#adem speaks

[ademafraid]

There is a level of respect that needs to be considered for both your subject matter and your audience when creating a piece of horror media. UrbanSPOOK takes none of this into consideration.

His work is a mockery of horror and is an edge lord’s shit covered love letter to a genre he doesn’t understand.

[lyehub]

HOO. Got the big page out of the way. Hopefully the last four go by much faster.

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

It’s one in the morning let’s talk Six of Crows analysis - it feels like it’s been ages since I did any analysis, which is like the entire point of this account so sorry about that but here we go: We should talk more about Adem Bajan you guys okay because first of all he effectively comes to represent the vast majority of everyday people in a clear juxtaposition to both Inej and Van Eck, but he also is in a position of far less choice than I think we give him credit for.

As a reminder, Bajan is a young Suli boy (presumably somewhere around 19 but we have no confirmation of that) working in the Van Eck household teaching Alys music. He is highly implied to be having or to have interest in having as affair with Alys, and was Van Eck’s chosen jailer for Inej at the beginning of Crooked Kingdom. Van Eck claims he made this choice because he thought “a Suli boy would be most conspicuous” when he was attempting to lure Kaz into a trap to save Inej, but it was also an inarguably smart decision in that, as Inej even comments herself, Bajan was easy to talk to, made her feel nostalgic, homesick, and alone, and very nearly succeeded in drawing information out of her without having to restore to torture. If anything, resorting to torture was Van Eck’s major mistake at this point but that’s really a conversation for another time. Bajan is a really interesting character because he doesn’t want to hurt Inej and specifically encourages her to tell him things so Van Eck won’t escalate things further, but when Van Eck does escalate things Bajan is unable - or possibly unwilling - to stop him. For this Inej calls him a monster, and when he claims he did nothing replies “no, you’re the man who stands idly by congratulating himself whilst the monster eats its fill”. She draws a Suli phrase on him that effectively means he’ll be rejected by the community forever and his spirit/soul won’t be accepted, and she describes it as the worst fate or something along those lines sorry I can’t remember exactly. But what’s the most interesting thing is that even though he claims not to believe in any of it Bajan gets noticeably upset by this and says “that’s not fair”. Inej is surprised that he’s this soft, and there’s a very clear juxtaposition between the lives they have lived.

BUT - let’s look at this from Bajan’s perspective. And remember - this is important - Bajan is not described as an employee of Van Eck’s, but an indenture. An indenture. So Bajan is a young boy indentured in a foreign country to a man as high up in the country’s government as you can get and who has clearly been illustrated to the reader as a terrible person on several different levels that I won’t dissect in too much detail right now. He appears to have acclimatised himself to Kerch surroundings and acts with elevation above his status, because that’s what he has to do to survive in the upper echelon of a deeply classist society that actively diminishes and disapproves of his culture. (<<if anyone wants references for that let me know and also I’ve written about it quite a bit before so that’s kicking around on my page somewhere) He refuses to speak to Inej in Suli because “it makes me maudlin” and my question to you is: is he rejecting the language to further attempt to fit in and as a product of internalised prejudice, or because it’s so incredibly painful to be half-connected to a culture not only that he has forced himself to reject but also that he feels he can never safely return to? Probably both. He tells Inej he doesn’t believe in Suli superstition, religion, or culture, and yet is deeply upset when she uses it against him. Is this because he actually does believe, or wants to believe, in the Saints and the Suli interpretation of them but has rejected them for survival and the supposed betterment of himself? Possibly.

Bajan strikes me as very similar to Jesper in the way he presents himself as free, flirty, and casual, but had a considerable weight to almost everything he says and considerable pain hidden closer to the surface than he may have realised. I think there are parallels between him and Inej if we want to see them, but also a very stark difference in the way Kerch and Ketterdam have treated them. Bajan may not be privileged but even as an indenture he has - or at least as far as we know has had - a far safer and kinder experience than Inej has. This could be related to gender since the hyper-sexualisation of Suli culture is mostly centred on women - “the Menagerie always stocked a Suli girl” (I’ve intensely analysis this quote before so I won’t now but ugh there’s so much to say) - but we do know there are young boys captive at the pleasure houses as well although less commonly and it’s also possible that this difference is linked to Bajan’s decision to turn his back on Suli culture in order to appeal more to Kerch society whilst Inej continually embraced her culture and arguably became more religious in response to her experiences.

This is complicated because I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Bajan. I understand and support Inej’s perspective and everything she saw whilst in a far more dangerous position that he was, but is it possible that this was a lonely boy who saw someone he thought was like him and tried to communicate with her the only way he thought was safe? You are completely isolated in a foreign culture and hate yourself for having suppressed your own upbringing in order to survive, but now you meet someone else who yes, is in more danger than you, but who you might be able to help so that she can help you in return. You aren’t safe to speak freely and so you subtly tell her that you are an indenture, hoping she acknowledges that none of this is of your free will and because you know that she was indentured too (and remember from a societal pov there is very little understanding of what indentured girls at the pleasure houses actually go through and although that doesn’t excuse ignoring Inej’s trauma it may explain why he doesn’t fully acknowledge that their positions aren’t equal), you tell her that speaking your own shared language makes you feel maudlin, hoping she realises that you desperately miss your homeland and using your language makes you feel even further from your family than you already are because you can’t share it with them. She doesn’t seem to be taking any of it in, your employer has every intention of hurting her and you don’t know what else to do, so you make a last plea: you ask her about home. You think you’ve already made it clear that speaking about home is painful, so you ask her about it to invite that pain, to share it, so you both understand. But it fails, because she only sees your employer puppeteering you. You openly beg her to tell him the truth so that he won’t hurt her but she refuses to comply, and after all of your efforts and your desperate attempts to connect and beg her to help you both go home, her response is to turn your home against you and banish you from it for eternity. So when you see her the next morning, how could you possibly look her in the eye?

Bajan did not make all of the right choices in his brief time on the page. He didn’t. But maybe he was trying really hard, and he had no other options left.

Anyway I’m not saying this is definitive one way or the other it’s just an interpretation but I find him a very interesting and very sad character and I although I support all of Inej’s actions in these scenes from her point of view I do find myself wondering how she appeared to Bajan and how he felt in the aftermath.

[monstersandmaw]

Bioluminescent merfolk whose flashing patterns are part of their language. To them, humans speaking alone sounds monotonous and lacks context and has lots of ambiguities.

Human marine biologist comminicating with their merfolk s/o using a special suit with little bulbs on it that twinkle. Merfolk s/o finds it funny everytime they mis-time a flicker or twinkle too many times and it completely changes the meaning or tone of their sentence

Oh, love it! The opportunities for secretly communicating sarcasm or other things to your fellow merfolk while being seemingly polite to the human in front of you...

(This really reminds me of Adem sign language from the Kingkiller Chronicles, if you've ever read that)

[saiyanwitcher]

Prince of Death chapter 20 coming Thursday

Without hesitation, Alonso released his tail from around his waist. The smooth, furry appendage unfurled and gently wrapped around Charles’ middle, offering comfort and a sense of security. He pressed Charles closer, encompassing him, speaking softly in a gentle hum.

"Wees rustig Eldri. Je bent veilig," [Be still Eldri. You are safe] Alonso murmured, the words a calming mantra meant to soothe the young man's hindbrain. "Adem met mij mee. Focus op mijn stem.” [Breathe with me. Focus on my voice]

Repeating himself, Alonso continued with his efforts, desperate to keep Charles’ mind from tearing itself apart while silently praying to the goddess for mercy.

Charles' breathing was ragged, his chest heaving with each gasp. The whine in his throat slowly turned into soft sobs, and Alonso's tail tightened slightly, a firm yet tender embrace. Letting out a rumbling purr, the elder waited a few moments, letting his own eyes close to focus on the sounds deep in his chest.

Catch up on AO3

[valpogossip]

VALPOGOSSIP TEACAP: JUNE 2024

You lot sure have be busy the last month. If I was of lesser mind or simply someone with something better to do, I would have resigned myself to my silence and let you all carry on. But business pays. And unfortunately for you, it's yours that pays me, and you're all not going to believe this.

A natural good citizen, Abril Valdivia out of the kindness of her heart ( or her lust ) returned a ring ( allegedly ) to one Mallory Watson. How did she get this ring? Unknown, but the two seem pretty familiar with each other and their addresses but who knows ! Maybe they're just quilting together?

Speaking of Mallory, the winter wind whispers and it all says that Wylie Henderson ( Mallory's ex? almost? unclear) has also wandered back into the Valpo region. Will there be room in their hear with all their puppets and clown memorabilia? Only time will tell.

Anayeli Chavez was seen exiting Charlie Hastings office at the university. But then again, Charlie was also seen entering and at some point exiting out of Anayeli's office too. And back and forth they go, but something tells me that they're not using office hours for their intended purpose. Does anyone else find it strange that where Rohan is Anayeli seems to be too? Interesting.

A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ADEM KARTAL ! Valpo's favorite dad has finally found use for another D word ! Dating ! The word was dating you freaks. He asked the beautiful Ysla Alonso out for their first official date. We're so proud of you and can't wait to see where this goes !

Aivryn Johnston made an interesting dye job choice, but don't worry after being absolutely terrified, Dixie Harrison found it within her to help the younger one out.

According to our sources, Arlo Hwang has been spending a lot of time at the Harrison household for one Leia Munoz-Silva. Don't worry though, all that time in the bedroom and the only screams coming from there are a video game. He's not the only man coming in and out though, Rohan Kaur has been making his own rounds. Hm. Wonder what could be all the way out in Casablanca that he needs to make that drive for. Interesting.

Astrid Blackwell and Noah Fontaine have laid down the law ! After laying down their lips together back in May (what? did you think we forgot) ? It only took another showcase of their undeniable jealousy for them to decide to... not? act like friends? but be? best friends? Interesting ! Best of luck to you both !

When he's not in Anayeli's office, Charlie can be found hanging around Secondhand Style. Though, he never goes in? We're thinking it may have something to do with Saffron Barton? What do we think, Valpo?

Drew Crane is back in the Valpo region ! The slushie machines in every local gas station has been quickly depleting upon his arrival and so has the raccoon population? Someone call PETA? He's staying with the Dominguez-Herreras/Cisneros, and five in one house? Seems to already be causing some distress with Luna being upset he's sharing things with their family but not with her. They say loose lips sink ships but maybe sealed ones do too?

Hiyori Ito and Luna Dominguez-Herrera were seen taking a bus out to god knows where and not returning until the next morning looking sleep deprived, excited, but also (in Hiyori's case) terrified ! They must have had quiet the time! Who wouldn't want to go missing with them? (Me)

Speaking of returns, Leon Amos is back in town! Wasted no time making quick work in Salem West's DMs and pissing Luna off. What exactly does it mean to break up with someone because you don't trust yourself? I don't know but I do know it goes down beautifully with my popcorn!

Omar Osei found like a deer in the headlights at the appearance of his ex Nevaeh Thompson! I guess you can never really outrun the consequences of your own actions, but how funny it is to watch him try!

Between dodging Charlie and dodging Zak Torres, Saffron has become as hot of a commodity as the clothes she carries. Maybe one day she'll give that friend of Zak's a chance or for entertainment purposes she'll rehash some memories with Charlie. Only time will tell.

In lighter news, it looks like Yazmin Taylor might be in the market for a new job! If my professor looked like she does, I know I'd never miss a class either. We're wishing you all the best!

That's all I have for you today, but don't worry. We'll be back next month with even more delicious tea for you to catch up on. And to Vanni, Felix, Elias, Javi, Nikhil, Poet, Rafael, Rania, Reyna, Sade, Sebastian, Zaid, and Vicious; i'm always watching.

[wyrmguardsecrets]

[Please post books/paragraphs examples from books that have several paragraphs of upfront, fully details descriptions of the main character, head to toe, plus clothing, that aren't smut books.]

“My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as "quothe." Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I've had more names than anyone has a right to. The Adem call me Maedre. Which, depending on how it's spoken, can mean The Flame, The Thunder, or The Broken Tree.

"The Flame" is obvious if you've ever seen me. I have red hair, bright. If I had been born a couple of hundred years ago I would probably have been burned as a demon. I keep it short but it's unruly. When left to its own devices, it sticks up and makes me look as if I have been set afire.

"The Thunder" I attribute to a strong baritone and a great deal of stage training at an early age.

I've never thought of "The Broken Tree" as very significant. Although in retrospect, I suppose it could be considered at least partially prophetic.

My first mentor called me E'lir because I was clever and I knew it. My first real lover called me Dulator because she liked the sound of it. I have been called Shadicar, Lightfinger, and Six-String. I have been called Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Arcane, and Kvothe Kingkiller. I have earned those names. Bought and paid for them.

But I was brought up as Kvothe. My father once told me it meant "to know."

I have, of course, been called many other things. Most of them uncouth, although very few were unearned.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.” ― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind

.

[willgrahameatscraftsingles]

I need everyone to know that I've fallen deep into spacedogs. adam just...deserves so much better. fuck beth all my homies hate beth. Literally when she SHOOK HIM to stop his info dumping, i was officially mentally checked out and loathed her. let. him. SPEAK. And Nigel gets someone who ASKS for his care and protection well also having such a blunt personality. It's a relief to have someone he HAS to be honest and blunt to. and for whatever reason....he never wants to lie to him.

just god. adam deserves someone who listens to him and genuinely cares. who doesnt SHAKE HIM when he's talking too much. Nigel would never. he'd glare at anyone who even attempted to get his angel to stop. he listens to every word with so much love in his eyes.

his angel, his little star, gorgeous, beautiful... Adam had no idea he wanted to be called so many things...

nigel treats him like an adult and doesnt belittle or damper him down when he needs to act un adult like. he doesnt force him into situations he's not comfortable with the FIRST TIME. so what if he runs a loud club? Adam doesnt like it so he can stay upstairs where it's quiet and cozy.

"if he doesnt want to, he's not goin' to. he can make his own decisions. also his date ideas are way better then mine." though Nigel still loves helping when he needs to. cooking for him, helping clean. he had no idea he had such soft spots till this angel fell down from the stars and needed a bit of guidance. a shoulder to stand on. sometimes adem really needs it and he's always there, not treating him like a burden"

and just....even though he was written like GARBAGE at times....as someone who is mid to high functioning. less than he is but still very autistic. I kin Adam so much..... And so combined with my love for men who can choke out and beat a man to death....but then love me and pamper me and help me......spacedogs is my new fixation im reading all the fics.

[owlsandwich]

Week 1 - A - Anger

It's week one of the Alphabet Superset and I've done my first short story!

My aim for this project is to write a short story every week of at least 500 words, set in the world of The Mechanics of Magic, and based off of an emotion. I'm trying to let the words flow without overthinking. This week was A and I chose the emotion Anger.

My short stories often read more like snippets of a larger work than stories in themselves, and in a way they are, since they are glimpses into my character's lives from before the book began. I feel like I already went slightly off target, as Matthew was far less angry in this than he might have been. I've certainly written angrier scenes before, but what I really wanted to capture was that anger often stems from anxiety and fear. I think this scene does it well.

***

Crimson dusted the wisps of cloud that hung along the horizon. Despite the onset of autumn, it had been a warm day, and heat still lingered in the evening air. They’d taken Alex to the swings before bedtime; Matthew guessed it would be the last time before the weather turned.

His son’s dark curls bounced as he dashed down the path towards home. Dorothea strolled after, calling for him to wait at the road on the off-chance of a car. A golden glow shimmered over her brown skin, and Matthew’s stomach fluttered when she turned back to smile at him.

���Eight already...” Oliver murmured from behind him.

Matthew ran a hand through his hair. “Don’t remind me. It goes too fast.”

“It won’t be many years before his magic starts coming in.”

“Don’t remind me.” Matthew repeated, but the ease had dropped from his tone. There was always a chance Alex would take after his mother. The thought was as reassuring as it was likely; magic typically dominated, even when the parent mage was weak. Matthew was anything but.

“If it’s any comfort, I don’t think it will be a problem. If you and I don’t draw suspicion, then I doubt Alex will.”

Matthew grunted. He had gone a few steps before he realised his friend had stopped. Oliver had paused at the end of the low fence that surrounded the park, and was fiddling with the cuff of his dark green blazer.

“Can we speak for a moment?” He said.

“What is it?” Matthew replied.

Oliver looked up, but his golden eyes were fixed somewhere past Matthew’s head.

“I hadn’t wanted to raise this until it became relevant, but Ewen and I have been discussing it for a while and think it is worth considering.”

An uneasy feeling dug a pit in Matthew’s chest. The sun had dipped lower, and the shadows they cast over the ground reached long and thin towards the fading trees.

“Considering what?” He said.

“Well, with Alex settled in school, and of course with your own work and Dorothea’s business running smoothly...” Oliver trailed off. “Ewen agrees that, while you shouldn’t take unnecessary risks, there doesn’t seem to be any immediate threat.”

“Get to the point, Oliver.”

“We think it’s time I re-established a base in the city.”

Slick sweat coated Matthew’s palms, and he shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jacket. This was Ewen’s doing. His father’s tactician was as relentless now as he had been when he was alive. He didn’t envy his friend’s fate. Having Oliver’s mentor sharing his mind had been invaluable to their survival, but marks of stress marred his youthful features, and Matthew cursed himself for not noticing it sooner.

“You can tell him where he can shove that plan,” Matthew snapped.

Oliver met his eyes, and Matthew swallowed as he felt the familiar vulnerability of being scrutinised by two people instead of one.

“I understand your concern, but there are good reasons for it,” Oliver continued. “We have houses there; safe houses that Julian used for his network. Selling one would boost our financial situation-“

“We don’t need the money.”

“If secured, they will also provide protection for us, should we ever need it. Ademeer is closer to the border. I can arrange for the safe houses to store anything we might require.”

“All you’ll be doing is drawing attention!” Matthew shouted, then peered over his shoulder to check that Dorothea was out of sight. He lowered his voice, but the whisper came out as a hiss. “You want us to be safe? Then stay here and lie low. Isn’t that what you always advised?

“I am still advising that, but as much as distance protects us, it also blinds us. You know I recently qualified for promotion.”

“What’s that got to do with it?”

“A city accountancy firm would have a greater wealth of clients than can be accessed in the village. People from powerful families; people close to the government.”

“No.” Matthew growled.

“At least let’s discuss it.”

“I said no. Do you want to get yourself killed? You said you wanted a base for safety. Getting close to Morgan’s government isn’t my idea of safe.”

“I can only advise based on the information we have. We need more information, Matthew.”

A breeze picked up a scatter of fallen leaves. It swirled around their feet, making Matthew shudder, though it carried no chill. He pulled his jacket tighter as he folded his arms and looked Oliver up and down.

His sandy hair was swept into a professional cut to match the tailored shirt. Always professional, even with the guilt plastered over his face. Not that it would stop him. For all his deference, Oliver was frustratingly stubborn.

Matthew sighed. “Whose to say you would even get a job in a firm like that?”

Oliver shifted and looked away.

“You already applied?”

“I accepted the offer yesterday.”

“Damn you!” Matthew grit his teeth. He wanted to grab Oliver by his shirt. Shake some sense into him. “Why even ask me?”

“I haven’t handed in my notice.”

“Then you could turn it down?”

Oliver nodded. “Though I’d rather not.”

“But you would if I ordered you to.”

The words hung in the air. They both knew he would. Even now, even over Ewen, Matthew’s word was final. A flicker of magic nudged at his senses as a streetlamp came on above them. It would be electric in Ademeer. A buzz of a bulb rather than the gentle sensation of magic given off by the passive spells he was used to.

“Will you?” Oliver said softly. He was pooled in the light, as though all the world had faded to black other than the space between them.

Matthew let out a heavy breath. “I need you here, Oliver.”

“I’ll be home every weekend. Any day, if you call me. We aren’t selling the flat, though I doubt it will get much use from you while I’m away.”

Oliver smiled, but Matthew didn’t return it.

“You’d better. If anything happens, I’ll go drag you back here myself.”

[kvothes]

wait I’m obsessed with the tags on your rb about the gay sex post, what in name of the wind are you referring to I read it too long ago

it’s about the absence of gay sex 🤌 but no i was specifically thinking about tempi, the adem mercenary. he teaches kvothe a whole new style of fighting, speaking, and philosophy…failure of imagination on pat rothfuss’ part imo. also there’s this thief guy named sleat whom kvothe calls pretty like three times in one paragraph. whatever.

[chronicsunshincs-a]

open to: f/m/nb (made with beta editor, please don't like this post) the plot: brother's best friend type beat, tension is there and they've done nothing to help it the muse: zehra!

MAYBE IT'S A LITTLE CHILDISH to bar herself from dating her twin brother's friends, but even still. they'd made an agreement growing up, one that zehra refuses to break. and even though they are kind of cute, she tried her best to avoid them throughout the day. it's a family summer party and for the first time in years, both siblings are home. she's fidgeting in the kitchen over watermelon her mother enlisted in making her cut whilst everyone is outside enjoying the pool. the sound of the sliding door causes her to speak, " ana, how much did you want me to— " a glance over her shoulder stops her midsentence at the sight of her brother's friend. " you lost? pretty sure i saw adem outside trying to rally up a volleyball game. "

[lyehub]

Working on the next page - I'm getting kind of attached to this executioner character. It's a shame he's a one off.

[adem-sahir]

starter for: @simonheywood location: davino's steakhouse

Adem used to love cooking. He could make anything as long as he had a recipe to get inspiration from. But that was another thing in his life that he'd stopped doing the minute his brother had passed. He was sitting outside tonight at the steakhouse, looking out at the lake as he had his dinner and his third glass of wine when he noticed a familiar face coming into view. "I assume there's a reason you're interrupting my peaceful dinner alone." He told Simon once he came close enough to speak to without annoying everyone else sitting on the patio. "Or did you just want to irritate me before I've finished my steak?"

[leclerced]

do u have any book recs??

i wanna cry because i typed out like such long recs and i have to do it again. i love reading so buckle in. i’m saving the best for last

if you want short sweet summer romances, i like sarah dessen. they’re all kind of interlinked because they’re in the same universe so once you’ve read a few you’ll notice similarities like cities mentioned, vacation beach towns, the social media apps they use. no need to read in any specific order or anything. i love this lullaby and along for the ride most i think. i used to read these as a teen and would read literally one each day.

i love the cruel prince series by holly black, anything by holly black is good if you like fae, but that one especially. it’s about a mortal girl who lives in the fae world and is raised with the royalty because her adoptive father is like a general to the king? she helps overthrow the kingdom and makes one of the princes a king even though he doesn’t want to be king. enemies to lovers. they hate each other until they don’t. there’s a scene where she’s holding him hostage with a knife to his throat and im pretty sure he begs her to kiss him. its super hot.

the raven cycle by maggie stiefvater is incredible. it’s about a psychic’s daughter who doesn’t have powers of her own, she just amplifies energies. every psychic has always told her the same thing; if she kisses her true love, he will die. what happens when she goes searching for a dead king who grants wishes and falls in love with four boys??? has sm longing it makes me SICK i have reread it sm times. also has a sequel trilogy called the dreamer trilogy that made my head SPIN. if you like audio books i wholeheartedly recommend this one because it’s set in virginia and the narrator’s thick accent is incredible imo.

now the best. the king killer chronicles by patrick rothfus is my favorite unfinished series and has been for ten years running just about. i have reread it multiple times a year. i remember reading this for the first time and not being able to get into it because it was so slow, it took me like a hundred pages out of seven hundred or so. there’s now an illustrated version out that is absolutely breathtaking. i met the author and had like three books signed by him. im shaking thinking about it!! i have begged people to read this book more times than i can count. i also recommend these as audio books but there are two different ones and i prefer the ones by nick podehl.

it’s set in a fictional world with a magic system that has a well defined set of rules based on science and only people who study it and train their minds can use it. our protagonist is essentially a savant who can do anything but also an idiot who doesn’t think things through. you’ll see what i mean. i love him. there are a million things i love about this series. the world, the prose, the characters. he travels around the world so you get to see a variety of different cultures the author created inspired by real life. my favorite are the adem, they’re not really brought up until the second book but they are silent mercenaries for hire who have a secret hand language and are the best fighters in the world. speaking and music are barbaric to them, so when our loud mouth musician shows up in their part of the world and wants to know their secrets it causes trouble!

it’s got a frame story that follows an innkeeper in a war torn world, out in the middle of nowhere. it’s the only inn in sight so it’s where townsfolk gather after working a long day, and the first insight you get into the magic of the world is from them as they tell stories over dinner. the innkeeper has an assistant named bast who you’ll learn is a high ranking member of the fae. a scribe shows up and claims that the meager innkeeper is actually the infamous kingkiller, kvothe. after denying it a bit, he concedes and agrees to tell his story but it has to be in three parts over three days. as he tells the story of his life and how he gained such notoriety it’ll cut back to the frame story when townsfolk come in or they take a break for a meal. i cannot summarize it well enough because it is So Much but below is the publisher description.

“The tale of Kvothe, from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. In these pages, you will come to know Kvothe as a notorious magician, an accomplished thief, a masterful musician, and an infamous assassin. But this book is so much more, for the story it tells reveals the truth behind Kvothe's legend.”

There is also this line from the novel which he says when he begins his life story and i love how cocky and arrogant he sounds bc tbh hes just baby. “My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the university at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during the day. I have talked to gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me.”

i could write so much about these books. this is me begging someone to read any of them and talk to me about them because i have years worth of thoughts.

[marimelwrites]

😃 or 🥱 voicemail for Adem please!

Answered from this Voicemail Meme here!

😃 : a happy voicemail: "Riley! Did you see it?! Did you watch?! We won! We fucking won! We're going to the finals! You've gotta go to every single game, all of them. Home and away. I don't care, you can't say no, I need you there. Please say you can. I can't wait to get back home, and we'll celebrate. Be ready! I miss you, and I'm so happy right now. Only thing that would make me happier is if you were here to celebrate. WE WON! So close to the cup!"

🥱 : a sleepy voicemail: "Just got in, and I'm so glad to be back home. Just wanted to call and let you know I made it home safe. I was hoping we'd be back sooner, but here we are. You're probably asleep... I'm really really tired. I'd say meet me in the morning for breakfast, but... (yawn) I don't know if I'll wake up in time for that. Maybe we can do lunch? Just... just call me back and let me know, or ya know... text is fine... I thought I was going to catch you before you fell asleep but... no luck... (voice drifts off, groggy when he speaks) I'll talk to you soon. Miss you."

[valpogossip]

VALPOGOSSIP TEACAP: APRIL 2024

You lot sure have be busy the last month. If I was of lesser mind or simply someone with something better to do, I would have resigned myself to my silence and let you all carry on. But business pays. And unfortunately for you, it's yours that pays me, and you're all not going to believe this.

It's always the ones in the most denial that scream the loudest and Abril is a banshee. While at La Fiesta De Vindimia, Abril confronted our favorite blonde bombshell, Mallory Jade, about song she assumed was about her. Now theres something about a fight over a song like Pretty Girls ending in a kiss that just doesn't feel all that... straight to me. But Abril was quick to prove all of us wrong by locking in with Giovanni !

Speaking of Giovanni, the timing of this is quite suspicious considering he had a bit of his own meet-not-so-cute with a Yazmin. The two getting off on the wrong food but helping each other find the right one another and getting all cozy enough to take a nap outside. I don't about you all, but I don't think i've ever been that comfortable. Wonder with Yazmin thinks of this. Or Abril for that matter.

We could also ask Aivryn for her opinion on the matter considering how upset she was when Abril's new beau launched to the world to see. Apparently, even as her best friend, Aivryn found out at the same time everyone else did. I can't help but wonder why that is.

In more confusing but entertaining news, Omar and Dante are going on a date to decide which one gets to take which...one... on a... date ? I think I'm reading that correctly. Yes, bowling date. Loser takes other on date. No, yeah that's right. Well, whatever love looks like for you. Whenever there's a Dominguez-Herrera involved we're sure it'll be healthy and sane.

Maybe it's the bowling date nerves that led Dante to break Drew's nose? We hope that's healing up just fine.

Every month we hope Alba will stand up, and this month they came really close ! It was much of a hunch, but hey we'll take it. After a cold war, Milani raised the first white flag but all it took was one. You'll get there Al, we believe in you !

The festival seemed to be a hub for rekindling kisses, as Arlo and Esme were spotted liplocked on one of the benches. Sad thing about Leia bearing eye witness. Has anyone checked on her? What is it about good wine that makes you want to relive the past? Maybe they can go on a double date with Mallory and Abril and relive the past together.

Speaking of rekindling, but this time no kisses, exes Elijah and Sariyah, and Luna and Enzo were both spotted with frowns on their faces and eyes that were looking everywhere but each other. What conversation has you guys that deep in thought? Maybe you should take a drive, we here that helps.

If you're looking for a palette cleanser from all the mess, look no further than Jasper and Hunter. Gentle conversations and cutely planned dates. We wish them nothing but the best and maybe they could teach our many ( many ) confused couples a thing or two.

We hope that's enough to hold you over until next month. And if I missed anything, don't hesitate to send in a little tip to us via our anon box.

Here's some things we're keeping a close eye on for next month:

Ysla and Adem seem to be getting extremely close to little Emmie. Is it all just for her benefit? Astrid and Kaito already have the perfect starter for next month's tea cap, I wonder what else they'll get up to. What's the history there? How is Sariyah involved? Why does vic hate birthdays so much and why does esme suddenly care so much about his? Ximena and Bryce seem to also be spending a lot more time together. Aksel and Sarah's dinner table keeps getting bigger and bigger whole Luna's looks to be getting smaller, why is that? Will Drew ever get his double date? Is Luna like... okay?

If you didn't make this rounds teacap don't worry, we're still watching closely.