#Zemblanity

[allthedesiredusernamesaretaken]

[stayarmytinyzenmoa-l]

hi, not a question but i just want to say that i've been reading your works for a long time now (since 2021?) and i want to say thank you for creating a masterpiece (aka zemblanity) idk you're a genius !! also, whenever i go to ao3, instead of finding new fics i always end up reading one of your works 😆😆🤲 so thank u because ur fics is my roman empire .. for like a long time now lol

Oh anon Zemblanity is my Roman Empire fr. BUT ALSO??? 2021?! You've basically been here since I made the blog wowwwww I'm honored! And thank you so much for the kind words <3 You take care, love! I hope to keep making good fics for you to enjoy!

[randomfusilier]

.

[una-manzana-que-a-veces-es-pie]

Solo date cuenta que tú y yo somos perfectos.

[sspacegodd]

A zemblanity is, effectively, an "unpleasant unsurprise". It derives from Novaya Zemlya (or Nova Zembla), a cold, barren land with many features opposite to the lush Sri Lanka (Serendip).

[no-slice-of-serendipity]

no I totally didn't cry upon realizing there is a dialect option in the languages menu for thank goodness you're here what are you talking about

[jessicagreer]

It wasn't a rarity to spend time with him. He was the father of the church, her lifelong friend, university partner, but it was a rarity to spend time like this. Without the pressure of the collar around his neck, the world of the bible tugging him into position. Or the eyes of the town trailing them if they walked together. His life was for the Church: and as much as he tried, he couldn't make his sermon's shorter (even if she'd begged once or twice.) And no, that wasn't a joke. It was fact, and Jessica Greer always dealt with fact, unless it came to her faith. Over the years, her faith had become somewhat skewed based on the life choices she'd made, but her repentance had always been a big part of her relationship with God. Parents of Irish Catholic heritage had meant that she'd spent all her life under the watchful eye of the almighty.

And while she liked to think she was a well-rounded Catholic, she was pretty sure that her lord and saviour might have a different set of words that he'd use. Even as they strolled side by side, the weight of Daniel was in her arms. An unwed, single mother. What a sin she'd brought to her church, and yet, there wasn't a single thing she'd change — but it was often a battle. Nothing was ever that easy. She didn't hold animosity for the life Adam — father Matthews (Although she only called him that in company) had decided to lead. There were some things that were bigger than her, but when her eyes cascaded down to the boy that half of her, and half of Adam, she did wonder sometimes how anything could be bigger than him. Selfish thoughts, she knew, and it was why she never voiced them. Some conversations would remain between her and god for all of eternity.

And it would stay that way.

Adam's running snapped Jessica out of her momentary trance. A beautiful sight, indeed. She knew days like this were limited. A smile breaking out, teeth and all — she wished she could capture it on an old disposable camera. Freeze time, just for a while longer. One day Daniel would start asking questions, bigger ones that she was sure she knew how to answer without lying. And that sin, well, she'd committed enough to land her downstairs. But if there was one thing Jessica did fear about the afterlife? It was that she wouldn't be with Adam. They crafted the story well. A small place like St. Mary's Wells. Nothing stayed quiet for long. Rumours flew about his 'father'. Still, some whispered, assuming the worst of her, even if they smiled when she walked past. Their idea of what Daniel's father was like was imaginary, just as much as he was.

Because the real one was there all along, illuminated by the light of God.

Once home, the day went quickly, as it always did with a child of that age. Adam's departure had seen a wave over her shoulder, because being a mother was a full-time job in itself — and then she had a real one on top of that. The Belmont School for Girls was a beautiful place to work, and something she thoroughly enjoyed, but my goodness, was it hard work?

Seven dresses, two pairs of heels and four coats later: she was ready. Thankful that Daniel would be in the hands of the family meant that she could fully relax — the only people who knew the truth. And that was what tonight was about. In the car, the rolling sound of tires against tarmac and gravel had her wondering what it would be like to step back in time. Sometimes, she forgot what it was like to not be a mother. Especially now that she sat next to Adam — who she spent a lot of time with, in a confined space...she wished for things that she shouldn't, that she often felt...and her attempt to squash it was futile as it flourished in her chest, as she began gnawing at her bottom lip, centering herself with a quick prayer to forgive her trespasses.

Her thoughts were unclean.

Her palms sweat the whole way, like a girl on a first date. But she reminded herself that this was not the path that he had chosen, as she did every day. His path led him to the righteous, to healing. So when they stepped into the Grove, falling into old patterns, former selves, she found herself pretending that all was right. Even if their distance spoke volumes, even if she graved his affections more than anything else.

To see everyone was a blessing. Conversations of old and new. Even if her gaze was spent on Adam for most of the night, laughing at every word, and hanging on like she was a teenager in secondary school. Her old friends had so many stories that it was hard to keep up, all so successful. There hadn't been a chance of it being any different. Everyone had been destined for greatness, even...she wouldn't think of her name as she slid a small smile to Harry before returning to the conversation.

Jessica found herself outside, some time later, with the rest. A giggle on her lips, she felt lighter than she had in a long time. Always together in some kind of group, as she joked lightly with Will and Katya about nothing of importance — until she found herself snapped to the present.

Like a cold slap back to reality. Sinners, all of them. It was a shock they hadn't been smite down yet for their actions. And each one came flooding back as Harry spoke.

Jessica watched, as she often did from a distance: and while she might've been airy and light, just like a flower...sometimes she wilted under pressure. Not academically, no, never. But socially? More than she cared to let on. She often said people shouldn't let her sunny disposition fool them. Which was more often than not brushed off: a laugh there, or a joke here. But all it took was one look towards Harry, and she could feel it unravel as if it was taking root inside of her. The loss of hope, or faith, maybe even kind, was disastrous for one's soul. Her hands shook, eyes darting around her friends.

Lord have mercy on his soul.

His outburst echoed to the old guilt that she'd long thought about. They'd all be a part of it. All to blame.

The Harry she'd known at Rose, this charming, quick-witted man who had always been the life of their life since they'd vowed their secret oaths, was now but a whisper of his former self. It'd slipped past her at the beginning of the night, the entanglement of guilt staring her square in the face — had she been blind or ignored it completely? Preoccupied with their own lives, their own plight. How could they, friends who'd known each other for so many years, have not seen what was directly in front of them? It didn't help when her eye caught Adams, a mirror of her own, concern etched into her delicate features as they furrowed and unfurrowed.

Her pang of longing for Adam — she couldn't even begin to imagine how Harry's must've felt. Jessica always tried to keep her emotions...controlled. Happiness had long been one of the things that she knew weren't going to be like the fairytales she span in the church. There were nights where she wanted nothing more than Adam to offer her something...but once again, selfish thoughts like that were sinful. Did that mean she didn't still long for fleeting touches, or...longer ones? She knew he'd offered all that he could, but she still...with a sigh, she finished her drink in one fell swoop.

Jessica was unsure how to respond to such unbridled pain. All-consuming.

"He needs to go to confession," Jessica said under her breath.

It all happened so fast, the conversation, the group dispersing as Jessica found herself nodding. A man who didn't want to be found wouldn't be. It was a heavy thought, and one that weighed on her mind on the journey back. In the dark, passing street lights every few meters, she allowed herself to look at his features. Shadows painting pictures on his skin. Adam had originally offered to drive Harry home. Jessica had felt a surge at the time, almost ready to jump into action if Adam asked but — but she knew he wouldn't. Adam's presence was a comfort, whether it was religious or not: his steady hand, that all too familiar calm saved lives. Not physically like a doctor, but with his words and faith. But she that faith meant another evening apart from each other, another night where they couldn't be the family they longed to be.

Once upon a time, Jessica had hoped Adam would never have to carry such burdens that his innocence would remain unscathed for as long as possible. But life came for them all, eventually. "I'm worried about him, I mean..." she blew out a long breath. "Everyone else...it looks like they have someone." Even if their paths had diverged as they'd grown, there had always been pairs.

And Harry didn't have his anymore. What would Abigail think of them for how long they'd left him unchecked? Before they'd bothered to check in. "I should call on him tomorrow, after work. Just to check in." and as she placed her forehead against the window, no longer able to watch Adam's face as the night passed by in a blur — she prayed.

Prayed for Harry, for her friends, and for forgiveness.

Sometimes, though, not all prayers could be answered.

The string unwound slowly as Adam walked back, Jessica by his side, their son cradled in her arms. "Are you ready, Daniel?" he asked. Their nearly three-year-old son looked up, curiosity and amusement flickering in his eyes. Each time he looked at Daniel and Jessica, the familiar choke of his collar tightened, a relentless reminder of his self-imposed penance. The ache to openly embrace them both gnawed at him, but he knew such desires were beyond his reach. What he had done could not go unpunished. He had forfeited the family, the wife, and the children he had always yearned for, fully aware that his actions had irrevocably stolen those same dreams from someone else. A friend.

Ahead, the priest—sans collar today—smiled and broke into a run. His laughter rang through the air as the kite they had crafted together, painted in Daniel's chosen colours of "red like fast, father," caught the wind and soared. The fabric danced against the breeze, and for a fleeting moment, Adam felt a sense of freedom as pure as the kite’s. But kites were never truly free, were they? He glanced down at his hands, the string taut and the spool of wire unraveling, only granting the illusion of freedom. He was time to get back.

Once back at Jessica's, Adam slipped out the back door, promising to return as soon as her parents arrived to watch over Daniel. At home, he changed out of his grass-stained pants, the remnants of their afternoon in the hemlock grove—a hidden sanctuary away from the town's scrutiny. He then took the Parish car, a stark reminder of his dual existence, and drove back to pick up Jessica. They were the last to arrive at the Grove, where their old friends had already gathered.

They squeezed into the same side of the booth, and Adam, for a moment, struggled with the urge to let his hand fall naturally on Jessica’s leg. The old, forbidden intimacy tempted him, but he knew better. Instead, he clenched his hands into a tight ball on the table, feeling the weight of nostalgia turn against him tonight. It was all too difficult now that he was here, slipping back into old routines without the collar to remind him of his vows.

As the night wore on, Adam found it surprisingly effortless to shed his priestly mantle, joking and reminiscing about old pranks. It was almost too easy to forget his constraints, the rules that kept his body from pressing too close to Jessica's. By the time everyone drifted out to join the others on the patio, Adam felt like a reflection of his past self, unburdened by the collar that usually anchored him. His hand found Jessica's wrist, holding her back just long enough to retrieve a piece of sea salt—a remnant from earlier when his enthusiasm had tipped the shaker over. "Snow salt," he said with a mischievous grin.

But Harry's words shattered the fragile mirage. Concern etched itself deeply onto Adam's face as he listened, his own guilt clawing its way back to the surface, gnawing at him from the inside out. He knew they'd turn to him first, expecting some sage advice, hoping he could talk Harry down from the not-so-metaphorical ledge he'd just climbed onto. But Adam understood Harry. Religion had never resonated with him, and if there was one lesson Adam had learned since pressing his face to cold tile and lying prostrate before God, it was that people who aren't religious don't want religion thrust upon them. It doesn't help; it only fuels their anger.

So, he waited, watching as Harry poured out his soul in a raw confession, needing no booth for his catharsis. When it seemed Harry had finally exhausted himself, Adam stepped forward. "I'll drive you home," he said quietly, placing a steady hand on Harry's shoulder. "This isn't the place to talk about these things. Not now." He knew the futility in waiting for the right time, a moment that always seemed to stretch endlessly into the future, never fully arriving for any of them.

He turned, offering his own goodbyes to everyone else, accepting that the night had come to an end. Glancing over at Jessica, he realized in the flurry of farewells that Harry had slipped away. There was no time to search for him; he needed to get Jessica back to St. Mary's before her mother started to worry. "Come on," he urged gently, "we're not going to find him. He doesn't want to be found." As they made their way out, Adam couldn't help but wonder if this was for the best, if some things were meant to remain unresolved.

[burnt-cheese-toastie]

🧪Jekyll and Hyde⛓️‍💥

Serendipity and Zemblanity

cutie mark notes

jekyll's perspective and the real meaning to the marks

[star-my]

Ateez Fic Recs ☆ Tumblr

These are all available on tumblr as of April 2024. Some are likely crossposted on ao3 as well.

~Ao3 RECS HERE~

Almost all are complete works, those with “+” after WC are incomplete.

Most of these are Mature or Explicit (usually because of smut) ~ mdni ~ italicized titles rated G or T ~ Please read responsibly

If any authors tagged here wish to be removed/untagged, please lmk! | Shoutout to @thecarnivaloflies for creating their own rec list that I gathered some of these from!

OT8/Multi

☆ Arranged Marriage with Prince!Ateez scenarios by @nateezfics | Prince AU, Arranged Marriage AU | 6k

☆ Black Ocean series by @bvidzsoo | Pirate AU, Siren AU, Royalty AU | 14-40k each

☆ Hooked by @songmingisthighs | SMAU Uni AU, Fake Dating AU |

☆ boyfriend!ateez discovering you write smut scenarios by @eightmakesonebraincell | SMAU |

☆ Rating BFF!Ateez as Valentine's dates by @bluehwale | SMAU |

☆ Blue Bird by @seonghwaddict | Mafia AU | CS + JWY | 7k

☆ one more rep by @cheollipop | PT AU, Model AU | CS + JWY | 7k

☆ time of love by @desayunho | SMAU Neighbours AU | CS + JWY |

☆ Arriba by @teeskz | Uni AU | KHJ + JYH + CS + SMG + JWY | 13k

☆ Splish Splash by @atozfic | Uni AU, Athlete AU | PSH + JYH + CS + JWY | 20k

☆ Light it Up! by @cybrsan | Hala AU, Dystopian AU | KHJ + PSH | 4k

☆ Triple Threat by @huihuiheart | CS + JWY + CJH | 6k

Kim Hongjoong

☆ Wanbelyn by @songmingisthighs | SMAU, Doctor AU, Single Parent AU, Nanny AU |

☆ Marigold by @yoongiseesawmp3 | F2L Uni AU | 13k

☆ guns and roses by @baekhvuns | E2L Mafia AU | 6k

Park Seonghwa

☆ mr & mrs park by @baekhvns | E2L Mafia AU, Single Parent AU, Nanny AU | 50k

☆ bodyguard by @baekhvns | S2F2L Mafia AU, Bodyguard AU | 38k

☆ just friends by @baekhvuns | R2L Model AU | 37k

☆ paradigm + paradigm, pt 2 by @yoongiseesawmp3 | F2FWB2L Coworkers AU, Bar AU | 12k

☆ facade by @gamerwoo | S2L Arranged Marriage AU, Royalty AU, Assassin AU | 26k

Jeong Yunho

☆ your hand by @smileysuh | Coworkers AU, Tattoo Artist AU | 7k

Kang Yeosang

☆ badboy!yeosang by @ateezmakemeweep | High School AU, Bad Boy AU | 18k

☆ entropy by @in-san-ity | S2F2L Mafia AU, Single Parent AU | 21k

☆ crash landed on you by @atozfic | S2E2F2L Fake Dating AU, Chaebol AU | 20k

☆ Graveyard Dares and Bitemarks by @harmonie-writes | F2L Vampire AU | 5k

☆ Sweeter than Candy by @hwalyn | E2L SMAU (Ongoing), Uni AU |

Choi San

☆ lowkey by @arafilez | FWB2L | 3k

☆ the law of attraction by @yuyusuyu | F2L Uni AU | 3k

☆ perfidy by @in-san-ity | S2F2L Uni AU, Mafia AU | 21k

☆ Will you join me? by @kyun-toast | E2L/R2L Mafia AU, Assassin AU | 3k

☆ after all, you're my wife by @astayinwonderland | Arranged Marriage AU, Mafia AU | 3k

☆ texts with ateez (+ crush san) by @baekhvuns | SMAU

☆ the scentist by @k-hotchoisan | Neighbours AU | 5k

☆ it's you series by @minisugakoobies | BFB AU, Roommates AU, Secret Relationship AU | 9k+

☆ The Art of Climbing the Corporate Ladder series by @ennysbookstore | S2F2L Coworkers AU, Office AU | 29k

☆ Obvious + Claiming by @huihuiheart | Established Relationship AU, Hybrid/Omegaverse AU | 4k

Song Mingi

☆ preying on you tonight by @bvidzsoo | E2L Werewolf AU, Witch AU, Uni AU | 29k

☆ Genesis by @songmingisthighs | S2F2L SMAU, CEO AU |

Jung Wooyoung

☆ upstairs neighbour wooyo series by @mangiverse | SMAU R2F2L Neighbours AU |

☆ tits out by @captain-joongz | BFF2L Uni AU | 7k

☆ body talk series by @jungkxook | BFF2L Uni AU | 28k+

☆ All 'Cause of a Neck Kiss by @cocobeanncteez | F2L | 3k

☆ Two Can Play by @huihuiheart | Werewolf AU | 2k

Choi Jongho

☆ zemblanity by @in-san-ity | S2F2L Mafia AU, Bodyguard AU | 24k

[edenesth]

hi!!! just wondering if you had any fic recommendations for ateez?

Hello, anon!

I'll be honest, I haven't been reading much since I started writing myself (I haven't had much time to do so), but I can name a few memorable ones I used to enjoy rereading!

I'm the One (prince!hongjoong x reader) by @/sorryimananti-romantic

Promise (prince!yunho x princess!reader) by @/sorryimananti-romantic

zemblanity (mafia!jongho x reader) by @/in-san-ity

most vulnerable (mafia!mingi x oc) by @/taexual

a breath away (guard!san x princess!reader) by @/taexual

Honourable mentions (shoutout to my besties):

Must Be Love & ♡14.00♡ (corporate worker!san x reader) by @itstheghostofmypast

LONG JOURNEY (pirate!seonghwa x oc) by @evidive

can't control it (seonghwa x reader, mingi x reader) by @vantediary

Valentine's Series by @vampzity

Unraveling Madness (psych patient!san x psychiatrist!reader) by @sanslovesblog

A siren's song (pirate!yeosang x reader) by @dreamingofyeo

One Of The Guys (hongjoong x reader) by @kittykat-25

2:16 AM (yunho x reader) by @scarfac3

Rockstar Hands (hongjoong x reader) by @owmoiralover

Witch's Love (san x oc) by @sundaybossanova

[blazingstar29]

Zemblanity

Maverick takes guardianship of Bradley when Carol Bradshaw dies. Through the years he learns to cope.

1994

pairings: tom iceman kazansky/pete maverick mitchell

A/n: Credit to @mavernick for something in this fic which is currently a secret but my dumbass forgot a conversation about one of his ideas that ended up in this fic inadvertently. I literally started a module on academic integrity today and im clearly failing at that already LMAO

[marvelous-llama]

ATEEZ recs

<<original book

most of the mentioned works is 18+ NSFW, MINORS DNI

pls don´t hesitate to hmu, if any of mentioned links doesn´t work or you have suggestions for more fics... thank you so much for all the love and comments

one shots

drowning by @essenteez

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 2.7k) established relationship - angst, smut, hurt/comfort Losing his best friends, the accident that ruined his basketball career, made Jongho feel like he has lost everything. Thinking he is nothing but a burden to you he tries to force you to leave him.

Only Us by @imaginidol

Jongho x reader (wc - 1k) coworkers, idol Jongho - fluff, mutual pining?

touch by @minranghae

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 4.2k) CEO!Jongho, established relationship - hurt/comfort, smut, fluff

Million Words by @justwritedreams

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 3.8k) friends to lovers, idol!Jongho - angst, fluff There are millions of words that you and Jongho haven't said to each other yet. Until now.

Good Girl by @ateezscupid

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 0.3k) established relationship? - smut

In Your Arms by @anyamaris

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 1.4k) established relationship - smut After going out with friends, you and your boyfriend share a romantic encounter.

I Want My Kisses Please by @cas-skz

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 0.9k) established relationship - smut

Flowers In The Attic by @whatsk-poppinhomies

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 2.4k) establlished relationship, idol!Jongho, insecurity - angst, fluff

zemblanity by @in-san-ity

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 23.5k) mafia AU - angst, smut, fluff Jongho could be compared to a black cat with the amount of bad luck he brings to your life. Ironic that he becomes your guard dog.

Goodnight, angel by @atiny-moon

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 3.7k) established relationship? - smut

it´s a sign! by @locallixie

Jongho x gn!reader (wc - 3.6k) friends to lovers, deaf!reader, high school AU - fluff an unexpected romance was still able to blossom despite the silence between you and him.

still do by @skazoo

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 3.7k) exes to lovers, - fluff, angst, crack he couldn't stop loving you, even if he tried. and he did try for some time. it just didn't work.

22.13 by @songmingisthighs

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 2.8k) outlaw!Jongho, detective!reader - angst, suggestive the slippery son of a bitch has been making a fool of you and your work. you were going to stop him even if it's the last thing you do because no one can make you look foolish. especially not him.

3k Followers prompt event fic by @ja3hwa

Jongho x fem!reader (wc . 5.9k) criminal?!Jongho, runaway!reader, dystopian AU - fluff, fake angst, smut Running for most of the night, you seek a safe haven from a sweet stranger. The only thing is, he wasn't such a stranger by the end of the night.

Position of power by @a-soft-hornytiny

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 3.1k) friends to lovers, CEO!Jongho - smut You find out that your childhood friend is now a CEO and demand an explanation.  

12:31 am by @minghaoslatina

Jongho x gn!reader (wc - 0.5k) friends to lovers - not quite there yet - fluff

falling and sleeping by @seonghwaddict

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 1.5k) friends to lovers - crack, fluff falling in love with you felt like falling asleep; natural and unnoticed.

Heaven´s Haven by @songmingisthighs

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 3.6k) established relationship, idol!Jongho - fluff, smut

You´re My Everything by @vampzity

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 2.7k) established relationship, idol!Jongho - fluff It’s a romantic Valentine’s Day to spend with your beloved boyfriend, Jongho. He had the entire night planned for you. A nice candlelit dinner at an exclusive club. Little did you know what was in store for you on this fine night.

Almost Natural by @k-hotchoisan

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 3.3k) best friends to lovers, mutual pining - angst(ish), fluff, smut You didn’t know when or how it even started, but you knew how it ended—in the best way possible.

series

blurred lines and lies by @yuyusuyu

Jongho x fem!reader, Yeosang x fem!reader love triangle, best friends > strangers > lovers - angst, mature (not smut), slice of life, romance you were always with yeosang, hips stuck together and hands glued to each other. he was all you knew and you were all he knew too for a while, but then you both grew up, one moving at a faster pace than the other. yeosang left you behind to awkwardly navigate the rest of an adventure—high school—without him while he embarked on a new one—college—by himself. the line of being best friends blurred somewhere along the way, and you find yourself crying on the night he promises to be someone else's because you love him. you've always loved kang yeosang ever since the days where he was trying to figure out who he was (an awkward and painful era for any teenager in middle school), loved him ever since his voice began cracking as it's tone deepened, loved him ever since he took you to that stupid and overpriced school dance in middle school despite not liking being in a huge crowd, you loved him ever since he began to become a quiet and reserved man. you hoped to be on the other side of things for once, on the other side of the line of being just best friends with kang yeosang; you realize now that it was stupid of you to ever have that sort of hope. and while you began to calm down, you wonder about what it's like being on the other side of a friendship. you don't know, but you hope to find out as you embark an adventure without him. but you didn't realize what it would it do to you and yeosang, and what it would do to you and choi jongho, your other best friend.

Love or Hate, Sweet or Spicy, Sweet / Spicy by @ihavethedreamies

Jongho x fem!reader (wc - 3.2k + 1.1k + 2.5k/3.3k) friends to lovers, mutual pining - angst, fluff, smut You have developed a strong crush on your best friend over the two years you have known him. One day, all your emotions just boil over.

[heyifinallyhaveablog]

Eventualities

Fandom: Mahabharat (TV 2013) | The Mahabharata

Source: Draupadi-Satyabhaama Samvaad Parva

Prompt by: @chaanv

Note: This is a conversation between Krishna and Satyabhaama, after they return from their visit to the Pandavas in exile. While enlightened by Draupadi's love and devotion towards her husbands, Satyabhaama is still rattled by the events that had led to the exile. The portrayal of the characters and the conversation herein is entirely the author's perception of human behaviour, based on the chapter linked above.

Taglist: @chaanv , @vidhurvrika , @melancholicmonody, @bleedinknight, @ambidextrousarcher, @demonkidpliz

Caveat: Posting from my mobile since my laptop has taken a trip to hell.

_________

Satyabhaama feels a tranquil turbulence within her once she leaves the abode of the Pandavas. Her conversation with Panchaali has been a very detailed one. And her return to Dwaravati, is unusually contemplative.

“Do not worry for them, Satya,” Krishna’s voice drifts into her thoughts, almost as if it were one of them.

“It isn’t the Pandavas that I’m worried about, or even thinking about, for that matter.” Satyabhaama replies, in a voice louder than intended. Krishna knows better than to speak to his currently preoccupied spouse.

***

“I really don’t understand, Jiji,” she confides in Rukmini, on one of the following days, “her endurance is superhuman.”

“She really has sufferred more than you and I, Sister,” her sister-wife says, in a manner of resignation.

"Her circumstances are vastly different,” Rukmini continues, “much like Queen Damayanti of yore.”

So different, Satyabhaama thinks to herself.

***

“Would you have wagered any one of us, Arya?” she eventually asks Krishna, out of nowhere, on one of their nighttime walks in the gardens of their palace.

The answer is quite what she expects, silence.

Satyabhaama, for her part, is in no hurry. There are times when her husband is human, and just as vulnerable as anyone else on God’s green earth.

Krishna’s silence isn’t diplomatic. He knows that his favourite wife means to test him, and hurt him in the process, even if He had been the saviour. As if it were on her to exact the answers for Draupadi -

-Questions that were still unanswered.-

“What answer would you wish for me to provide, My Queen?” Satyabhaama feels cornered, probably betrayed, in her own game, by her own hand.

Trust The Trickster to come up with a battle of wit!, she thinks.

“You seem to tergiversate, Husband,” she says sternly.

Another jibe, another barb. Even for all his silence, Krishna cannot stop his lips from curling into a smile.

“This is no contest, Satya,” he willingly gives in. After all, he knew the magnitude of hurt she had felt right after they’d walked out of The Pandavas’ hermitage. Her confabulation with Panchaali had been enlightening.

“I’m bound to ask, Arya,” she doesn’t hide her turmoil either, “Just why does she still have to endure” –

She comes to a grinding halt, before embarking on a much awaited monsoon of a tirade.

“My Love,” Krishna attempts to stem her flow, while attempting to assuage her turbulence, “it was sheer zemblanity,” –

__________

Draupadi’s call haunts him to this day.

Even He, doesn’t know how he had done it. He just remembers her crimson cloth tied around his finger, to prevent further flow of blood from being cut by The Sudarshan Chakra.

“Every thread shall be repaid, Krishne,”

“In vermillion, as bright as it adorns the parting of your hair.

In gold, as lustrous as it adorns your empyrean form.

In blue, as the peacock whose feathers I savour.

In fire, for Your Sire.”

__________

“I’d called out to Everyone, Satya. Each one of You, as she called out to Me.” Krishna’s voice is heavy, and earnest.

“It was too overpowering,” his calm attempts to conceal the minuscule of a tremor in his voice. Only His wives know that he trembles, in his corporeal form.

“Only when I could envision all of You,” he sighs, betraying nothing, “that I knew that I had succeeded.”

Satyabhaama remembers the fatigue, the exhaustion, that had made him age a decade after he had returned from the damned War that had prevented his presence in the accursed Sabha of The Kurus.

He hadn’t been the quite the same ever since. His outwardly gait was disarmingly deceptive, but, she knew, that The Slayer of Madhu had a strengthened resolve. His silences were louder than ever.

“I’ll set everything right, My Love.”

Satyabhaama knows that He would.

[no-slice-of-serendipity]

the amount of genuine fear I get sending asks is genuinely insane like there is no reason for that

[diversegaminglists]

Games Finished in 2023

Didn't get as much gaming as I usually do, due to a combination of health issues, my cat having cancer (she's fine now) and my computer breaking in a couple of infuriatingly nebulous ways.

Games I recommend are bolded.

Archvale

Franken RPG

Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga

Signalis

Bound by Flame

Monster Train

The Last Door Season One

Unforgiving: A Northern Hymn

Dirk Smallwood HD

The Excavation of Hob's Barrow

Flynn: Son of Crimson

Dishonored: Knife of Dunwall

Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches

Sands of Salazaar

Adios

Talk to Me

Dishonored 2

Power Wash Simulator

Power Wash Simulator: Tomb Raider

Power Wash Simulator: Midgar

Pilgrims

Stone

Teacup

Cloud Gardens

Memory Traces: Japan

Khimera: Puzzle Island

Katamari Damacy Reroll

I was a Teenage Exocolonist

100 Hidden Frogs

lure

Lights Off...

Viltnemda

Suspicious Downpour

The Lost Dachshund

Resonance of the Ocean

Swallow the Sea

Shadow Burglar

Kore

Fears to Fathoms: Home Alone

Greedfall

Rapture: The Beginning

Adventure Escape Christmas Killer

Apeture Desk Job

Corridor Z

Hero of the Kingdom: The Lost Tales 2

The Shore

Alder's Blood: Prologue

Mirlo Above the Sun

Stillwater

The Call of Karen

Karisvale

Momotype

Epic Battle Fantasy 5

Aztlan Uncovered: Prologue

Good Dog

Adventure Escape Mysteries: Cluedo

You are a Whale Also Part 1

Adventure Escape Mysteries: Midnight Carnival

I want to be a Triangle

Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery

The Case of the Golden Idol

The Darkside Detective

Project Exhibited

The Case of the Golden Idol: The Spider of Lanka

The Test

Fayburrrow

Faefever

You Will (Not) Remain

Bad Dream: Stories

Star Apprentice: Magical Murder Mystery

Arcanbreak

Glass Masquerade 3: Honey Lines

Dot's Home

Westwood Shadows: Prologue

The Suicide of Rachel Foster

The Looker

Nancy Drew: Legend of the Crystal Skull

Without a Voice

Escape Academy

One Night Stand

Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice

Janosik

Don't Escape Trilogy

Spirit Cleaning

Fatum Betula

Viridi

Sarawak

Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear

Riddles of the Past

Desolatium: Prologue

Apocalipsis

The Vagrant

Apocalipsis: One Night in the Woods

Hayami Chan

Ginkgo

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure

Memory Traces: Egypt

Wilful

Distraint

Baldur's Gate 3

Zombie Admin

The Lost Night

Inside

Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix (PS4)

The Painscreek Killings

Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising

One-Eyed Lee: Prologue

Nasty Little Man

Halo CE: Anniversary

Technoccult: Covenant

To be a Herpwitch

Seethe and Scab

Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition: Main Campaign

Moons of Madness

Dragon's Crown Pro (PS4)

Paradise Killer

Amnesia: Rebirth

Dave the Diver

Zemblanity

Fighting Fantasy Classics: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain

[overx]

Zemblanity; Vi. VI. VI VI

Zemblanity; an unlucky or unwanted, but predictable event.

It was always going to end up this way, wasn't it?