#a sisterhood that chose her and that she chose

[butchnavi]

aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH

[dany-is-my-queen]

A QUESTION OF LOYALTY XVIII

Rhaenyra Targaryen x reader, Alicent Hightower x reader

Word count: 3.9k

Summary: When dragons of green and dragons of black dance, you have to choose the color that suits you best. Note: Nearing the finale!!!!

King’s Landing slept, but the castle itself seemed to breathe, its walls whispering secrets to those who dared to listen. The tension in the air pressed heavily against your chest, and you felt a storm brewing—one you had unknowingly stepped into.

A voice stopped you in your tracks.

“Y/N,” came the cool, precise tone.

You turned to see her—Queen Alicent—standing at the end of the hallway. She looked every bit the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, her emerald gown shimmering in the dim light, her crown glinting atop her auburn curls. Her expression was unreadable.

“Your Grace,” you greeted, bowing your head out of respect.

“Out for a midnight stroll?” Alicent asked, her voice calm, but there was an edge to her words.

“I could ask the same of you, Your Grace,” you replied carefully.

A small, humorless smile tugged at her lips. “You’ve become quite the fixture here in King’s Landing, haven’t you?” she said, stepping closer. Her voice lowered, carrying the weight of a confession wrapped in accusation. “How bold of you, to linger so freely between us.”

You stiffened but kept your voice steady. “I have no intention of causing discord, Your Grace.”

“No intention?” Alicent repeated, her words sharp as glass. “And yet here you are, speaking to me in one breath and whispering to Rhaenyra in the next.”

“I never meant to come between you and her,” you said quickly, your voice firm but laden with regret. “Whatever exists between Rhaenyra and me… it was never about you. And certainly never about dividing what was once a friendship.”

At that, Alicent’s composure faltered. For a moment, the queen’s mask slipped, and the raw pain beneath was exposed.

“Friendship?” she said bitterly. “You speak of something long dead, something she killed with her lies and her disregard for everything we once held dear. And now, you, of all people, defend it?”

“I don’t defend anything,” you said softly. “But I see the pieces of what you once were to each other, and I cannot fathom why it must be this way.”

Alicent’s lips tightened. She turned away from you, her voice lowering. “You don’t understand. You couldn’t possibly understand. Rhaenyra takes what she wants without a thought for the ruin she leaves behind. And you—you’re just another piece in her game.”

“That’s not fair,” you said, a spark of defiance creeping into your tone.

“Fair?” Alicent turned to you, her voice rising slightly. “Do you think life in this castle is fair? Do you think I chose this? Rhaenyra and I were once bound by sisterhood, by trust. And now? Now she mocks me, disregards her duties, and drags you into her chaos. And you let her.”

Her words struck a nerve, but before you could respond, Alicent straightened, her queenly composure snapping back into place. “If you truly wish to avoid discord, Y/N,” she said coldly, “then stay out of her bed. And stay out of mine.”

Her departure left you reeling, her words cutting deeper than you cared to admit.

When you arrived at Rhaenyra’s chambers, the air was thick with anticipation. You hesitated at the door, steeling yourself before stepping inside.

Rhaenyra was seated by the fire, her silver hair spilling over her shoulders in waves. She didn’t look up as you entered, but you could feel the tension radiating from her.

“Do you enjoy testing my patience, or does it come naturally to you?” she asked, her voice low and sharp.

“I’ve done nothing to provoke you, Princess,” you replied, closing the door behind you.

She turned to face you, her lilac eyes blazing with frustration. “You’ve been with her,” she accused. “The Queen. Do you think I don’t notice the way she watches you? The way she clings to the scraps of your attention, as if that will somehow fill the void in her?”

“She’s your stepmother,” you said firmly. “And once, she was your friend. This animosity between you two—it’s insane, Rhaenyra. I don’t understand why it must be this way.”

Rhaenyra laughed bitterly, rising to her feet. “You sound just like her,” she said, her tone mocking. “Do you honestly think that woman has ever cared about anything other than herself and her children? She would see me destroyed if it meant keeping her precious Aegon on the throne.” Alluding to the toddler.

“Is that what you truly believe?” you asked, stepping closer. “Because from where I stand, the two of you are doing everything in your power to destroy each other.”

Rhaenyra’s expression darkened. “Are you defending her now?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

“I’m not defending anyone,” you said.

“You think so little of me,” she said quietly.

“I think the world of you,” you said, your voice softening. “But this path you’re on—it terrifies me, Rhaenyra. And now? Now, you’re letting hatred consume you. It’s not who you are.”

“Who I am?” Rhaenyra repeated, her voice trembling. “Do you even know who I am anymore, Y/N? Because I barely do.”

The vulnerability in her words cut through you, and you felt your resolve weakening. But you forced yourself to hold firm.

“I never wanted to come between you and Alicent,” you said quietly. “I never wanted to be the reason for this… madness. But if you keep letting this consume you, Rhaenyra, it will destroy you.”

For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, finally, she looked up at you, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Do you love her?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

You hesitated, the weight of her question pressing down on you.

Rhaenyra’s lips parted as if to respond, but no words came. Instead, she turned away, her shoulders trembling.

“Go,” she said finally, her voice breaking. “Before I say something I can’t take back.”

You hesitated, your heart aching at the sight of her pain. But in the end, you did as she asked, the door closing behind you with a heavy finality.

They demand loyalty, but neither of them see what this is doing to you.

But these conversations with them never actually took place, did they?

———

You awoke with a start, gasping for air, your chest heaving as though you had just surfaced from the depths of the ocean.

Your mind reeled, struggling to make sense of what you had seen—the faces, the voices, the impossible places. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t have been real. And yet, the weight of it all pressed down on you like a specter haunting your every breath.

Who was that woman? And what did she mean, “You cannot save them both”?

Shaking, you sat up, clutching your knees to your chest. The Targaryens had often spoken of dreams—visions of dragons, of fire, of doom. Had you inherited some fragment of this gift, or curse, through your bloodline? Or was this simply your mind fraying under the strain of war, grief, and guilt?

Rhaenyra sat at the head of the table, her gaze cold as a dragon’s stare.

“You’ve cost us a dragon,” she said, her tone sharp. “Do you understand what that means, Y/N? What you’ve done?”

Her words struck like a blow. You forced yourself to remain calm, though guilt burned in your chest. “I acted in defense of us, Your Grace,” you said, your voice steady despite the storm brewing within you. “Aemond is dangerous. If I hadn’t—”

“You shouldn’t have acted at all!” she snapped, cutting you off. She stood abruptly, her fury spilling over. “Do you know what whispers are spreading now? That perhaps you still wear green beneath your black. That you’ve done this to weaken us!”

“That’s not true!” you protested, taking a step forward. “I’ve done nothing but serve you ever since you arrived. Make it up to you.”

“Have you?” Her voice was low now, but no less dangerous. “You’ve cost us more than a dragon, Y/N. You’ve cost us faith. Our allies question our strength. They wonder if we are too divided to win this war.”

Her words sank deep, but what hurt the most was the doubt in her eyes.

“You think I’ve betrayed you,” you said quietly.

“I don’t know what to think anymore, You’ve done this before, Y/N,” she said, her tone sharp and cutting. “Sworn yourself loyal to me, only to betray me when it suits you. “She admitted, her voice breaking slightly. “All I know is that your actions have jeopardized everything we’ve worked for.”

“I am loyal to you,” you insisted, though you could feel the ground slipping beneath your feet.

“And yet, I wonder,” she said, her gaze piercing. “You carry secrets, Y/N. I can feel them, even if I don’t know their shape. You keep part of yourself hidden. Do you still carry a banner for the Greens?”

“No!” you cried, the accusation cutting deep. “It wasn’t about them. It was about my mother. About Rhaenys.”

Rhaenyra’s fury faltered for a moment, her eyes narrowing in confusion.

“She taught me to act with honor,” you said, your voice breaking. “To protect those I love, no matter the cost. When I saw Aemond, I thought of everything he’s done—what he’ll do if left unchecked. I thought…”

Rhaenyra’s expression shifted, her anger mingling with something softer—pity, perhaps, or understanding. But it wasn’t enough to extinguish her bitterness.

“Rhaenys was a great woman,” she said coldly. “But she’s gone, Y/N. And you are here. You can’t hide behind her memory to justify your mistakes.”

“I’m not hiding,” you said, stepping closer. “I regret what I did, Rhaenyra. Truly. That’s not who I am—not who I want to be.”

Her gaze remained icy, her doubt a blade to your heart. “You’ve said that before. How can I believe you now?”

“Because I’m still here,” you said, desperation creeping into your voice. “I could have turned my back on you a hundred times. But I haven’t. I’ve stayed.“

Her shoulders slumped, the weight of the war and your betrayal pressing down on her. “Actions have consequences, Y/N. And yours have cost us dearly.”

One thing was clear: you had to find a way to earn back Rhaenyra’s trust, even if it meant sacrificing everything else.

What awaited you there was no respite—only more pain.

Alicent stood in her chamber, her hands trembling as she gripped a letter. She was dressed in simple green robes, a shadow of the queen she once was. The years and the war had worn her down, stripping away the pride and power she once carried.

She turned to you, her expression filled with anger and disbelief. “Do you think I wouldn’t hear about it?” she demanded. “The attack on Aemond—your attack on my son!”

You swallowed hard. “Alicent, I—”

“Don’t you dare try to explain it away!” she interrupted, her voice trembling with fury. “Are you mad? He is my son, Y/N! My boy! How could you… how could you do this?”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly,” you said, your voice thick with regret. “I acted out of anger, out of grief. I didn’t mean to—”

“To what?” she spat. “To harm him? To weaken him? To kill him!”

Her words struck like a whip, leaving you reeling.

“I didn’t want to hurt you,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

“But you did,” she said, her voice breaking. Tears filled her eyes, though she tried to blink them away. “You’ve hurt me more than anyone else ever could.”

You took a hesitant step toward her. “Alicent, please… I love you.”

She shook her head, her tears spilling over. “And I love you,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “But love doesn’t undo the damage.”

You wanted to comfort her, to hold her and promise that things would get better, but you knew it was a lie.

“You’ve chosen your side,” she said finally, her voice cold now. “And I… I cannot follow you there.���

You stood in silence, watching as she turned away from you. There was nothing more to say, nothing more to do. The gulf between you had grown too wide to bridge, and all that remained was the ache of what could have been.

———

The war had taken a grim turn. News of the First Battle of Tumbleton reached King’s Landing like the toll of a funeral bell. Rhaenyra’s forces had not just been defeated—they had been betrayed. The Betrayer, Hugh Hammer, has switched sides mid-battle, leading to the sacking of Tumbleton. Refugees flooded into the capital with tales of fire and blood, of dragons turning on their own, and of the town reduced to ashes.

When the report reached the Black Council, Rhaenyra’s face turned ashen. She sat on the Iron Throne, her hand gripping the armrest so tightly her knuckles whitened. “The gates of King’s Landing will remain closed and barred,” she ordered coldly, her voice trembling with restrained rage. “No one enters without my command.”

———

The city was restless, the tension palpable as the gates remained shut and whispers of betrayal spread through the streets. You found yourself wandering the Keep late one evening, seeking solace, when you stumbled upon Helaena. She sat alone in a dimly lit corridor, her hands busy weaving a garland of pale flowers.

“Helaena,” you said softly, and her head snapped up, startled.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she murmured, though her tone lacked any real malice.

“I needed a moment away from the madness,” you admitted, sitting beside her. “And you?”

Her lips curved into a sad smile. “I’m always away from the madness. That’s my role, isn’t it? To sit and weave while the world burns around me.”

You hesitated before speaking again. “I never wanted this war, Helaena. And I never wanted you to be caught in it.”

She tilted her head, her gaze searching your face. “But you’ve made your sacrifices. And now… you live with them.”

For a moment, all you could do was nod.

“I wish there was a way to make it right,” you said.

“There isn’t,” she replied softly. “You can only choose to stop making it worse.”

———

The dungeon was dim, the air thick with the smell of damp stone. Corlys sat on the bench in his cell, his silver hair catching the faint torchlight. When he saw you approach, his lips pressed into a grim line.

“You’ve come to speak your piece, then?” Corlys asked, his voice edged with bitterness. “If you’re here to defend her actions, save your breath.”

“I’m not here to defend Rhaenyra,” you said softly, stepping closer to the bars. “I’m here because I owe you an apology—one long overdue. “I’ve made mistakes. I was blind to how far things had spiraled. And I regret it. But that’s not the only thing I regret. I regret letting my grief, my anger, and my confusion push you away after my mother’s death.”

Corlys froze, his expression softening slightly as your words sank in.

“When I learned the truth about my parentage, about my real father…” you continued, your voice wavering, “it was like my whole world had been torn apart. I didn’t know what to believe, who to trust. But you… you were always there for me. You were a father to me, even when I didn’t deserve it. And I was an idiot for not seeing that.”

For a moment, silence filled the space between you. Then Corlys let out a long sigh, the chains on his wrists rattling as he leaned forward. “If I failed you, it wasn’t because I didn’t care—it was because I didn’t know how to reach you when you were hurting so deeply.”

“You didn’t fail me,” you said quickly, shaking your head. “I failed you. I shut you out when I should have leaned on you. And now, after everything that’s happened—after Addam—I see how much I’ve let you down. I’m sorry, Corlys. Truly.”

Corlys sighed again, his shoulders heavy with the weight of his own regrets. “We’ve all let each other down, haven’t we? Addam, Rhaenyra, you, me… this war has stripped us of everything we once were.” He looked up at you, his eyes weary but still full of a quiet strength. “But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that regret alone changes nothing. If you want to make amends, you have to act—and you have to do it now, before there’s nothing left to salvage.”

“I’ll try,” you said, your voice thick with emotion. “I’ll try to reach her, to help her see reason before it’s too late. But I don’t know if she’ll listen.”

Corlys gave a small, sad smile. “She may not. Rhaenyra’s fear has blinded her, and the walls she’s built around herself are taller than ever. But you have to try. Because if you don’t, Y/N, who will?”

His words lingered in the still air as you nodded, the weight of his wisdom settling over you.

“I’ll do what I can,” you promised, turning to leave.

As you walked away, Corlys’s voice called after you, softer now but no less firm. “And Y/N… no matter what happens, remember this: you were always my daughter. Blood or no blood. And that will never change.”

Tears stung your eyes, but you didn’t turn back.

———

The atmosphere in the hall outside Rhaenyra’s chamber was tense as you arrived. The guards stationed at her door exchanged uneasy glances when they saw you approach. They were hesitant, as if unsure whether to let you pass.

“I need to speak with Her Grace,” you stated firmly, your voice carrying the weight of urgency.

One of the guards stepped forward. “The Queen has asked not to be disturbed.”

“She is certainly not with the council” you asked, your brow furrowing.

The guard hesitated. “No, my lady.”

Something in his tone gave him away. Your eyes narrowed, and without waiting for permission, you pushed past him toward the door.

“Wait—” the other guard started, moving to intercept, but you had already opened the door wide enough to see inside.

The sight before you made your blood run cold. Mysaria was lounging in Rhaenyra’s bed, her bare back to you, the sheets tangled loosely around her waist. Her white hair spilled over her shoulders like silk, and her knowing eyes flicked toward you with a smugness that twisted your stomach.

Rhaenyra sat at the edge of the bed, pulling on a robe hastily. Her face flushed—not with guilt, but with frustration.

“Lady Y/N,” she said sharply, her tone carrying an edge of warning. “You have no right to barge in here.”

Your heart sank, the weight of everything crashing down as you stared at her. “I needed to speak with you. Clearly, I’ve interrupted… something.”

Rhaenyra sighed, her gaze hardening. “This is none of your concern. You shouldn’t be here.”

“Sleeping with a whore? You snapped. Have you truly stooped this low, Rhaenyra?”

At that, Mysaria smirked, seemingly unfazed by the insult. She leaned back against the pillows, her posture almost taunting.

Rhaenyra’s eyes flashed with anger, her cheeks still flushed. “Careful with your words, Y/N. You’re hardly innocent. Or have you forgotten who you have bedded? Alicent Hightower, of all people.”

Her words hit you like a slap, but you refused to flinch. “Alicent is no prostitute,” you countered coldly. “She is nothing like this.” You gestured toward Mysaria, who raised a delicate brow but said nothing, content to watch the argument unfold.

Rhaenyra stood then, stepping closer to you, her voice low and venomous. “You don’t get to judge me. Not after everything. Not after you turned your back on me time and again. Do you think I care what you think of her—or of me? I don’t.”

The words stung, but it was the emptiness in her tone that broke something inside you. She wasn’t doing this because she loved Mysaria. It was a distraction—a way to drown her pain, her regret, her anger. And somehow, that made it hurt even more.

“Do you even hear yourself?” you asked, your voice trembling. “This… this isn’t you, Rhaenyra. This isn’t the woman I…” You stopped yourself, shaking your head. “You’re letting yourself rot, and you’re dragging the realm down with you.”

Rhaenyra’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t respond. For a moment, the two of you stood there, the tension between you suffocating.

Mysaria finally broke the silence, her voice smooth and mocking. “The Queen does not need your judgment, my lady. Perhaps it is time you left.”

You turned your glare on her, but you didn’t dignify her with a response. Instead, you looked back at Rhaenyra, your expression softening despite the anger coursing through you.

“I came here to warn you,” you said quietly, your voice laced with exhaustion. “But I see now that you won’t listen. You’ve surrounded yourself with people who feed your delusions instead of telling you the truth. And I can’t keep fighting for someone who refuses to fight for herself.”

Rhaenyra’s eyes flickered, a brief crack in her façade, but she didn’t say anything. She simply stood there, silent and unyielding.

Without another word, you turned and walked out. The echo of it lingered in the hall, just like the ache in your chest.

———

The night felt colder than usual as you walked through the dimly lit halls of the Red Keep, your mind spinning from the confrontation with Rhaenyra. The anger had ebbed. You needed solace, a quiet reminder that not everything in this world had to be so broken.

You found yourself outside Alicent’s chambers before you even realized where your feet had carried you. The guards stationed outside her door gave you a glance but said nothing, stepping aside as you quietly entered the room.

The chamber was peaceful, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the windows. Alicent lay on her bed, her chest rising and falling steadily with each breath. She looked serene, her face untroubled by the weight of the day.

You hesitated at the edge of the bed, watching her for a moment. She was so different from Rhaenyra in this moment—so still, so calm. The storm that had been raging inside you began to quiet, replaced by a tender ache you couldn’t ignore.

Carefully, you sat on the edge of the bed, your fingers trembling as you reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face. Her skin was warm beneath your fingertips, and your touch lingered, tracing the curve of her cheek with the gentlest care.

Alicent stirred slightly, a soft murmur escaping her lips as her head tilted toward your hand. Though her eyes remained closed, her features softened, as if she recognized your touch even in sleep.

Your heart swelled, and without thinking, you took her hand in yours, intertwining your fingers. The fit was familiar, comforting, as if the world outside these walls didn’t exist. You brought her hand to your lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles before resting it against your chest.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, your voice barely audible in the stillness. “For everything.”

Alicent didn’t wake, but her fingers twitched slightly in yours, the smallest sign of acknowledgment.

You stayed there for a while, content to hold her hand and watch her sleep. For the first time in what felt like forever, you allowed yourself to feel at peace, even if only for this fleeting moment.

-----------

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[maboroshi-no]

Hamefura Girls Academy AU Quick Summary

I have quickly read the Girls Academy AU from Hamefura Manga Vol 11. Here is an outline of what happens:

Anne wakes up Katarina so she won't be late to the academy.

Katarina comes out of the dorm, still half-asleep.

Keith greets her. Katarina is shocked to see that Keith is a girl.

Katarina and Keith are joined by Alan and Mary.

Katarina is shocked that Alan is a girl while Mary has remained a girl.

They hear screams. Keith explains it must be Nicol's fan club.

Nicol and Sophia are walking to them. Many girls are screaming while seeing Nicol.

Katarina is shocked that Nicol has also become a girl while Sophia has remained a girl.

Keith wonders if Nicol's fan club didn't increase in size.

Sophia explains that it is because Nicol doesn't have a "little sister".

Katarina is surprised since Sophia is supposed to be Nicol's little sister.

Sophia explains she meant "little sister" as a junior whom a senior personally chose to guide. "Older sister" and "little sister" exchange ribbon to mark their relationship.

Geordo arrives. Katarina is taken by her beauty.

Geordo asks her what's wrong. Katarina replies she just found her beautiful (even as a girl)

Geordo is glad to hear this and asks her if she wants to become her "little sister"

Katarina is puzzled since the sisterhood system is supposed to be between a senior and a junior.

Geordo replies that it can be extended to students in the same year since there are many first-year students.

Mary interjects that it's not true. Besides, even if it were the case, she would want Katarina to be her "little sister".

Alan asks Mary to calm down.

Sophia offers Katarina to be Nicol's "little sister" instead.

Katarina is flustered since she doesn't think she is good enough to be Nicol's "little sister"

Nicol tells her that's not an issue.

Nicol's fan club interrupts them. They think it would be unfair for Nicol to make Katarina her "little sister" since they are only a year apart.

Maria arrives and invites the gang to have sweets in the student council room.

Everyone is in the student council room. Raphael is here.

Sophia asks Katarina again if she would like to become Nicol's "little sister".

Katarina tells her again she thinks she is not good enough for Nicol.

Nicol tells her she is quite a wonderful person and it is rather her who doesn't feel worthy of her.

Geordo proposes to the student council that the sisterhood system be applicable even if both students are in the same grade. Mary supports the idea. Alan opposes it since only a senior can teach stuff about the school to a junior.

Raphael asks if she can express her opinion on the subject. Geordo invites her to do so as long as she won't ask to make Katarina her "little sister".

Raphael tells her she can't possibly ask Katarina to be her "little sister". She is way too busy as student council president to have time to personally guide a junior.

Raphael adds that given the number of first-years who want to be Nicol's "little sister" and the number of second-years who want to be the older sisters of the first years in the student council, it will just lead to trouble, so she will enforce a rule forbidding any student council member to have an "older sister" or little sister".

Raphael adds that she has reached her limits dealing with the troubles caused by the sisterhood system.

Everyone feels dejected by this new rule except Keith.

Keith invites everyone not to feel so down about it since the sisterhood system doesn't compare to the relationship between real sisters anyway. She makes her point by taking Katarina's arm.

Geordo and Mary are annoyed by this gesture and ask Keith to talk in private in another room. Keith politely refuses because she wants to spend sisterly time with Katarina.

Geordo, Mary and Keith fight. Raphael sighs.

Katarina wakes up.

To make sure it was all a dream, she heads to the boys's dorm and barges into Keith's room. Keith is shocked.

Katarina: "Okay, he's a man".

Katarina leaves.

Keith runs after and asks her to explain herself.

[agentem]

Three of Pentacles

I keep hearing people complain that the "sisterhood" of the Coven in Agatha All Along was a sham because they only exist to support Billy, the lone male.

But that's not true. *stamps foot angrily.*

They are Lilia's coven. In her reading, the "reason for her quest" is community. They are the reason she is on this journey. And she is the one who writes the names down and choses the team (although maybe she should've reconsidered writing Alice's name since she dies but what exactly happens when she writes the names down--and the lights flicker--seems to be differen than the time gaps. It also happens when she sees what William will become. It seems almost involuntary? Also Lilia mentions the "path behind" are lessons learned so Alice dying might be important to Lilia accepting her own death? She mentions the path behind is "lessons learned." And that might have something to do with the repeated "Death comes for us all" line. Not sure.)

Anyway! TLDR, she's the Nick Fury of these Witch Avengers.

I think she needs this group (Agatha, Billy, Jen and Alice. Rio and Sharon are not included on the list) to help her through her end. To accept her fate. And he's important to that, to helping her think outside of herself. But he's "the windfall" the thing that might happen, but only if Agatha's trauma can be overcome. Jen is the guaranteed "path ahead."

Agatha's lines about not being able to divine when Death will come, heal Nicky or protect him suggest that she also needs a Coven. But she never embraces this particular group like Lilia does when she tells them she loves them. Agatha does show growth by sacrificing herself for Billy and then joining him on his quest. (The reason for his quest is The Sun/Reunion and it isn't achieved by the end of the series.)

Although I do get that the ending feels a bit... unfinished and some people are unhappy with that. Lilia is the only one who completes her "quest." But I don't think Marvel wants to be done with Agatha or Billy yet.

[butterfly-ribbon]

there's so much around lion that's so wildly compelling about sisterhood, family, and identity, etc. but one of the things that make me crazy is the idea of lion as a fictional construct made by readers who want to see sayo with love, but also being unable to wholly decide what would most make sayo happy bc so many parts of herself are rooted in pain. lion is literally someone who exists to show sayo that she deserved better, deserved comfort, love, everything else - that it wasn't her fault, and that even in this "perfect" world, terrible things happen. the parents are still greedy and cruel. kinzo is still a terrible person. ep7 in this context truly feels like it's written by ppl on the outside of the story who actually chose to engage and understand, and a love letter to real life readers who did so.

a big thing i consider with lion is not having to have the 'pressure' of needing to specify and that creating a 'better' dynamic in the family, but they also still have to use the name given to them by kinzo. further considering that there's a major point of the care and love will shows for lion that is blatantly intended to transcend any idea of 'gender' or 'cisheteronormativity' makes it obvious to me! lion is essentially "this is a version of sayo who never had to 'choose' which is both a good and a bad thing, as within that context, this is a 'nuclear family' kind of set-up. by being denied the option/potential of fully exploring gender identity, they take on the role of the 'ideal child', which itself is rather tragic."

i think it's also meaningful to consider that lion is still androgynous and disconnected from the idea of 'masculine gender' without any of their 'tragedy' having happened. when given the option, they choose to live outside of 'maleness', outside of that specific idea, wanting to live without the struggle of having to specify or be assumed bc of how crushing and stressful that could be.

i really feel like it's relevant to consider that they were lying to sayo when they said it was only due to the 'incident' that she experienced that they had to perform the gender reassignment surgery? to me it would make a lot more sense that the reality of this intersex child would be easier to hide! if she was already intersex, then it's genuinely easy to consider. i think, broadly, lion was given to natsuhi as a 'baby boy' before everything happened. since she tried to kill the baby so young, it's so simple to see how these realities could have been ignored, but even then, what if natsuhi did realize this child was 'improper' or had a 'broken body'? what if, for so many things.

the idea of maleness and malehood is strangling to sayo. yes, she wants to 'fit in', but she also always truly wanted to see herself as a girl. she envisioned so many versions of herself that were the 'women' she wanted to be or wanted to grow up to be. she was never a 'proper' girl, even when she was a tiny child. she was always bad at cleaning, bad at cooking, bad at succeeding, too small, too 'stupid' according to all the girls around her. kanon exists as her dysphoria - dysphoria that in ep6 is 'killed' for the sake of saving loved ones. letting go of the mask of kanon bc her self-loathinh isn't who she wishes to be. i think further, it's important to think about how kanon exists bc sayo feels she has no 'right' to her own dysphoria unless she makes herself a 'male' alter ego to shove that into, to have some slight justification for how broken her body makes her feel. lion truly feels like an intersex child negotiating acceptable gender presentation bc being a boy is too painful and they can't assert their identity as a girl, so they opt for this middle ground that feels like a compromise between the two.

sayo has always 'been' a girl and 'seen herself' as a girl! but she is now portrayed as a failure of a girl bc of her 'broken' body and i think the intersex and trans girl readings can be interwoven into one very strong narrative. her being trans is amplified with the idea of her having intersex subtext bc she was raised thinking it could be possible, maybe, for her to live as a girl, before realizing she can only be a girl in this bird cage. now that she's a teenager, it's obvious that she's not a proper girl. if she leaves rokkenjima, the spell of her womanhood is broken and she'll have nothing. what matters is the present in which she exists and that her body 'fails' to meet the ideals of womanhood. this is vital in the context of natsuhi as well - natsuhi isn't a trans woman, but we can also see this sense of how womanhood and being degendered for her failures within that are important to her narrative and also sayo's! and in this context, sayo has always been 'out' and 'accepted', so her issue is less 'i'll never be a girl'. rather, her struggle is about how she's being taught that to be a girl is suffering and that she's doomed to tragedy for wanting. constantly realizing and thinking about all the things about the girls that people want and think of them, and realizing there was something about her body that denied her what she wanted.

i think it's a vital reality that intersex people are inherently connected with trans women, as the issue (at the end of the day) is having a body that 'fails' to meet the expectations of cissexist and bioessentialist dynamics so i love to think about this...

[808airsoftbros]

Fromis_9 As Your Vampire Mothers

Lee Saerom (Alpha Vampire)

Ah, Saerom the Alpha of the clan and known to be one of the most ruthless in the sister clan

You'd think being the husband under her wing would be rather unpleasant but it's the exact opposite under her care

Saerom is literally amazing as she can juggle her responsibilities of being your wife, mother, and the Alpha of the clan

Literal softie for children such as yourself but when someone dares challenge her demeanor changes 360 degrees

Very... Very... Very... Patient, you could break a vase but if she sees it's nothing but an accident she'll forgive you

But don't let her soft and caring side fool you... If you dare misbehave she will not hesitate to correct that

Besides who are you to complain? You are married to one of the strongest and most powerful Vampire in the clan and she chose you

Privileges: She'd let you lay on her chest and lap, play with her hair, hug her almost whenever (If she's not too busy), give you all the breast milk you want, and most importantly, be under her adoration

Song Hayoung (1st Enforcer)

Being the number one enforcer besides Jiwon can be quite challenging but not to her

She'd go through the entire world just for you and that's how much you mean to her

At the beginning, you were neglected, abused, starved, shivered, you name it

When she came into your life and took you under her care, that all changed instantly

Hayoung would swear to herself that she'll protect you no matter what happens and obligated to care and nurture you for life

She'd be the wife and mother you'd never had growing up and she fits perfectly in the role

But at the same time just like Saerom, she won't hesitate to discipline you if you act up and establish rules to keep you safe and in order

Privileges: Lots of cuddles, play with her hair, sings you soft lullabies, having warm cooked meals from her, and lay on her lap

Park Jiwon (2nd Enforcer)

Although she is the second Enforcer, she is a video game addict but cannot play as much but it's a perfect excuse to spend more time with you

Loves to go out on shopping sprees with you and spoils the daylights out of you

But do not fear, her bank account is quite big and none of the bills hardly put a dent in it

Would take out to ice skate rings, she would always be attentive and hold your hand while teaching you how to skate on the ice to ensure you won't trip and injure yourself

Despite being a horror film addict throughout her entire life, she'd sadly could not watch as much as you were too young to watch such movies

That was until you were in your teenage years and that's when she began regularly watching horror movies with you and it's another excuse for her to cuddle you

Most importantly, she be a strong figure for you to look up to when growing up and would always teach you to be respectful and kind torwards others

Except that would be easier said than done as Jiwon is afraid of pigeons and despite being over 100s of years old she never got over that fear but you'd find it funny which is a win for her

Privliges: Lots and lots of cuddles, spoils you with gifts, being able to laugh at her when she gets frightened from pigeons, and always making free time just for you even if she's busy

Roh Jisun (Blood Sister)

Jisun would lowkey be the chillest and laid back mother and wife you'd come across in the Vampire Sisterhood

But she's hard working and would often be the one leading the kitchen, she plans on the menus and what the kids will be eating on certain days and ensure it's all balanced and nutritious

Growing up under her care, you'd find her quite strange at how "indefinite" she can be at times

One time, you'd accidentally dropped a plate because it slipped out of your hands and Jisun would calmly told you to sweep it up

Jisun never once yelled at you nor has she lashed out her anger once from what you can tell

Regardless, Jisun knows she has a duty to tend to and that includes taking care of you, she changed your diaper, gave you baths, feed you, and breastfeed you

But she prefers for you to start learning how to solve problems on your own with little or no help from her unlike her sisters and it's her way of indirectly teaching you problem solving skills but if it's a major issue then that's when she steps in

"M-mommy, I-uhm... Broke a vase... I'm sorry..." You confessed and she intently stared at you... "Well, what are you suppoesd to do?" She asked you. "Uhm, sweep it?" You guessed and she chuckled. "Then why are you telling me this? You know what to do!" She pointed out.

Privileges: Despite her hard demeanor she'd always be there to give you all the hugs and kisses you need, she'd read bedtime stories, let's you watch cartoons, and go outside playing

Lee Seoyeon (Blood Sister)

Seoyeon would be quite blunt and straightforward with no time to be wasted and she is a proud mother and wife

Because of this, Seoyeon would always be the mother and wife to support you on your goals and dreams and will provide you anything that you need

Seoyeon would often be given the task of babysitting whenever her sisters are away from home but boy she can manage her clan's children including her own

You'd see her left and right cleaning the house and always tending to her husband to make sure he's happy and healthy

But at times when she is relaxing, she is having a movie marathon with you in her room, and takes naps with you

Beware though she is possessive and strict with you... She'd always be holding hands and walking with you wherever you may go ensuring nobody takes her baby away from her

Sometimes be overprotective but that's because you are her world and life. She sworn to protect you no matter the cost

Has a strong and sensible taste in fashion that you would pick up after her, you two would often go clothes shopping picking out outfits when she was free

Privileges: Gifts you plushies, having a mentor in fashion, sneaks you gummy bears and milk tea, and maybe lets you oversleep if she is staying in bed with you

Lee Chaeyoung (Blood Sister)

Chaeyoung just like Seoyeon can be quite blunt but is more teasing and loves to have power over you

Your relationship dynamic between you and her is unique, Chaeyoung would be happy to teach you how to be a gentlemen and how you should properly treat a lady

As your mother and wife, it's also her duty to make sure that all adult topics are held off until you are of age so she has to be becareful on what she says and do though she likes to throw some hints there and then

Regardless, she absolutely adores you, she hardly ever leaves your side and always there to comfort and nurse you whenever you cry for her attention

But she also shares the duty of babysitting with Seoyeon and would switch shifts. But Chaeyoung can handle all of her sister's and her own children all on her own

She is not afraid to show any or shower you with her motherly affection towards you in public or in private as she is one poud momma

Loves to have your head on her chest and lap giving her the oppurtunity to stroke your hair and take sleepy pictures of you

But as you grow older, Chaeyoung's expectations get higher and would expect you to cater to her sexual desires and not be afraid to speak of your needs to her

Privliges: Being able to speak freely, would feed you delicious homemade food and snacks, give backhugs, lay on her nude chest, and would give you photos to keep on you so you can think about her when she's not around you

Lee Nagyung (Scout Vampire)

Nagyung can be seriously chaotic due to her hyper energy and even at times acts like a kid herself despite her old age

But Nagyung knows how to control that energy and is very aware how much damage she can do to you as you are a human and can easily be broken with a Vampire's brute super strength

You would often find yourself playing with Nagyung either in the park or in the playroom

Sometimes she may or may not forget to follow the naptime scheldules and would be scolded many times from Hayoung and Jiwon

Nagyung would love to cuddle and snuggle you and prefers you to be on top of her so she can hug you tightly

When you are at a legal age, Nagyung would barely wear any pants or shorts and would only wear her panties at home which you didn't mind

Not only it's more comfortable for Nagyung but it's a way for her to get your attention and she'd giggle and tease you whenever she catches you staring

Nagyung doesn't mind showing off a bit to you or her sisters but she had to be mindful that she cannot show in front of their husbands

Privileges: Again lots of cuddles, lots of playtime inside and outside, seeing her cute and energetic side, will do aegyo for you, and lets you watch her change

Baek Jiheon (Youngest Blood)

Although this sunshine Vampire is the youngest of her sisters, that doesn't make her any less mature and knows what's best for her husband

Absolutely smart, she graduated the top of her class in the academy and will help you any way if you get stuck on a question

It warms her sister's hearts seeing how well you two bond despite Jiheon adopting you at an early age as Vampires her age don't adopt their husband until they are around 250 years old and Jiheon is only 75 years old

Jiheon will be willing to do anything to help contribute to the clan along with her sisters and will often times juggle her responsibilities between being your wife/mother and her duties in the clan

At nights, Jiheon would be reading you bedtime stories and singing lullabies until you fall asleep in her arms

Movie nights are a must for her because that's a special tradition in your guy's relationship even if you are fully grown adult you've never grown tired of it and that makes Jiheon happy

But there are times when you may act up and boy, she would not tolerate bad behavior and I gurantee she will deliver a reasonable punishment

Jiheon would often be the one running her sister's errands being the youngest so she brings you along as an excuse to spend more time with you

Privileges: Seeing her adorable smile, lots of cuddles and snuggles, lets you choose the movies, let's you play outside, and having a tutor

[clairebishop6226]

SPOILER OF NIMONA (Netflix)

I have a theory, throughout the movie, Nimona is uncomfortable with Ballister's insistence on trusting Ambrosius, she notes that their relationship is based on much more than friendship and even the small comparisons to actions that the language of love should represent, but why out of so many people in the institution does she care so much about his influence?, two things, she knows how much he affects Ballister and is frustrated when she sees someone so similar to her running after someone who betrayed him, and that makes us takes the second thing, Gloreth, your friendship with her can have a lot of influence on how Nimona sees Ambrosius, it's impossible for her not to know they are distantly related since he is so famous, she felt a lot of pain when Gloreth betrayed her, the first and her only friend has dedicated her entire life to building a sisterhood destined to destroy her, she would have thought that Ambrosius would be no different, probably when she saw Ambrosius point a sword at Ballister, she remembered the moment when Gloreth chose to become her enemy, not to mention that we are not sure if they never saw each other again after the fire in the village, it was millennia of feelings of hatred and sadness.

[undaughtered]

i’m pro choice and religious also but i’m curious if you could expand on how your pro choice beliefs are informed by your faith bc i’ve always felt like mine are in conflict w each other and im very curious bc ive never heard that before!

cw: mentions of rape

in the story of the immaculate conception we are faced with two options to account for the palpable power imbalance between mary- a young, unmarried, working class jewish girl living under a violent colonial power- and god.

the first option is that god is an authoritative, patriarchal god who subjects creation to his will. mary is not really given a choice in the matter of her pregnancy, and her utterance "i am the handmaid of the lord" is thus made under coercive circumstances, a faith born out of fear as would be typical for a young woman in her cultural context. in this scenario, mary's life only becomes worthy of protection after her pregnancy. she is sanctified not through her existence but through the injection of christ into her womb. in this scenario, because mary is coerced in a deeply imbalanced relationship, she is also a victim of coercive rape. jesus is thus the product of rape, and while this argument infuriates christians, this is the underpinning to pro-life ideologies. women are not worthy of protection until they have a child. they are justified not by their own existence but through their relationships to cishetero masculinity, of which god (in this scenario) must be the pinnacle. mary is not and is never worth more than the baby inside of her, which is a god.

of course, the attributes of god in this scenario are largely antithetical to what we know about god, especially what we know about god in a theological context. (such as: the spirit that covers mary in her impregnation is a feminine spirit, the shekinah, not a penetrative masculine entity. in fact the whole of mary's story has very little to do with men: between the shekinah and elizabeth, up until joseph is actively called into the narrative, it is a story about motherhood and sisterhood, not about heterosexual union or male/female connection for the purpose of childbearing.) if mary only becomes sanctified after she becomes pregnant, then the theological underpinnings of christ's conception and his redemptive arc make no sense. christianity at its core is rooted in the idea that all people are uniquely worthy of life. to be worthy of life means also to be worthy of dignity. since mary is the first to believe that christ is the son of god, the one coming into the world, she is the first christian (along with mary magdalene, the first to believe christ returned from the dead- two women named mary are the first to take up the two basic tenets of what it means to be christian); which means that god knew mary was worthy of life and this, worthy of dignity, before she became pregnant. it was mary's womanhood specifically that deemed her as worthy of dignity, because god could have chosen any way to manifest himself in the world but he chose to be the child of a woman.

this god- who is keenly aware of and yearns to give life to his creation, which cannot be bestowed without a deep and enduring respect and elevation of their dignity- cannot be an authoritative patriarchal figure, since that figure is incapable of upholding the life and dignity of a young, marginalized woman. this also means that, since god is not capable of violating creation's dignity, he cannot have coerced mary into pregnancy, meaning that she could not have been raped, meaning that by definition, mary was given a choice. in fact, this is suggested in the lucan narrative by her verbal consent to become pregnant: "let it be with me according to your word." this isnt a passive submission to god's will, because god does not desire passive submission from those he loves. it is an active choice. god wants us to choose him just the way we, as people, want those we love to choose us.

and we can sit and debate omniscience and omnipotence and predestiny, and whether mary really had a choice if god knew she would simply say yes, but i like to humble myself before god and not pretend to even remotely understand his thoughts. i only know what i can see, and what i can see is mary's verbal consent, and the nature of god as it has been revealed to me.

i cannot believe in a god who would violate a woman's dignity even for the most noble of reasons, because that is not the god i know from scripture. otherwise he would not be of the material of pure love that i know god is because he said so (john 15:12, 1 john: 48 and 4:16). so for me the entire basis of christianity comes down to women's choices and their freedom to choose- in that house in nazareth, in front of the tomb in jerusalem, but never once does the god that i know take away that freedom from his creation, whom he made because he loved. to whom he gives the dignity of choice, even when it leads us away from him, because he loves us. but he loves us enough to let us say no.

[eeldritchblast]

Lara 🖤

(Plain text info below)

Lara - The Dark Urge:

AGE: 28 GENDER: Female (she/her) SEXUALITY: Bisexual RACE: Changeling BACKGROUND: Haunted One CLASS: Rogue SUBCLASS: Arcane Trickster ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Neutral

Personality:

Before losing her memories, Lara took pride in being the pure spawn of Bhaal, believing it made her superior in every way. She lorded it over everyone, including Orin. Lara was a cold, sharp edge in the form of a person. She let her faith in Bhaal guide her in everything, seeing herself as his instrument of murder rather than a real person. As such, she denied herself any pleasures outside of killing. However, this started to subtly change when she began to form an alliance with Gortash; the first person outside of the cult she ever got somewhat close to. Lara dangerously began to think for herself, and this scared her. She prayed for forgiveness and reassured both herself and Bhaal that she was committed to his demand for the world’s slaughter.

After losing her memories, Lara woke up with only her Dark Urges to guide her. Since they served her well in escaping the nautiloid, for the most part she succumbed to them without a fight. That is, up until she woke one night to discover she had brutally murdered Alfira. Horrified of not having control over herself, Lara vowed to find a way to master her Urges. And in doing so, along her journey she discovered she had more inside her than just darkness. She was capable of kindness, patience, and affection for those around her. Ultimately, losing her memories gave her freedom to start anew, and after eventually remembering some of her origins, Lara decided to see it as a blessing. She chose not to let Bhaal define her.

History:

Even when Lara was a newly-created infant, her foster parents knew there was something different about her. When she was in a fit, she would not cry; instead she would lash out and claw at herself or others. But while her parents raised many children, a changeling was new, so they dismissed it as that. Their minds were put to ease for a time as Lara grew and learned to better control herself… or so it seemed. Until she was age seven, when the last thing they saw before death was Lara standing over them, soaked in the blood of their already dead foster siblings, ready to pounce.

Lara was a resourceful child though, and managed to fend for herself on the streets well enough for the next three years. During this time, she also honed her murderous craft, feeding her Urge without question or remorse. Lara would often pose as a poor human girl to draw sympathy from kind souls, only to slay them. The Cult of Bhaal received a missive from their lord, identifying Lara as his pureblood spawn and ordering them to collect her. It was also around this time that Orin killed her mother Helena, and Sarevok was ordered by Bhaal directly to protect the child. Tension sprouted between the two changeling Bhaalspawn children, over who was better at everything. Yet at the same time, they had an understanding of each other that no one else in the world could possess. This made for a turbulent sisterhood that only worsened after they both completed the steps of the Unholy Assassin, with Lara clearly coming out on top as Bhaal’s favourite. Lara took control of the cult at just age eighteen, with Orin becoming her second-in-command.

Lara was a resourceful child though, and managed to fend for herself on the streets well enough for the next three years. During this time, she also honed her murderous craft, feeding her Urge without question or remorse. The Cult of Bhaal received a missive from their lord, identifying Lara as his pureblood spawn and ordering them to collect her. It was also around this time that Orin killed her mother Helena, and Sarevok was ordered by Bhaal directly to protect the child. Tension sprouted between the two changeling Bhaalspawn children, over who was better at everything, Lara clearly coming out on top as Bhaal’s favourite. Lara took control of the cult at just age eighteen, with Orin becoming her second-in-command.

Over the next ten years under Lara’s control, the cult of Bhaal had a resurgence in Baldur’s Gate both in numbers and power. This caught the attention of Enver Gortash, who was responsible for reestablishing worship of Bane in the city. Curious, Gortash went out of his way to forge a reason for them to meet, by arranging Bhaalist torture racks be put on display in the Hall of Wonders, then offering to assist in recovering them. At first, Lara was only interested in recovering the ancestral property and dealing out revenge, but could not help but be somewhat impressed with how Gortash conducted himself during the mission. This drove an even bigger wedge between her and Orin, who saw Gortash as a blossoming distraction that made Lara weaker.

Lara’s alliance with Gortash only strengthened when they were each named Bhaal and Bane’s Chosen respectively, and ordered by their gods to seek out Myrkul’s Chosen, Ketheric Thorm, as well. Soon, Gortash presented his plan for the three of them to conquer an elder brain using the Crown of Karsus. He and Lara succeeded in stealing the Crown from Mephistopheles, but during their raid on the illithid colony to enslave the elder brain, Orin saw her chance to size control. Orin stabbed Lara in the head and inserted a mind flayer tadpole, then declared herself Bhaal’s new Chosen.

Relationships:

ORIN: Orin was only a couple years younger than Lara, and their similar backgrounds meant they had an understanding of each other that no one else in the world could possess. But growing up, they were also in constant competition, making for a turbulent sisterhood that only worsened after Lara was the one to take the Cult of Bhaal’s leadership. Orin was jealous of Lara being Bhaal’s favourite, believing herself to be more deserving.

GORTASH: Lara developed a respect for Gortash in a very short amount of time, for his charm and his cunning. She didn’t even mind his flirtation, though she refused to reciprocate his obvious desires for her. Lara would try to tell herself that she was only using him, but truthfully, he was becoming her very first semblance of a friendship.

KETHERIC: Lara saw Ketheric as the weak link in their alliance, because of how he let his emotions for his family get the better of him. Ketheric saw Lara as a poor excuse for a leader. Had Lara made it all the way to witness the fruition of their plan, she would have been stunned by his planned betrayal.

THE EMPEROR: Lara somewhat related to the Emperor, because of the way it spoke of how it's not just a mindless monster. She also saw no problem with the revelation it had been using a fake appearance at first, what with being a changeling; to Lara, it changed nothing about who the Emperor was as a being. They formed a strong bond that lasted all the way to the end of their fight against the Netherbrain.

ASTARION: Lara deeply appreciated Astarion’s non-judgemental approach to her Dark Urges. She felt like even at her worst, she could at least count on him to have her back. Lara suspected from the start that Astarion was trying to use her, but wanted to help him voluntarily just as he helped her. So when he confessed to this, she was not surprised by it – instead, Lara was surprised by how her own feelings had shifted romantically just as his did. They agreed to see where the feelings took them, and still remain together.

[wren-galathinyus]

alright bitches, screaming into the void again, act two of the second season just dropped and I am sobbing and inconsolable, as always, spoilers for arcane season two under the cut

-CAIT AND MADDIE?????? YOURE FUCKING KIDDING ME?????? HOW DARE THEY. the scream i scrumpt. but okay genuinely, I'm very curious how that dynamic works and started, I really am praying that it's just a casual thing and cait sort of rebounding, because to me caitvi is always gonna be endgame (side note, get it I guess, at least one of the girlies is getting laid)

-also I loved the paint the town blue music intro and how it can be interpreted and the way both sides can be seen with so much nuance but also how both sides can feel black and white about each other

-Mel being a bastard child is genuinely so funny to me with the notion that Mel didn't believe that her mother could fall in love, and now she's stuck with these freaky magic people. it's actually so interesting as it reminds me of the sorcerer class in dnd and how magic is inherent in the blood, but also, if you're a wizard, it's something you learn. as seen with Mel and the people that learn the arcane (the guy that saved baby jayce) (also the artificer which is everyone who utilises modern hextech, but specifically the inventors)

-the reuniting of Vi and Jinx!!! omg the tension, the grudge being held, but also the very clear longing for the sisterhood to be rekindled. and how this time, when Vi hits Isha (even though by accident) there's someone there to smile and ask if she's okay and to keep going. something something breaking the cycle of trauma.

-then to add onto that the fam reunion of Vi Jinx and Vander! and of course the fact that Vi chose to trust, again. despite how many times her trust has been broken and betrayed, she trusted again, and it payed off, because even if only for a couple days, she had a father back. she had a family, this time with a new younger sister addition

-and to add onto that even further!! the reunion of all of them with cait!! all of them are chosing trust and chosing forgiveness to try fight for a greater good and a future they wanted to fund!!

-the small family dynamic in the first episode that is sevika, Jinx and isha is so perfect to me. and I find it so curious that with isha, Jinx wants to leave behind revolution and violence to try and have something bordering on domestic. idk, I just love the three of them and how they would go to any end to save each other

-meeting young vander, silco, and the girls mum! it all started out so pure with so much hope. they wanted to leave a legacy and a world where you could raise children. and though they have failed initially, those children are now picking up the mantle. brimstone and blisters is an amazing phrase and goal

-small side note, I love seeing sevika try to step into a leadership role

-y'all what happened to ekko???? please, why is he on the mural?? I swear he better be in the final act. but I love to see that the fireflys are still thriving

-viktor and jayce truly are doomed yaoi and it's going to doom the whole rest of the narrative... and I kinda love that for them. all jokes aside though, it's amazing to see both of their developments and how viktor grew and created this amazing (if very uncanny valley) society (cult), and jayce, tormented by the touch of the arcane, driven close to madness, is so destructive. and despite one promoting growth, the other destruction, I'm actually not sure which one of them is in the right! like is the hexcore inherently evil and thus viktor and his community, or is Jayce delusional and going to self destruct in the worst possible way? or both! or neither! we'll see

-haha omg Jinx not being recognised and then also being laughed at for her pants

-the warden of stillwater is dead and all I can say is thank fuck 😌

-the scene in the prison! holy fuck. Jinx and sevika releasing everyone and Jinx making the sarcastic proclamation, only to be met with genuine connection from her fellow Zaunites. all of them touching her shoulder as they pass. "we see you, we know that you have done bad, we choose you, you are our hope" is what it says to me. and you can see that it really gets to Jinx, that she's having this holy shit people cherish me moment

-ambessa is amazing and awful. I don't love her but what a character she is. she's driven and corrupt and full of so much love and hate (fuck that other guy tho, the one that always stands near her who I can't be bothered to remember the name of, glad he dies, acab)

-so much diverse animation in these three episodes you absolutely love to see it! vander with his almost abstract view of the world when he's in a rage, only seeing in colours of blood red. the way that isha sees the world in her childlike sketch while reliving moments. the soft and peaceful almost watercolour sketch of vanders mind behind Warwick's animal brain. how much peace and love goes into every detail of this show will never cease to amaze me

-that one guy will never catch a break from Vi and it's the funniest running joke in the series

-Caitlyns face when Vi calls her cupcake

-the way Jinx draws her name under her eye with Vi's pitfighter paint in the same fashion as Vi's tattoo. it really says to me that Jinx still idolises her and wants to be like her sister still, no matter how much they've changed. while also accepting that there are parts of each other that neither want

-Caits character... ooh boy this one's a doozy. so yes, fascist dictator style, but we still see remorse from her. a want for things to be better for everyone. the deep desire to be able to change things for the better without mass acts of violence. but again clinging to the need for revenge. at least at the start. she still very much betrays ambessa when she sees how much pain she's willing to cause to fuel her own purpose though. I think she's come to terms with the fact that what she wants is something she has to try to achieve without becoming a monster. she's deeply flawed. she's amazingly complex. I'm in love with her. she's a cop. she's a heartbroken daughter. she wants to fix the world. she may have broken it a little under the deeply misguided tutelage of Noxus. I really can't wait to see her in the final act. especially since I believe she is going to be part of the revolution now

-Jinx calling the gauntlets bitch mittens 😂😂

-he's your father too (ouch)

-yknow, genuinely thought the pitfighter arc was gonna be longer than that but I'm not too bothered by it. I'm also really glad to see that Vi is allowed to be wrong! she is amazing but also makes a lot of mistakes, and she has people in her life that aren't afraid to call her out for her shit. I feel like a lot of people think she can do no wrong because she feels like the main protagonist, but the show continues to remind you that she's just a person, and one who is deeply fucked up by her trauma, but she is trying her best

-also just noticed the detail of the black rose having the red galaxy as their sort of ethereal plane, while viktors is a deep blue. I wonder if that's to do with the combating magics that they posses and if they are in opposition, whether thematically, morally, or any other kind of way. just thought it was cool

-also is it just me or does the dog on Vi's jacket look like a domesticated version of the wolf that Singed used to revive Vander??

-the way that both Vi and Jinx sound like their mother

-the hug? I actually cried

-and finally. omg isha why??!?!?!?!? holy fuck I know that it was desperate, but child just pulled a season one act one powder move. what is the fallout of this explosion gonna look like? are we going to lose vander for a second time? is isha gonna die? how will our main crew fare? I can't wait for the final act. it's gonna be amazing!!!

-I lied, final final thought, Cait disarming Vi was so funny (and also hot)

sorry is none of this is very articulate or if some of it is a bit repetitive, but I needed to get it out of my system. please feel free to add thoughts or even tell me if you think I've got some things wrong!

[coraniaid]

In the spirit of your 'What if Gwendolyn Post was the First Evil post?' Are there any other one off villains you think would be better or just funnier slotted into the big bad spot of s7?

OK, so, as you know, I think the First Evil is ... uh, not very impressive as a season villain. In Amends, the role of the First Evil is basically just to make the fact Angel feels bad (about all the times he killed people in general and hurt Buffy in particular) something that exists outside of him, something that Buffy can talk to and which has minions she can hit. It's not really meant to be load-bearing even for that episode, let alone for a whole season.

But, at the same time, I think there was a lot that the writers could have done with the First but didn't (either because the right actors weren't available or they just chose not to or maybe they just didn't think about). So it doesn't feel quite fair to compare the potential of different one-off villains with the reality of how the First was actually implemented, if that makes sense. I don't want to suggest that the Season 7 writers couldn't have made any villain seem overwrought and bombastic and ineffective if they'd tried.

That being said, my very first response to this ask was "well, any of them would work better, wouldn't they?". But on reflection I'm not sure that's true. Here's the pros and cons of some of the better choices:

Catherine Madison, from Season 1's Witch. Pros: well, bringing back an early Season 1 villain would tie into the whole back-to-school vibe this season plays with for a bit, right? As a stereotypical evil witch, Catherine also works as a potential foil to Willow, whose own struggles with evil magic are a somewhat neglected arc this season. The rebuilding of the old high school gives you an excuse to have a scene where, let's say, the trophy Catherine is trapped in -- which we know survived the school getting blown up, because we see it in Doomed -- gets broken in half, and that's enough to free her. And it brings Amy back into the story, which of course I like (even if nobody else would). And Catherine's powers were suitably vaguely defined that you can make her powerful enough to cause some real problems, I think. Cons: Catherine doesn't really mean much to Buffy herself, does she? And she didn't have many aspirations beyond "keep reliving her glory days at high school". I think it might have been fun to bring her back for one more episode, but I don't think she works as a Big Bad.

Moloch the Corrupter from I Robot ... You Jane. Pro: again, another Season 1 monster of the week with ties to Willow. Actually does get built up as a serious, potentially world-ending threat (he's the only villain in the show's history who anyone worries about getting access to nuclear weapons, for a start), and as the name suggests he's implied to have some sort of mass mind control power ("more and more people have fallen under his mesmerizing power", per his introduction). He's at least centuries old, too, which puts him in the same category as previous Big Bads like the Master and Angelus and Glory. Cons: he's basically just Jasmine from Angel, right? Would be a bit weird to have both shows fighting against effectively the same Big Bad with nobody realizing. Oh, and also he's presumably very, very dead.

The Sisterhood of Jhe from The Zeppo. Pros: if you're still going to do the Potentials storyline, then having their counterparts be an all female apocalypse cult who "exist solely to bring about the world's destruction" makes some sense. And Faith's fought them before too, so you even have an excuse to bring her back. Cons: the Sisterhood of Jhe don't have any established character traits or individual personalities, because they are, in fact, just as much of a non-entity as the First was.

Marcie Ross, the invisible girl from Out of Mind, Out of Sight. Pros: Season 1 villain, so again makes for good sense of thematic closure. Still alive, not currently trapped in a trophy of her own younger self, and (since the last we saw of her she was being trained as an assassin by the government) probably still evil. If Clea Duvall had been too busy to come back to reprise the role then you wouldn't even need to recast her because she's, you know, invisible. Would save a bit of money actually. Cons: Worryingly close to bringing the Initiative back. Being invisible and knowing how to play the flute -- which are Marcie's only actual demonstrated abilities -- is not actually a very impressive set of superpowers for a Big Bad. Why would Marcie come back anyway?

Tucker Wells, Andrew's brother as seen in The Prom. Pros: another villain with a weird high school obsession who isn't dead as far as we know. No connection to Willow or Giles or Xander, but a very obvious connection to Andrew Wells, who the Season 7 writers have clearly decided is at least as important as those characters are. Andrew and Tucker's sibling reputation could parallel Buffy's and Dawn's? Help tease the Andrew-centric spinoff that (allegedly) people were toying with at the time. Cons: I'm not one of the Season 7 writers, so I don't actually care about Andrew Wells (or his brother) in the slightest. This would have been awful.

(Oh, and obligatory reminder that the best possible villain for Season 7 to have brought back as the Big Bad would have been Drusilla.)

[kaedesjournal]

so i made this post several months ago and almost immediately i got stuck on the idea of twins who share my maladapted ideas about sisterhood and within a couple days id fleshed them out into fully realised characters and they distracted me from actually writing Sarah for a good while. and while i do want to write a proper story about them some day, it'd be after i finish sarah. so in the meantime i can at least talk about them!

[made with this] (information under the cut bc i dont wanna take up all your screen real estate)

so these are the twins! the one on the left is the older sister Mary, and on the right is the younger sister Clair. in-universe they go to the same college as sarah's brother alec, though how much that will come up (if at all) is up in the air. theyre a couple of friendly, sporty stem majors (specifically, clair studies astrophysics and mary studies engineering). theyre identical twins, but mary has a scar under her eye from an accident when they were children, and she also straightens her hair and does more with makeup, so its easy to tell them apart unless theyve just showered, though still possible.

as is to be expected from me, their relationship turned sexual pretty early and remains so to this day, despite some Problems it caused in their middle school days. theyre codependent and have a tendency to ignore each others faults. you could probably count on one hand the number of nights theyve slept in different beds.

but their relationship is *not* romantic. its just sisterly. neither of them is opposed to the other having a romantic relationship with someone else, but the problem that arises is when theyve tried dating, it always gets to a point of 'you spend too much time with your sister' and then they break it off, because fuck you thats my sister. theyve both kind of given up on romance, especially clair. mary enjoys having casual flings with people she meets on campus, but she makes sure to go back to her own dorm to sleep. neither of them really see a problem with fucking other people bc sex has never really been correlated with romance or anything for them. thats just something you do together and its fun.

personality-wise, mary's very outgoing and forms emotional bonds quickly. she values her friendships and doesnt have a lot that bothers her, but things that *do* bother her can send her off the handle pretty easily. clair meanwhile is basically only interested in her sister, but she maintains friendships with most of mary's friends just because she's always around. she plays it off pretty well, but their actual bonds are barely skin-deep. clair annoys easily, but she doesn't care enough about most of her friends to actually do anything about it. they both see these as charm points in the other. its admirable that mary 'wears her heart on her sleeve' and that clair 'is so calm and composed.'

the girls mother is out of the picture, but their dad is nice and they like him so they chose a college nearby so they could visit on weekends and breaks. the family's originally from the south but they moved west in middle school, so their dad still has the accent. the two of them picked up the local accent to fit in at school better, but they slip back into the southern one when theyre tired or alone together.

i might import some bsky lore or other picrews later but im so fuckin tired girls its time to get ready for Bed

[psychic-refugee]

I don’t want to claim that Wenclair as a ship doesn’t exist. Again, I’ve always been a big proponent that fandom is a) supposed to be fun and b) it’s up to interpretation and opinion. The latter makes your ship valid because that’s how you feel. Perhaps it doesn’t make your reasons rational or anchored in canon, but again we go back to a) where it’s supposed to be fun.

I don’t have a problem with Wenclair the ship. I have a problem with Wenclairs the people who have a well-documented history of harassment on non-fandom sites such as Instagram and Twitter of the celebrities in question.

Here are some of the reasons why I don’t specifically see Wenclair/I see a platonic relationship.

Gough and Millar framed Enid and Wednesday as a “sisterhood” and “friendship.” (NME, 24 Dec 2023) This is in DIRECT reaction to being asked about Wenclair. They are the authority of canon as they are the authors of Wednesday and Enid as we know them from this iteration of the Addams Family.

The fact they said its “possible” in the future means Wenclair is not currently true. I also think they were simply being polite and did not want to offend the Wenclairs. Given how badly some react to the possibility of Wenclair not being canon, I don’t blame Gough and Millar for trying to remain neutral about it.

Again, this is Millar and Gough, the true writers and authority of Wednesday.

Secondly, Jenna herself proclaimed no romance. She made an effort in an interview to stress Wednesday had no SO and would have no SO. This is right after joking about Wenclair being a possibility. I believe this is a direct consequence of Wenclairs harassment when they took her words too far and harassed anyone who disagreed with them or threatened the possibility of the ship. (Digital Spy, 8 June 2023)

Emma also wants Wednesday to be single. (Variety, 30 Jan 2023)

There has been no talk, joking or otherwise, of Wenclair being a possibility in almost two years. They in fact seem to be making an effort to not a) talk about it and b) distance themselves from it.

As of this post, none of the cast or writers have done promo for the novel nor have acknowledged it in any way. They also do not follow Meija on socials.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that a) they completely avoid mentioning it anymore in interviews, b) stressing no romance, c) Jenna quit Twitter because of what I suspect a Wenclair sending her AI porn. (Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug 2024), and d) Jenna won’t ever come out with who she’s dating. (Vanity Fair, 6 August 2024)

I think all of this ties into Wenclair harassment. (Tumblr, 29 August 2024)

Thirdly, one of my litmus tests of whether something could be platonic is if you switch out person A with a known family member of Person B.

This would be pretty gross, right? To have a “fizzy” feeling for your father? Not to mention the addition of kissing full on the mouth in such a way, TWICE. To me this is a clear sexual reaction on Wednesday’s part and could not be construed as platonic.

Here, if Morticia had saved Wednesday and had this moment, it could still work. It wouldn’t be weird, so this scene is not necessarily romantic.

I think pretty much every interaction with Enid could be replaced by Morticia or Pugsly, and it wouldn’t make it as off putting as the Tyler example.

Meija could have at any point described Wednesday’s feelings while in Enid’s presence as “fizzy” or anything remotely romantic and they chose not to.

If they meant for it to be romantic regardless, they don’t have the confidence to stand by their work and say it outright.

So, unless it’s Game of Thrones where sibling/family incest is the norm, then seeing Enid and Wednesday as platonic is a fair interpretation.

[liriowrites]

👑 Some Brazilian Black women from 18th century and 19th century 🇧🇷✨

1. Francisca da Silva (Chica da Silva)

→ Was the daughter of a white man and an enslaved black woman, Chica da Silva won her freedom as an adult and became one of the richest women in Brazil after having a relationship with a diamond contractor (João Fernandes) from the city of Diamantina. This relationship allowed Chica to rise socially and integrate into the colonial elite.

Chica da Silva also joined four religious sisterhoods – an important thing for a woman at that time. Her membership in these associations came about through donations.

Chica da Silva was a freed black woman who became one of the most important women in colonial society in Minas Gerais in the 18th century.

2. Joaquina Maria da Conceição (Lapinha)

→ Lapinha was an opera singer and actress from the XVIII century. She was the first Brazilian opera singer to gain international prominence and one of the first women to receive authorization to participate in public shows in Lisbon.

3. Francisca Edviges Neves Gonzaga (Chiquinha Gonzaga)

→ A pioneering musician, Chiquinha was the first choro pianist (a choro musician), author of the best-known carnival march with lyrics ("Ó Abre Alas", 1899) and also the first woman to conduct a popular orchestra in Brazil. At a time when waltzes, polkas and tangos dominated the elite music scene in Brazil, Chiquinha incorporated into her compositions the diversity found in the music of the lower classes. She was also a pioneer in defending the copyright of musicians and playwrights. The granddaughter of slaves, Chiquinha was an abolitionist activist, using the money she earned from music to help abolitionist movements and buy the freedom of slaves. The need to adapt the sound of the piano to popular tastes earned her recognition as the first popular composer in Brazil.

4. Maria Firmina dos Reis

→ Was a Brazilian writer. She is considered the first black novelist in Brazil. In 1859, she published the book Úrsula, considered the first abolitionist novel in Brazil. The novel tells the story of a love triangle in which the characters are black people who contest the slavery system.

In 1859, she published the novel Úrsula, considered the first novel by a female author in Brazil. In 1887, she published the short story "A Escrava" in the Revista Maranhense, which describes an active participant in the abolitionist cause. At the age of 54 and with 34 years of official teaching experience, years before retiring, Maria Firmina founded, in Maçaricó, a few kilometers from Guimarães, a free mixed class for students who could not afford to pay: she taught the classes in a shed on the property of a sugar mill owner, to which she would go every morning by climbing on an ox cart. There, she taught his daughters, the students she took with her and others who joined her. Academic Norma Telles classified Maria Firmina's initiative as "a bold experiment for the time". This innovative action is in line with the struggles of Brazilian feminists at the end of the 19th century who wanted equal education for girls.

Maria Firmina dos Reis participated in the intellectual life of Maranhão: she contributed to the local press, published books, participated in anthologies, and was also a musician and composer.

The author was an abolitionist: when she was admitted to teaching at the age of 22, her mother wanted her to receive the appointment in a palanquin (palanquins were carried by enslaved black people), but the author chose to go on foot, telling her mother: "Black people are not animals to be ridden on." She also wrote a "Hymn to the Abolition of Slavery".

[ishnualah]

Dejahna, High Priestess of Elune model by Vaanel

High Priestess Dejahna was the head of the Sisterhood of Elune when the War of the Ancients began. At the first lesson session with girls who had just joined the Sisters, Dejahna would act with severity, her sharp eyes examining them to quickly weed out any half-hearted pupils who had simply joined because of their lack of magical aptitude.

Fighting alongside other night elves, she was lanced through the stomach by a demon on the battlefield, and much of her magic was subsequently drained from her by a felbeast. Despite her great healing skills, she did not survive her injuries. She chose Tyrande Whisperwind as her successor.

"Faith is the beginning of all things. If your skill with the arcane is passable, but not strong, you may still become a sorceress. But if your faith is only passable and not strong, you will never become a priestess."

More: Estel, Dejahna's Inspiration Soul Queen Dejahna (The Tomb of Sargeras Encounter)

[wingsdippedingold]

Tweaking off my couch because criticizing how Feyre and the IC handled Nesta’s drinking is not parentification

I genuinely think Feyre should’ve just let Nesta go off wild. I do not think she should have cared after Nesta made it very clear she wanted nothing to do with the IC. I think Feyre should’ve chosen peace and just continue on as she was.

My issue lies in HOW she and the ic chose to go after her, and more importantly how SJM writes it to be correct

If I said that Feyre had to go fix Nesta, that would be parentification.

I am of the camp that none of the Archeron sister’s should have been made to provide for the family and that their dad should not have been a dumdum gambler. Literally the last thing I want is for these girls to have to give more of themselves for no reason.

And yes, I think she and Rhysand are overbearing. Is that necessarily a bad thing? No, I think they’re character flaws, and pretty tame ones at that. But do I also think you can judge or at least predict how someone might treat a different relationship on a ground level based on another? Yeah. I’m not comparing sisterhood to motherhood at all, but the fact the way you treat boundaries and people are usually constant between different relationship.

I’m not projecting Nesta’s traits, Nesta herself isn’t overbearing. Feyre injects herself, Nesta sits in the corner and judges you with a sneer. There is a difference.

I don’t know why I need to clarify this, I thought it was fucking obvious 😭

(This in reference to me saying that while I think Feyre would be a very loving mother, she’d also be overbearing and possible neglectful in some aspects)