#Will i just be unseen and unknown forever?

[puppycuntt]

valentines day had been ruined for me so many times :(( I'm nervous about it this year

[hellokittyyyysblog]

𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓻𝓪𝓲𝓷/ part 1

Pairing: vampire!𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚑𝚊 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚏𝚏 𝚡 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

Summary: You work as an intern at a prestigious law firm, dedicating countless afterhours to your tasks. One seemingly ordinary late night, you encounter a mysterious individual who reveals a discovery that shatters your perception of reality and everything you once believed in. This fateful meeting sets off a chain of events that will forever alter the course of your life.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

- - -- -- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -- -- - -

It was dark outside, though you only knew by chance. You had caught a fleeting glimpse of the night through a window as you passed by a coworker's office—a brief reminder of the world beyond the law firm's walls.

Working after hours had become routine. Since starting as an intern, you'd quickly realized that your official duties were merely the tip of the iceberg; unseen responsibilities piled up off the record. The firm demanded your efforts but refused to pay for them, yet clocking out on time was a surefire way to lose your job— you'd witnessed it happen to many diligent workers.

The company expected unwavering devotion; free time was a luxury reserved for those at the top. If you wanted to keep your position, you had to play their game, allowing your superiors to exploit your fear of unemployment. They dangled potential futures before you and the other underpaid interns, but in the months you had been there, no one had been promoted who wasn't already wealthy and privileged. Still, you were determined to become that someone, enduring the unethical treatment and the all-consuming nature of your work. You believed that someday it would all be worth it; the challenge lay in enduring the suffering long enough to reach that point.

After all, it was your goal to do what made you most proud in life and felt natural: defending people. You were a natural at it, always standing up for classmates when they were unfairly called out by teachers for some unknown reason or when someone picked on your friends.

You were the one your friends turned to when they were in trouble, the one who could see through the noise to the heart of the matter. — It felt like a calling, an inner drive to protect and advocate for those who couldn't do it for themselves. You had envisioned the courtroom as your ultimate arena, where your skills and passion would converge to champion justice.

Little did you know, your world was about to take a drastic turn.

Lost in your thoughts and consumed by exhaustion, you found yourself staring out the window— the dark cityscape a blurred mosaic of lights.

Suddenly, the sharp click of heels behind you snapped you back to reality. The sound echoed through the empty halls, reminding you of where you were. You turned around to see Ava, your coworker; her short black hair moved with a graceful sway, catching the faint light from the hallway lamps. Her features, distinctly European with delicate French contours, gave her an air of sophistication.

She was more than just a coworker; Ava was your closest friend in the firm. Both of you had come to the States for college—she from France, you from Italy—making a bond over shared experiences of adapting and striving in a demanding professional world.

"What are you doing here so late?" she asked—her voice filled with genuine concern.

"I could ask you the same" you replied, managing a tired smile.

Ava blushed slightly and glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby. "I had a... meeting. Or more like a hookup, actually— with Louis. You know, one of the senior partners? We've been seeing each other secretly."

You raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Louis, huh? I knew it. You can't hide anything from me. How's that going?"

She grinned, a playful glint in her eye. "It's complicated, but he's been really good to me. Just trying to keep it under wraps, you know?"

"Yeah, I get it. Just be careful; this place is a minefield."

Ava nodded, her expression turning serious. "I know. But enough about me. What about you? Why are you still here?"

"I was just going through some old case files and doing some research" you explained. "I was actually about to head to Davis's office to update him on a case we've been working on."

“He really pushes you to work too hard, and no, don’t defend him anymore” she remarked with a sympathetic expression. “AND we haven't hung out in SO long….how about cocktails on Friday?"

You smiled "That sounds perfect. I definitely need a break."

"Great! It's a date then" Ava said with a wink. "Well, I'll let you get to Davis's office. Don't stay too late."

"Thanks, Ava. See you tomorrow"

You both exchanged goodbyes, and you watched as she walked down the corridor—the sound of her heels fading into the distance as you made your way to Davis office. The cold air was making you shiver and the thin fabric of your black slacks and white blouse were not keeping you warm enough. Each step of your high heels echoed softly in the quiet hallway, the usual bustling energy of the office now replaced by a serene emptiness.

Reaching Davis's door, you knocked firmly—the sound punctuating the silence. After a moment, the door cracked open, revealing his assistant, Emily, peering out with a polite smile.

"Hello" she greeted warmly. "Can I help you?"

"I was hoping to speak to Davis" you replied—trying to hide your discomfort from the chill— "I have an update on the case we've been working on."

"Ah, he was actually looking for you. He's in Bowman's office" Emily informed you.

"Thank you, Emily" you replied gratefully, offering a brief smile before saying your goodbyes.

Great. You thought, while making your way to bowman’s office.

Interacting with one of the two CEOs after such an exhausting day wasn't something you relished. Bowman was notorious for his tough demeanor and demanding expectations, and you couldn't shake the apprehension as you headed towards his office— and you weren't exactly looking forward to interrupt his meeting either.

You knocked on the door of his office, expecting to be called in, but you were met with more silence. Emily had said, Bowman's office, you knew she had. — Yet you couldn't even hear someone approaching the door to let you into the room. So you stood there like a deer in headlights.— If your presence was needed, surely you'd be expected to arrive at some point.

You were torn between knocking again and seeming impatient or standing in the hall like a clueless know-nothing. Both impressions were unflattering.

However, you'd rather look too eager, than not eager enough. So you knocked again. This time, you heard murmuring inside. You weren't sure if someone was being instructed to open the door, or if you were being instructed to enter. After another moment of waiting with your mouth hanging open, you took a deep breath and reached for the door handle.

The door didn't open slowly, but it felt like time stood still as the moment you had eyes on the room— you saw Bowman hunched over the desk, blood trickling from his lips. Davis lied lifeless across the tabletop.

Before you could inhale a breath, Bowman was in front of you, with a hand clamped over your mouth. He swiftly pulled you inside the office and locked the door behind you. It took no time at all, but you knew it happened.

"My, my, my, who do we have here…seems like I got myself a delicious midnight snack" Bowman taunted. His chin was dripping with blood that ran down from two prominent fangs. You'd never seen those before.

You wished you had a witty retort, but you were too stilled with fear. He was going to kill you, after maybe taking advantage of your body—that was how things like this worked, or at least that was what films would have you believe. As far as you'd known, vampires weren't real, but crazy men were. Yet you weren’t certain that you were being threatened by that very monster.

"At least you’re still warm”

If you could scream, someone would know. If you could make a lot of noise, they'd catch him in the act, even if you were dead by the time they arrived. You had to make noise.

You couldn't.

But then, you didn't have to. — Bowman’s steely eyes lifted from your face. His jaw tensed and his nostrils flared.

"So they've sent the dogs after me?" He said.

Your vision was obstructed by Bowman’s frame, but someone had entered the office from the window—There hadn't been a sound, yet Bowman hadn't needed to turn around.

"Did you think they wouldn't?" The second voice was the audible equivalent of silk with a twinge of a feminine Slavic accent. "And obviously I came at the right time. How did you plan to clean this up, youngling?"

Bowman’s grip on you waned and he spun around. You hadn't realized your feet were off the ground until your soles hit the floor once more. Bowman reached for your shirt collar to keep you near. At a different angle, you were able to see the woman. She had red hair that complimented her strong features and dark green eyes; like Bowman, she too had longer canines.

You were in awe of her despite feeling the need to stay present in the room—Yet somehow, her presence had made you feel safer—She was clearly unhappy with your boss, but you had no evidence that she would let you live once she was done with bowman.

As if she knew your inner monologue, she addressed you whilst still looking at Bowman. "Human, you may leave."

“Oh no, nope she’s not going anywhere."—Bowman didn't let loose of your shirt.

The woman finally made eye contact with you, and you felt your chest tighten. It felt like the first time someone had ever made eye contact with you—someone had ever seen you. As soon as it happened, it was over just as quickly,and the woman was looking at the man beside you. Her head tilted like a cat sizing up its prey. Whatever she was thinking, whatever she was planning with that look, was not good, but you felt oddly sure that you were not her focus.

It took no time at all for the woman to cross the room. You didn't even catch it with your eyes; she was a blur. But you knew she had to be faster and stronger than Bowman, as she had him in less than a second. His hand was no longer attached to you. You were free. It happened so fast that it didn't register. You were transfixed by the red-headed woman hoisting Bowman up into the air. His feet dangled despite the fact that he was nearly a foot taller than she.

"Human" the redhead said calmly, without looking at you. "Is this your boss?"

"Yes" your mouth felt dry—it was the first time you'd spoken since Bowman had dragged you into the room.

"Then I would say that considering the time, you have the rest of the night off."

Understanding why moving would take some time—but you'd regained enough of your faculties to know that it was time to leave. With a squeaked, "Thank you" you exited the office—The door closed behind you without a need for effort on your part. Whatever the woman was going to do, she didn't want an audience.

You looked disheveled, and your eyes were still wide and pleading for safety, though you were alone and, as far as you knew, you were safe. Though no one would see you and think 'Vampire attack interrupted' if someone took the time to spare you a glance, they would see a person who had clearly experienced something out of the ordinary. You were not the same as you'd been when you'd entered the boss' office—in more ways than one.

You hurried to your office, grateful for the late hour and the deserted offices that ensured no one noticed your swift departure as you gathered your belongings. Amid the quiet corridors, a solitary light emanated from the closed door of the office opposite yours, a reminder that you weren't entirely alone in the building.

Unbeknownst to you at the time, Bowman's parting grip had left a faint smear of blood on your jaw—It went unnoticed until you caught your reflection in the elevator doors.

The front desk attendant gave you an habitual: "Have a good evening."

"Thanks" you managed to say. Your voice was a bit shaky, but the attendant didn't notice. He actually looked at you, but you knew it was a part of his routine. He'd send you all off, nod in your direction, and then he'd go back to his computer. At least someone had acknowledged you, you thought—though, he was as oblivious as anyone else. The front desk was probably not the best place for a person who apparently had tunnel vision.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The chill of the night greeted you as soon as you stepped outside, accompanied by a wild wind that seemed to howl through the air. You knew the sound was just the wind—familiar yet eerie after your recent encounter with the supernatural. If vampires were real, as you were now certain they were after what you had witnessed, then the possibility of werewolves seemed just as plausible.

You took a deep breath, trying to process everything. Your supervisor was dead, and your boss—a vampire? It was all so nonsensical, yet you had seen it with your own eyes. The memory of her, pale and powerful, lingered vividly in your mind.

Lost in your thoughts, you didn't notice the red-haired woman who appeared suddenly in your path until she was right in front of you. You gasped and instinctively took a step backward. The woman made no move to invade your personal space; instead, she stood calmly, confident that you wouldn't flee. Despite the flight alarms blaring in your mind, you found yourself rooted to the spot.

"Human” the woman said. It was a word you had never been addressed with before, yet tonight it had been uttered several times already in reference to your kind. Despite knowing it to be an undeniable fact, hearing yourself labeled as merely 'human' felt oddly surreal. Normally, you might have laughed it off or made a light-hearted comment or a teasing remark, but the intensity in the woman's eyes quelled any inclination for humor or banter.

"You cannot tell another about what you witnessed tonight."

She was fast. She must have “finished” Bowman while you were in the elevator—maybe even before. You envisioned the nightly cleaning staff stumbling onto a horrific crime scene. You liked the night staff, they didn't deserve to clean up such a mess—disposing of viscera was not in their job description.

"I won't" you replied. The thruth is you wanted to tell someone; holding in that kind of information was going to make you sick. But you knew, deep down, that the moment you opened your mouth, others would think you were insane. "No one would believe me."

"Unfortunately, that is a chance I cannot take." the redhead woman replied with a gentle, almost mocking smirk.

You instinctively took another step back, feeling the edge of the wall against your back. People streamed out of the building, oblivious to the tense encounter unfolding just steps away; oblivious of the fact that maybe those were your last moments on earth.

"You don't have to—" Your voice faltered, shaky with fear. The woman's threat hung heavy in the air. If she intended to kill you, there was little you could do to stop her. You had witnessed her power in action, if only briefly, and it left you unnerved. You gulped, "I won't say anything. I promise. You don't have to kill me." Maybe you should’ve said something more convincing than “I promise”when someone was about to take your life. Did promises bring any value to her kind? She would’ve never believed you.

She arched a brow, studying you with a mixture of amusement and disdain—her frown deepened, as if she disliked your assumption. It was clear she was capable of violence and you were uncertain if she had any inclination towards mercy. Her words had left little room for interpretation—she intended to eliminate any witnesses, and you stood alone as the only witness.

"I do not wish to kill you" she said. Her voice was so soothing that it made your shoulders soften. You hadn't realized how stiff you'd gone.

Her presence held power over you, and when she said she didn't want to kill you, you believed her.

"Then what do you want to do? I meant it, I won't tell anyone. I don't even know your name."

"And you won't. I will take away the memory of tonight for your safety and the safety of my people."

"Your people...you mean uh…"

She nodded and made no effort to verbally confirm your suspicions.

You were silent as you stared at the confirmed vampire in your presence. She was mysterious in a very dangerous way—but a feeling was burning in your stomach. It felt like a need, but you hadn't a clue as to what you needed and how the red-haired vampire could help you.

Apparently, her way of helping you was erasing a piece of your mind. Maybe that was an exaggeration, but she had expressed the explicit desire to tamper with your memories.

It would feel better, you sensed that much. You knew that the shock would go away, as would the fear, and unanswered questions. But, with those negative things would go the knowledge that you as a human were not alone. Knowledge was power, even if you weren't sure how to wield it yet.

"I don't want to forget" you admitted quietly.

When the woman approached you again, you didn't step back. "I want to know what happened to my friend.”

The vampire reached out and rubbed away the blood from your chin, she hadn’t asked, and you didn't need her to. You stood still and let her.

"You want to remember the way he met his end? for what purpose?”

"Someone should know; someone who knew him."

"And when your boss is missing and you know the truth, what will you say?"

You weren't sure how to answer the vampire's question. Everything had moved so fast, you didn't have time to plan what you'd say to everyone else.

"I don't know."

She considered you, and most likely what she was going to do with you. You weren't convincing, you knew, but she hadn't acted without consulting you. So maybe, just maybe, you had a way out of having your mind wiped.

"Go home, human" she said—and you thought you'd taken a kickball to the gut—you were taken aback so abruptly.

She was letting you leave, or so it seemed. "You have twenty-four hours to consider this choice. I hope you will see reason. I will find you tomorrow night."

You should have focused on the deal the vampire was making you, rather than the fact that she was promising another meeting.

Maybe she would answer some of your questions.

Maybe she would satiate your curiosity.

Or maybe she would make you forget she existed at all.

"How will you find me?" you asked— It was a wonder, but it was one of the last questions you should have asked— she'd scaled a building and entered through a window without so much as a sound. She could find you easily. You wasted your breath asking a question that didn't need to be answered.

"Don't worry about me. Keep your wits about you, and your mouth closed. Consider my offer and the alternative. Your knowledge is yours for now, but understand that should you speak of this night to anyone in the next day, my offer will be revoked." She said before turning around and disappearing behind the crowd.

The vampire woman was not suggesting that she'd lay off and leave your memories alone. She was suggesting that you and your knowledge would cease to be. She was essentially giving you a day to come to your senses and realize that you wanted to forget the ordeal.

But you were stubborn and embarrassingly naive, and she was too interesting to forget. You had to figure out a way to keep your knowledge and gain some answers in the process, if only for a chance to see her again.

- - -- -- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -- -- - -

[ladythornofrivia]

Kingdom of Fire & Blood || (Part Seven)

🐉 MASTERLIST 🐉

Next Chapter

summary: lady greenstar’s ceremony is all but merry, and the offer that could change the course of her life forever.

pair: aemond x reader

warnings: smut, violence, p in v sex, sexual content, aemond being arrogant, modern reader doesn’t know how the world of GOT works but is a Aemond stan, praise kink, breeding kink, spitting kink, voice kink, fluff, angst—family drama, oral sex, hate sex, stalking, jealousy, virginity loss, obsession, reader is neutral; neither a green or black supporter, reader being sassy and aroused, sweet moments with reader and aemond. Reader is a huge GOT & HOTD fan. Aemond becomes king instead of Aegon. (P.S. Alys who? I only know Aemond x Reader)

a/n: sorry it took forever to write the chapter! It’s finally here! Woo! Reader’s backstory is finally revealed! Woo! If you enjoy, please leave a comment.

Chapter Seven: The Price of Heart

On the proclamation from the Iron Throne, King Viserys granted a ceremony and anointed a young maiden to unite both factions, Blacks and Greens, and renamed her as Lady Greenstar, a star that befell and shook the cores of Westeros, to which have known for causing disruption and awakened in the realm.

Apart from previous accomplishment on saving Princess Helaena and Prince Jacaerys, Lady Greenstar, a newcomer to Westeros, has its gaze is as deadly as a thorn. Upon a gaze of a maiden, men’s hearts fickle in delight, and women’s hearts enraged with fright. And among others, she is nothing but an air of mystery, but her appearance is no more than averagely simple and unimpressive (claimed by Mushroom). Lady Greenstar, whose maiden name is unknown, the time of Viserys’s reign may have yet to be remain, as Lady Greenstar is in an absolute self-merry and encourage the nobles and commoners alike to a celebrate at her unimportant arrival at a tedious ceremony.

~Your POV~

The nightmare hadn’t stopped.

You want to destroy—set ablaze everything into ashes.

In a soundless blight rising in your chest, you managed to gather yourself in the midst of ceremony. You wanted to scream. Heating anger risen within you; you are nowhere near happy with the proceedings. You just wanted to go home, anticipated that this no more than a fever dream, a weirdly filter episodic moment that is meant to be unseen.

Unable to gaze upon the crowd, despite your head is held high, your roundish headpiece wrapped atop your tucked hairstyle; your hairline styled and slicked back, yet your longish manes flowed and adorned your figure, clad in a floor length ivory gown, your arms heavies a wide bishop sleeves, but your forearms are fitted, ends of your v-pointed sleeves rested on the back of your hands. Your bodice, from bust to waist, the ivory corset is encrusted in pearls and gold embroidery, aligned and patterned with black and green stones as your long skirts in mermaid-shaped flowing, not strictly.

Bowing to Blacks and Greens, the ever so watchful gazes on the crowd are perplexed, yet so many spectators are grateful for your deeds. Some women’s gaze directly lanced at your direction with envy, perhaps displeasure of King Viserys’s announcement. As for men, however, it’s unreadable for you, but with unknown gazes may have yet proceed to either have notable rancor or the deepest of illest intentions.

In Westeros, you knew that you could trust no man. For now, trusting the Targaryens is your only option, a sole bargain, a wager to your existence. Nothing has ever come to simple or as festive. All you wanted was to stay in the sidelines, watching the events unfold, not to be a part of one. The real question is: who sent you here, and what was the real purpose? Of course not, you’re just a simple and honest modern woman—or at least what anyone thought of your outward appearance, which prevailed by the designed precision of Queen Alicent and Lady Rhaenyra’s plan of softening image.

You weren’t meant to be here.

The scream emerged.

All eyes snapped away from your direction. One man grabbed—dragged away and pointed it’s knife at Princess Helaena’s throat at the centered floor, the guards had their swords up, as one of them demanded for the man to release the princess.

“None should accept a woman as a knight on the throne,” the man spattered, yellow teeth gleaming, his voice grating with delight, continuing to drag the princess away bit by bit.

“Mother,” Helaena pleaded quietly, the knife pressed onto her ivory skin, trying not to flail.

“It’s either the cause for the great nobles, or the cause of the war.”

Alicent is frightened for her daughter’s fate.

And so, you watched, palm clenched and unclenched. Hands behind your back, your body veiled with a silver sparkling cloak, but one hand seized the spare knife—your knife you had in your clutched purse, moving with caution as you descend the steps without anyone spotting your intentions.

“Let her go,” you said, before turning your eyes to theirs.

Soothe the realm.

The men flabbergasted at your appeased state. “What?”

“Did I stutter,” you said, ambling, the cloak floated a little. “You’re ruining the King’s celebration. Do you want to be executed? You’re in the presence of Targaryens.”

“I won’t lay rest until I see no woman standing beside the Iron Throne. I won’t serve by the likes of you!”

Shaking your head as you said, “Who said it’s about me?”

The man uttered no response but a heaving breath, near Helaena, furrowed with concern.

Unblinking, your head tilted to the side. “You want me, right?”

The man carefully laid his eyes on you.

“You don’t want the princess,” you resumed, drew nearer. “You want me.”

Soothe the realm.

Your eyes indicated to one of the guards to hold him down, but none succeeded on reading your body language. Looking at your side, Queen Alicent’s widened eyes glazed with warning, a reminder to soften the image. Prince Aemond still abide, his violet eye gleamed, his eye stated something more, wanting more of the anticipation of what you’ll do next.

“Let her go, and I’ll give you what you want,” you negotiated.

“What makes you think I could negotiate with such a pathetic woman?”

“Because I’m not a liar,” you declared, hand stretched. “Release her.”

After moments of hesitation, Princess Helaena has been freed into your arms, shaking. You lightly shoved her towards Alicent as you walked onward without looking elsewhere.

And before you knew it, a knife stabbed behind your belly.

The gasps ensued as the fight broke out, leaving the Blacks and Greens emerged with apprehension, still safe and guarded.

Turning around, the knife you held plunged into the backstabber’s throat, but missed—instead it became a slight deep scratch on the cheek and his hand smacked against your cheekbone. Falling down, you pulled yourself back up again and knocked him out unconscious and rushed to Helaena’s side again and escorted her out, leaving the guards to assign fate to the intruders.

The fate became crueler; the man separated you and Helaena, shoving Helaena aside the intruder hooked you by the arms, trapped. When another opponent came, you lifted yourself in the air, and punted the opponent’s chest with both of your feet, leaving you and the large man collapsed. Rolling back, you gathered yourself again and escorted Helaena back at the corridor.

A young boy screamed—Prince Lucerys—his arm being yanked through the crowd. Briskly, you aid to their side, shoving the crowd apart, you casted your cloak—aiming at the foe, and lanced the man’s neck, trails of blood exploded, smearing the young prince’s face and placed him back Rhaenyra’s side.

A tall figure suddenly shielded you; the knife flew at your direction; Aemond deflected the attempted shot with his spare dagger. Queen Alicent and Lady Rhaenyra rushed altogether—guards protected all and ushered back into the corridor, leaving you breathless.

The pain has been numbed due to the shock implanted.

Far back at the pillar, you watched Rhaenyra and Alicent exchanging with altercation while you find yourself leaning on the stoned pillar with your left hand clutched your bleeding waist beneath the white dress.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” Rhaenyra stated in shaky breath.

“Of course not,” Alicent seethed. “King Viserys should’ve thought of bringing Lady Greenstar to the Iron Throne to soothe the realm before the commotion erupts.”

“I hadn’t known,” Rhaenyra argued back, cradling Lucerys in her arms.

“You did this. Lady Greenstar warned that this would happen. A private ceremony should’ve been suffice.”

“We need Lady Greenstar to unite both factions—father suggested to that.”

“Your ideas may influence others, but you’ll never influence with me from the misguidance of your indulgence.”

“I have made no declarations and decisions—it is my father who has done it so!”

Bellows of altercation continued as Prince Jaecerys stood nearby you, given you an awkward tight-lipped expression with his hands laid rest upfront.

Blacks and Greens watched two ladies quarreled with venom as your chest heaving. Gazing below onto your hand, the gold ring sparked on your fourth finger; you brought it up to your lips and kissed it.

Everything will be alright, a gentle voice reminded.

Lidded eyes hazed as the hand placed on your back shoulder; Princess Helaena walked over to your side and consoled you with diminutive smile.

Instead of returning the offer, you patted Helaena’s hand your half-lidded eyes in a suggestion that everything is alright. The concentration in your mind has been misplaced that Helaena began to tie your strands to tiny braids. You’ve inspected everyone. So far, it went smoothly—you’ve found no wounds, but when your eyes meet Green sons, your head inclined to a subtle bow. While Prince Aegon bowed back with his smugness, Prince Aemond is as elegant and unreadable. His eye still lay onto you as you faced back, watching the princess and the queen.

Altercations and debate went ongoing.

The aggravating pain hadn’t ceased.

“Stop,” you groaned.

The abrasion struck you so hard that you let a long groan, your head hung back, relied on a cold pillar.

“Lady Greenstar,” Jacaerys said.

“I’m fine,” you assured, eyes watery. “I’m fine.”

Daemon, no doubt, is suspicious. Shielding Helaena with your might, you held onto her spare hand.

The quarrel wasn’t far from over as you sauntered, the belly scorched again, pinching your nerves and coiled your stomach to a point of punishment you couldn’t withstand.

The cough unleashed, veiling the spots of blood.

Someone…

And collapsed onto your knees, trembling with cold sweat, fell onward.

“Lady Greenstar,” Jacaerys called aloud, as he caught you into arms, soon follow by your feet, your body weakened, slipped away.

“You’re safe now,” you said, darting at Aemond, offering him your sweetest expression laid on your lips.

Gradually, your eyes fluttered with slow blinks, choking. Then your vision faded to nothing.

~Aemond’s POV~

“My Queen, Lady Greenstar has collapsed,” Criston announced.

Queen Alicent and Lady Rhaenyra halted, and veered back to your lifeless body in Jacaerys’s arms.

Both women’s anger replaced with fear. “No…” Rhaenyra uttered.

“Take her to the Maester at this instant. We can’t afford to lose her,” Alicent ordered.

All the while, Aemond, the king’s second son, is devastated, powerless and hopeless as the life slipped between your parted lips. Piqued as he was eyeing on the golden ring rested on your fourth finger.

~Your POV~

What the hell was that?

“The life flashes before your eyes,” it said.

Your head snapped to the noise.

“Poor little woman, who’s life has been tormented one after the other,” a voice rang into your ears in a darkened void. “A life of a woman is no ordinary, but will soon be free.”

“Who are you?”

“My, you’re just a thing of beauty. A shame that comes price with it—ever so ethereal but with a demonic spirit residing in you since your childhood, all but bad luck,” it taunted. “You have killed and tortured the mundane, both men and women, especially in your days where you were trying to save your dying lover—born a thief and a liar—the evil men have taught you well.”

“What the hell do you want?”

“I want to make an offer, an offer to which it might entice you. Right now, your very soul is on the bridge between life and death.”

“I know that!”

“Of course you knew. But you didn’t believe that we exist.”

“All are anything but real.”

The voice’s rang into your ears with its taunting laugh. “But if you wish to remain alive and well, I offered you choices, one which the cost of your life to be rekindled. One which you cannot turn your back into—and I offer you this; stay in Westeros and serve the realm, serve the dynasty and find a new purpose and bond. Even if it means of forgetting your dead lover. Or, the Gods will offer a sweet and merciful death—your pathetic and tragic life will soon meet its end and face your maker.”

“I want to go home,” you objected.

“Going home is no longer an option; if you go there, chances are your death will be as quickly repulsive and vile; death is near at your doorstep as soon as your consciousness blurred.”

“What do you mean?”

“The men from your former clan are hunting you down. They have found you. You thought running away from a syndicate after burning everything to ashes would be simple.”

“Why Westeros? Why send me there? Who sent me here?”

“Those questions are irrelevant; time is ticking.”

“At what cost?”

“The price you’ll pay, it’s either your eyes, ear or mouth. Or I will decide for you.”

Goosebumps flooded over you, heart struck with quiver.

“I can’t,” you whimpered. “I can’t!” Fell onto the ground, hands veiled your face, walls you’ve built tarnished as your cries echoed through the void, cried longer than you should’ve.

“Sweet summer child,” it cooed. “Time is running short. The elder man of Hightower wants to burn your body.”

Another shiver ran.

“I know everything. Submit yourself to me, and I shall grant the desire—the offer I gave you—your life will start anew. What do we say to the God of Death?”

“Not today.”

“Good!” the voice rang, enchant. “I knew you have come to made your decision.”

The green light sprang and ran into your heart—your voice reached high into bellows and wails. Nails digging into your chest firmly, nails dragged with blood, already on the floor, knees on your chest. Ears rang in high-pitched noise; ears bleed as nose, and mouth drained in red flow, crying in agony.

“Don’t worry, child, you’ll soon meet the fate that you’ve been longing for,” it said. “You’ll find your purpose here. The history of Fire & Blood, alongside yours, will be rewritten.”

In that moment, you knew the unknown being wasn’t lying.

@ aemondswifffeeeyyy - all rights reserved

Taglist: @daonenonlysandman @toodlesxcuddles @kittendoll05 @omgsuperstarg @xcharlottemikaelsonx @paninisstuff @danika1994 @angeljcca @taintedlovesworld @kukulyarva @namelesslosers @heavenly1927 @snh96 @herathedreamer @fandom-maniac-anime @httpsmenace @velunis @nananeptune @domithebomi @moonseye @valeskafics @faesspace @rxixo31 @tm-starr @xinthia19 @popsycles @naiaaramena @aleemendoza2425-blog @letmehavemyfictionalmen @aracelipf @ammo23 @blackswxnn @buccini555 @watercolorskyy @taangie @wolfdressedinlace @qardasngan @justyelena @jolixtreesunn @runekisses @jmii722 @colored-tr-panels @evergreen9083 @foggypeacestarlight @dixie-elocin @galactict3a @momowhoo @saturnssrings @dani5216

[underthebluerain]

FAVE CREATORS ART CHALLENGE

The premise is simple. Just think of your fave creators on this site and write a post listing some of your fave creations that were made by them. Tell them why you like it, if the coloring is pretty, if the blending is top notch, if it inspired you or just gush about the characters... And don't forget to tag them so they can see it.

Radskier Kiss by @misterkarchie

What goes through my mind when I see this art is "Since the invention of the kiss, there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind." Enough said, I think. Actually, no. I really like that it's b&w -some pieces look better like that than in color, imo. Love the pose and the hand-holding, and how soft the hair looks!!! The lil' tear in Radovid's eye GOT ME. This looks so romantic and sweet I want to look at it forever.

Rhaenicent Appreciation Week Day 2 by @maxanor

Oh, you feel the show's relationship between Alicent and Rhaenyra wasn't heartbreaking enough? Gifmakers got you covered! In all seriousness, the blue&gold compliment each other so well here. The blending is fantastic (special shout-out to the first gif with its mirroring tree scenes). The quote is as melancholic as these two, and the waterdrop effect... and the fact that it's used to transition from present to past… and how it makes it feel like tears falling on it because of the nostalgia of their happy memories??? Wow.

16 Years Of Merlin by @ughmerlin

I absolutely dig the VHS edits I've seen around this year, and this one is fantastic. Love that each season is color-coded and how each gets a few iconic scenes (and it can't have been easy to pick!). The blending is amazing, and the little circles with a choice quote are a cute touch. BBC Merlin was the very reason I joined tumblr, I can't believe it's been that long since it aired, and I can't believe that not only the fandom is still active but also making such cool pieces. I don't recall if I was still using VHS by the time I watched it, but this makes me feel like I can just pop it in and relive my first tumblr hyperfixation.

Family Tree Of House Nymeros Martell Of Sunspear by @ivashkovadrian

I've never been in a book fandom so dedicated to facecanons, and they're super fun! This one must have been A LOT of work. So many different characters from different pieces of media being brought together to represent characters that are unseen on screen, plus all the planning and organization to make everything fit and look good. Love the backgrounds, with a texture that reminds me of old parchment -special mention to the first gif with the gorgeous sea shot, and the second where the army appears to be riding into the unknown sandy void of the desert. And lastly I love to see fictional family trees, it kind of scratches an itch in my brain.

The Borgias Costume Appreciation 56 by @lady-arryn

As a costume-obsessed viewer, I have reblogged my fair share of costume edits on tumblr, and I can say with certainty lady-arryn's are the best. Eliza manages to gif crisp even the little details of the clothing and does gorgeous collections of outfits in different media. Although an incredible gifmaker overall who also has fantastic concepts, blending, fonts and coloring in other types of edits, I think making these costume edits is deceptively difficult! I could've pulled up any example, but I chose this one because this dress is one of my favorites. Along with that gauzy, dreamy sharpening, the coloring makes the red POP in a beautiful way. I once kept this gifset open on my browser for like an hour while doing other things simply because I wanted to keep looking at it.

Radskier + And If He Sinks To Darkest Night by @naumaxia-art

Kit is one of the visual artists who has been keeping this fandom watered throughout the drought, and I am very thankful for it. I love the layout of this piece in particular, which calls to mind the kings of a deck of cards. The cloudy orange to dark works wonders as a background that's pretty but doesn't steal attention away from the main event. LOVE the details (the tiny buttercup on Radovid's hand! The signet ring on Jaskier's! How soft and flowy the hair looks in the breeze!). And how they're together but back to back, separated but thinking about each other. The star-crossed lovers of it all......... Yeah.

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs + flowers by @endiness

Kai's colorings are always incredible, animation or live-action, it does not matter. I LOVE the sheer vibrance of them, taking me right back to the time in tumblr where this kind of extremely colorful gifs were everywhere. I struggled to pick one, but Snow White was my favorite movie as a child, and I love to see people giffing it, especially so beautifully. Plus, my grandmother watched this film in theaters and she absolutely loved it and was mesmerized by its color (I mean, it was 1937!). I wish I could show her the even more intense coloring of this gorgeous gifset of a simple lovely scene.

Kanthony + The Seven Stages Of Falling In Love by @crowley-anthony

There are many fandoms that have incredible talent (many of which are on this list), and Bridgerton is absolutely one of them. From the winning combo of blue&pink coloring (I am still amazed that people can just change a scene's coloring so dramatically and still make it look great), to the tiny quotes at the top of bottom that remind me of a movie poster, to the flawless blending, to the subject (who else is doing it like them, they're unhinged) to the level of detail (I did not notice the novel-esque writing background in the rings LITERALLY until i was writing this!!), this is an amazing example of that talent.

The Hunger Games Appreciation Week Day 01 by @nataliescatorccio

The best thing about finally watching this film for me was finally being able to unblock the tags and finally reblog all the beautiful edits people made of it. And this is the perfect example because!!! this!!! coloring!!! Becca's colorings being incredibly gorgeous is not new (her tutorials have really helped me this past year), but this set I feel is one of her best. I love an orange&teal combo, it's a trope for a reason (oxidized copper is such a beautiful color palette, a wise tumblrina once said). The blending is so good as usual. Putting this pairing with the Wuthering Heights quote is nothing short of brilliant, it fits scarily well. And the ombré in the font...

The Witcher: Wild Hunt Intro Monologue by @seance

As someone who this past year enjoyed The Witcher show, books and game, I love to see edits mixing and matching them, especially considering the frequent negativity one sees when it comes to this franchise. Pairing the truly epic monologue that begins the videogame with scenes from the Netflix show, this eerie edit blew me away with its incredible blending and striking coloring (and managing to make all these different scenes look well together in such intense yellow/blue can't have been easy). It managed to get me pumped for both the show and the game!

[antlered-prince]

Was looking for this ask button for so long. Now, you have wrought this on yourself, but i have had an idea for these fae, just not sure which one would appreciate the gift most, so you get to decide! I have gotten a bit gothic about it, so fair warning. Blood, Bone and Concepts crystalized ahead! Two things are given to the Gifted: A ring, a simple enough looking thing, all white with red crawling vines that curl and border a set of lapis lazuli stones, which are pressed into the ring, three on each side, while a soft but firm red leaf flower sits atop the middle, with the center being inlaid with a gem of Blue. or so it seems at first, but for those to whom the gift is intended it rings (heh) with deeper Truth. The letter included also explains it as well, written in elegant but simple script. "This ring is made of Bone, freely given and carefully crafted, molded through time and patience into a band, a circle of eternity, joined forever in a single unbreaking piece. The inside is slightly concave, with one part slightly more flexible with the right amount of pressure. Once pressed the band can slide on and off with ease, but if not, then it holds fast, a natural prevention for theft and unknowing loss of the gift. With it, you shall always know how truly I treasure your company, like the very bones in my own body, I can scarce be without it. The crawling red veins like vines creeping throughout are Blood made, warm and softly pulsing vermillion, scarlet and carmine, curling in soft twirls. They give the ring warmth, a living sensation, soft but noticeable, a constant pulsing comfort, beating to a heartbeat that may not always be near you. The veins coalesce into the firm red leaves, gently curled and firmly placed. At times, they seem to sway in an unseen breeze. They are the depth of my affection, as steady as a heartbeat and as vital as blood to life. The gem, of unknown nature and origin..is Blue. Not just a sapphire, not a blue emerald, nor is it Azurite. It is Blue, the very nature and concept of Blue as I perceive it, as colour, as a mood, as a thought and a feeling. My very idea of Blue, taken and crystallized into a single solid form, lovingly placed within the leaves. You see it shifts and flows through so many shades, every one a Blue I have experienced, and will experience, a constantly evolving and fluid Blue, from the rich shades of a flower, the light dancing off a butterflies wings, to the haunting blue of clouds in a thunderstorm at sunset, to the near endless blue of the midnight sky. This, purely so that you may see some of the world as I see it, and will continue to see it. That there may be shared understanding between us, always. This gift, freely given of myself, has only one requirement to its possession. That it is worn and cared for, that's it. Whether upon a chain, on a finger, enlarged to be a choker or minimized to be a earring, only that it is worn, and that is cared for, and enjoyed, and cherished for what it is. A gift of oneself to another, an offer for companionship, the nature of which we may decide on together. You are also free to reject this offer and this gift, with no repercussions. Freely given, with no expectation of a return gift or gesture. A simple showing of kindness and affection. I do hope you enjoy it. From, An Admirer" Welp that was a lot, I don't know where my brain went but it had a damn good time making this. I hope its not too weird of a presentation. I envision the ring is kept in a soft wooden box, smoothed and warm coloured, and rests on a bed of crushed dark grey velvet. Hope whoever receives it enjoys it! and we come to the ask Who would enjoy this gift?

I accidentally drew it, so small so it's a lil pixellated sbdbdnnd

But honestly, I don't know who wouldn't enjoy such a thoughtful gift (⁠´⁠∩⁠｡⁠•⁠ ⁠ᵕ⁠ ⁠•⁠｡⁠∩⁠`⁠)

[angeltreasure]

In what way do Guardian angels live among us and what do they do? (I mean I know they’re guardian angels so clue is in the name!) but I mean yeah I’ve never actually thought about this much before so I’m hoping you could educate me a little!!! 🙏🙏💕

Before the concept of time began, all of the angels were created at one moment. God gave them a glimpse of the beatific vision of Heaven, what their exact role would be, and then the vision of what would happen if they said no.

God’s most beautiful and smartest angel called Lucifer (who was likely in the Cherubim choir) became very angry when seeing the beatific vision: that God the Father out of great love would send His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to be fully man AND fully God (John 3:16)… Lucifer was even more furious actually of Jesus’s mother, Mary, who is just human, would be SO full of grace from God that she would be conceived and born without ever having original sin. Her womb had to be pure for the Son of God. The graces from God were so great that all the angels combined and all the saints combined would not much up to even as much as a sigh, in her holiness. Although not God, Mary would be queen of the angels. Lucifer did not like the fact that his own queen would be a woman, a woman that had not only one chance to offer herself as sacrifice but over and over and over, compared to himself. Lucifer wanted all the purity and power to himself that Mary had, he wanted to even take the place of God.

St. Michael the archangel, from the choir of Archangels (the second lowest angel choir) was given the gift from God to cast Satan and other bad angels out of Heaven. St. Michael rose up against Lucifer and said “Who is like God?!”, casting Lucifer and the bad angels out of Heaven, forever, down to earth and eventually hell. Lucifer is then known as Satan. 1/3 of angels fell from the sky that day.

Our guardian angels are in the 9th choir of angels, this choir is called Angels, the lowest choir. The choir called Angels are angels who are ones most around humans. The exact number is unknown. Your own guardian angel said yes to the beatific vision. When your guardian angel said yes, God told them their role would be your guardian, told them who you are, told them to wait until the exact moment you were born to go by your side, and that their one goal is to get you to Heaven.

Once you were born, your guardian angel never left you for a second. He guards your soul. Your guardian angel is purely spirit, he has no body. To most humans, he remains unseen. He protects you from spiritual attacks that you can’t see from the enemy. Your guardian angel can’t take over your free will but, since his one job is to get you to Heaven, he will prompt your mind with inspiration to think and do good and holy things: be a Good Samaritan, pray, go to Mass, go to Confession, find your true vocation, to to Eucharistic Adoration, inspire you to read spiritual books and watch videos of sermons, to have you act out works of mercy, to have you follow the Ten Commandments, to be kind to others, to have pure joy, etc. He waits for you to ask him for help. You can ask him to help you in just about anything. Never leaving your side, he waits for you to speak to him as a friend, for friendship. Since time together in Heaven is a long time, it’s best we get to know our guardian angel. You cannot name your guardian angel because naming him means you have ownership over him, plus God already have him a name which is to be respected. You may call him my guardian angel, or simply, my angel. Start a relationship with your guardian angel today!

I highly recommend you read the book called Send Me Your Guardian Angel.

I also highly recommend Angels and the Supernatural.

[monsterfloofs]

hi hi <333 i just wanted to say ive been lurkin around your profile prolly since 2021 and im so very happy to be able to see your style and characters develop over the years. your writing will forever be a comfort for me <33 i hope things are well 4 you, happy (very late) new year!!!!!

Hello dear friend,

goodness is that… wow, since the beginning? I have really lost track of time, has it really been four years since all of this started? That’s amazing, and very humbling… I am so glad my words have been able to reach your heart and be a comfort. Honestly, I am still amazed that I had the courage to close my eyes and click the post button that first day. Haha! That’s kind of like my ritual now, whenever I post a new story I tend to run away from Tumblr for a while. Too anxious to see if anyone enjoyed it, until a bit of time has passed. XD But yes, I am so glad this blog can be a place where you can lurk and just feel comfy. Comfort truly feels like something we desperately need as the state of the world continues to feel like it’s crumbling around us. Holding onto to whimsy and joy feels like a holding onto an elusive dream somedays. We hold on tight and try not to let it slip into obscurity come morning.

Thank you so much for reaching out, from the bottom of my heart, I really needed to read this. It really helped me ground and refocus heart and mind. Originally, I made this blog when I needed comfort, and I was really alone at the time. I was getting out of bad relationship that I shaped my whole world around, and we would role play all the time. I missed the comfort in that, I missed the stories and despite the whole heartache of it, I wanted to write again. This time, for me, and with the hope that others would enjoy it too. There was a time where I wasn’t sure if I could write or draw again. Which, whew! I am so glad I did. I met so many lovely and sweet people here. Many of my comments are anonymous and while I may not know you, or any of the others who have slipped mysterious letters under my door, I think we are tied together by our shared experiences. Our shared love of stories and loving the unknown and unseen, and holding a space for them in our hearts! I hope you are doing okay too, and yes! Happy New Year! Let’s do out best to make more lovely memories to look back on! ( ‘o u o )

Yours humbly (sending digital hugs as always 🫂)

Floofs

[bearratic]

| Ais to Sen / @sanctissimx

Ais rises to a seated position, the muscles under the flesh in his back roll and stretch as he moves his arms above his head. Sore, even if the demon’s bed were to be made of silk. Roughly a hand reaches to touch his horns, as if they are the only commodity on his body to remind him he’s still alive. And if he were to lose them he’d lose himself. He doesn’t even recall when they formed, but he knew it hadn’t been pleasant.

His chest rises and falls, as anything he’s conscious of that. Always shallow, forever hallow. Though he’s not truly living, He hasn’t for what feels like eons. Furrowed brows on his pale as bone skin he whips the blanket off his body, the cold greedily grabbing and clinging to him. He turns away, feet meeting with the even colder cobble stone floor.

“Leave.” He hisses to the naked faceless residing next to him. Another body he had collected for the night. One that was supposed to warm him, connect with him, entanglement of their bodies, to make him feel. Something, anything. His desperate noises had filled the room but now he was taking them back, returning them to his throat to be left unspoken. They never came from his soul, they just collected in a gaping hole within. Used for naught more than thinly measured pleasure. Where or when he received this unseen hole, was unknown. What it does to him however, is evident.

Every damn fall of night is the same, wasted and spend looking for something, for someone that had taken from him. That had left that exact crater in his essence. As if carved out with a knife it’s rugged, an exposed nerve being played like an instrument. It’s teeth grinding to him. The warmth had fleeted from his fingertips, his lips dull, his pupils diluted, shielding and feigning out others from his true hidden soul. All but replaced by trivial breaths, nightmares of unknown depth.

A break out of unwanted sweat and a hastened heartbeat. It’s the same every damn night, him on his knees. Hands full of a thick black fleeting smoke, the shape of a feminine body before it seeps through and fades from his desperate hold. It always ends the same way, the demon reaching out, one attempt of a million more to keep this exodus shape near. It leaves him exhausted as his hands fill with wet red strings of blood in lieu.

With the bed on the other side empty once again, Ais gets up. Collecting his items off the frozen floor and wraps them onto his body. He doesn’t bother blowing out the still burning candles, the whole place can go up in flames for all he cares, it’s all the same to him. He grabs hold of his beating and drumming head as the other hand goes to the doorknob. “What is tormenting me so.. and why can’t I snap its neck.”

Was it a curse? Every day he has the same thought, as it is not an irrational one. He, however, is. Not exactly half a man easy to make himself get along with. To take along trusted companions, nor keep them close for that matter. Though there is one.. one that understands his torment. So Ais lifts the last part of his outfit off its holder and puts his arms through the sleeves. The blue tattoo on his right dissapearing into the darkness of the jacket. His thick boot steps into the streets, the ripple of a puddle underneath makes him look up, of course it’s “fucking pouring.” He clenches a lit cigarette between his lips, red from use by the nightly ordeals of a stranger. Destroying another part of himself by filling his lungs but at least of this one he has the control. He holds it between his ringed and beaten fingers, light bloodied bandages covered every other finger. The last and outer two wrapped together in an attempt to heal from a break. Another large step of his boot and he makes his way through the Eridian streets, many seen as beggars, merchants, alchemist had risen in the early morning with him. Trying to better their life by worsening others, no one truly fills the need of another in these parts if they can get to it first. His maroon colored eyes shift, continuing his never ending, doomed search for his own wish fulfilment, to be whole. The hunt someone with no name, something with no sound and whithou-… that.. what is that smell.

[arcane-abomination]

This ritualistic meditation is designed to help awaken your third eye to the eldritch wavelengths of the world around you. I designed it as a water meditation to be done in the privacy of your bath time, but you can do it wherever. Just change up some of the words.

Disclaimer: This ritual utilizes Azathoth and Yog Sothoth from Yog Sothothery. As well as Void magick. If you are unaware of these forces please visit the following blogs, IN ORDER, before continuing.

⚜️ Void Magick

⚜️ Eldritch Witchcraft

⚜️ Yog Sothothery

Materials

⚜️ Candle, Incense, or a Crystal (quartz or amethyst) to give the entities energy. Any one of these items will do. You don’t need all but you can if desired.

⚜️ Salt (bath salts of any kind will do. I use a lavender kind because lavender is good for the third eye)

The Ritual

⚜️ I start by lighting a candle or incense or placing the crystal.

⚜️ Call the void to enter the space. “I call to the void and open it here to fill this space with its energy.”

⚜️ Run the bath water and poor the salt in then stir it three times clockwise with your hand and say “This bath is clean. It dilutes the negative energy, there is no need for it, it opens the mind to receive messages.”

⚜️ Next call forth Azathoth first. “ ïa creator I call to thee. Maker of the all and the forever. ïa lord Azathoth, the Primordial consciousness. The formless one outside all existence. Hear my call and come to me. I beseech thee.”

⚜️ Next call Yog Sothoth, “ ïa Yog Sothoth who knows the gate. Ïa Yog Sothoth who is the gate. Ïa Yog Sothoth who is the key and guardian of the gate. Past, present , and future. All our one in Yog Sothoth. Come to me I pray to thee. Listen and answer my call.”

⚜️ Take a few moments and feel their energy envelope your space. Then bring your middle finger up to touch my third eye. (The middle finger is the director of energy.) Then say “I open my third eye to you now. I connect it with the Eldritch consciousness of aeons past. Guide my mind, and teach me the hidden knowledge. Let me see the unseen and know the unknown.”

⚜️ Lastly I get in the tub, close my eyes and meditate. When I’m done I thank the spirits for attending then wash myself like normal.

Take Caution

⚜️ When I did this ritual I did it for a week straight seeing results gradually with each day. So don’t expect significant change with only a couple tries. This is a meditation advised to be done for at least 4 or 5 days at least.

⚜️ You may expect a fair amount of migraines, nausea, and dizzy spells after several days of consecutive execution. Change isn’t always pleasant, sometimes it can make you feel kinda crappy. As for how much pain you get and how long it lasts will vary by individual. But the results are worth it. Mine only lasted a couple days.

[thequeendomhq]

NAME. Nikandros AGE & BIRTH DATE. Unknown GENDER & PRONOUNS. Male & He/Him. NATIONALITY. Iskaran SPECIES. Witch FACTION. N/A OCCUPATION. Inquisitor FACE CLAIM. Jesse Williams

biography

( tw murder, immolation )

Long was his silence, 'fore it was broken.

"For you, song-weaver, once more I will try.

To My children venture, carrying wisdom,

If they but listen, I shall return."

  Nikandros should have inherited a great deal, but all that he was left with was what the young man could build with his own two hands. The world that he looked upon was not the one that he had thought to know, but was instead a figure of a shape reformed - wealth was the gateway to power, but there was nothing more dangerous than a man who carried the faith. 

  After everything Nikandros had lost, the Vanguard of Light seemed to hold all the answers. It was there that he could learn and he could grow. The Vanguard so much about the scourge of magic and the changing tides, while Nikandros thought their minds might have been small, and their ambition too little, he could admire the vitriol in which they followed their pursuits. 

  Eivor was Nikandros’s guardian, his ward, his stalwart protector, and his oldest friend. The soulbonded pair enlisted in the church where Eivor’s sword saw him rise through the ranks quickly, and Nikandros’s wit followed. He had always been inquisitive and taking to the virtues of the Light was second nature to him, it didn’t matter that similar magic he persecuted flowed through his veins because he’d deny it with every breath. 

  The more questions he asked, the more answers Nikandros received.

  “At this, his wounds healed, and he stood

And gathered up the ashes, and carried them

To the lands of the Alamarri, away from sorrow forever.”

  For what had been done to his friend, hating magic came easy to him, punishing those who’d abused their power was easy, and routing out witches where they were hiding was easier still. Nikandros was named Inquisitor and with him came the avenging flames of righteous fury, tempered and comforted by the will of the light, he sought to spread the Chant to the four corners of Taravell, and traveled the continent with his guardian at his side - working to do just this. 

  The will of the light served Nikandros’s morals well, across Astoria he pressed for the presence of witch kind, and across Astoria he marched those that he routed toward the flame. There was a righteousness to it, and a sense of justice when Nikandros and his guard would chase down the whispers of those who used magic to abuse those around them. A prayer to the One God and the magic that they coveted so greatly, was stripped away from them. Flames or devotion, the choice was theirs.

  Iskaldrik was known for its cruelty toward magic-users, it was an auspicious and wealthy country headed by a King descended from a fabled line. Power and opportunity with the potential for forces who may be willing to align with the Divine. These were the thoughts that permeated Nikandros’s thoughts as they worked to spread the light among the stubborn Iskarans; their traditions were still steeped in arcana and yet the druids had been hunted, and their sacred sites destroyed. That very mana that Nikandros hunted lingered about him, wrapping him like an unseen weave until he was inevitably captured and imprisoned. 

  Held back from the light, Nikandros’s good fortune saw his chains broken a fortnight after he was imprisoned; Aetheron descended upon Iskaldrik, the nation broke out into war, and the Inquisitor followed the refugees’s path. There he leveraged the hatred that the magi inspired, they, the great enemy of the Light, had destroyed so much before and now the Kingdom had failed to keep mana in check. The witchers, specially trained, fled, but those who swore themselves to the Light could rise through the church to defend themselves. 

  “Let the blade pass through the flesh, let my blood touch the ground,

Let my cries touch their hearts. Let mine be the last sacrifice.”

personality

+ charming, charitable, intelligent – Manipulative, vengeful, dogmatic

played by shane. est. He/him.

[themoonunderstoodmydadjokes]

Hiiiii, here's some thoughts and things I've been pondering on over the last couple weeks (also might delete later idk lol, take this with a grain of salt because I'm a little tipsy, emotional from pms (and maybe a little bit of heartbreak), and also maybe sorta sleep deprived. okay thanks!) Also pro tip- don't watch sappy teen rom-coms when you're already a sensitive emotional mess!!!!

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I've been thinking a lot lately about relationships, in all forms, casual, romantic, family, friendships, deep relationships and surface level relationships, coworkers, acquaintances, community, blah blah blah you get the idea. Basic human connection baby. I've never really been the type of person to be casual or surface level about anything in my life, especially relationships. I sink into connection, always wanting to know more about people, looking for the deeper connection, never really satisfied with a tip of the iceberg, never really knowing anything about each other kind of connection(I blame it on my pisces moon and cancer venus lol). And at the same time, knowing the cost of that, knowing that I could know someone so deeply and the next second they could be done with all of it, has me running the other direction more often than not. And yes I know, people will not always be in your life forever, basic human condition and all that. But taking into account freedom of choice and miscommunications and attachment styles and people's own individual baggage and blah blah blah, everything that people bring into a relationship, be it platonic or romantic, influences how long that relationship will last. At least in my opinion it does. (and just to assure, I have since learned the art of managing my expectations when it comes to deeper connections and much lighter ones, even with my love and want for deep connections.) And it is inevitable that people will leave, for whatever reason, but that logic doesn't erase the hurt from that person not being there anymore. A lot of this train of thought came from both a recent disagreement with a friend that essentially ended said friendship, and me thinking that I could subject myself to casual dating relationships as a way to re-enter the dating world. In both of these situations, I found myself feeling small, unseen and unknown, and like something that could be easily discarded without a second thought. On the friendship side of it, there was so much connection and learning about each other that in the end, didn't matter and I ended up giving too much of myself to someone who wasn't able to reciprocate. And in the realm of dating and casual relationships, I thought I could re-enter that world, go on fun dates, be casual and learn what I like and dislike in all of it, learn to not jump into things so quickly, just have fun dating for once rather than having heart palpitating anxiety about it. Lol, nope, what dumb bitch thought that was a good idea??? It was fun for a half a second and then just made me feel frustrated and used(both emotionally and physically, hello orgasm gap) and honestly kind of exhausted at the whole of dating(but I'm trying to not give up for whatever reason) (also turns out men still think it's a great idea to send unsolicited dick pics in fucking 2024. Please, for the love of god, don't.) And sitting in all of this, having these experiences, feeling grief over all of it, is the thought that I am simply not made for superficial relationships. Sure there are people I may have a more casual connection with, but the feeling of being unknown to someone, of resigning myself to be the thing they want in order to have connection, feeling like someone isn't even the tiniest bit curious about me, is not something I was made for and no matter how much I try to fit myself into this idea of relationships that is so persistent now, I'm inevitably dissatisfied with it and feel worse than if I had just kept to myself. Connection and community is at the core of what it is to be human and we've gotten so backwards with that. If you read any or all of this, I'm telepathically giving you forehead kisses. Suffice it to say, I am a committed, loyal, curious, big feelings, social, connection oriented girlie and the way that relationships have become so superficial is so fucking soul draining.

[b-a-pigeon]

Hi! I have a minute to be online for the first time in forever, so here's a quick update. First of all - thank you for your generosity and kindness to everyone who reblogged my promo posts, purchased a book, sent money, etc. while I was stressing about housing! Thank you for your patience to everyone who has messaged me or tagged me in a post in the past month or two! I'm still working on getting back to people.

To follow up on my last personal post... the housemate who was harassing me abruptly moved out last month. After what I went through with them, though, I was just feeling so wary of introducing another unknown element into my life and household—and I was already so deep in the process of finding a new place—that I decided to move out, anyway. I move into my new place on Friday(!!??) It'll be a big change and a little bit of a financial risk given how wildly inconsistent my freelance income is from month to month, but I'm mostly excited about it!

In more blog-relevant news: I've been working on What From the Water Rises a lot recently; I'm still torn between Heirloom and Rose Garden as my next big solo project. Fell & I have some cool Hierarchy of the Unseen stuff coming up (though all of this has us a bit behind schedule on the sequel...) and I'm also very much looking forward to hyping up Fell's Taker of the Third Path, which is coming out later this year 😇

Definitely excited for things to start settling in the coming weeks so I can get back to writing, sharing thoughts about my writing with you all, and checking in on what you're all up to!! Thanks again for all of your patience & support at this very weird time.

[semper-legens]

184. 1984, illustrated by Matyás Namai

Owned: No, library Page count: Unknown/not numbered My summary: A graphic novel adaption of George Orwell’s 1984. Winston Smith lives in Oceania, one of the three big powers in the world and home of Ingsoc, English socialism. Citizens of Oceania are watched through telescreens, must guard their minds from thoughtcrime, and cannot go against the Party in any way - unless they want to be detained by the Party, that is. But for Winston, everything changes when he meets Julia, a young woman who shares his anti-Party convictions. It’s a matter of time until they’re caught. But while they have it, they’ll share the love they’ve found. My rating: 4/5 My commentary:

1984! Who doesn't love a boot pressing down on a human face forever? This is actually the second graphic novel adaptation of 1984 that I've talked about here - what can I say, I find graphic novel adaptations of books that I'm familiar with interesting. I like to see how different artists interpret the source material, and 1984 poses some unique challenges to the adapter. Go completely oppressive and dystopian? Draw from Nazi imagery, communist imagery? Go a bit more sci-fi with it? How do the different characters look? What does this world look like? And what do we do about the giant section in the middle that's literally just the characters reading an in-universe book full of exposition dumping?

Well, this was actually a really good and interesting adaptation of 1984. The aesthetic is pretty much dystopian Europe, circa the Berlin Wall or Soviet Russia. One choice I really liked was that the art is completely monochrome but for splashes of red - blood, Julia's sash, the makeup she later wears. It's very striking and used to good effect here to contrast the grey of the world around Winston and Julia. The art also uses this sort of stream-of-consciousness surreality to depict Winston's dreams and fantasies; during the Hate in the early part of the book, we see Winston's violent fantasies against Julia being enacted in the background, and small scenes are used to underscore Winston's narration, like showing his neighbour's spying children when talking about what the Party has done to the family unit. Speaking of, the narration and dialogue (at least as far as I could tell) are lifted verbatim from the book. I don't think there's much if any original text here. Which is interesting, given the more visual nature of the medium in general. I don't think 1984 would work so much as a story without the ability to see into Winston's head, which makes the diary conceit that much more useful to show his thoughts as he performs his duty.

The imagery is also horrifying, at times. While we never see anything too explicit, we still get a good sense of what has happened to these characters and what is happening at various points of the narrative. The fear of the rats in room 101 is made clear without even showing them, which is interesting; we don't see Winston getting tortured in too graphic detail, but the way his body decays over his period of captivity is shown in full, horrifying detail. This adaptation understands the need for restraint, which is good - I think a lesser artist might be tempted to show these things in full detail, and as such turn the story into more of a gore exploitation thing, which really doesn't fit the narrative. A lot is left unsaid and unseen, which makes the violence that we do see that much more shocking for it. Overall, a really solid adaptation, and I'm very glad I picked it up.

Next, something completely different - records of a house full of ghosts.

[solomoniscriminallyunderrated]

There are no lighthouses to guide me through life. No lights, no nothing. Just a black ocean filled with monsters and rocks, and it is upon this ocean that I am adrift.

The night sky is a cold comfort at best. The stars are too far away to be of any use, and even the moon has abandoned me.

I do not know which way is home, or whether or not I have already sailed past it. If there was even a home to begin with. I do not know if there are others like me, or if I am all alone in my darkness. All I know is that there are no lights to guide me home, if I could even remember where it was.

So I simply float along the sea and pray. Pray to a God that I do not believe in, that one day there will be some light, a sign, anything.

But until then, I drift along in the dark.

A lonely, cold, empty vessel drifting towards an unknown, unseen destination.

I am a castaway on a black ocean, and no one is coming to save me.

It is a terrible thing to be adrift, but worse still is being lost.

The difference is this: a ship adrift will eventually run aground, no matter how much damage she may take. She will either crash into the shore or settle upon the bottom of the sea. She will rest.

But a ship lost will simply circle in the darkness forever. There will be no rest for her, only a constant, endless journey through the unknown, and it is in this endlessness that true horror lies.

Because when you're lost, there is no destination, no hope of reaching your goal. There is only the journey, and it is a journey without end.

And so I go, lost and alone in the darkness, until I finally sink beneath the waves.

I am a ship lost at sea, and I am never coming home.

[aekashic]

There was an unknown shrine that she stood before. Even someone as knowledgeable as Yuri seemed to draw a blank on who this place belonged to, as if she was not being allowed to remember from whence such a shrine came. It was more like a little altar, a tiny temple to some long forgotten deity whose name was only whispered.

She couldn't put a finger on who this was, yet she felt compelled to make an offering since she was passing it. She expected nothing in return and it would do no harm to honor the altar of whoever sat there. Of course, that left her the trouble of figuring out what to offer. Dance and song were her best gifts to give and despite investigating the lost altar, she couldn't consign a dance that would match.

So she picked an unconventional choice. A dance for a god linked to poison, of all things. If only because the dance was so utterly lovely, how could you not enjoy watching it?

Slow and deliberate, like a waltz. The silk of her kimono flowed easily with the graceful movements of the dance. Partnerless as usual for her performance, Yuri was committed to showing off her skill and please whoever would be gazing at this one moment in time. Swirling, spinning, whirling in time to a song only heard in her head, yet existed with every beat of her heart.

An offering was made today for Eternatus.

((Reference: HERE))

long ago, the king of the outer gods did battle with mortal heroes, laid low the warriors of old as an act of devotion and pride. to remember the great cataclysm, a temple was built deep in the earth where the god lay in a gruesome death-slumber, its cosmic power seeping into everything around him. a maddening power that drove mortals to desire more- and to gain it, they traded their lives.

no, not their lives, but the lives of those less fortunate. those who were seen as expendable. criminals, orphans, defenseless maidens. the deformed, the ones that nobles called unsightly- the ones eternatus looked upon with a deep pity. the ones he gave painless deaths to.

the sorrowful tradition continued, even when it was forgotten why. the people no longer hailed the gods of galar, but they knew fear. they knew to fear him and his power. the very power they wore on their wrists / power he would use to kill! a slow rot reserved for the sinful- the disgusting and greedy things that they were! how he reveled in the sound of their screams, their useless prayers for salvation that would never come! he watched from his forgotten temple as they writhed. he watched as they desperately carved the dead flesh from their bodies as if it would cure them. they always crawled to him as they died in grotesque forms / he showed them how beautiful he still was, and laughed! poor things!

but this time, the offering is not like ones of the past. this time it is a young woman dancing a long forgotten dance. the last person to dance for him had been zacian- when times were not so horrible and he was not so filled with hate. a time where he was whole and worshipped. in the embers of its heart, a sense of serenity settled. it could watch her dance forever.

you offer me this gentle thing, comes a voice, low and warm- from some unseen place (from the in-between and the everywhere), even if you came to this place only by chance.

she is lost in the dance. focused- yes, he could watch her forever. dear fated maiden, i am certain one day you will do more than just dance here. and on that day, you will know me.

she continues to dance, and he watches her from the in-between and the everywhere. he thinks she will survive the day where he will run rampant through her bloodstream.

[xxmotionlesswreckxx]

In the depths of my heart, aching and raw,

Lies a darkness that I cannot withdraw.

Alone in the shadows, I silently weep,

For in this vast world, love's secrets I keep.

A torrent of emotions, crashing like waves,

Yet in this storm, there is no one who saves.

The echoes of silence surround my soul,

As I yearn for a love that makes me whole.

In the crowded room, I feel all alone,

Lost in a sea of faces, unknown.

No gentle touch, no tender embrace,

Just an empty void, a vacant space.

Unseen, unnoticed, I fade into air,

A whisper unheard, a weight I must bear.

For love's sweet embrace has eluded me,

Leaving me stranded, feeling unloved and empty.

In the darkest nights, I search for a light,

But it seems love's warmth is forever out of sight.

I long for a love that will never depart,

To heal my brokenness, to mend my heart.

But as the days pass, the ache still remains,

A constant reminder of love's cruel chains.

Unloved, unwanted, a bitter refrain,

A haunting melody that echoes my pain.

Yet amidst the sorrow, a flicker of hope,

A belief that love's touch will help me cope.

For deep within, a fire still burns,

A yearning for love that fiercely churns.

So I'll keep searching, with unwavering might,

For a love that will banish this endless night.

Though I may feel unloved, I'll never give in,

For somewhere out there, love's journey begins.