#The Witches of Silverlake

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 2/5

Book Blurb: It's always tough being the new kid in the coven. Elliot Green has had a rough year. His dad died, he had to move across the country, and now he’s about to start high school in one of LA’s most prestigious private schools, where his mom has accepted the position of Vice Principal. He’s quickly taken in by the school’s outcasts: the scholarship kids; the queer kids; and the ones who just don’t really fit in with the glossy trust fund babies of SJTBA. They quickly let him in on their little secret…they are witches. Elliot joins them in their world among the crystal stores and occult shops of Silverlake and ends up joining his new friends’ coven. During one of their magical experiments, they accidentally release a bloodthirsty demon that starts murdering their classmates and teachers. Elliot and his coven realize that the fun and games of playing with crystals and candles is over, that magic is powerful, real, and that it might be more dangerous than they’d ever imagined.

Review:

After the death of his father, Elliot Green is getting a fresh start at a one of LA’s most prestigious private school in Los Angeles. When he gets there, he is befriended by a group of outcasts who are convinced he is the final member of their coven. Elliot soon finds himself in their world of crystal stores and occult shops, going to coven meetings and doing magical experiments... that eventually lead to the release of a bloodthirsty demon that starts murdering their classmates and teachers. Elliot in particular begins to be haunted by the demon and a strange crystal. This is the first book in the series, and while I loved the pretty artwork and the potential of the story, I felt it was actually lacking a plot and substance. It felt kind of like The Craft, but maybe just like the very beginning of the movie where she moves to a new school and befriends some witches and they work on awakening their powers. Overall, it was a pretty comic it just didn’t really feel like there was much story in it.

*Thanks Netgalley and Legendary Comics, Legendary Comics YA for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[badwitch-if]

I'm a huuuge trailer nerd and after an extremely crap day yesterday, it's not an exaggeration to say this trailer made my day. aaand then I proceeded to watch it like, 6 times in a row, because that's how I do.

there are a LOT of 80s influences throughout Bad Witch, so much so that I've joked that it takes place in a world where time just sorta... paused. but the biggest influence overall was the brat pack

I knew when I started creating this story that I wanted it centered around a group just like the brat pack — the relationship dynamics of a group of people that were put in a pressure cooker during adolescence, and then further scrutinized when they became famous together. but obviously with a big injection of ✨magic✨

aaand then we pick up the story a decade later! so it's fair to say the general public feels some sort of way about MC & the other Silverlakers. regardless if they were fans or cheered for rival covens during Demonhall matches at the time, they were very overexposed. and you either loved them, or...

[badwitch-if]

oooh I am just having the best, most twisted time working on the prologue!! 😅❄️🌲✨🔥

I'm trying to incorporate a new [for me] storytelling method, that does away with the need for the really jerky intro; while creating your MC, establishing key decisions and personal/historical choices. and so far I'm really happy with the way this new version is shaping up!

anywho, as I'm writing I'm listening to the TR0N Legacy soundtrack which is a HUUUGE inspiration for Demonhall, along with the TR0N arena itself [and vaporwave in general]... and I'm just so excited to see it all coming together like this

technically I'm behind my original schedule but with the rate I'm currently writing & plotting, I'm looking to have the new, FULL prologue released by 1 June. it could possibly be sooner but it won't be later 😃

OHHH!! and in case you missed it, an overwhelming [almost] 90% of you voted to embrace your inner spooky bitch Witxh. aaand although I promise to keep most of the choices ranging between both extremes, it was really encouraging to get those results. Bad Witch is definitely a grittier dark-fantasy story, but that doesn't mean your MC can't choose to see the best in every person or situation 🔥🪽

TRON: Legacy (2010) dir. Joseph Kosinski

[mage-witha-glock]

Day #7: Immortality

Decided to do Silverlake fanart since she's an immortal witch :D

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🌈 Queer Books Coming Out in May 2024 🌈

🌈 Good morning, my bookish bats! Struggling to keep up with all the amazing queer books coming out this month? Here are a FEW of the stunning, diverse queer books you can add to your TBR before the year is over. Remember to #readqueerallyear! Happy reading!

[ Release dates may have changed. ]

❤️ Farzana's Spite - Felix Graves 🧡 Archangels of Funk - Andrea Hairston 💛 How It Works Out - Myriam Lacroix 💚 Queer History A to Z - Robin Stevenson, Vivian Rosas 💙 Queerceañera - Alex Crespo 💜 Second Night Stand - Karelia Stetz-Waters, Fay Stetz-Waters ❤️ You Can Call Me Cooper - Cali Kitsu 🧡 Gooseberry - Robin Gow 💛 Grand Slam Romance - Ollie Hicks, Emma Oosterhous 💙The Witches of Silverlake - Simon Curtis, Stephanie Son 💜 Drawn to the Enemy - Barbara Winkes 🌈 The Truth of Our Past - Heather Leighson

❤️ Infaust - T.D. Cloud, Ambi Sun 🧡 Garner for Gold - Catherine Labadie 💛 The Z Word - Lindsay King-Miller 💚 Snake Charming - Genevieve McCluer 💙 The 7-10 Split - Karmen Lee 💜 Loving Jemima - Sienna Waters ❤️ The Potion Gardener - Arden Powell 🧡 A Swift and Sudden Exit - Nico Vincenty 💛 The Worst Ronin - Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Faith Schaffer 💙 Murray Out of Water -Taylor Tracy �� The Guncle Abroad - Steven Rowley 🌈 The Weight of What Was - Pip Landers-Letts

❤️ The Amazing Alpha Tau Pledge Project - Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey 🧡 I Met Death & Sex Through My Friend, Tom Meuley - Thom Vernon 💛 Malicia - Steven dos Santos 💚 The Sins on Their Bones - Laura R. Samotin 💙 SLUTS: Anthology - Michelle Tea 💜 You Should Be So Lucky - Cat Sebastian ❤️ Death's Country - R.M. Romero 🧡 Cinema Love - Jiaming Tang 💛 The Brides of High Hill - Nghi Vo 💙 Emma - Jenna Kent 💜 Wish We Were There - Lionel Hart 🌈 A Troublemaker in Her Eyes - Genta Sebastian

❤️ I Make Envy on Your Disco - Eric Schnall 🧡 Lavash at First Sight - Taleen Voskuni 💛 Queer Power Couples - Hannah Murphy Winter, Billie Winter 💚 In Repair - A.L. Graziadei 💙 A Heart Divided - Angie Williams 💜 Long After We Are Gone - Terah Shelton Harris ❤️ The Queen of Steeplechase Park - David Ciminello 🧡 Lunar Boy - Jes Wibowo, Cin Wibowo 💛 Hot Boy Summer - Joe Jiménez 💙 Sunhead - Alex Assan 💜 The Summer Love Strategy - Ray Stoeve 🌈 Into the Mouth of the Wolf - Erin Gough

❤️ The Girl in Question - Tess Sharpe 🧡 The Lost Erwain - Mariah Stillbrook 💛 Starfire - Naomi Hughes 💚 Adrift - Sam Ledel 💙 Shanghai Murder - Jessie Chandler 💜 April May June July - Alison B. Hart ❤️ A Bone in His Teeth - Kellen Graves 🧡 Cabin Fever - Tagan Shepard 💛 Don't Be a Drag - Skye Quinlan 💙 The Ride of Her Life - Jennifer Dugan 💜 The Redemption of Daya Keane - Gia Gordon 🌈 Nearlywed - Nicolas DiDomizio

❤️ The Sunforge - Sascha Stronach 🧡 The End of Time - Trudie Skies 💛 Silent Ones - Melissa Polk 💚 Prime Time Travelers - Neil Laird 💙 My Darling Dreadful Thing - Johanna van Veen 💜 The Honey Witch - Sydney J. Shields ❤️ Spitting Gold - Carmella Lowkis 🧡 Last Chance - Claire Highton-Stevenson 💛 Road Home - Rex Ogle 💙 Only for Convenience - Shannon O'Connor 💜 Linus and Etta Could Use a Win - Caroline Huntoon 🌈 Finding Molly Parsons - Alyson Root

❤️ Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding - Maia Kobabe, Dr. Sarah Peitzmeier 🧡 See You Next Month - Jamey Moody 💛 Until You Say My Name - Tatum Schroeder 💚 Disembark - Jen Currin 💙 True Love and Other Impossible Odds - Christina Li 💜 Flyboy - Kasey LeBlanc ❤️ Thirsty - Jas Hammonds 🧡 Hands Off - N. Slater 💛 Flooded Secrets - Claudie Arseneault 💙 The Deer and the Dragon - Piper C.J. 💜 To Be Loved - Frank G. Anderson 🌈 Snowblooded - Emma Sterner-Radley

❤️ Blood Remains - Cathy Pegau 🧡 Blood on the Tide - Katee Robert 💛 We Were the Universe - Kimberly King Parsons 💚 Loyalty - E.J. Noyes 💙 Spirits and Sirens - Kelly Fireside 💜 Clean Kill - Anne Laughlin ❤️ The Worst Perfect Moment - Shivaun Plozza 🧡 Oye - Melissa Mogollon 💛 Here for the Wrong Reasons - Annabel Paulsen, Lydia Wang 💙 Exhibit - R.O. Kwon 💜 Experienced - Kate Young 🌈 Parenting with Pride - Heather Hester

❤️ Road to Ruin - Hana Lee 🧡 Meet Me in Berlin - Samantha L. Valentine 💛 The Advice Columnist - Cade Haddock Strong 💚 where lost & hopeless things go - Bryony Rosehurst 💙 Pit Stop - Ellis Mae 💜 The Switchboard - Christina K. Glover ❤️ In the Shallows - Tanya Byrne 🧡 Have You Seen This Girl - Nita Tyndall 💛 Another First Chance - Robbie Couch 💙 The Only Light Left Burning - Erik J. Brown 💜 Keepers of the Stones and Stars - Michael Barakiva 🌈 A Little Kissing Between Friends - Chencia C. Higgins

[spacefairynayu]

"There are some nasty rumors circulating about witches and their daughters, how they sacrifice male children, have orgies with summoned demons, poison their husbands for inheritance, how they're too lazy to work around the house. All sorts of ridiculous bilge. It makes a lot of men reluctant to marry the daughter of a witch."

This comment by Silverlake really puts Kirielle's arranged marriage into perspective. Cikan knows it's ethically dubious to arrange a marriage for her nine year old daughter, but her concern is probably that Kirielle will never find a husband at all if she doesn't arrange one in advance. I can only imagine how difficult it was for Cikan to find someone to marry her, since her mother was very openly a witch. It does make me wonder if she actually loves Andir or if she married him because he was the only man who would.

[badwitch-if]

✨every me & every you✨

Well I know this sounds corny, but whenever I feel the temptation of peer pressure, I turn to God and he helps me through the problem.

CRUEL INTENTIONS (1999) dir. Roger Kumble

[braininatankwithalaptop]

I've been thinking about Eldemar in the future, as a more "modern" urban fantasy (assuming a lot of things about their cultural changes and the path technology takes), and I think witches and "witchness" could be really interesting culturally speaking. The origin of witches comes from women who gained magical skill and carved out a place for themselves outside of the traditional power structure that wanted to suppress them. There is obviously still sexism in MoL world during the story, but women have a lot more freedom in gaining magical education and work (maybe this was an intentional legal change by the government to take power away from witches?). But even during this witches still exist. Besides just their spellcasting culture and traditions, they seem to define themselves in their cultural "opposition" and defiance of the church and king. I very easily imagine a more modern generation of mages, or even witches who have adapted, using the title of "witch" the same way we see anarchists or hippies. During a time of great internal political turmoil, where many citizens are questioning the government and it's legitimacy, people may look to where witches originated and how they work to defy, subvert, or influence the Kingdom's government. Maybe mages burn their badges to oppose a draft being instated, forgoing the title "mage" for "witch." Or maybe if mage licenses are being revoked/denied for political reasons people take up the title of witch to declare they have no intention in not using magic. I keep imagining all the ways there could be political revolutions or cultural shifts or new societal dynamics, and all the ways it would piss witches like Silverlake off.

[gaslightgatekeepgirlbosscombat]

Group F, Round 3, Poll 3:

Propaganda under the cut

Silverlake

1. She’s a witch 2. She betrayed her companions to an evil primordial 3. Did it all just for infinite youth (she already had infinite life)

Artist: veltale

Megaera

Gaslights Zagreus, her sisters, and Hades when she doesn't want to be found out, doesn't tell Zagreus everything about his mother, makes a living torturing residents of the Underworld

[justapillowpetpanda]

Britt's Pride Month Picks 2024: Earplugs, Skincare & More!

Eargasm Celebrates Pride with Outright International

Eargasm, the cutting-edge hearing protection trailblazer, celebrates Pride Month with Pride Edition High Fidelity Earplugs. Eargasm is proud to support the global LGBTIQ community by donating 15% of all proceeds during June from their Pride Edition Earplugs to Outright International.

"We are incredibly excited to support Outright International with our Pride Edition earplugs," says Eargasm CEO, Ryan Parry. "These earplugs represent our commitment to high-quality hearing protection and our support for the LGBTIQ community. Eargasm dampens the noise but we strive to elevate voices, making sure the LGBTQ community is heard loud and clear." Outright International is dedicated to working with partners worldwide to strengthen the capacity of the LGBTIQ human rights movement, document and amplify human rights violations against LGBTIQ people, and advocate for inclusion and equality. Eargasm aims to contribute to the ongoing fight for better LGBTIQ lives globally by partnering with Outright International. The Pride Edition Earplugs are one of Eargasm’s best-selling High Fidelity Earplugs featuring a vibrant rainbow design. These earplugs allow users to enjoy their favorite activities without compromising their hearing health. Key features include: - Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 16dB - Expected Noise Reduction: 21dB - High Fidelity sound, keeping noise to a minimum while maintaining clarity in speech and music - Two shell sizes are included in every order to ensure a perfect fit for every ear - Discreet design that is almost invisible to others - Easy insertion and removal with convenient pull tabs - Hypoallergenic soft silicone for comfortable wear over many hours - Lightweight aluminum waterproof case for easy transport - Trusted by major music festivals Outright International's mission to ensure equal rights for LGBTIQ people aligns with Eargasm's values of inclusivity and equality. The organization works tirelessly to advocate for the rights of LGBTIQ individuals, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.

Peace Out's Pride Acne Healing Dots

https://www.instagram.com/p/C72kf1rykZP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== The original acne formula from Peace Out is now available in a Progress Pride flag colorway and shaped like the iconic Peace Out emoji. From now until July 7th, $5 from each limited-edition Pride Acne Dot sold on peaceoutskincare.com will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people. Together with customer donations, Peace Out has committed to an overall minimum contribution of $25,000.

Legendary Comics Celebrates Pride 2024

Legendary Comics is proud to present two spellbinding new graphic novels from exciting LGBTQ+ authors just in time to compliment your Pride activities this June: The Witches of Silverlake: Volume One - Available Now and The Science of Ghosts-launching on June 18th.

Authored by Simon Curtis, The Witches of Silverlake follows Elliot's bewitching journey as the new kid at Saint John the Baptist Academy as he and his newfound coven of queer witches accidentally unleash a bloodthirsty demon that terrorizes their school. Illustrated by Stephanie Son, the graphic novel explores the dangers of magic beyond crystals and candles.

In The Science of Ghosts, written by Lilah Sturges, trans forensic parapsychologist Jo Ravenna investigates a series of murders intertwined with ghostly echoes, uncovering unsettling truths with serious consequences for her and her friends’ lives. Illustrated by El Garing, this captivating horror story delves into life post-transition amidst a haunting present. Both novels promise enchanting narratives and stunning visuals, offering readers a spellbinding experience. Read the full article

[lagroupie]

Interview: Frankie and the Witch Fingers, "Data Doom"

Frankie and the Witch Fingers after their set on the mountain at Palp Festival, through my Nikon.

A few weeks ago, the amazing Frankie and the Witch Fingers were back in Switzerland for a beautiful set at Palp Festival. They played in the middle of the afternoon, but still managed to drive the crowd wild! Their schedule was tight, but the band still agreed to do a little written interview on their way to the next shows.

Four years after our first interview at Le Romandie in Lausanne, I briefly catch up with the band and ask them about their new album "Data Doom". I also ask them about their potential character class in a video game.

Many thanks to Frankie and the Witch Fingers and Palp Fest for making this happen!

Could I get a full update about your lives? Are you guys still based in L.A.?

Pickle: Yeah! We’re still based out of LA for now. Me, Dylan, and Josh live up in the East Hollywood area - basically, like the Silverlake/Highland Park neighborhoods if you’re familiar with LA. Nick is down south in Palos Verdes, but we all meet up in the middle at our practice space which is in the industrial warehouse district south of Downtown. It’s like our clubhouse. Our home base where we hatch all our evil plans.

Dylan, in our first interview I remember you were making bagels as a side job. Is that still the case?

Dylan: I’m not making bagels anymore, but Belle’s is still the best place in LA to get one! These days we’re on the road or in the studio most of the year, but I’ll always be a bagel boy at heart.

Josh was also recording for others. Is that still the case?

Josh: Not so much recording for others, this band keeps us really busy, but I recorded a solo synth album during the pandemic. And I'm currently mixing the newest album by Monsterwatch!

Frankie and the Witch Fingers playing Palp festival. Because moshing on the hill was dangerous, the crowd was a bit further down.

Your upcoming album, "Data Doom", comes out on Sept. 1st. I looked at the tracklist in your interview on Spin magazine, and the main theme seems to be technology. Was it intentional or did it come naturally?

Dylan: Technology and how it’s been affecting humanity both negatively and positively is something I’ve been interested in and thinking about quite a lot. I think a lot of people are thinking about it. Especially in these super bizarre times we’re in. Over consumption, misinformation, addiction to screens, blah blah blah. I guess because of that, when it came to write lyrics and sort of craft the ideas behind the music, that was the subject matter that flowed the most freely. Everyone in the band seemed to agree that the conceptual ideas that were forming also fit the music that we were writing together, so it kind of continued to fuel the creative fire. I think there’s hope hidden in there too. So maybe the AI overlords won’t destroy us all, if we can get our shit together.

One of the singles "Futurephobic", is out. The music video is by Slim Reaper from Media Pollution. Could you tell me more about them, how you did you meet? Was the evil Ronald McDonald his idea?

Dylan: We’ve known Taylor (Slim Reaper) for years now, he’s been making amazing live visuals for us and a bunch of bands we love, so he’s part of the extended family. We knew we wanted to work with him, and we were stoked when he brought his production company Media Pollution into the mix. We did a call with them and talked about a bunch of ideas and imagery we had been into. They ran with it and came up with this freaky 80’s horror piece. We couldn’t be happier with the video. Our talented friends showed up last minute to fill the acting roles and to help out. It’s honestly my favorite video we’ve made to date, it was a super fun shoot.

Finally, let's say each one of you is a character in a video game. In your party, who is the warrior, the thief, the mage and the bard? (ndlr: Nick answers the question)

Warrior — Pickle. I mean, just look at her. She's a force to be reckoned with.

Thief — Nick. He's a mischievous little rascal, always up to no good, for better or for worse. 

Mage — Josh. He is the brain and the brawn. 

Bard — Dylan. He is the well-spoken poet of the group, who always has something wise to express.

[inthefightgarden]

ohhhh i love that! and it feels true to me too. denial is very much her vibe.

the tags bring up something kinda interesting to me though. i definitely agree that zorian would've probably faired better in a less isolated / fundamentalist community (and maybe even learned he was an empath if there were some mages around when he was passing out in church n shit (although honestly that wouldn't necessarily have been to his benefit when it got to the time loop, given how "turn it off" focused most empath training is)).

but thinking about all that makes me wonder why cikan and andir actually stayed in cirin in the first place. like i know they had a pretty bootstraps-y backstory, but with how much cikan hated the way she was percieved there it's interesting that they didn't ever try for a fresh start. i mean a big city might not have been affordable at first, but there are other smallish communities where they probably could've set up, and when their business (did we ever find out what it actually does?) was making them pretty well off they probably could've moved further away and had a slightly more hands off approach.

maybe it was just logistics, but cikan seems to have a very strong "prove them wrong" mentality, and i like to think it was intentional that she stayed, even if not fully concious.

i think all her trauma is probably why she's so hard on them in other areas too (like with clothes for zorian, or drawing for kiri). she feels like every little thing has to prove that they are respectable and beyond reproach or it will all come crashing down.

also, this is somewhat unrelated, but i wonder how kirielle will feel about her witch heritage when she grows up. i feel like she's the child that will be most affected by having missed out and will probably try to learn as much as she can about witch magic and culture, and even maybe try to find a witch mentor. although hopefully not silverlake...

so umm i just finished mother of learning in like 5 days, and my brain is now full of wriggling squiggling worms. i'm also just starting a re-read with the audiobook and it is already giving me even more questions and ideas! so here i am to share my wormy burden ^_^

anyway, here's something chapter 1 started me thinking about...

do you think zorian's mother knows about their bloodline? (also her name is cikan. i had to look it up, so saying it here incase anyone else needed reminding)

we know that cikan really hated being associated with zorian's grandmother, but she was still immersed in witch culture at least somewhat in her home life. we don't really know how old she was when she first started to reject those practices, so it's hard to judge how much she would have learned before she went out of her way to avoid it, and we also just don't have enough context about the witches' traditions for raising their kids to make guesses about her knowlege level.

we do see later on in the series (what comes to mind is the confrontation in koth) that cikan doesn't have much knowlege about magic as zorian knows it (eg. what you can expect from certain spells used for travel), but given that the witches are an separate spellcasting tradition from the ikosians that doesn't necessarily tell us loads about what she might have picked up from her mother.

also, knowing you have a bloodline is pretty important information to have, so even with the antagonism you'd think zorian's grandmother would've at least made sure cikan knew about that... if SHE knew, anyway, cause that's also not something we can really take for granted is it? there are a few ways i can picture it being

option 1. most of what we see in the series is not typical from an empathy bloodline. archmage zorian is an outlier and should not be counted. and even daimen, the more "normal" natural mind mage is still a whole magical prodigy, which isn't exactly baseline for most people with empathy either. so yeah... zorian's grandmother may not have known that she had a empathy in her family in the first place.

option 2. we do hear (i don't remember when or who from. maybe one of the teachers? was it ilsa? idk) that empathy is a pretty common form of natural magical ability, and it's kind of a mild plot twist that it's a bloodline thing if i remember correctly. so even if zorian's grandmother knew about an empath in her family history she might not have known that meant it could pass down.

option 3. part of the reason in world that empathy isn't usually thought of as a bloodline thing (again, if i'm remembering right) is because it's so comparatively common, so it's entirely possible that empathy bloodlines (and possibly to a lesser extent bloodlines in general) are just quite common for witches to the extent that it's not really something that needs to be said explicitly, or at least wouldn't have been if cikan hadn't done so much to assimilate with the dominant culture and distance herself from witch tradition and knowlege

BUT, those options are thinking about the reasons cikan might NOT know about their bloodline... so again, does she know? even if she doesn't think of it as a bloodline she might be aware that her family has a history of empathy. so now for some thoughts on what the situation might be if she IS aware of the family history.

(note. i'm pretty damn sure cikan herself isn't an empath. zorian would be able to tell if she was "open", and she just doesn't have that understanding of how other people feel. but if you think otherwise, or just want to think about a "what if", i'd love to hear about it ^-^)

(oh and same goes for kiri and fortov)

cikan might know that there's a family history, but not really know what that means in practise. as i mentioned earlier she doesn't seem very knowlegable on magic, so she might not have any clue about the signs and how it typically presents.

she also might be in denial about the possibility that her kids inherited something like that from her, given what we've seen of how she thinks about her heritage. or she might have focused any concern about the possibility onto kirielle, who seems to be where much of her trauma goes, and not considered that the boys might get it. especially considering the witches' beliefs about sex and magical lineage.

but she also might know or suspect that zorian and/or daimen is an empath. which if nothing else is certainly the option with the most potential drama.

personally, i doubt she knows that daimen is an empath. he put a lot of work into hiding it, and i feel like it would probably affect how he sees him. given how much baggage she has about her witch heritage i just can't see that knowlege not somewhat tainting her golden boy, you know? like i know she's fine with him being a mage and really proud of his prodigy status, but i just can't envision her seeing empathy the same way, and i think it would come through in a slightly colder attitude to daimen. especially given the cultural stigma against mind magic when she's worked so hard to become socially acceptable.

but i'm just not sure whether she knows about zorian or not! on the one hand i could totally see her just being oblivious, in denial, not having the right context, whatever, but I can also kind of see the way she treats him (specifically in relation to him socialising and stuff), through the lense of knowing he's an empath.

like he straight up told her as a child that crowds caused him physical pain. he had tp stop going to church because it made him actually pass out! that is some pretty intense stuff to just ignore... we're never told that he saw a doctor or anything about this via his parents (as far as i remember, please let me know if i'm missimg something!) so did she have some idea about what was going on or was it just plain neglect?

and if she did have some understanding of the situation, how did that affect her behaviour? did she think if she ignored it he'd just adjust and never find out? did she just not want it to be associated with her family history if/when he did find out? did she think that if she forced him into triggering situations he'd eventually realise? or that he'd learn to control it subconciously? or did it just not matter how he felt as long as he was still functional when it came to his political use? did she hide it more out of personal shame, or a legitimate conviction that she was protecting him like with kiri?

like i said, i'm not sure what my headcannon is, but the topic fascinates me. as you can probably tell from how long and rambly this got. sorry ^_^'

but yeah, i'd love to hear what other people think!

[badwitch-if]

OG DEMO + AU DEMO

**a note about the demo that won the vote**

Magic is all too real and witches reign supreme.

This is a story of excess & indulgence. Luxury & depravity. Lust & love. Horror & debauchery. 

But mostly it's a story of rediscovering your inner witch. 

Bad Witch is set in a matriarchal, gothic universe eerily similar to our own, where magic runs the world. And at its core, it is a love letter to the incredibly strong and vibrant friendships that we forge in our youth, and how they ultimately shape the people we become.

Witxhes dominate the upper echelons of society, and magic has seeped into every facet of day-to-day life, for witches and humans alike. Humans were relegated to a lower class of living and as witches tend to be quite opulent & over indulgent [and more often than not revelling in their own personal vices], the bougie Season of the Witch began. Witching Society flourished and quickly overtook over the world, trickling down to influence even those without magic.

SO WILL YOU BE A BAD WITCH, OR A GOOD WITCH?

You were born to one of the most ancient and thus, important witching families; the only child of a famous mother and an even more infamous grandmother. Your ancestors were among the very first witches to lead the revolution, desperate to create a world where their children would never again die by human hands.

Your childhood was rather lonely and spent under the tutelage of the worlds best witches and academics, whilst your mother did her best to ignore your existence whenever it didn’t directly benefit her. And so years later you would often joke that your life really began once you were accepted into Ariadne Academy, the premiere school for exceptionally gifted Witxhes.

You were placed in a coven with eight of your peers; girls and boys who would quickly become your family, until it was almost like you couldn’t remember a time before them. They shared your all-consuming hunger for magic and knowledge and experiences, traits that made your coven [nicknamed the Silverlakers] an unstoppable force within the Demonhall arena. Everything was going so perfectly until it suddenly burned down around you, leaving your coven a husk of its former self.

Aaand this is currently where the stories splinter off.

OG DEMO — In the OG demo, your coven is still somewhat intact. MC’s feelings towards them may or may not have changed, but on the whole, the Silverlakers are still functioning as the overachieving badasses they were at the academy. They’re still your best friends, your soulmates, your lovers. You love them and they most definitely love you — it’s just one big lovefest. 

As a master alchemist you tediously work through trials of your newest potion while still coasting off the success of your last serum, the wildly popular Moon Juice. The story focuses on the unnaturally strong bond that exists between the remaining Silverlakers, and the powerful magic you’ve wrought because of that. The incredibly deep but complicated friendships that you built are maintained to this day, and still just as co-dependent... or have they been making you feel stifled or claustrophobic? 

You can choose how your relationship with Ash progressed post-breakup. Was it messy and dramatic, or did you keep going back to them, again and again? Have you and Ori been just the bestest friends all this time, or have things gotten a bit awkward?

AU DEMO — In the AU demo, your coven was broken following the loss of one of your own. You all went your own ways and everything that you shared was left by the wayside. You’ve spent the better part of a decade running away from your Silver Lake family, the only real home you ever knew. But now, against all of your better judgements, your returning to York. Only for a few days, of course. A couple weeks, tops. 

You haven’t returned since you absconded after graduation, when you used a somewhat controversial but entirely contrived excuse for your disappearance. And as if The Fates themselves had seen to it, you once again find yourself thrown together with the other witches formerly known as Silverlakers. Their reactions to your return are not at all what you had expected, and you’re left second-guessing what actually happened all those years ago.

No matter how deep of a rift was left between your coven, Ori was the one who really refused to give up on you. In their very unique way, they practically strong-armed you into maintaining some kind of contact. Of all your former covenmates, you are hands down closest to Ori. Your breakup with Ash, no matter how it was done, was shocking and cut deep. You can choose whether to stand by your past actions or try to make amends with your first love. 

Both the OG & AU stories will feature opportunities to reconnect with: the former childhood friend turned academy rival; as well as the young professor from your university years. And despite their shorter and more mysterious descriptions, they are both main RO’s, along with Ash & Ori.

Will you try to repair the broken connections plaguing your coven, or forge a brand new path? Will you decide to confront the nightmares of your past face on in the Demonhall arena, or continue to ignore the literal demons that chase you?

TW/CW: violent & horrific imagery; explicit language; explicit sex scenes (with options to fade to black); misandry (within context of the story); mentions of blood/gore; child abuse (past tense against MC); very questionable magic usage; frequent scenes where NPCs are intoxicated, under the spell of drugs or magic, as well as just as many options for MC to imbibe; elder abuse; voluntary magical torture

~ Fully customisable character — you can currently play as a woman, man, or non-binary person; straight, gay, or bisexual. Customise your character's personality, style and how they reacted in major moments of their life leading up to present events,

~ Choose how to react to your current coven dynamics — fight to save your soulmates & strengthen your long-established bonds, or play around on greener pastures with other witches

~Experience the Witch's Journey through the Major Arcana – but will your MC make it to the final tarot reading?

~ Meet your familiar and decide which form it takes, with your familiar's animal impacting the story

~ Set up a cozy, witchy corner to call your own! A few options include a reclaimed lighthouse, luxurious penthouse in the sky, and a secluded cabin in the woods

~ Continue to cross sexual conquests off your list of Lovers to Bed, or get serious and pursue a more serious connection. There are currently 4.5 love interests [all gender variable] as well as an optional poly route. I'm also considering bringing back a character who was cut from the OG story... TBD!

~ Decide what happened to MC's relationship with Ash, in the years since graduation. Have they drifted apart while leading separate lives, or have they been on-and-off for the better part of a decade?

~ Get answers & closure by chasing down ghosts from your past. Give yourself over to the demons in your past, or fight to find a balance between your life and the monsters at the gate.

~ Explore the ever-changing hellscapes of Demonhall and confront your demons, or keep those traumatic memories in the past where they belong

~ But above all else, choose which path your character takes going forward. Chase your dreams and loves, or turn your back, light it up & watch the world burn around you.

During your time at Ariadne Academy, rumours swirled nonstop about your coven.

You got along too well.

You loved each other too hard.

Some people said you were a bunch of weirdos, while others whispered [a little too loudly] that all of your parents had conspired together, bribing the Witches Council to put you all together in one coven. But back then you couldn't give a shit about anyone or anything outside your Silver Lake home.

You found your first love within your coven, as well as seven other soulmates. And for a long time, that was all you needed.

☆ Elijah Akos {m}

☆ Suki Aoki {f}

♡ Aisling Casablanca {f} // Asher Casablanca {m}

♡ Oriana Helyr {f} // Orion Helyr {m}

☆ Belladonna Humphrey {f}

☆ Endora Stills {f}

☆ Hazel Trout {f} — Deceased

☆ Bren Wylder {nb}

The grandiose and horrifying Demonhall is a favourite pastime for Witches young and old. Two opposing covens enter the arena (or as it's lovingly called by fans, the Demon Dome) and are sealed inside. Usually a timer is set for 6 hours, but some exhibition games run a 'last Witch standing' simulator, that can go on for days. 

At the core of every Demonhall arena lies it's true power, a demonstone. The crystalized heart of a demon powers and creates unique and dangerous environments for covens to progress through. Whether it's a futuristic, neon playground; the dilapidated ruins of Titans; or a much too lifelike version of the floor is lava, each unique setting has been randomly and lovingly crafted by the demonstone. 

Just as each demon is unique and come with their specific set of baggage challenges, so do their corresponding arenas. Some are more manipulative in luring you into their traps, while others don't waste time in throwing everything they've got at you.

The object of the game, quite simply, is to challenge & toss opposing witches out of the match, using whatever spells & curses, or hexes & charms you keep in your arsenal. All while avoiding the real terror of the Demonhall, the demon itself.

For over a decade, your life revolved around Demonhall. You were the Lead for your coven, meaning you often bore the brunt of whatever the demonstone was hurtling at you. Your Silver Lake coven dominated the amateur Demonhall circuit for the better part of a decade. You and your covemates were elevated to a level of celebrity that few others at Ariadne Academy could relate to, as you were splashed across dozens of magazine covers before you were 18.

You planned your life around your obsession and love of the game, and as your graduation approached, you fielded dozens of offers to play for top-tier professional teams. But then... the unexpected happened during a match and you lost a member of your coven.

☆The First Love☆ ...& Ash's playlist

Aisling Casablanca {f} // Asher Casablanca {m}, 31

Ash was your first love. You dated for several years during your time at Ariadne Academy. You grew up together in your Silver Lake cottage and soon after you met, you found it hard to deny your teenage crush. 

You bonded over a mutual (rather mad) obsession with Demonhall, and it didn't take long for that bond to translate onto the arena. The Silver Lake Demonhall coven dominated the competition, thanks in large part to the connection you shared with Ash.

You made plans together to follow your passions after graduation, and even courted the interest of several top-tier professional clubs. They wanted you both, and were willing to restructure their teams around you & Ash.

But life happened, and you surprised everyone when you suddenly broke things off with Ash and the Demonhall teams. Instead you followed a secondary love and traveled across the world in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries. 

In the decade that you've been working out in the field, Ash has been named Demonhall MVP for three years in a row. Their legions of adoring fans have only multiplied. Is there room for you in their life nowadays, or is it truly too late?

☆The Best Friend☆ ...& Ori's playlist

Oriana Helyr {f} // Orion Helyr {m}, 30

Ori has been your longest and closest friend. No matter what your relationship was like with the rest of the coven, you could always count on Ori having your back. And sometimes being a shoulder to cry on, during the rockier parts of your relationship with Ash. In a way, it's always felt like the three of you had your own kind of connection, but at times, that could put Ori in the middle of your shit with Ash.

Ori is a highly sought after Master Architect, one of only two in the country. They’re instrumental to the buildings integrity and the future success of it’s residences. Ori often spends weeks onsite, crafting intricate enchantments around the bones of the structure, ensuring not only structural safety but doing everything in their power to position them for prosperity.

There's never been any fronts or facades with Ori, just transparent (sometimes brutal) honesty. You've never had to pretend around them and you might even be your truest self when you're with them. And then the two of you would stay up all night, talking and watching movies, and polishing off copious amounts of alcohol. In fact, many of those nights ended up serving as inspiration for your new experimental potion, a cure-all hangover draught.

In the years since the academy, Ori has tracked you down across the globe too many times to count. It always seemed like they had some magical way of knowing when your life was going to shit and they'd spontaneously turn up with boxes of wine & chocolate, immediately taking over your kitchen to cook up something utterly delicious

☆The Lifelong Rival☆ ...& Poe's playlist

Viridian ‘Poe’ Black {f/m}, 31

Poe was one of your very first friends, long before the academy. Your mothers ran in the same high society circles and so you were often left to your own devices. For Poe that usually meant running off into the woods to scout for berries and beasts, or tirelessly watching or reading up on anything to do with Demonhall. And in fact decades later, you've still never met anyone as obsessed with the game as them. Even as a kid, Poe was haughty and overtly snobby; they always knew exactly what and who they liked, and rarely strayed outside the lines.

But for some reason or another, you were someone they happily tolerated and actually seemed to like. Much to their delight their Demonhall fanaticism eventually infected you as well, and you spent countless hours debating the various forms, methods, and positions of the beautiful but deadly game. The two of you would often daydream about your future life at Ariadne Academy, and their eyes lit up with unabashed glee when they spoke of how together, you would bring about a new era of Demonhall. But then came the week before coven placements. And even after all of their extensive testing, you & Poe weren't placed together.

After that Poe very rarely spoke to you and altogether stopped responding to your many messages over the years, and just like that, the delicate friendship you once shared was snuffed out. And while they'd always been sarcastic and biting, that had rarely been directed towards you. Until you were put in competition, both academically and in the Demonhall arena, and then you were introduced to an entirely different side of Poe. The one that knew your weaknesses and just when to exploit them, who seemed to take a particular happiness from your defeat.

☆The One That Got Away☆

Julia St. James {f} // Julian St. James {m}

Jules is the youngest of nine children and grew up in Bilbao, Spain. They were generally spoiled as a child, doted on by all of their siblings, aunts and uncles. They could never want for tutors or toys or courtiers, but it was all rather tiresome.

They would later travel the continent as a young apprentice of a new philosophy, but they were never alone; always in the company of their cousins, Vix and Maz. Jules developed a deep appreciation for the fine arts and very delicious things during this time away from home.

Jules has now perfected the balancing act, living in both worlds. They work tirelessly as a professor of Theological Witchcraft but lately they've been feeling the pull to leave the classroom and get back out into the world.

☆ ... ☆

[lgbtqreads]

Fave Five: New and Upcoming Witches in YA

Fave Five: New and Upcoming Witches in YA

For even more YA witches, click here. And yes, this post has seven 2019-20s, not just five. What can I say? We’ve been blessed.

The Lost Coast by Amy Rose Capetta

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling (sequel coming in 2020)

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer (Upcoming in 2020)

When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey (Upcoming in 2020)

The Mermaid, The…

[graphicpolicy]

Legendary Comics Launches a New YA Imprint - Legendary Comics YA

Legendary Comics Launches a New YA Imprint - Legendary Comics YA #Comics #ComicBooks

Launching with a slate of five original graphic novels created for the young adult space, Legendary Comics has announced a new imprint, Legendary Comics YA, dedicated to telling original and character-driven stories across a wide array of genres. With a commitment to amplify new voices, spotlight diverse perspectives, and seek out passionate talent telling authentic stories, the imprint gives…

[thesadboisguidetolife]

17 Question!!! 17 People!!!!

Tagged by : @jawshuahtree and @vidibit

Nicknames : Nate, Nathan, Natty Ice, Natural Light, Nate Dawg, etc.

Sign : ♋️

Height : 5'6"

Last Thing I Googled : The Eagle Bar at Silverlake lol

Song Stuck In My Head : Currently it is

Number Of Followers : Real or Bots?!?! haha i honestly dont bother because a good chunk of them are bots and some of them have just.....never been back.

Amount of Sleep : On a good day, around 7ish. On a bad day, around 4 lol 😬

Dream Job : I honestly dont really dream of labor but id love to just.....make things, you know?!?! like, knit, paint, cook. Just use my hands and creativity. Hell, id love to learn how to make jewelry.

Wearing : a shirt and some undies

Movies/Shows that Summarize Me : I honestly dont even know how to answer this. Mostly because i dont know many shows about a boring 30 year old who spends perhaps a little too much time on Tumblr lol

Favorite Song RN :

Favorite Instrument : Hurdy Gurdy! haha i just like saying that, but probably Bass

Aesthetic : Hipster, Cottagecore, Hearth Witch, Tattoos, Queer art, etc.

Favorite Author : i dont think ive read enough to really have a concrete answer.

Favorite Animal Noise : either Otter whimpers or Kitty noises.

Here come the tags!!!

@campcrow

@lilmonstaj

@makeyouradiate

@dangerghost20

@505913568

@iamanimaginarybeing

@iamnotlanuk

@sadboyjourney

@catgifsinthesenate

@druidofthegrove

@beast-0f-lavendertown

@just-osgood

@sailor-freddie-mercury

@yddaw

@ricky-rawrasaurus-rex

@probioticstan

@represent-asian