren't overworking them, have you, aventurine?” topaz inquired, crossing both her arms over her chest. “what kind of boss do you take me for friend? a bad one? i can assure you my assistant is in good hands.” the blonde man chipped in, his fingers flipping from one page to another as you busied yourself trying to organize the scattered reports on his table. feeling topaz's gaze, you give her a slight smile and nod, confirming that aventurine is in fact, was a good boss.

she just sighed and shook her head. motioning for you to come over, you look to aventurine who gave you a nod in turn. you walked towards topaz -feeling the searing stare of aventurine burn through the back of your head- as she took out a flash drive and handed it to you.

“this is the recording of the last meeting in regards to the mission you're tasked with. since you were still in pier port, we started without you.”

“how cruel of you, to start such an important meeting without even waiting for me.”

ah yes, the pier port incident. you smiled wearily as your shoulder slumped when you remembered what happened. you shake your head in amusement of the memory.

“thank you topaz,” you break the silence, like you always do. “i’ll be sure to look over it today.” she smiled at you in appreciation before turning her back on you and waving goodbye.

“well, that was all i came for. catch you two later.”

once the door clicked shut and the sounds of footsteps getting fainter and fainter, you took it as a sign to turn back to your boss who was already looking at you.

“is something the matter, sir?” you ask. he took off his glasses with a hum and turned his attention back to the papers he was reading. “be sure to give me a summarized report of the meeting before you go home.” you nod and take a seat on the couch in his office and boot up the laptop on the coffee table. you've always wondered when it suddenly appeared in his office, you were 98% sure it wasn't there when you first started working but aventurine always said that's it been there the entire time.

you shake the thought out of your mind and shift into work mode. hours seem to pass by in the blink of an eye before you heard aventurine call out to you. “i’m sorry mr. aventurine, i'm afraid i didn't hear you.” you heard him sigh and repeat his question. “i said, why did you join the IPC? actually, no, that's not what i want to know.”

when you looked up from the laptop in front of you, your boss had taken a seat across from you. you felt your heart thumping in nervousness.

“what exactly did you do to pique jade’s interest?”

frozen. you felt frozen on your spot. fingers stopping midway from pressing onto the keys. those beautiful eyes you've slowly grown accustomed to seeing unfiltered from his glasses, they make your heart and pulse beat in an unfamiliar rhythm.

“i come from a well-off family.” you start, suddenly feeling conscious of your background. “my parents have worked closely with the stonehearts, i suppose miss jade wanted to continue the diplomatic relationship between my family and the IPC.”

“is that the reason why you're here now?”

you simply nod even though you weren't so sure if that really was the reason.

“let me ask you another question.”

letting out a startled noise when the laptop in your lap suddenly close with a gloved hand sitting on top of it, you stare at aventurine's purple eyes that had rings of teal, something so uniquely him that you couldn't help but get lost in them. he took the laptop from your grasp and set it on the coffee table as he leaned both his arms on his legs.

“do you like working under me?”

the question caught you off guard and it showed with how the corner of aventurine’s mouth twitched up into a smirk. hiding behind a closed fist and clearing your throat, you pray that your voice wouldn't waver as you answer.

“i do.” you peaked towards his directions and he didn't seem satisfied with your answer so you list out all the reasons why you like working with him. “despite your… questionable habits, i’ve come to grow used to them as time goes on.” a fond smile made its way to your lips when you dug around your mind trying to find your memories that had aventurine in them, only to realize that he was in all of them.

“i’ve come to enjoy all your little shenanigans in missions.”

“i'll have you know, calling your boss’ plans “shenanigans” could lead to your bonus being cut by a few percent.” he huffed like a child as he decided to just sit back and cross his arms over his chest and raise his chin at you. you chuckle at the action and continue.

“ever since i was a child, i have always wanted to travel the cosmos. but since i’m the only child to my mother and father, my childhood, teenage years, and now adulthood is centered around business and trade. going out on missions with you to different planets, they heal that little part of me that wished to travel.”

“but sometimes, i truly believe that you want me to die from a heart attack.” you hear him snicker from under his breath as he fixes the watch on his wrist. “i know that as a gambler taking risks is just a part of it but aeons, do they scare me to death sometimes.”

“if i knew you cared about me so much, maybe i would tone it down a bit!” there was a playful undertone to his voice as he talked to you. you let out a laugh and shake your head. “no offense sir, but i sincerely doubt that.”

“you wouldn't be the boss i've grown accustomed to if you didn't do your risky gambles.”

something flickered in aventurine's eyes, you were sure of it. but before you could find out what it was he suddenly stood up, putting on his usual glasses and giving you a closed eyed smile.

“well, that was all what i wanted to ask you.” you wanted to ask something in return, but you never had the chance to even get a word out when he was already halfway out the door. “be sure to finish that summary before the day ends. leave it at my desk as usual.”

and just like that, the office door clicked shut.

—

“if i told you the reason, that'd be the same as revealing a trade secret.”

aventurine remembered jade's word. how could he not when they repeated in his mind like a broken record.

after he left his office, it felt like he suddenly went back in time. it just had been roughly a month after you were given the position as his assistant and aventurine wasted no moment at the end of that friday afternoon to dash in jade's office and ask her the question: why were you his assistant.

aventurine scoffed at jade's response while she only smiled. clicking his tongue in annoyance as the woman led him in circles when he kept asking. what was the reason? was it that hard to answer?

the next few days weren't necessarily the best. he was like a walking ticking time bomb, ready to blow up at any second. everyone in the IPC kept their distance from him -not like they didn't keep their distance to begin with, some started whispering among the hallways about his potential termination after a very big gamble he almost, almost, lost. what ticked him off the most, was you.

he felt so frustrated at you because why were you so damn perceptive. those past few days, the papers that were messily and hastily thrown on the giant table in his office were suddenly organized into neat piles, all held together with different colored paperclips and a sticky note of when each pile was due to be submitted. how every morning you wouldn't fail to knock thrice at his door -short, short and long- at exactly 3 minutes before 9 in the morning with two cups of coffee in your hands. or the times where you would take one good look at him and start lighting up the candles in his office that you started buying for him because you noticed he'd be slightly less stressed when the room didn't smell like fear and insecurity.

what he hated the most was even after his little temper tantrum the past few days began to subdue, you still continued your almost doting actions towards him.

when did he start anticipating your methodical knocks 3 minutes before 9? when did he suddenly grow disappointed whenever someone knocked on his door and it wasn't you? topaz had suddenly grown confused when he suddenly came into the meeting room with a cup of coffee in his hand and when she asked about it he would simply say, “well, my darling assistant bought it for me!”. the multiple scented candles in his office that burned too quickly so at the end of every month he'd have you go out and buy some more.

when did he start using his left hand -the hand he left bare from rings, the same hand that shook in fear of losing- to guide the small of your back away from the crowd whenever you would accompany him to missions?

when did he start taking off the glasses that hid the eyes he wanted to sell to someone else?

it was so confusing yet so simple at the same time. aventurine had grown fond of his little assistant. he has grown fond of you. and that was all there is to it. after all, why would he go out of his way to get that customized brooch that you wear every single day when you come to work if he hadn't. how his chest would swell with pride whenever you spoke with higher positioned officers in the IPC and how they would avert their gaze because of the pin on your vest.

and he knows that you know of his sudden change in demeanor. you just never say a word for his sake. how he went from being a distant and acquainted boss to a friend. an actual friend. and that was supposed to be it. he did say in your first meeting that you should be good friends, but how was he supposed to keep his words after the little stunt you pulled at pier port?

it was a simple mission, negotiate and get the upper hand, nothing more and certainly nothing less. like any other mission, he was accompanied by you and some other people under the IPC. everything was going smoothly until one of them just had to open their mouth and talk shit about his already dreadful past just because he had forgotten to put on his glasses. he truly has grown a bit too comfortable with you around, and he didn't like it.

“what's a sigonian scum like you doing in the IPC? why don't you crawl back into the hole you came from?”

he just sighed. shaking his head, hiding his left hand behind his back, shielding it away from everyone's gaze as it shook with anger, disgust, and the tantalizing question of why.

why did he have to go through this?

and then you did something out of the ordinary.

the sweet assistant of aventurine suddenly pulled out the gun situated on your hip and pointed it directly to the man’s forehead, a deathly glimmer shining in your eyes as your index threateningly ghosted over the trigger.

“if you do not take back what you said just now, i won't hesitate to put a bullet or two in that empty skull of yours.”

then you started walking, and he started backing up. you didn't stop until the man was standing on the edge of the port, one simple push and he'd be drowned in the vast icy oceans. that is, if he wasn't already drowning in the fury of your eyes.

aventurine felt his body move in instinct. his left hand holding your wrist and slowly putting it down at your side. he gave a half assed apology about your behavior and ushered you to your original destination. this time, he kept his hand on your back, specifically near the gun on your hips to make sure you didn't point it at someone else.

“do they always speak to you that way?” you ask barely above whisper. eyes strained one the road you were walking one while his bore into your very being. “i’ve grown used to it. be sure to not point that gun of yours to any potential partners, m’kay?” to prove his point, he tapped the gun on your hips with his finger and you just sighed. a simple yes stumbling past your lips before being enveloped by silence.

aventurine was sure. he was very, very, sure that was the last nail in the coffin, and the answer to the question he's been asking.

the entire day, you stuck by his side. glued to the fucking hip and no one dared to utter a single word about him. the meeting went smoothly and when everyone was preparing to go home, he called you over and said:

“that stunt you pulled earlier, stays between us, alright, friend?”

and you simply nod in understanding.

you carry your bags onto the ship to take you back home only to be taken aback when aventurine comes to steal it away from your hands. “take it as thanks for earlier.” he remembered that look of shock before it turned into something else -what it was he didn't know because you turned away before he could even fathom what of it made his stomach do flips.

even when he came to drop off your things at your personal room, he found himself lingering by the door. watching you unpack your things as he stood idly. you would eventually turn to him and ask if he needed anything more, and out of curiosity he asked: “why did you point your gun at that man?” he will never forget the look of puzzlement on your face when he asked.

“because he said something unpleasant to you. as your assistant, i can't allow others to simply trample on your name.”

he spent the night staring up at the ceiling while laying on his bed. your words mingling in with jade's in his mind, trying to fit the two like puzzle pieces to ease the racing of his heart and uneasiness of his mind. he didn't like assuming things. a conjecture such as this would cost him too much, but tonight he indulged himself in the thought.

picking up his phone and messaging jade, he laid his forearm over his eyes and sighed.

“this room smells horrible…” he muttered. the strong scent of chlorine made his mind spin. making him miss the scented candles you had slowly but surely placed inside his office. he'd grown so fond of them that he'd bought some of his own to place around his home. “ah… i think i'm screwed.”

—

it has been approximately 3 system hours since you arrived in penacony, and roughly a few system hours before aventurine's eventual demise.

topaz had just finished speaking with the trailblazer and their companions. when they had left you stood next to her and stared at the giant prison turned hotel.

“you… don't seem too worried.” topaz said, you felt her gaze but you didn't turn to look at her, instead you just gazed into nothing. “it would be a lie if i said i wasn't worried.” you were most definitely worried, terrified even. no matter how many times aventurine does his high risk gambles, you will never get used to it, not when it causes ghostly hands to squeeze at your heart at the sheer thought of him losing. the thought of losing him.

“but i trust miss jade's judgment. i trust aventurine.”

roughly a day before his departure to penacony, curiosity got the best of you and you stuck around the meeting room in secret when aventurine stayed behind.

“what can i do for you, aventurine?” jade's voice slightly echoed in the empty room. your hands slightly shook in fear of being caught, but you were just so curious about what has been going on with your boss that you couldn't fight the urge to eavesdrop a bit. “oh nothing much. i take it you received my message?” you assumed the woman nodded because aventurine continued. “i must admit, your little plan worked. but is it really necessary?”

jade stood up from her seat, her heels clicked on the marble floor and aventurine followed her until they were by the door.

“well, it's better to stay safe than sorry. and besides, this doesn't count as a complaint, right?”

you heard him chuckle. somehow, even though you hid behind a pillar you felt his stare bore into your being. you could almost imagine those purple eyes that had rings of teal in them that made you weak in the knees.

“no, not necessarily. i could never consider it as a complaint.” he took a moment before asking another question. “but i want to hear it from you, friend. why did you assign [name] as my assistant?”

“it's rather simple really,” jade replied. “you need a reason to leave penacony alive, no? i simply made it easier for you.”

you? the reason for aventurine's will to live? it seemed rather silly. how you, a simple assistant, be so much of importance to someone like aventurine, but with how topaz came to hold the hand that gripped the brooch he had given you, you thought otherwise.

this half a year you've been working with him, you like to think that you've gotten to know him very well.

how when you stood beside him as he sat himself in another gamble, he would always lay his left hand on his lap, fingers curled into fists so tight you were afraid his palms were bleeding.

how he always hid his “weaker” hand behind his back in dire situations to hide his fear.

or when he would always take off his glasses in his office whenever you were there. and that laptop you were 98% sure wasn't there when you started working? aventurine apparently got it specifically for you so you could work in his office.

but what you were most sure of was:

“aventurine doesn't make deals he knows he won't benefit from. he'll win, he always does. he'll come back, i know it.”

© vxnuslogy 2024. please do not copy, repost, or translate any of my works.

[quotergirl19]

Random thoughts on Colin & Portia:

I loved watching how the “neighbor boy,” Portia Featherington assumed was a typical rakish gentleman, out of reach and unrealistic for Penelope to like:

Declared his love for her daughter assuredly, fervently and loudly to make sure nobody dared question that he wanted to marry her.

Defended Penelope fiercely even against her own mother to make clear that mistreating or disrespecting his woman would not be tolerated.

Discovered Penelope was Lady Whistledown (after he himself said no one would ever marry LW because she would bring ruin on her family) but not only did he not end the engagement despite being upset with Penelope about it, he married her anyway and his vows were undeniably heartfelt and sincere, he gave her a wedding ring which was not necessary or common practice at the time apparently (Daphne just got the one ring from Simon), and he danced with her in broad daylight at their wedding breakfast (rather romantically).

He was immediately furious the second he heard that someone would dare blackmail his wife, and not only would he not stand for it, he immediately acted (however misguidedly he did so) intending to protect Penelope and when the situation escalated, he was willing to lie to his family and pay a fortune to keep her safe.

And much to Portia’s surprise, he took accountability for his part in making things worse when he could have blamed everything on Penelope.

Then Colin supported Penelope’s choice about how to handle the LW situation and when she revealed herself to the ton.

When Penelope offered him an annulment to free himself of association with Lady Whistledown, he insisted he was lucky just to be with her because he loved her.

Then Colin danced with Penelope, clearly sending the message to the ton that he loved and supported his wife. Lady Whistledown did not trap him nor would he be turning his back on her. This was our first glimpse of Colin “My Wife” Bridgerton.

Colin gave Penelope a son, and the Featherington estate the heir they so desperately needed, and Colin will no doubt raise her grandson to be a man of honor, elevating the formerly mocked and disrespected Featherington family to a level of respectability on par with the Bridgertons.

As if that weren’t enough, Colin continues to support Penelope as a wife and mother, encouraging her passion for writing/working.

That Bridgerton neighbor boy single-handedly made his mother-in-law, a justifiably jaded cynic, believe in love.

I cannot wait to see their relationship in future seasons.

[chaeyoei]

Could I request jing yuan x fem_zhongli!reader? I think it would be fun to incorporate how much older she is and maybe spar with jing yuan and yanqing teaching them new moves? You could also add a bit of angst if you want with the fact that zhongli has admitted that with time, his memories do start to erode.

This is actually fuelling my brainrot. I'll incorporate the dragon part too. And other requests are coming out soon.

I kept her as a friend because the age gap bothered me alot. Warning: bad writing.

The situation was dire, the Denizens were wreaking havoc upon the ship. The Cloud Knights who remained strong, felt fear for the first time. What kind of tragedy would this bring?

All they could do was hold faith in their General and keep fighting with hopes high. Jing Yuan could the hope entrusted upon him by his subordinates but all seemed to be in vain. He was gravelly injured and his life was draining out of his body.

But with unknown fortune, appeared a figure that launched ginormous spears accompanied by meteors all raining on the enemy finishing it quickly.

Relief and suspicion overshadowed all his former emotions. Who was this figure? Most importantly, the motive behind their help. However he saw this same silhouette fall. He rushed forward to catch this unknown saviour, as he inched closer, he saw it was a woman who seemed to be half conscious. He held out his hands in time to catch this mysterious lady.

————

"She's fine." The Dragon Lady assured, her doe eyes darting from the unconscious woman on the bed to the General infront. "But, she's also a dragon and similar but different from us. I believe she's a sicon of Qilopoth(Preservation) as we are Long's(Premembrance) Sicons."

"A sicon of Preservation?" He titled his head. From what he witnessed in the battlefield, it looked more like you followed the path of the Hunt or Destruction rather than Preservation. But protecting also serves a form of Preservation.

A grumble came from the lady's mouth drawing both of their attention. "Looks like she's waking up, I'll leave you both to talk, General." Bailu took her leave.

"Where?" The lady mummered getting up. "You're in the Alchemy commision." Jing Yuan answered.

"I'm here to question you." He added.

"First question, what is your name?"

"Zhongli."

"Where do you hail from?"

"From Liyue."

That response made him speechless. Liyue as in the place where the Xianzhou Empire's origin were.

"Explain."

"Huh? I hail from Liyue.. that's it."

"How old are you?"

The lady fell silent. "600.."

"Don't lie. Liyue is a place where the Xianzhou Empire arrived and that was 5000 years ago. The planet of Teyvat was abandoned." He narrowed his and his tone only got stern.

"..6000."

"hmm.." He wasn't questioning the age but it felt like you were hiding something.

But all would come to light because you'd still have to attend the trail between the alliance and take responsibility. Your deeds may be good but they still need to know your intentions. A person who can showcase such power can also stab them in the back.

"That concludes as what the suspect had told." Jing Yuan finished his report.

"Very well. Lady Zhongli.. You admit that your home place is the Loufu. If you're as old as you admit, would mind telling the ruler of that period?" Marshal Hua started her questioning.

"Jade lady, Ningguang." You answered calmly.

"I believe you know what happened in that timeline as well?"

"Yes, the lord of Geo, Morax died in that period." You hoped she wouldn't catch you.

"Are you perhaps a descendant or successor of Morax?

"..Yes." You knew well that your lie would be caught soon enough.

"Let me revise history, the lord Morax, had no descendants or successors. It was later found that his death was just a masquerade as he stepped down from his position. What statment can you give to prove that you're him?" The Marshal's statement may sound rash but she wasn't wrong in the slightest. History states that Morax can change forms.

"..I have nothing to say in regard to that."

"Tell me your age again."

"11,000.."

And with some other questions, you were revealed to be the Ancient lord of money, Morax. But Mora really didn't have a value in this economy of credits.

"That concludes are trial. You are free to go."

————

"Phew." You could handle intense questioning very well but your age caught up to loads of time.

However, instead of a foreign traveler's recognition, you were given citizenship. You know the Alliance was making use of you but you always had the option to leave. Coming to basic needs, you'd be living in the Cloud Knights Quaters.

————

"hmmh.." The kid grumbled not being able to get his stance right.

"Your footing is wrong, you need to have a firm balance on the ground to get your strike correct." You fixed the young man's position.

"Do you also work the Cloud Knights?" The kid was interested in knowing your identity.

"So not only are you excelled in ancient literature but also weapon handling, though that doesn't come as a surprise, you did invent the methods of swordsmanship and pole arm handling that are used till this day." Jing Yuan appeared randomly.

"General!, You mean this lady?" The kid turned to you. "Greetings lord.. Lady of Geo." The kid bowed formally.

"You don't have to bow kid, I've long stepped down from that position."

"And humble as well."

This small interaction really sparked Yanqing's curiosity. He could ask as much questions as why even the trivial things mattered. As for Jing Yuan, his moves only got more perfect with your guidance. If Jingliu would've been here, she would've taken a liking to you even Dan Feng..

He sighed, these thoughts would never be possible. He looked at you who was looking at his weapon, commenting on it's quality and full of details quality.

"General! a mara wave is coming through." A knight informed.

"Advise the civilians to stay in their homes and form a stance around the creatures, don't let them escape." Jing Yuan ordered quickly.

A blade came through the formation, it's aim to lodge into the General's chest but it disseminated into the area when it met with impenetrable shield.

"General are you okay?" You asked.

Now he understood why you were form the path of preservation. "Yes."

You were old.. Ancient would be a better them. But your stories where better that those pesky writers in the Alying Sanctum.

You could be considered a role model and a person to go to. You had advice, were calm and just had that social butterfly effect.

But being old has it's downsides often. As your age increases, erosion casts it's effect. You forget trivial things and even names unless they were in your daily interactions.

"..." You groaned walking through the corridors.

"Do you need help, lady of Geo?" A passing Cloud Knight asked.

"..Do you remember where my room is?"

".. It's on the east wing close to the General's chamber. You're in the west wing."

"..oh. where is the east wing again?"

"Let me guide you."

Although the situation of you forgetting your wallet was funny, as it was also saddening that you would succumbed to life where you would forget everyone and everything.

In the Xianzhou terms, Mara wouldn't have an effect on you but at the cost that you would be forgetting bits of yourself and there's nothing you can do about it.

I tried my best to crossover elements from both games and something has happened to my english. Thos fancy words don't come out anymore. And it's so short...

[cosmicquilt]

Luck, risk, and godhood.

Stories under the cut.

---------- AVENTURINE KAKAVASHA -------------------

Kakavasha was said to be a young boy whose birth brought rain and fortune to his family and to the Avgins. However, all of the Avgins were murdered by the Katicans, leaving only Kakavasha alive, a side effect of his luck. He wandered Sigonia looking for any solace from the grief and pain that would always follow him. His presence brought relief, rain, and riches, and yet the boy himself seemed never to revel in his wealth and luck. One day, he disappeared off of the face of the planet. The assumed conclusion by many Sigonians is that he, tired of wandering, settled down in one place to sleep, crying until he lost consciousness. The rain he brought settled over his head like a halo, and the water flooded all around him. He drowned.

Aventurine was said to be a young boy whose birth brought fortune to his clan. However, they were all murdered by the Katicans, and the IPC rescued him from his fate as a slave. He was brought to Jade, whom he made a gamble with, betting that he could find a way to make her give him the gift of immortality. No one knows what happened in that room, but he emerged from that room a god, and was granted the name "Aventurine", indicating his newfound status as one of the economic gods. He's known for making clever deals based entirely off of gambles as a way of gaining information and progressing the goals of the Stonehearts.

--------------- QINGQUE-------------

Qingque was a clever and dedicated girl born to a very average family on the outskirts of one of the Xianzhou ships. Unfortunately for everyone else, she was only dedicated to games that combined luck and strategy; tiles, xiangqi, go, etc. She was obsessed, with her dream being to move into the city and to open up a games parlor. The people in her village sighed. "Why couldn't she be this dedicated to finances or economics," they said. Strangely enough, her dedication to these types of games was what led to her ascension. One day, when she was roping children into games of xiangqi at a restaurant, she saw a stranger; someone who was most certainly not from the village. He saw her and her games, and he challenged her to a round. The first round, he lost. The second round, he lost. The third round, he lost. And so it went, up until the eighth round, which he won. Upon seeing the results of their matches, the man laughed a laugh that sounded like thunder was tearing apart the skies, and his mortal form fell away to reveal that he was Jing Yuan, one of the generals of the Jade Emperor. He found Qingque's combination of luck, dedication, and strategy endearing and offered her immortality, which she accepted. She was placed under the eye of Fu Xuan, goddess of foresight, due to her simultaneously logical and improbable nature. She's known to disguise herself as an unassuming mortal woman who walks into game parlors and plays against the patrons, chatting with them about how the mortal world is doing, only to be dragged back up to the heavens by her pigtails whenever Fu Xuan realizes that she's slacking off.

[reallypleasanttree]

Playing around with a potential backstory for the Iguro Clan

The comb’s teeth bit into his scalp. He tried his best not to wince in front of his mother. The comb ran through his dark hair. She would do it until his hair shone under the candlelight. His mother made sure he was presentable at all times. 

She paused and set the jade comb down and brushed her hand through his hair searching for any imperfections. Obanai closed his eyes, it was relaxing to have his hair played with. Her hands found no snags and he could sense her satisfaction.

“My darling boy,” his mother praised him and leaned forward to kiss the back of his head. “It’s nearly your birthday. Do you know what that means?”

He shook his head and turned to face her. Everyone in the Iguro clan looked the same. Dark hair, teal blue eyes, and a wide, sweet smile. His mother was no different. He was the odd one with his golden right eye. 

“What does that mean?” Obanai asked, hiding his hands under his long sleeves. 

“You will meet our lady. She’s been waiting for you for years,” she said, all her teeth shone. There was something unnerving that he could not place. It was the same way his heart quickened at night when he heard something moving around the floorboards. 

“Nearly 400 years for a child like you,” she added. He heard of their lady before, but he did not have the honor of meeting her yet. She was quite busy, protecting their family from the terrors of the world and ensuring their future happiness. It was part of the reason they kept him here. For his safety. He glanced at the wooden frame around him. Obanai had lived here ever since he could remember. 

“Like me?” He repeated quietly. She placed her hand under his chin, lifting his face to hers. 

“Yes, a child who resembled her,” she said, her thumb brushing against his right temple. “She has the same golden eyes you have. You are a special child, Obanai.” His mother, aunts, grandmother, and cousins all called him special. She dropped her hand. 

“I think it’s about time you learned about our clan’s history,” his mother said. “Our lady was born over 400 years ago. Her name was Tanaka Niko. She was the daughter of a high lord from the mainland. She was well read and took a special interest in medicine. She was an apothecary and specialized in toxins. At her betrothal ceremony, she met her future husband, a man from the Iguro clan. Iguro Masashi was quite handsome, dark hair and eyes the color of the sea.” His mother pointed to her own. 

“They married and were happy for many years. Their passions were well matched and their ambition for wealth, knowledge, and fortune. Masashi even indulged his beloved wife. He allowed Niko to continue studying and working as an apothecary. In return, she gave him eight girls, each one had his sea colored eyes. He was a good father and provider, but with each girl, he grew frustrated. He needed an heir to carry on the Iguro name-”

“But, we are still here. If-” Obanai interrupted. His mother shook her head and pinched his chin.

“What did I tell you about interrupting others?” She asked, pinching harder. He began to open his mouth again, but paused. If he spoke again, she would scold him. Obanai pursed his lips in a thin line. “That’s my sweet boy. Always following the rules.” She looked up briefly, trying to recall where she left off. 

“Niko took all types of tonics, wore talismans, and other ways to conceive a boy. She desperately wanted to give her husband a boy. She fell pregnant again and the babe was stillborn. It had been a boy with her golden eyes. The treasured boy lost before he could take a breath. It was the final straw for Masashi. 

He took a concubine to produce the boy he needed to carry on his name. Yuri was a woman of lower social standing, but she was quite beautiful and young compared to Niko. She had nine pregnancies in eighteen years. It took a toll on her body and appearance. 

Her husband stopped coming to her bed in favor of Yuri, who soon gave birth to the treasured boy. Masashi made the boy his heir immediately, setting aside Niko’s daughters. Niko was outraged by the decision though she never showed it. When she saw Masashi hold the boy and walk beside Yuri, she knew the love Masashi once had for her was gone. 

Her husband betrayed Niko and she would make him pay for putting her and their daughters aside. Secretly, Niko purchased a tawny-gold snake. In the middle of the night, she took the snake meaning to place it in the boy’s crib. However, a maid saw her and alerted the lord’s guard. She was arrested before the snake could harm the boy. 

He placed her in a cell along with their daughters. Niko begged for mercy, but Masashi could not be swayed. Niko and his daughters meant little to him now. 

The night after, an immortal appeared before Niko. Long black hair and red eyes. He promised to help her if she agreed to work for him as an apothecary and the search for the blue spider lily. She took his offer and ascended to another existence. She became faster and stronger. With her new body, she was able to take her revenge on Masashi, Yuri, and their boy.” His mother stopped, contemplating how and if she should continue. 

“The rest of the story will have to wait until you meet our lady,” she said. Obanai bowed his head and she left. 

If he asked her to finish the story, she would discipline him. His eyes widened recalling how she bruised his arm last week when he asked to be let out of the cage. And then, he recalled the words she used. 

“No, you must remain safe inside. You are our treasured boy.”

Her words chilled him to the bone. 

[pullthehilt]

carrot at the end of a stick

Desc.: meet cute… but is it really

Characters: IMPLIDED RELATIONSHIP Jade Leech, Floyd Leech, Azul Ashengrotto

Reader: not explicitly yuu

t/w: implied non-descriptive cannibalism

why is it all in bullet points? idk :> one day i will flesh this idea out, but i just really wanted to get this out before my dreams for the next few days is just this lol.

"And… let's talk about your love life."

It was a quiet afternoon on the pier; a summer buzz blanketing the residences of the shore as the rumble of the rollercoaster in the distance groaned. One such man had taken shelter from the sweltering heat in the cloth-covered stall of the fortune teller.

The guy in front of him was… shady to say the least; the man was in a pressed suit in the middle of summer, gloves and jacket and all.

He was sceptical, but he was also incredibly bored. So, agreeing, he splayed his hand palm-side up.

He peered over his glasses frame. "It'll be extra for that."

Tsk.

"Aha, dear customer. It seems you'll be having an encounter that'll change your life very, very, soon."

“A man, oh it kinda looks more like a woman-- well the encounter will definitely be with a person. Hmm, well it seems to be on the shoreline. Perhaps heading north-- in the evening…” blah blah blah

Well he's killing time at least and it’s not the worst place to be rotting his summer away in.

Exiting the tent he revels in the sticky, salty air and heads down the steps towards the shoreline.

He'd like to dip his toes in the water, kill the heat some more.

And then he sees them.

He sees you.

You're certainly a sight for sore eyes. Flushed from the sun, digging your feet in the sand. You sway gently with the waves, rhythmically matching the seas tune. The sun behind you douses you in liquid gold. It's like your clothing is just artistically draped onto you, white silk against your skin. There are shells piled into your arms, cradled as you continue to collect, bend and gently poke into the ground.

He's a long ways from you but it's like the world around him silences-- enraptured. He can no longer hear the sound of mechanical enjoyment, the rollercoasters and man-ran stalls. No sounds of children crying or couples bickering. Just the sounds of the waves accenting you.

And you're getting further and further away, shyly toeing towards the half-submerged tide pools.

He has half a mind to not bother you. It's a bit weird to trail after you, isn't it? You hadn't even noticed him as you were minding your own business.

But the words come back to him, the same way the water laps at his shoes.

"An encounter…"

At first he's only walking towards where you've disappeared over the horizon. The leisurely pace he treads, a product of hyping himself up for conversing with you, if you're still in the area. But then he hears a short yell and his heart staccatos.

Chasing after you is easy, sand being flicked up with every gallop towards your direction.

There's butterflies in his stomach from how your voice was carried in the wind-- is that what you sounded like when you were hurt? Or was it a yelp of surprise? Even scared, you sound so...

He scolds himself for even thinking of the other sounds you'd make.

When he reaches you, you're drenched and sat on a sloped rock.

The tide pool itself is shaped like a crescent, the open mouth leading directly to the sea-- and the waves are really working up a storm, as the tide has gotten inches higher from where it was just a few hours ago. At the centre of the crescent shape from where you're sat is a small rock pathway.

Your face is contorted, eyebrows furrowed and mouth pressed to a thin line. Slumped over your leg, you clutch at the leaking wound at the side of your shin.

"Oh god, are you alright?" He calls out to you, body leaning in your direction. It's cute how you jolt to attention, dishevelled.

At first it looks like you're analysing him, and so he tries, "I'm not here to harm you." Palms facing up, showing that he had nothing of a potential threat on his person. "I… I just heard a shout-- a scream. I thought someone needed help and you…"

"I scraped my leg… But… Uh, I'll be alright."

Your voice is light, fluffy even. He soaks it into his system like a sponge and wishes you'd talk more-- god he'd do anything to make you talk more--

"Do you need help?" Dumbass, he thinks to himself, of course you need help. He'd reprimand himself further if his mind hadn't frozen at the way your lips curved to a smile.

"It'd be nice if you could help me," calling out to him you kind of beckon him with your hand. "Come. Come help me." Stumbling to the edge, he prepares to step.

"What's your name?" He's afraid of coming off a bit too strong, but he needs to know. He can feel the water seeping into the canvas of his sneakers, pooling at his toes, but he only steps closer with one foot on the first stone of the pathways towards you.

The shape of your name casts into your lips, but the waves at the moment steal your voice. What? What did you say? He can't hear you, and he says so.

Carefully, he commits his weight to the first stone before moving to the next.

It's a short way to you, but he's slow to make his way as the water spits and crashes against the pathway. Torn between you and the stone he’s stood on, his eyes flicker between the two. Your hand is still stretched, as still as a marble statue. Waiting for him. A heat filters to pool in his ears the closer he gets to you. There's a flicker of hope tickling his spine as he imagines the words he'd say when he gets you off this rock-- he'd ask further if you were alright and if maybe you wanted him to accompany you to the lifeguard's tower to get you patched up. You'd say yes and then he'd follow up with shy conversation leading to the eventual exchanging of numbers. Then he'd for sure ask you on a date, maybe visit the small restaurant overlooking the cliffside a short walk away. Circle back to the pier, win you a couple of prizes from the vendors there… Visit the fortune teller and give him an extra tip.

He's so close to you now. Balancing on the next rock is hard, and he focuses to where his foot nearly slips. It would be terrible to embarrass himself by falling into the water-- troublesome too from how his shoes would be waterlogged and maybe tangled in the seaweed he could see dancing below.

The next stone is even smaller and he gets why you could've slipped here because, he's swinging his arms to regain his balance. But he sees your hand just in front of him and he clasps his to yours, fingers tightening.

Your smile is so bright, stretching to your eyes as your cheeks squish and mould into something Cheshire like.

He winces, your grip firm.

"Thank you." And he's tumbling as you yank sideways.

Water fills his lungs, salt attacking his tastebuds and stinging his eyes.

No one hears you when you're drowning, especially in the sea. The water crashing against the rocks is already loud in itself, and the fact that you have to fight between sputtering out water and kicking your legs to stay afloat and shouting is a battle in itself.

He screams to you, help him god-damn it. Fucking wench, why did you do that-- he'll actually drown at this rate. You're a bastard for tricking him like that-- a whore.

But your eyes are vacant and unfocused. You don’t see him, but you’re looking at his direction.

And then he feels something squeezing his leg. He's kicking harder now, has the thought to untangle the kelp or something he probably accidentally tangled into—

When he looks down, he doesn't see a clump of black wrung around him. Instead, there is a pair of half-moon eyes peering from beyond the water, coloured a sandy brown and warning sign yellow.

-

The water starts to turn a beautiful pink reminiscent to the colour of the coral and anemones dotting around your home. He, the man, is quick to have been pulled under with a trail of bubbles popping to the surface; at first it stays in once place, before the shape of him thrusts forward-- he rushes through the water like a bullet, tearing to circle the rock you sit upon.

 A warm sensation spreads across your stinging wound. When you look down there are a set of eyes fluttering back at you.

"Jade, stop that..." His tongue slips back into his mouth.

He parts from your calf, propping his head by your thigh, smiling. Floyd surfaces for a minute, eyes peeking back at the two of you. There's little disturbance as he moves almost jerking back and forth before his head fully floats above the water with a satisfied sigh.

"Was that all of him?"

"Dunno,” he burps out. “Definitely not all of him though.”

“Can you check?”

“Will I get a prize for doing it?” Glaring, you flick droplets at him with your free foot. He splashes back, waving an arm at you.

Clasping the foot, Jade cradles it to his chest. "Then… what part did you eat?"

"Dunno. An arm?”

“Floyd.”

“Hmph.” He dives back down, body folding to flicker into the deeper waters. After a moment, he resurfaces carrying something by the way he sways a bit more unevenly. “It was an arm.”

[jadegretz]

Lili: The Ballet of Battle by Jade Gretz

Lili Rochefort, heiress to the Rochefort family fortune, stood at the edge of a dense, foreign forest. The trees loomed like ancient sentinels, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, a chill that pricked at Lili's skin despite the warm climate. She had traveled far from her opulent home in Monaco, driven by a rumor of an ancient fighting style that could be learned only in this remote corner of the world.

Lili took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. She adjusted her gloves, ensuring they were snug and secure. Her elegant, white fighting outfit was pristine, a stark contrast to the dark, ominous forest. She had faced many foes in her time, each battle refining her skills and determination. But this journey was different. The forest was said to be haunted, and the tales spoke of formidable guardians who protected the secrets within.

As she ventured deeper into the forest, the sunlight grew dimmer, filtered through the thick canopy overhead. The sounds of the forest were unsettlingly quiet, only the occasional rustle of leaves or distant call of a bird breaking the silence. Every step felt heavy, each crunch of leaves underfoot a reminder of her isolation.

Lili's thoughts drifted back to her father's words of warning. He had always been protective, his love manifesting as stern advice. But Lili was determined to prove herself, to step out of the shadow of her family's wealth and carve her own legacy. She pressed on, her resolve unyielding.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows ahead. Lili halted, her senses on high alert. The figure was cloaked, their face hidden beneath a hood. They moved with a grace and fluidity that spoke of experience and danger. Lili's heart raced, but she stood her ground, ready to face whatever challenge this guardian presented.

"You seek the ancient knowledge," the figure said, their voice a low, resonant murmur. "But to claim it, you must first prove your worth."

Lili nodded, her expression steely. She had come prepared for this. The figure raised a …(see the rest of the story at deviantart.com/jadegretzAI). For more supergirl, chun li, batgirl, tifa, lara croft, wonder woman, rogue and much more, please visit my page at www.deviantart.com/jadegretzai - Thanks for your support :)

[shirotaangel]

࿔‧ ֶָ֢˚˖𐦍˖˚ֶָ֢ ‧࿔ Magdalena: Black Dragons

- SCENE I, ACT III

- SYNOPSIS : Koko, with his viper eyes and clever mind, finally finds his bite on you.

- PREVIOUS: Scene II

tw : nudity, menstrual blood, stalking, everyone is a perv.

╰┈➤THE BROTHEL WAS SOMEWHERE in the fortunate side of Kyoto, built somewhere in the Meiji period when Western civilization started seducing Japan with trade. Kokonoi was surprised he didn't hate the walk as much as he thought he would.

He was about to pull up behind Inupi but the Brothel Madame suggested he should take in the wonderful air of Kyoto, fill it with its redness, replace all the toxins Tokyo put in him.

But what surprised Kokonoi more was that he actually tried the suggestion. With his gloved hands at his back, he looked around, occasionally leaning over at the stalls of the street vendors.

The moon was up, but Kyoto didn't need its light anymore. It had its own red glow from shops and lanterns.

He thought about you, the Oiran, wondering if you ever walked the same streets as him on those precious little feet of yours.

He remembered your interesting habits - how your right foot would dangle your open-toed sandal when you're leaning back, how you'd tilt your head in intrigue, the way your brows rise.

Your charming little movements all done to tie your strings around a man's heart. He didn't fall, not exactly, but it did amuse him as it amused you.

All in an hour. Was he stupid to invest so much trust in an hour? But he dealt with many negotiations before, some even sealed in a time as short as thirteen minutes.

Kokonoi stopped, staring at a Fuji apple at one of the crates of the fruit sellers. He laughed. What a bad investor he is, isn't he? He expected all beautiful women are the same breed, sharing the same miseries as the other.

Now he sees it. How you basks in your misery, kissing it in the mouth with tongue. You sleep in bed with your misery, fucks it there, tells it: I want you.

He laughs, nodding. You're an interesting woman.

Kokonoi, more at ease now, strolled lightly to the direction of the brothel, humming a little tune to himself. When he arrived, three smoking prostitutes were gossiping by the entrances.

"Is the Oiran awake?" He asked.

"Maybe," one of them giggled, "you should go up in Mamma's office."

"Your madame's there already?" That fast?

"No," the prostitute shook her head, "but she wants you to be."

Kokonoi walked past them through the door strung with long strings of white shells in the shape of coffee beans. It smelled like dust inside and Avon perfumes.

Koko went to the second floor, asking another prostitute to the office of their madame. She pointed towards to a corridor to a shoji screen painted with scenes of mountainsides.

He didn't knock, finding it useless to use courtesy in a place of indecency.

The office was a bit bigger than the one by the pawnshop, but this one was littered with incense standing in gravel-filled cups with a small Buddha sitting on a red plate filled with fake gold coins. Koko raised his brow.

On the desk was a Sony Triton TV and three jade bracelets, which Koko turned around in inspection. Huh. The Madame isn't that cheap, after all.

Kokonoi glanced at the TV, shocked at what he's seeing.

It was the live footage of the Oiran's white-draped room, the camera view set somewhere from the ceiling. It was high quality, and had audios.

You, Koko saw, was sitting on your bed in the center of the room wearing a silk nightgown. He can only see your back, how your flow of thick, combed hair rolled down to your ass.

Two children, five year old twins, were fanning the hundred candles in the room out, reaching after to slide open the windows.

Moonlight hit your side, illuminating your arm and your thighs. Koko noticed you backed away from it.

"What do you want to wear today, Nee-san?" One of the twins piped up.

Koko was impressed at how keenly the Madame has her greatest asset under guard. He imagines the old bitch sitting here, listening, anticipating for an army of men marching to steal you away.

"It's hot, isn't it?" You asked, "you can leave for now."

Kokonoi narrowed his eyes. It's as if it was the first time he heard your sea-calm voice.

"But we haven't helped you yet, Nee-san," the little girl reasoned, "Mamma will be angry."

"She won't," you stood up slowly, padding to a drawer under the linen-covered tables to give the twins, what Koko could see, money, "go buy yourselves those tanghulu you like."

The girls gasped and kissed your cheek, happily running out the screen doors.

Kokonoi saw you didn't do anything for moments after that, standing on your spot by the drawers, staring solemnly at the door.

Then something began to leak down your legs, staining her silk nightgown in dark streaks. Kokonoi leaned towards the screen but instantly drew back when he realized what it was.

You slid the delicate straps of your nightgown off your perfect shoulders, the rest of it falling elegantly around your well-shaped ankles. Koko, for a quick second, averted his eyes.

He realized though that decency means nothing to him. Certainly, it means nothing to you. So he watched without shame.

Is this why you made the girls go? Didn't want them to see blood? Kokonoi chuckled. An irony.

Your breasts, perky and full, drooped down when you bent to wipe the blood off your thighs with the nightgown.

Kokonoi admired the science - how you're cleaning your blood and still be beautiful, faultless, perfect.

He wanted you more because of that. Black Dragons is a sea of blood and having you stand there ankle-deep might justify all of it.

Kokonoi just watched you. He didn't do anything. He didn't have to do anything. While you in your white room did nothing at all. You just sat naked staring at nothing.

He wonders what's going on in that head of yours. It's an interesting question - what is the most beautiful woman in the world thinking?

You didn't reveal much. Maybe you're thinking about nothing at all.

A few moments later, you stood up and wore a long camisole that reached your thighs and a girdle with a pad on, slowly clipping the girdle's straps to nude stockings.

You moved slow, Koko noticed, as if your perfect limbs were drenched in heavy tar.

From the covers of the bed, you drew something out. What's that, a child? You held it loosely in you arms as you slowly twirled around, swaying your hips.

Then he watched you put it gently on the table among the candles. It was a statue, he realized, of the Virgin Taiju worshipped.

Hm. You're religious?

The twins arrived while the Oiran was brushing your hair, just finished their tanghulus.

"Can I pick your cheongsam, Nee-san?" The twin gushed in excitement, jumping on little toes.

You nodded, "go on."

The girl with her twin ran out the door. Koko's spies informed him you have a whole thirty square-meter room for your cheongsams, all from Shanghai.

He would have to send both his and Inupi's division to pick all of them up, store them in one of the warehouses.

The twins return with a mannequin wearing a sleeveless piece of purple cheongsam, sewn with intricate patterns of yellow orchids and butterflies as far as Koko can see.

You, with contemplating fingers, took it off the mannequin. The fit of it was like water around you, rippling wonderfully at each movement, taking the shape of your body.

"You're so pretty, Nee-san!" A twin adored, "I wish I can have your face. Not everyone has it."

The other twin nodded, "Mother says one of us has chance to be you, Nee-san! Some day when Ichigo and I turn to seventeen!"

Koko saw you were silent.

The twin gasped, "oh, how about you read our palms, Nee-san?"

You sat back on the bed, "would you like that?"

All at once the girls spread out their chubby, dimpled palms in front of you.

"Come, Miki," you beckoned, "you can sit on my lap while waiting."

Kokonoi himself had sat on the desktop, a hand mindlessly scratching his neck. He didn't notice the heat anymore.

"You'll have a long life," you whispered, turning the child's hand in yours, "you'll . . . You'll be a healthy girl. Your features will be pretty. Look."

"Really?" The girl gasped.

"Yes," you agreed softly, "you'll be famous, too."

"So . . . " The girl in your lap trailed off, "so Ichigo will be like you, Nee-san?"

"Will I, will I?" The girl asked impatiently, smiling.

Kokonoi narrowed his sharp black eyes at your hesitation, looking closely at how you stared into the twin's palm. You were like that for moments. Frozen. Unmoving.

"Nee-San?"

The girl's eyes were big and large, innocent.

At that, Koko's own eyes widened, blasted wide. He smiled.

"Buy yourselves some apples," you dropped the palm, "go now."

copyright belongs to @shirotaangel

[tangledbea]

My Tangled/Bridgerton AU ideas that no one asked for

Rapunzel and Madame Gothel

The daughter of an extremely successful merchant (yes, she's getting a downgrade, can't just have princesses running around everywhere), Rapunzel's mother died in childbirth, and her father died of a broken heart shortly thereafter. Fortunately, the woman who was hired to be her nanny and governess was there to step in immediately, caring for the girl like she was her own.

Rapunzel is raised by Madame Gothel, who she calls Mamá, and is hidden from society for the majority of her life and carefully cultivated to be the Diamond of society upon her debut, which will raise her own status on the ton when they all see how flawless her “daughter” is. Rapunzel is beautiful, demure, regal, elegant, talented… everything a man could want as a prize. Now, if only Gothel could wed her off to royalty and secure her own status forever…

Before her debut, Rapunzel was rarely seen in public, though she could often be glimpsed in her window on the top floor of her house. When she was allowed out in public, she was made to wear wide-brimmed hats, keep her head down, and carry a parasol. Gothel wanted to prove she had a daughter while cultivating mystery about her, so that her debut would be a big reveal to the ton and the world. Because of this, Rapunzel was raised alone, without friends, though she spent a lot of her time in the window watching the people below. When they weren’t in London, they were at their country estate, Der Sonne Manor, with sprawling grounds and little staff, who were under severe threat to never speak of the girl when they happened to catch sight of her.

Though Rapunzel is barely interested in most of the men whose eye she catches, she knows her job is to catch a husband. Against Gothel’s desires, she wishes to find someone interested in her, and not just her beauty and status. She hates suppressing her entire personality and hiding her quirkier interests, but she does what she’s told, lest she risk her mother’s wrath.

Unbeknownst to Rapunzel, Gothel murdered her father when she was an infant after securing that she would have access to Rapunzel's inheritance in order to raise her properly. She took advantage of his broken heart, manipulating him to sign legal documentation before killing him. Though the exact cause of his death is not confirmed, there are those who speculate that Gothel had something to do with it.

Eugene Fitzherbert and King Edmund of Umbra

There was treachery afoot in Umbra when Eugene (Prince Horace) was but a baby. King Edmund sent his only child away for his own protection, but the trusted maid he sent him with was killed en route to a safe location. Suspecting she was being tracked down, she left the baby on a stoop. The people who lived there were unable to care for him, and so took him to the local orphanage, where he grew up under the name Eugene Fitzherbert, and never knowing his lineage.

Growing up poor, Eugene longed for a life of wealth and adventure, envious of the nobles who dallied in the richer parts of town. Knowing that there was little to no future for an orphan, he took to stealing and conning to give himself even a fraction of the life he wanted.

He became jaded over time, convinced that the world was hard and cruel, and that he'd never know anything else. And yet, when he was 25, he was abruptly rediscovered by his birth father, who announced his lineage and brought him back home to be the Crown Prince.

Eugene (who refuses to go by Horace) is at something of a loss. This is the life he has always wanted, and yet he has no idea how to actually live it.

Lance Strongbow

Lance grew up in the orphanage with Eugene, and they were best friends, learning to steal and con together. However, their paths diverged in their late teens, and while Lance didn't know what became of his friend, he set his own sights on being such a convincing conman that even the nobles wouldn't know the difference.

He slowly and gradually worked his way up in subtle ways, until he hatched his major plan. The Baron of Vardaros is a man who has not made a public appearance for decades. The last Lance heard, he'd made his way to America and was never coming back. And so, Lance took his name and title, and has begun passing himself off as the current Baron of Vardaros.

He is a rake, spending his time at the club with other men and enjoying the marriage season because he gets much attention from fawning young ladies who are hoping to catch a rich, titled husband. In truth, he gets a huge thrill out of knowing that he is a fraud, and that no one around him is any the wiser.

Little does he know, the true Baron of Vardaros is soon to catch wind of his identity theft, and will want his revenge.

[glorious-sunset]

Reflections on Ep. 5 of LBFAD on rewatch

Arbiter Hall, Day 4: DongFang QingCang (DFQC), after a torturous morning collecting dew drop by drop for Xiao Lanhua (XLH), finds her and the plant spirits gleefully celebrating his departure!! He has many enemies who scheme behind his back and want to kill him, is aware of Shiyuntian’s unflattering propaganda around him, and never gave these insults a second thought. But when XLH says that “even the air becomes clearer” without him around, it is like a sharp stab to his gut. When even the thoughts of the mightiest kings don’t bother him, why should the words of an inconsequential little flower?

XLH’s relief at his disappearance soon turns to sadness and worry. She misses Da Qiang terribly, and wonders if he is back at Haotian Tower. She knows he had been imprisoned for tens of thousands of years – how much longer would he have to stay if he went back? He is a good man and doesn’t deserve it. The plant spirits go to sleep and she feels bereft – until DFQC presents her with her morning dew! He looks more breathtakingly handsome than ever in a new set of robes and smells intoxicating from his fragranced bath.

DFQC tries hard to be patient with her requests to make the dew more palatable. When he blows on it to cool it down, it reminds her of her master Siming blowing on her porridge when she is sick. Since Siming left, nobody ever lifted a finger to care for her until now. Da Qiang promises to collect dew for her every day from now on – but how can she accept his kindness? Her heart belongs to Changheng (CH) doesn’t it? She is torn.

DFQC overdoes everything that the Xilan scroll suggests in his attempts to heal XLH! The amount of dew he collects is several times the amount she would normally drink, his efforts to keep her warm take him to the volcanic magma of Cangyan Sea, and only the best place will do to see the sunrise – the home of his enemy! :D It would be easier if he took her back to Cangyan Sea, let his medics attend to her, and retrieved his Jade Ring to block her emotions. He could then coerce her to fix the destiny leaf without emotional fallout. But the scroll said that the roots of the Xilan holy plant should not be moved except on particular days.

Yunzhong Water Pavillion: Yunzhong admonishes CH for ignoring his arranged marriage to the Goddess and for keeping another woman’s handkerchief. CH is dutifully shamed, discarding the Immortal Pill that he had poured his spirit’s vitality into creating over the last three days for XLH. If only he knew that XLH was actually his fiancée! :D Too funny.

Arbiter Hall: DFQC has been away all day and XLH, worried for his safety, has stayed up long past her usual bedtime to wait for him. When he returns and approaches her in her bedroom late at night, she retreats nervously. His proximity feels dangerous and exciting. He offers her the spark of Eternal Flame from the magma of Cangyan Sea, and is pleased when she recognises it from her books. But how could he have entered such a dangerous and distant place just to keep her warm – what if he had lost his life?!

Fountain Palace: CH reminisces about the momentous day he spent with XLH 500 years ago, which he then wiped from her memory without her consent!! There are many striking parallels between his history with XLH and DFQC’s continuing story with her. XLH did not know the true identity of either CH nor DFQC, but showed kindness to them both simply because of her caring nature. To CH, aggrieved by the attentions of simpering fairies chasing him for his fortune and status, this was the purest form of kindness he ever knew. XLH cured both men with her Xilan magic – for CH, this involved healing his physical wounds. CH appeared to have been mortally wounded and it is possible that she saved his life. For DFQC, she healed the damage to his Tree of Emotions, and mended his relationships with his father and brother. XLH is also the first person to try to protect either of these men, who everyone else relied on to protect them but were never offered care and protection themselves. In ep. 8 she protectively wraps DFQC in her arms in her attempt to save him from CH and his troops. What a woman! CH and DFQC never stood a chance. Also, CH, you are an idiot :D

Arbiter Hall, Day 5: It’s still dark when DFQC enters XLH’s room to take her to see the sunrise. Of course she’s reluctant to get up, lazy creature that she is, but the first rays of the sun are vital to her recuperation. Let’s see, she can’t go dressed in her nightclothes. He creates a soft and feminine lavender gown for her in keeping with her preference for light-coloured clothes, and gorgeous pastel hair accessories to match. Amazing!! We’ve seen him magically change his own clothes in ep. 2 and he does the same for her now. The next thing she knows, they are flying up, up, up, faster than she has ever travelled before and it is scary but exhilarating! Her arms encircle DFQC tightly and she feels safe in his embrace.

The lavender gown that DFQC created is the most beautiful out of all of XLH’s Fairy Realm outfits. The sleeves fall in soft, translucent frills, the bodice is lavender and the skirt is a collage of multiple pastel hues. His impeccable taste in fashion isn’t limited to his own wardrobe! (you can be my fairy godmother any time DFQC! :D ) This dress becomes XLH’s favourite; she wears it for the fairies’ examination in ep. 6 for good luck, and is seen wearing it in two scenes in the LBFAD end credits :D

Yunzhong Water Pavillion: DFQC watches with wicked amusement as XLH, not realising they are concealed by his invisibility cloak, panics at the sight of the heavenly soldiers approaching. They are now physically very comfortable with each other, and she grabs his waist, his arm, his wrist, as she tries to hide behind him and persuade him to leave before even more powerful high celestials arrive and capture them!

DFQC has to admit that the home of his arch-enemy is beautiful. But this reminds him that the Shuiyuntian dictators greedily hoard the best locations for themselves; they determine the class of others based solely on the status they were born into, and not on their personal merits. In Cangyan Sea, anyone can rise in status if they work hard enough and show potential. Shuiyuntian oppresses any member of the Moon Tribe simply because they are labelled as Moon Tribe – no other crime is necessary. In the lead up to the Battle of Two Tribes, Shuiyuntian had been cruelly and unnecessarily using their spirit-vanishing arrow formation (mentioned by his father in ep. 16) against the Moon Tribe, which meant that those they destroyed could never reincarnate and their spirits would never be at peace. The Moon Tribe had had no counter to their genocidal attacks until DFQC learned to control Hellfire.

They teleport to a romantic private balcony bordered with flowers just in time to catch the first rays of the rising sun. It’s the first sunrise XLH has ever seen! She can’t believe how beautiful the view is from the highest point in Shiyuntian! Not even high gods are allowed up here without being summoned by Yunzhong. To her enormous excitement, Cloud Whale, whom she has regularly spoken to over the past thousand years but never seen in person, makes an appearance!! Da Qiang made this possible for her, and she can’t help but love him for it.

Her radiant smile and soft, tender gaze upon him captivates him. From this moment, he is unable to take his eyes off her, and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth! :D Even the flowers on the balcony bloom in response to XLH’s happiness. Unknowingly, the two of them are by now completely enchanted by each other.

Arbiter Hall: XLH takes the Universe Pill that Jieli gave her, and both she, and DFQC in response, experience excruciating stomach pains (shame on you Jieli! :P ). While DFQC dispels fire energy from her stomach, she tells him that despite being a grouch, he is not a bad person. “Within the three realms, nobody is worse than me!” he declares, followed soon after by “if you feel sad, I feel sad too” :D He roughly pulls a blanket over her on his way out – this small but very significant gesture is not born from the necessity to heal her, but from a new desire within him to care for her. He was trained to be ruthless, nobody taught him how to be kind, but from this point on he is slowly learning how. In ep. 8, he roughly brushes a tear from her cheek, and his small gestures of kindness only continue to become smoother and gentler.

Unfortunately, XLH continues to be sad while missing Siming and the hundred flower soup she used to make for her and DFQC can no longer stand it! His face keeps crying and it is distracting him from his reading!! How hard can it be to make soup? He is not familiar with the kitchen equipment but has some experience with cooking over a campfire. So, he uses his hellfire to create a campfire on the rooftop. Bad idea, as smoke goes everywhere and flowers burn in the cooking pot :D But, XLH is overjoyed at his thoughtful efforts to cheer her up, which are well outside his comfort zone! He reminds her more and more of her master Siming, who was the dearest and most important person to her. All of the flowers in the greenhouse now bloom in response to her joy and affection (only two flowers bloomed for CH, in ep. 1 :P )

Here is a link to my episode 6 review (contains spoilers). All of my LBFAD articles and episode reviews can be viewed with the tag #lbfad reflections (hyperlinked) and the table of contents to these is here.

[thatringboy]

Honkai: Star Rail Au where everyone is shifted to the left

@glowstickblood Asked me to drop it, so I quickly finished it

Pointing out now that this isn't a serious AU and I really don't know if I'm gonna actually write for it

The Astral Express

Trailblazer is the same, can’t fix perfection

Dan Heng is an amnesiac who was found aboard a dead ship with nothing but a jade abacus with his name on it. He is drawn to the culture of the Xianzhou Alliance and believes that they hold the key to his past

March 7th doesn’t like to talk about her past, fair enough. Also doesn’t vibe with the Garden of Recollection?

Joachim is the Navigator of the Astral Express, has history with leader of the Stellaron Hunters

Murata Himeko is the Express’ security officer, wields a battle suit, has a slight drinking problem she supplements with coffee, and often calls Joachim “teacher” for some reason

Stellaron Hunters

“Luocha” is the leader of the Stellaron Hunters, and bears a striking resemblance to someone from Himeko’s past 

Jingliu is a mara-struck Xianzhou native who yearns for death, but it is not her time 

Black Swan is an Aether Editor who specializes in reading fortunes and messing with reality with her tarot cards

The Shogun is a lighting-fueled suit of metal armor said to be piloted by a woman who yearns to find the meaning of life. She also resembles someone from Himeko’s past

The rest of the AU is below the cut!

Herta Veritas Station

Vertias Ratio, Genius Number 83, always appears with a marble bust over his head. Founder of Vertias Station and the Simulated Universe

Ruan Mei, member of the genius society who is the current ruler of planet Ruan. She is the head scientist behind the Divergent Universe

Screwllum is an Intellitron Genius who wants to discover the secrets of creating new life. Don’t ask what’s in the basement of Veritas Station

Herta, member of the Intelligensia Guild who wears a doll mask over her face if she appears in person, often sends puppets in her stead. Wishes to gain the praise of Nous

Kakavasha, Head Researcher of Veritas Station, has a strange relationship with Veritas and seems to have more money than god

Jelena, Head of Security of Veritas Station

Belabog 

Surface

Cocolia is a mechanic originally from the Underworld. She isn’t a member of Silvermane but she still supports them

Bronya, daughter of Cocolia and high ranking member of Silvermane, often goes on expeditions outside Belabog

Pela is a high ranking Silvermane member and is close to its leader. Will help give the runaway Lynx the courage to stand up to her sister

Gepard, prize fighter from the Underworld, doesn’t like to talk about his past too much and wants to help the Overworld as much as possible

Dunn is considered the leader of Silvermane, a kind man who takes care of Gepard

Sparkle is a young smuggler who aids Silvermane, but there’s always more than meets the eyes with her

Clara and her robot father Svarog are a pair of healers who came from the Underworld to help the surface dwellers. Is actually the head of Silvermane

Underworld

Serval is the Architect of Belabog. The Stellaron whispers in her ear and she is training her sister Lynx to take over for her once her plan is in motion

Lynx is Serval’s young sister. A smart young girl training to become an Architect, but isn’t sure how ready she is. 

Luka is a high ranking member of the Wildfire Guards, constantly chasing down border hoppers and smugglers

Natasha is a woman who runs a colony of vagrants separate from Rivet Town. Her and her orphan assistants are considered dangerous

Hook, leader of Natasha’s Moles, wishes to be a great hero and boss

Oleg, captain of the Wildfire Guards, friend of Luka

Seele is one of Serval’s top tacticians, she yearns to see the surface but is too scared to betray Serval

Xianzhou Luofu

Jing Yuan, one of the old members of the Cloudhigh Quintet. An Emanator of The Hunt, now is cursed by The Abundance and wreaks havoc across the cosmos as both Paths fight for control over his body

Argenti is Jing Yuan’s psychotherapist and has the ability to see people’s souls. Possibly the one who smuggled a Stellaron onto the Luofu, willingly turned himself in to the authorities for some reason

Sushang is a Ten Lords Commission Judge in training, trying to follow the family tradition

Guinaifen, formally Guinevere, wants to be the first non-native Ten Lords Commission Judge. She reveres the General very much and often quotes him 

Hanya is a Cloud Knight from the Xianzhou Yaoqing training with her sister, is also the author of several light novels and like to hunt for ghosts

Xueyi is a Cloud Knight from the Xianzhou Yaoqing training with her sister, loves reading a specific series of light novels but doesn’t know who wrote them

Tingyun is a foxian Ten Lords Commission Judge training younger judges. She wields a fan possessed by an angry heliobus

Huohuo is the Amicassador of the Sky Faring Commission of the Xianzhou Luofu. She naturally has a nervous personality and a magic flaming tail said to be a blessing of the Reinbow Arbiter 

Yukong is the General’s right hand woman and is considered second in command of the Luofu. A skilled pilot and head of the Sky Faring Commission, she wants her daughter to try harder

Qingni is Yukong’s daughter. A slacker who would rather play Celestial Jade all day, but is surprisingly reliable in a pinch

Fu Xuan is the head of the Divination Commission and mentor of Qingque. She doesn’t understand why Qingque wants to throw away her comfortable job

Qingque is a member of the Divination Commission and is the student of Fu Xuan. She wants to one day become a soldier and use her skills in the fight against The Abundance, despite her small stature

Yinxing is the General of the Xianzhou Luofu. The Alliance’s first non-native General who became an Emanator of The Hunt and gained eternal life after the fall of the Cloudhigh Quintet and an accident relating to The Permanence (oops?)

Yunli, General Yinxing’s student and master swordswoman. She hopes to live up to everyone’s expectations of her 

Jiaoqiu is the current head of the Alchemy Commission while the Vidiyahara High Elder studies medicine on another ship. Often skips out on duty

Bailu is the current Luofu Vidiyahara High Elder, she is away studying medicine aboard the Xianzhou Yaoqing 

Dan Feng is the previous Vidiyahara High Elder. His reincarnation cycle was sabotaged when he was found guilty for transforming members of the Cloudhigh Quintet into Abominations of Abundance and his new life was stripped of all identifying markers. His title was inherited by the young Bailu

Yanqing is the grandson of the General of the Xianzhou Zhuming and is hunting down cursed swords. Ironically enough, he wields a cursed sword

Antimatter Legion

Duke Inferno is an Emanator of The Destruction and one of the Lord Ravagers of the Antimatter Legion. It is said he had a hand in recent chaos aboard the Xianzhou Luofu

Annihilation Gang

Phantaylia is the leader of a small faction following The Destruction. She will meet her end along with her fellow acolytes by the hands of an Emanator that should not exist

Penacony + others

Robin is a cyborg Galaxy Ranger hell-bent on destroying the IPC after they destroyed her home. She lives by the motto of stealing from the rich to give to the poor

Sunday is Robin’s late brother who died during the IPC’s attack on their home planet

Boothill is the head of the Iris Family. He and his baby daughter were the only survivors after a Stellaron ate half their planet, and he - being a young single dad - was taken in by Maeven Ellis of Penacony. He is an unwilling part of the grand plan to revive The Order and acts as the talent manager in Penacony. It is said that because of his “faulty” Synesthesia Beacon, he can no longer speak his native language nor say his own birth name 

Kafka is a Knight of Beauty searching for her missing Aeon. She finds beauty even in the most grotesque creatures

Gallagher is a being of Memoria created in the image of the Watchmaker to guide the Nameless. It is said he is based off of a man once called Breukelen Tiernan

Misha is a Historical Fictionologist created by the Watchmaker to be Gallagher’s friend and to protect the Dream. He takes the form of an unsuspecting hotel bellboy who wants to become a member of the Greyhound Family, and has traits of many of the employees around The Reverie. He also closely resembles a man who once flew himself directly into the Memory Zone

Silver Wolf is a rather odd Memokeeper from the Garden of Recollection who uses Memoria much like one would use a sandbox video game

Samuel is the very last of the Glamoth Iron Calvary and is an Emanator of Nihility. Disguising herself as a Galaxy Ranger using what she learned from a woman named Razalina, her real name is unknown to most, but she has a fondness for headbands

Sampo is a Masked Fool hired by Black Swan to cause havoc in Penacony during the Charmony Festival. Really likes bombs

Maeven Ellis is the previous head of the Iris Family and is the current Dreammaster. She takes great joy in “taking in” any “untalented” soul she can find and “giving them opportunities”. She originally wanted her adopted daughter Siobhan to take her place as head of the Family, but her new pet Boothill is working out quite nicely.  Is said to be a follower of The Order (shh!!)

Gopher Wood is the head of the Oak Family and after the death of Maeven, will take over as the leader amongst the Great Lineages. Is considered a threat by the IPC for his business skills

Oti Alfafla is the eccentric head of the Alfalfa Family. He lives for the thrill of the deal and loves to live life stylishly!

Sir Whittaker is the head of the Nightingale Family and takes his job preserving the Dreamscape very seriously. Since the head of the Greyhound Family is often busy, the security guards usually either answer to him or Gopher Wood when it comes to questions about Dreamchasers

Siobhan is Maeven’s adopted daughter who helped Boothill get back on his feet after he relocated to Penacony. Now she travels the cosmos as a famous mixologist, trying to wash away the stench of the Family in her past. Currently has custody of Boothill’s daughter and is the little girl’s godmother

IPC

Peridot & Bubbles, a member of the Ten Stonehearts and her pet Warp Trotter. Formerly known as Asta before joining the IPC, Peridot of Debt Retrieval views her position as one allowing her to travel and discover new secrets of the universe. Known as the least controversial Stoneheart

Tourmaline, a member of the Ten Stonehearts. Formerly known as Arlan before being recruited by Obsidian, Tourmaline of Stratagems is reckless and often self sacrificing. It is said he had a harsh childhood that culminated into strange survival skills

Obsidian, a member of the Ten Stonehearts. Known as Obsidian of Credit and is the Senior Manager of Strategic Investment, they have taken a personal interest in Tourmaline and are interested in his plans, even going as far as trusting Tourmaline with their cornerstone

Jade is another member of the Ten Stonehearts, it is not said what her skills or her department are

[witchofhimring]

Alys x Aemond modern AU headcanons

Alys Rivers x Aemond Targaryen modern AU. Alys is 30 and Aemond 26.

-Alys was born to her father when he was young. Not wanting to suffer the shame of having a child out of wedlock Lyonel Strong chose not to publicly acknowledge her. He did however pay child support. Alys lived with her mother until she (the mother) died when Alys was 14. Afterwards she went to live with her grandmother. Alys's grandmother owned a flat and antique store which Alys would eventually inherit. Alys moved our briefly to attend University and returned aged 21. Shortly after her grandmother passed and Alys was now in charge of the store. Lyonel had nothing to do with Alys once child support was no longer mandatory. Alys had a few relationships but none of them worked out. This was made harder when she was told that having a child would be difficult. So she was all alone.

-Aemond was born to CEO Viserys and his second wife Alicent. Despite the largess of his family Aemond was practically alone. His father cared more for his eldest daughter and Aegon was...well...Aegon. And having only your mother and sister for company can get lonely. When he was 18 Aemond moved out an started University right away. Money was no issue since he had been saving and got a free ride thanks to scholarships. It was nice to get distance, but Aemond still felt isolated. After graduation Aemond moved to a small town that had a company near by. A small, unassuming place. But the perfect starting point for accomplishing his dreams.

-Aemond and Alys did not meet for the first half year. He heard of the strange woman who owned the antique store. Alys herself took little interest in the blonde Targaryen moving in close by. Going to a fortune teller she was told her life would drastically change. Alys wondered continuously what the fortune teller meant. Being a suspicious woman Alys took these sorts of things very seriously. So she waited patiently, these things should never be rushed, and prepared herself. Whether this would bring good or ill she could not say.

-Their meeting would come on one rainy day when Aemond foolishly left the house while it was about to rain. He just wanted to get some air when the heavens opened up and Aemond was forced to run into the nearest building. This one was small, built nearly two centuries ago, and painted completely black with red bricks. He had never felt inclined to go in, having only heard stories of the crazy woman who lived in there. Inside was like stepping into one of his families old castles. The room was dim and old carpets covered the floor. From small books to suits of armor Aemond was momentarily enchanted. That was when Alys stepped out, nearly causing Aemond to flee from pure shock. She was not an unattractive woman, maybe not conventionally, but no one could call her ugly. Raven black hair hung to her waist in big thick curtains. Her heavy set jaw lent to her looks, giving this woman a look of authority that suited her. Most strikingly were the most gorgeous wide green eyes. They reminded him of set jades his mother wore. 'Can I help you.' Raising an eyebrow Alys was equally taken aback by this strangers looks. Alys had never found a man who she thought deserved the word "beautiful". His silver hair hung down to his waist, disheveled but attractive. He had only one eye, amethyst. The other was covered by an eyepatch. His face was angular with prominent cheeks, the type artists would clamor to paint. Alys was considerably better at hiding her alarm, Aemond less so. Little did they know where this would lead them.

-It started out with Aemond becoming interested with some of the older objects in the house. He would come by and examine them. Sometimes he would ask her the history behind them. Luckily Alys, who also had an interest in history, kept a detailed record of everything. Two people, who did not have anyone else, found themselves drawn to one another. Linked by this similarity and shared interests, they begun a friendship. A friendship that would evolve into something more.

Notes: I plan to make more Modern AU's for Alys and Aemond.

[cienie-isengardu]

Bi-Han and Shang Tsung seen through the various "timelines", p.1

Or: Cienie collects data about how Shang Tsung and Bi-Han's relationship looked in different source material through the years. And by "Bi-Han" I mean all incarnations of Sub-Zero that took part in the tenth Tournament or were Shang Tsung's hired assassin around that time.

>> MORTAL KOMBAT (1992)

Sub-Zero’s Ending:

"After receiving the title of Grand Champion, Sub-Zero disappears back into the shadows from which he came. His only goal in the tournament was...the assassination of Shang Tsung. He was paid a large sum of money by one of Tsung's wealthy enemies. With his mission accomplished, Sub-Zero will collect his fortune and retire from his dangerous profession."

>> MORTAL KOMBAT: BLOOD AND THUNDER (1994)

Issue #0

"It is true that there are those who would thwart my plans. Their mission is only common bond they have. Save for the exceptional fighting prowess [...] I'm uncertain of Sub-Zero's background, but based on the markings of his uniform, he probably belongs to the Lin Kuei, a legendary clan of Chinese ninjas. [...] Each of them has his own agenda, but they all wish to stop me. To do so, they must fight their way through my personal guards and they must do the impossible and defeat mighty Goro. And then... should they somehow accomplished all of that... they would have to deal with Shang Tsung himself.

Issue #2

"Representing the Outworld province of Katala... this is Grum. And battling for the Lin Kuei clan... Sub-Zero.

Sub-Zero: Where are you taking me? Goro: We're going to escort you to special "quarters" to await your next match. Do not be so jumpy, my friend. There is nothing to worry about.

Sonya: Look! I want to know what's going on here! I demand to speak to Shang Tsung! Sub-Zero: Is it not obvious, woman? There is no end to Tsung's treachery.

Issue #6

Sub-Zero: I came to the Island of Shang Tsung to claim the title of Grand Master of Mortal Kombat. The time has come for the Lin Kuei clan to rise to its place of power.

>> MORTAL KOMBAT BATTLEWAVE (199-?)

*This comic book is followed by "A cold day in Hell" in which at the end we met younger Sub-Zero, which is why I count Battlewave as the source for "Bi-Han". There is not much direct information of Shang Tsung & Bi-Han's interaction, but the elder Sub-Zero helps Kitana who opposes Shao Kahn, so by default they are enemies.

Issue #6

Shao Kahn: The CHallenge has been issued and it may not be refused. Two teams shall do battle, seeking a goal of my choosing. Shang Tsung will lead the forces of Shao Kahn, battling for Outworld and Rayden shall lead the forces of Light, representing Earth and those sympathetic to his goals.

Team Outworld: Shang Tsung, Goro, Kintaro, Scorpion, Reptile, Kano, Mileena, Smoke, Jade, Siang.

Team Earthrealm & allies: Rayden, Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, Johnny Cage, Kitana, Sub-Zero, Jax, Kung Lao, Baraka, Bo.

>> MORTAL KOMBAT: TOURNAMENT EDITION - "A COLD DAY IN HELL" (1995)

Some of them are from Earth realm. Others are from here on Outworld. They have been separated by the whims of the Dark Emperor... into two teams lead by opposing personalities.

>> MORTAL KOMBAT CARD GAME (1995)

Sub-Zero is a member of the Lin Kuei and one of the deadliest assassins alive. He joins the tournament as one of Shang Tsung's hired mercenaries in exchange for the secrets of Tsung's arcane magic.

>> MORTAL KOMBAT MOVIE (1995)

Shang Tsung (to Sonya, Johnny and Liu Kang): "Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Deadliest of enemies. But slaves under my power."

Shang Tsung (after Sub-Zero's demonstrated his ice powers and killed a man): Flawless victory.

>> MORTAL KOMBAT (novelization of the 1995 film) by MARTIN DELRIO (1995)

“You!” Shang said. “What are you doing here, old one? This is my domain. Here the emperor pronounces the law.” “Indeed.” “Then tell me, Rayden, god without miracles, why do you come? To see your fighters destroyed, your realm lost, and you yourself humiliated? Is it really worth the price you must pay to come here, to see those things?” “I have reason to expect a slightly different outcome,” Rayden said mildly. “Tell me, if you are so confident of the results of the tournament, why do you go even now to visit Prince Goro?” “I pay my respects to Outworld’s greatest champion,” Shang Tsung said. “What is so odd about that?” “Nothing, if you did not travel with your ninjas,” Rayden said. “Did you think I would not recognize Sub-Zero and Scorpion? If you go to visit a friend and ally, you have no need of those two.”

Shang paced in, Sub-Zero and Scorpion at his side, never breaking stride.

Another gong sounded. Shang Tsung stepped forward, a line of monks pacing him on either side. Sub-Zero and Scorpion, the two ninjas, kept their usual pace just behind him.

>> MORTAL KOMBAT NOVEL by JEFF ROVIN (1995)

“You may be right,” Shang Tsung said. “Tell me again why Kano was the best man for this job – why we couldn’t get the man I wanted.” Goro reached into the smaller of two bamboo cages set before him, pulled out a small struggling horny toad, and put its head in his mouth. He bit down. “Because the man you wanted, Sub-Zero of the Lin Kuei ninjas, was not available.” “I know that,” Shang Tsung said, his reedy voice impatient. “Why wasn’t he available?” Goro used a thick finger to push the rest of the horny toad into his mouth, and after shaking the cage to see what else was in there, he dug through a wriggling layer of garter snakes to pull out a newt. “Because he killed an assassin by the name of Scorpion, and went into hiding. No one knows where in China he is, not even other members of the Lin Kuei.”

The wizard’s fingers curled into a tight ball, and he rattled it at the circle of ooze-covered powder on the floor of the shrine. “I haven’t come this far to be stopped by a mortal… even a mortal who is aided by a deity!” “Then you must act… against Liu.” Shang Tsung nodded. He would love to find a way to act against Rayden himself, but he dared not step into the circle to consult with Shao Kahn. He didn’t want to face the god’s ire now that they knew the blundering idiot Kano was being followed – and by three members of the White Lotus Society no less – men, women, and even children who were masters of the martial and ninja arts. Even if he were to send Goro out to intercept them, that was no guarantee of victory. The giant Shokanite might have no trouble stopping one of the White Lotus members, but three? For that, Shang Tsung would need special assistance. Help that was sly and moved like the hornet, quietly and unseen. “Where is he, Ruthay? Where is the only one who can help me?” There was a long pause. “I… am looking.” Then, the disembodied voice said, “I see him… Shang Tsung. He is hiding.” “Where?” “In a cave… in a cliff… north of Wenzhou.” “That’s just like him,” Shang Tsung said. “With the fees he charges, he could live in splendor. Yet he chooses a life of hardship and study.” “And death!” Ruthay said. “Yes, death,” Shang Tsung admitted. “Don’t be too harsh on him, Ruthay. Some people deserve to die. I will summon him–” “Wait! Be warned, Shang Tsung. He is cursed!” “Cursed? By whom?” Ruthay wailed, “By the immortal Yu.” Shang Tsung felt cold spiders crawl up his spine. “The demigod Yu?” “Yes… he who is said to dwell in the underground caverns of Horse  Ear Mountain… which is sacred to the goddess Kuan Lin. He who protects the canals… and the tunnels… and looks after all who use them, human and animal.” “What did our brash friend do to Yu?” “He… killed a man,” said Ruthay. “What man?” “A toll-taker… one who had given up a life of crime… one who had been a partner of the man… you… seek.” “And how did that crime come to the attention of the spirit of Yu?” Shang Tsung asked. “The man was killed… slowly disemboweled with a sword… while accomplices forced his wife and his son to look on! After his murder… the man’s remains… were dumped into a canal!” Shang Tsung raised an eyebrow. “Is that all? I was expecting something truly terrible!” “It was!” Ruthay shrieked. “When he disposed of the body… in that way … he profaned one of the sacred waterways… of Yu!” Shang Tsung smiled now. “Then he is definitely the man I want,” he said. “Anyone who is impudent enough to insult a demigod won’t be afraid to attack a member of the White Lotus Society, or the gods who watch after them. I will send Hamachi, Ruthay. When he nears his goal, see through his eyes and guide him!”

Opening the door, the wizard pushed past the two hooded souls that were attending to the many birds in the palace aviary. The bulk of the collection of birds from around the world, and their ornate cages of balsa and steel, of bamboo and ivory, of twigs and even string, was for Shang Tsung’s own enjoyment. He luxuriated in the specimens, which ranged from the common nightingale to the imposing pine grosbeak, from the rufous-sided towhee to the glorious yellow warbler, from the black vulture to the red-tailed hawk. But some of the birds were kept more for practical purposes. His falcons were trained to fly to the mainland and kill with claws of poison, while his beautiful white pigeons were trained to carry messages to spots all across eastern China. Going to a small writing table tucked in a corner of the stone chamber, Shang Tsung lit a candle, dipped a fountain pen in red ink, and wrote in small, tight characters on a slip of rice paper: LIU KANG AND TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE WHITE LOTUS SOCIETY ARE CAMPED TO THE WEST OF WUHU, HEADED EAST TO INTERCEPT A BAND OF BLACK DRAGONS. THESE INTERLOPERS MUST BE STOPPED. YOU ARE MY LAST HOPE. RETURN THE BIRD WITH A TOKEN SO I WILL KNOW THAT YOU HAVE GONE AFTER THEM. SHANG TSUNG After finishing the message, the sorcerer went over to one of the cages, carefully removed a pigeon, rolled the paper around its right leg, and fixed it there with a length of red string. Holding the bird in both hands, he made his way under and around the many cages to the window. The black shutters of the window were closed, and one of the hooded servants scuttled over, released the catch, and threw it open. Shang Tsung bent close to the bird and said softly, “I know you won’t fail me as my fellow humans have, devoted Hamachi. Fly true and take my urgent message to the region you know so well. Ruthay will see through your eyes and guide you from there. Then return to me, my delicate servant. Come back safely and soon, and I will offer up a human sacrifice to you.” With a last look into the black-pearl eyes of his precious messenger, Shang Tsung threw the pigeon out the window and watched the bird bat its white wings until it was swallowed by the starlit sky. “Fly, my precious. Fly! You who do not need the waterways, the tunnels, or the favor of the arrogant Yu to accomplish your mission!”

He dwelt in a cave two hundred feet up the face of a cliff by the sea. The mouth of his home was barely wide enough to accommodate a slender adult, and was accessible only by climbing the sheer wall of rock, a feat that was impossible for most adults and daunting even to the few arachnids and marsupials that tried it. Maybe some of them were even sent by Yu, he thought with a smirk, little assassins who would chastise me for having spilled blood in his precious canal. The smirk faded as he thought back to the murder. The blood of a traitor… one who took the oath and then turned his back on us. One it had taken two decades to find. The traitor Yong Park had committed the ultimate crime: even if Yu himself crawled into the cave, he would find the killer unrepentant and willing to kill the former ninja again. The cave was located two hundred miles south of Shimura  Island, though it was still hours before dawn when the pigeon reached it. Landing in the narrow mouth, the bird cooed once then stood still, as it had been trained to do. The ninja was awake and beside it in an instant, crouched beneath a ceiling that didn’t allow for him to stand. Dressed only in a white loincloth, despite the cold floor and chill air in the cave. He was reading the message by moonlight a moment later. A smile crossed his lips, lips so pale and claylike that they appeared dead. His small, very narrow eyes looked from the message to the bird to the moonlight that lit just the entrance of his dark abode. He ran the back of an index finger up and down the bird’s breast. “Good Hamachi. Return to your master so he will know that I have received his message and am on my way to do his bidding. For a price, of course,” he said. He glanced at the several pyramid-shaped stacks of scrolls in the rear of his cave. His fee was another manuscript from Shang Tsung’s library, one of the many scrolls that were centuries old, dating back to the dawn of the days of the first ninjitsu and containing arcane secrets of the league of assassins to which he belonged, the widely-feared Lin Kuei.

>> MYTHOLOGIES: SUB-ZERO (1997)

Story mode:

Sub-Zero: I vow to serve and obey the Lin Kuei. Grandmaster: Welcome back, my warrior. I have a new undertaking for you. It seems your recent exploits have caught the eye of yet another sorcerer. I'd like you to meet the retainer of your services. His name is Shang Tsung. He would like you to compete in a small tournament... called Mortal Kombat.

>> MORTAL KOMBAT 9 (2011)

Chapter 2: Sonya

Shang Tsung (to Sonya): You will face Sub-Zero, of the Lin Kuei clan of assassins.

Chapter 3: Scorpion (Bi-Han's death)

Chapter 7: Smoke

Smoke: Tell me what you know of Sub-Zero's death. Shang Tsung: *shapeshifts into Bi-Han* Smoke: What-? Shang Tsung: Despite his failure at my tournament, I'll wager he was more powerful than you, Lin Kuei.

>> MORTAL KOMBAT 11 + AFTERMATH (2019-2020)

Shang Tsung's Official Gameplay Trailer

Story Mode: Fujin's chapter

Shang Tsung & Noob / Bi-Han using similar looking attack in the same chapter:

Intro dialogues: Shang Tsung vs Noob Saibot

Shang Tsung: No more haunting my island's shadows. Noob Saibot: Your island is Kronika's property. Shang Tsung: So she is your master now?

Shang Tsung: It's astounding you survived a Soulnado. Noob Saibot: My darkness is immutable and unkillable. Shang Tsung: But is it transferable, Bi-Han?

Noob Saibot: Take your place in the Netherrealm. Shang Tsung: I would rather raise Onaga. Noob Saibot: That would be most unwise.

Noob Saibot: I have no soul to steal. Shang Tsung: I'll kill you, just to be sure. Noob Saibot: You may try, Shang Tsung.

Intro dialogues: Shang Tsung vs Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang)

Shang Tsung: You lack your brother's efficacy. Sub-Zero: Because I maintain my integrity. Shang Tsung: Integrity is no weapon, Kuai Liang.

Sub-Zero: My brother paid a high price serving you. Shang Tsung: He knew the rules of Mortal Kombat. Sub-Zero: But then you rigged the tournament.

[baenyth]

Bethany's Bizarre Miraculous Rewrite: What's in the Box?

So this is the contents of Master Fu's Box in this rewrite. Since there are only two Miraculous here, the guardians take in, protect, and utilize all sorts of magical items instead. A lot of these items are larger than mere accessories, but the box stays the same size. It's just non-euclidean. Bigger on the inside, you know.

Also real quick a definition of magic: Magic is a form of energy that is attracted to people's ambition and willpower. It can be pretty hard to attract magic at first, but thankfully there's magical items like the ones in the miracle boxes for that. So without further ado, here's what's inside Master Fu's Miracle Box, the Heavenly Miracle box with some extra items given to him by the Order of The Guardians as they collapsed:

The Ladybug Miraculous (Contains Tikki, one of the seven essences of reality that takes the form of an incorporeal fairylike entity known as a kwami. Tikki is the essence of creation and is associated with good fortune and light.)

The Black Cat Miraculous (Contains Plagg, one of the seven essences of reality that is also a kwami. Plagg is the essence of destruction and is associated with bad fortune and darkness.)

The Five Elemental Idols (Basically the Legendary Spirits from Digimon Frontier: Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Wood)

The Saint's Corpse (Peacock Miraculous Equivalent; Lost and Scattered; Coeur has the heart while a retired supervillain has the ribs, wings, and pelvis.)

Wayzazz (An immortal tortoise with a snake's head, tail, and 'neck.' Has human-level intelligence but no powers, and really just keeps Master Fu company. He and the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous are the only items that can be accessed at the start of the season due the tumor Coeur created on the Miracle Box.)

A Time Bomb (Blows up time. Smash it to blow it up and be sent back in time alongside anyone close to you. Click one way to set a reset point. Click the other way for the Time Bomb to set the reset point. Don't worry, it has failsafes to prevent infinite loops.)

The Puzzle Box, a box of layers and layers of puzzles, containing Chronos, the essence of space (one of the seven essences of reality!)

Energos, another one of the seven essences of reality.

The Pseudo-Mouse Miraculous (convergent evolution; made by a Victorian English woman with passion, a desire to become a mouse, and a love for skip rope. Lacks a kwami and was picked up by Fu instead of the guardians themselves.)

The Frozen Heart (Crystalline ice heart that never melts attached to a chain necklace made of similar ice. Wielder can create and control ice. Works best with ice queens with hidden fury. Useless with overemotional people.)

The Power Gauntlet (Golden adamant gauntlet with magical gemstones, that grants super strength on the arm it's on.)

The Holy Grail (Golden and platinum adamant with magical gemstones. Doesn't grant immortality but any liquid inside it becomes purified and delicious.)

The Dominion Crown (Also golden adamant with magical gemstones. Wear the crown on your head and create a large bubble. That bubble is your domain, and you have full control over what goes on inside it. Basically the Op-Op Fruit combined with the Turtle Miraculous.)

A Philosopher's Stone (One of the larger ones, if not the largest one. Has a golden adamant container decorated with magic gemstones. A stone that resembles white jade and displays both solid and liquid properties. Put in the right ingredients to convert any material into another material. Smells like salt and rotten eggs. Handle with care.)

Excalibur! (Not to be confused with the prop sword in the stone. Silvered adamant blade with a golden adamant and magic gemstone hilt.)

The Miraculous Grimoire, a dense book detailing all the magical objects, species, and spells in this world. Lost by Master Fu. Found by three archaeologists.

Feel free to ask any more questions about these magical items, btw. I love infodumping and adding detail to my work.

[dailyjsa]

Welcome to DailyJSA's JSA Member Tournament!

Sixty four enter, one takes the crown!

These are characters who were either explicitly stated to be members of the JSA, or very involved with the team to the point that they're basically a member (mainly applies to Thunderbolt). Some are in a grey area due to retcons (such as Hippolyta) or were barely involved with the team, but they still count. Batman, Wonder Woman (Diana), Superman, and Robin have been excluded from this tournament to give other less popular characters a fair chance.

These initial matchups were made with a randomizer to be as fair as possible.

Each week, a round of polls will be posted. All polls will be a week long.

Since there are so many matchups to start, Round One will be split into two parts. The matchups are below the cut for those who may have trouble reading the bracket.

Feel free to send in an ask if you have any questions.

Round One (3/20):

Darknight vs Terry Sloane (Mr. Terrific)

Jesse Chambers (Jesse Quick/Liberty Belle) vs Al Pratt (The Atom)

Jennifer Pierce (Lightning) vs Al Rothstein (Atom Smasher)

Salem Nader (Salem The Witch Girl) vs Jeffrey Graves (Mister America)

Earth 2 Helena Wayne (Huntress) vs Jay Garrick (The Flash)

Dinah Lance (Black Canary) vs Sonia Sato (Judomaster)

Hector Hall (Doctor Fate) vs Pieter Cross (Doctor Mid-Nite)

Rick Tyler (Hourman) vs Ted Grant (Wildcat)

Matthew Tyler (Hourman) vs Joan Dale (Miss America)

Tom Bronson (Wildcat) vs Grant Emerson (Damage)

Jakeem Williams (Jakeem Thunder) vs The Thunderbolt

Jim Corrigan (The Spectre) vs Hippolyta (Wonder Woman)

Khalid Nassour (Doctor Fate) vs Jack Knight (Starman)

Kent Nelson (Doctor Fate) vs Thom Kallor (Starman)

Maxine Hunkel (Cyclone) vs Markus Clay (Amazing Man)

New Golden Age Helena Wayne (Huntress) vs Roxy

Round One Continued (3/27):

Billy Batson (Captain Marvel) vs Yolanda Montez (Wildcat)

Todd Rice (Obsidian) vs Dinah Drake (Black Canary)

Anna Fortune vs Beth Chapel (Doctor Mid-Nite)

Carter Hall (Hawkman) vs Red Tornado (John Smith)

Shiera Hall (Hawkgirl) vs Sand Hawkins (Sand/Sandman)

Michael Holt (Mr. Terrific) vs Alan Scott (Green Lantern/Sentinel)

Sylvester Pemberton (Star-Spangled Kid) vs Courtney Whitmore (Star-Spangled Kid/Stargirl)

Karen Starr (Power Girl) vs Wesley Dodds (Sandman)

Sara Butters (Red Beetle) vs Nathan Heywood (Citizen Steel)

Kent V Nelson (Doctor Fate) vs King Chimera

Kendra Saunders (Hawkgirl) vs Teth-Adam (Black Adam)

Ri vs Ted Knight (Starman)

Pat Dugan (S.T.R.I.P.E.) vs Libby Lawrence (Liberty Belle)

Rex Tyler (Hourman) vs Johnny Thunder

Charles McNider (Doctor Mid-Nite) vs Jennie-Lynn Hayden (Jade)

David Reid (Magog) vs Kate Spencer (Manhunter)