#also I am interested in andras

[olenvasynyt]

“It seems like you’ve decided to fall in with two people without their homes of their own as well.”

I really need to talk about this, and the fight Feyre and Lucien have in ACOFAS in general because Feyre is so wildly frustrating during this whole conversation, and I want to delve into it line by line.

So this is when Lucien arrives for the Winter Solstice.  Elain has left the room and the argument him and Feyre have begins with Feyre saying he should live in Velaris.

Chapter 18 of ACOFAS: “‘You could come live here, is all I’m saying,’ I pushed.  ‘Truly live here, stay in Velaris for longer than a few days at a time.  We could get you nicer quarters—‘ Lucien got to his feet.  ‘I don’t need your charity.’”

First issue that isn’t a huge deal but “nicer quarters”?  Not a home, just quarters, an allowance, a charity, as Lucien says here?

And it just keeps going downhill, because when he explains that he is getting along with Vassa and Jurian just fine, she is almost taken aback and shows a bit of jealousy.  Her biases are really starting to show as well as her lack of self-awareness.

I rose as well.  ‘But Jurian and Vassa’s is fine?’ ‘You’d be surprised to see how well the three of us get along.’ Friends, I realized.  They had somehow become his friends.  ‘So you would rather stay with them?’ ‘I’m not staying with them.  The manor is ours.’” ‘Interesting.’ His golden eye whirred.  ‘What is.’ Not feeling very festive at all, I said sharply, ‘That you now feel more comfortable with humans than with the High Fae.  If you ask me—' ‘I’m not.’ ‘It seems like you’ve decided to fall in with two people without their homes of their own as well.’”

She lashes out and basically says that the Night Court isn’t Lucien’s home.  

This part is so awful to me for multiple reasons. Now, there is the critique of Lucien having prejudices towards humans in ACOTAR.  That is probably the only critique I will accept, he was an ass in the first book; the way he talked about humans negatively impacted Feyre.  And this could be applied to Eyre’s side of this argument, Feyre could be like “huh you’re friends with humans now, that’s interesting.  You always shat on humans before.”

But I do not think this can be applied to this argument because 1. Feyre, after her change to High Fae, is more comfortable with Fae than with humans, we can see this in ACOMAF, she does not like eating human food, she is hyperaware of all of the differences between being fae and being human.

and 2. Feyre and Lucien have had a conversation about the human war in ACOWAR.  Lucien said he would have fought for the humans if he was alive during the War:

Chapter 3 of ACOWAR: “‘If you’d been alive for the War, would you have fought on their side?  Or fought for the humans?’ ‘I would have been a part of the human-Fae alliance.’ ‘Even if your father wasn’t?’ ‘Especially if my father wasn’t.’”

Maybe he has had some prejudices against humans before but he does explain he would fight for their freedom, he talks about how he disliked their alliance with Hybern.  I always viewed his comments on humans in the first book as him directing his anger and frustration with Feyre and not his idea of humans in general.  He did not like Feyre for killing Andras and he had very little hope when it came to the curse. And after Lucien sends Feyre to capture the Suriel and almost gets her killed, he feels guilty and is also like “Feyre…I thought you would be more mad at me for this” and she is like “nah I get it, I killed your friend.”

Chapter 18 of ACOTAR: “‘You can’t possibly forgive me that easily for sending you into danger.’ ‘No.  And part of me would like nothing more than to wallop you for your lack of warning about the Suriel.  But I understand: I am a human who killed your friend, who now lives in your house, and you have to deal with me.  I understand.’"

People shit on Lucien for that moment but this was when he finally realized who Feyre actually is.  He realizes his mistake in judging Feyre and apologizes.  And this is when their friendship starts to truly develop.  

"‘Tam told me that your first shot was to save the Suriel’s life.  Not your own.’ ‘It seemed like the right thing to do.’ The look he gave me was more contemplative than any he’d give me before.  ‘I know far too many High Fae and lesser faeries who wouldn’t have seen it that way—or bothered.’”

And 3. also he met Vassa, Jurian and Feyre’s father and other humans during his mission to find Vassa and an army.

So him having past prejudices towards humans should not and is not Feyre’s issue with him being friends with Vassa and Jurian.    Feyre does not bring that up to him or imply it in her inner dialogue.  It seems like her issue is Lucien found friends outside of the Night Court.

“Friends, I realized.  They had somehow become his friends.  ‘So you would rather stay with them?’”

She almost sounds like she is jealous or confused.  “You would rather stay with them and not with me and the IC?”  It’s almost like she’s thinking “why don’t you love the IC and the Night Court as much as I do?” which is so ironic to me and lacking any self-awareness! You should know why he doesn’t like going to the NC, Feyre. He explains it after this moment in the conversation. 

And I will get to that point later, I want to go in order because Feyre just keeps going downhill:

After Feyre implies that Lucien doesn’t have a home, Lucien then makes a boundary.  

“Lucien stared at me, long and hard.  ‘Happy Solstice to you, Feyre.’”

He is saying, “I am done with this conversation, I do not want to talk to you anymore, I am leaving.”  

“He turned toward the foyer, but I grabbed his arm to halt him.  The corded muscle of his forearm shirted beneath the fine silk of the sapphire jacket, but he made no move to shake me off.  ‘I didn’t mean that.  You have a home here.  If you want it.’”

And Feyre does try to apologize and correct herself because she knows she was wrong for basically implying he doesn’t have a home but she is cutting over this line Lucien drew.  You can tell Lucien does not like it when she grabs him and forces him to stop leaving.

He does not want to talk to her about this, and for good reason because when he is like “alright I will continue this conversation” and begins to explain to her the Band of Exiles, she interrupts him, dismisses him, makes fun of him.  

“Lucien studied the sitting room, the foyer beyond and the dining room on its other side.  ‘The Band of Exiles.’ ‘The what?’ ‘That’s what we call ourselves.  The Band of Exiles.’ ‘You have a name for yourselves.’  I fought my incredulous tone. He nodded.  ‘Jurian isn’t an exile.’ Vassa, yes.  Lucien, two times over now. ‘He can call himself whatever he likes.’ But I asked, ‘and what, exactly, does this Band of Exiles plan to do?  Host events?  Organize party planning committees?’”

Frustration 1 with her saying, “what is the band of exiles planning to do?  Organize party planning committees?” Two pages ago there was a whole conversation and inner dialogue about how there has been no governing in the southern human lands and that Vassa and Jurian have a vision for the future and want to change, they are planning to actually do something for the humans and the land you used to live in as a human.

“[Vassa and Jurian] both trying to lead the humans who occupied the sliver of land at the southernmost end of Prythian.  Left ungoverned for so long.  Far too long. “‘Mercifully, their vision for the future of the human territories is mostly aligned.’”

and frustration 2. He was trying to explain to you his genuine feelings and struggles!

“I made friends who have something in common with me, who appreciate me,” and she interrupts him and she makes fun of him for it!  It sucks!

The Band of Exiles is a stupid name, I love Lucien but I do cringe whenever I hear that name.  And they have always had this back-and-forth banter and crude jokes with each other, but this is a terrible moment to joke around because Lucien is trying to explain his feelings and his reasons, but she’s just being dismissive.

Also another point: her looking down at him for having a group name.  She also has a group name with her friends.  The Court of Dreams, the Inner Circle.  And those aren’t any less cheesy, y'all, I’m sorry, I said it. 🤷‍♀️

Another thing that is so goddamn frustrating to me is he is like “these are all the reasons why I don’t like being in the Night Court.”  1. He can’t stand to be in the same room as Elain, he is upset that she is avoiding him.  2. He doesn’t like getting charity from her and Rhys.  And 3. he also hates how Feyre and Rhys ruined his chance of going back to the Spring Court because of the way she used him to get revenge, and the way Rhys acted with Tamlin when he visits.

“‘I don’t have anywhere else to go.  You ruined any chance I have of going back to Spring.  Not to Tamlin, but to the court beyond his house.  Everyone either believes the lies you spun or they believe me complicit in your deceit.’  ‘I can’t stand to be in the same room as [Elain] for more than two minutes.  I can’t stand to be in this court and have your mate pay for the very clothes on my back…' ‘…Tamlin sent it to our manor yesterday.  My clothes.  My belongings.  All of it.’”

And Feyre acknowledges this.  But she doesn’t feel guilty despite seeing how upset it made Lucien, how it so negatively impacted him.

“‘But the blame for that behavior was not on Tamlin’s shoulders alone.  I’d created that rift.  Ripped it apart with my own two hands. I didn’t quite feel guilty enough to warrant apologizing for it.  Not yet.  Possibly not ever.”

She can still hold resentment towards Tamlin but why can’t she apologize for how it affects Lucien?  I really dislike Feyre and Rhys because of this, and regardless of this making them look inconsiderate and thoughtless, I think this makes her and Rhys look like bad rulers.  Lucien is like, "this affected me negatively, but it’s also going to affect you.  And probably Prythian.  This was a bad call on your part."

“‘Why?’ ‘Perhaps it had something to do with your mate’s visit the other day.’ ‘Rhys didn’t involve you in that.’ ‘He might as well have…your mate should have known better than to kick a downed male.’ ‘I can’t say I’m particularly sorry that he did.’ ‘You will need Tamlin as an ally before the dust has settled.  Tread carefully.’ “I didn’t want to think about it, consider it, today.  Any day.”

Feyre just dismisses it.  She does not want to consider what Lucien is saying.  

The one thing I will sort of applaud Feyre for is when she tells Elain that Lucien is a good male after he leaves.

“‘He brought you a present.’ ‘And that entitles him to my time, my affections?’ ‘No.  But he is a good male.’  Despite our harsh words.  Despite this Band of Exiles bullshit.  ‘He cares for you.’”

However, she is lashing out at Elain because she’s frustrated with the conversation she just had and is upset that she was in the wrong.  

“I know I wasn’t truly angry with her, not angry at anyone but myself, but I said, ‘You couldn’t say a single word to him?  A pleasant greeting?’”

Feyre is misdirecting because she does not want to think about her mistakes.

I have some issues with Elain, it’s very true that she doesn’t owe anything to Lucien just because she’s his mate, I think it would be better for her to stop avoiding Lucien and actually say her feelings.  But I’m talking about Feyre in this video, I can make a Lucien and Elain video later.

I don’t know, Feyre has really gone downhill for me after ACOWAR.  You can still like her but I know I’m not the only one who dislikes her now and Feyre’s mistakes and biases and the way she hurts people cannot be ignored.  

Idk what else to say besides Lucien. Deserves. Better.

[teruel-a-witch]

I'm gonna need to know more about the show those gifs are from. For research purposes,,, obviously 🤭

*rubs hands* certainly! i am glad to have an excuse to talk about one of the best shows that is sooo severely underrated. this got long, i'm sorry, and I barely scratched the surface.

the gifs in question are from a TV show called wynonna earp, it ran between 2016-2021 in canada and on syfy channel in the US, consists of 4 seasons, season 1 with 13 the rest with 12 episodes, and there's also a movie that came out in 2024 on tubi.

the show is based on comics, it's gothic western horror/action/thriller/suspense/comedy/drama monster-of-the-week type of show with an overarching arc and its own lore that keeps developing with each season. it's kind of like supernatural if it didn't hate women and was actually good. as someone who grew up with xena and charmed this show was exactly up my alley from the start.

the titular character is wynonna earp, who is a descendant of the legendary gunslinger wyatt earp, and she's destined to put down 77 revenant demons (outlaws that her ancestor killed with his magic gun peacemaker) in order to break the family curse, revenants are former humans that come back from hell as demons. this is just the starting point, it gets much better and more complex. wynonna is a loveable screw-up and a badass at the same time.

for lovers of old men and implied yaoi there's john henry holliday aka actual doc holliday from history and he's an immortal but also spent almost 150 years down a well as a result of an insane psycho-sexual love triangle between wyatt earp, himself and another guy (it's not explicit but it's basically what happened lmao, and they do 'jokingly' call him 'wyatt earp's boyfriend' at least once), he also happens to be wynonna's on again off again love interest but everyone is bi vibes and flirting on this show not including characters that are explicitly gay/queer.

there's a bunch of loveable main and recurring characters (honestly love everyone in this bar) but of course the main draw has always been the relationship between waverly earp (baby sister of wynonna and saying more about who she is would be spoilery) and officer and later sheriff nicole haught, known as wayhaught. they are basically the show's main romantic couple and they get the main couple treatment which was a first for me with a wlw couple. epic story and epic chemistry and it gets explored. they are basically known as horny monsters but also so in love that cupid himself commented on how in love they are. it's super refreshing to see two women who are allowed to be unabashedly horny for each other, the show doesn't shy away from that, and at the same time their relationship develops and grows deeper every season.

the thing is this show came on scene in 2016, at the height of the backlash to queerbaiting and the bury your gays trope in tv shows (2015-2016 season was particularly egregious with something like over 20 lesbian/bisexual women killed off across many different tv shows) and the fans were hurting and mistrustful, and the showrunner emily andras and the crew and everyone behind the show went 'no, we got you, we are not doing that', first they said that wayhaught will definitely happen without fear of spoiling their show (you have to understand the show barely started, it was like around second episode when nicole and waverly have their meet cute, one of the best ever, imo, and people watching the show, me including, were like 'aw they have such great chemistry, too bad it's not good to happen' and yet the showrunner told us that it will, right away).

and the second most important point is that they said outright that they will not kill off their lesbian/bisexual characters, so when nicole gets shot in S1 she is wearing a bullet proof west specifically as a response to other lesbian characters of other shows that weren't. this show embraced and welcomed a traumatised audience, the one that usually gets overlooked (remember how often shows that cater to queer women get cancelled) and was loved back dearly in return.

it will always have a special place in my heart and i wish it had 15 seasons to explore the lore and story they barely scratched the surface of. but even what we do have is wonderful and infinitely rewatchable, this is a rare show that loves its fans back and has no disdain for enthusiastic people who kept it on the air (there were campaigns too).

tl;dr: it's a great show that i highly recommend. one of my all time faves. found family, monster of the week, it's hilarious, it has heart and multiple queer characters. more people should watch it.

ps. if you have specific questions i'd be happy to answer it was just difficult to explain it all in one post and it got so long anyway.

[cyrah-is-cool101]

Frank Bruno's Boxing as actual Punch Out characters

I have read a post made by @thorkelsongirl about this game called Frank Bruno's Boxing, which is basically a Punch-Out bootleg according to them with Frank Bruno, a British boxer who once defeated Mike Tyson twice. This game's main opponents have some pretty interesting characters who are similar to the actual Punch Out characters while others are made entirely 'original' so to speak. So I have the privilege to recreate these characters if they were actual (and official) characters in the Punch-Out lore. Of course, I won't be adding Frank Bruno in this series of mine since I am not comfortable about adding real-life people (except if I have to make a new boxer inspired by the character but not this one).

So, here are the opponents which I would like to call Branch D, each of them spit into different circuits of course:

(Minor Circuit)

Canadian Crusher as Bud Lumberjack

From: Ontario, Canada

Age: 30

Weight: 438 lbs.

Height: 6'3

Rank: #2

Fights: 44-0

Bud is the little brother of Bear Hugger from Ontario who works full-time as a lumberjack for a local sawmill. Unlike his nature-loving older brother who hangs out with bears, Bud is also a city guy sometimes who does vlogs about protecting the environment from deforestation, pollution, and natural disasters. He is also the one who teaches his dear older brother how to use a cell phone and a computer. His skills in the ring are the same as those of Bear Hugger, but they are different with a few new moves he came up with himself.

Fling Long Chop as Fang Lee

From: Aberdeen, Hong Kong

Age: 21

Weight: 145 lbs

Height: 5'7

Rank: #3

Fights: 32-1

Fang was once a kung fu artist but later he adapted his skills into boxing and entered the WVBA. He is a student under Hoy Quarlow and is Dragon Chen's fellow classmate. Fang is considered a very friendly guy with an undisputed appetite yet he still keeps in shape. He is a mukbanger and has his own YouTube channel where he does mukbang videos as well as kung fu instructional videos with Dragon Chen as his regular guest on his channel.

Andra Puncheredov as Mr. Baker

From: Kyiv, Ukraine

Age: 33

Weight: 233 lbs

Height: 6'5

Rank: #5

Fights: 56-1

Mr. Baker is world-renowned chef from Ukraine and is known for making delicious delicacy. He is known to be an old-soul with a habit of spoiling anyone with his food, including Fang. He is also drinking buddies with Soda Popinski and Aran Ryan.

(Major Circuit)

Tribal Trouble as Queen Nzinga II

From: Northern Angola, Africa

Age: 20

Weight: 125 lbs

Height: 5'6

Rank: #1

Fights: 69-0

Queen Nzinga II is the direct descendant of the first Nzinga who is known to be a strong woman with a strong will. She is intellectual in the arts of science and music and was the prime minister of Northern Angola until she became a boxer to represent her country.

Frenchie France as Madam Spider

From: Rouen, France

Age: 25

Weight: 130 lbs

Height: 5'7

Rank: #4

Fights: 54-3

Madam Spider is a mysterious woman whose beauty has a deceptive nature hidden beneath. She has a fondness for spiders and gothic fashion. No one has ever tried to interact with her... well some who survive in conversation with her.

Ravioli Mafiosi as Don Marco

From: Sicily, Italy

Age: 33

Weight: 234 lbs

Height: 6'0

Rank: #1

Fights: 70-3

Don Marco is your typical Italian godfather who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty but he likes to be fair to those who he respects as a true fighter. He is a man of culture and honor, with his signature grin and cigar in his mouth.

(World Circuit)

Antipodean Andy as Dean Outback

From: Lithgow, Australia

Age: 27

Weight: 170 lbs

Height: 5'9

Rank: #2

Fights: 29-0

Dean is an outdoor guy who loves exploring, adventures and of course, the animals. He has his own TV show on National Geographic which is dedicated to the beauty of the natural Aussie nature. He is a very rowdy and excited guy who doesn't mind the danger due to his positive attitude. He is also a very muscular guy when it comes to boxing and he was also a former contestant on Ninja Warrior.

Peter Perfect as Stanley Gold

From: Palm Springs, Florida

Age: 32

Weight: 245 lbs

Height: 6'1

Rank: Champion

Fights: 89-1

Stanley is the undisputed champion of Branch D and not only is he an influential actor but he is also secretly working as a drag queen under the persona, Golden Lily. He and Super Macho Man are quite the famous rivals in both the ring and in showbiz but unlike Macho's vanity and pride, Stanley is a simple rich man with a heart of gold and a perfect smile.

[laxibbeb]

Don’t worry, it’s truly been a week for us all. And not to flood you with asks, I just happened to have this ready at the same time as your snippet:)

I’m a fan of those Greek mythology retellings (although I haven’t finished Song of Achilles because I know how it ends and I’m scared of getting hurt). And I don’t know if you’ve ever read Gods of Jade and Shadow, but it was interesting.

Ninth House is fun, it has that mystery vibe to it while still being dark urban fantasy. Which is a genre that I don’t typically enjoy?

Also I enjoyed Too Good to be True. It was interesting trying to figure out each character’s motives throughout the book.

Have you read Priory of the Orange Tree? I loved it, but I ran into the same problem as you. I had a massive book hangover and haven’t been able to get into the second one yet 😂

I…am hesitant to tell you one of the things I’m pretentious about. I think it might give me away. I can tell you it has to do with one of my hobbies, though! For the other, I can be a bit of a snob about wine. I love a good Sauvignon Blanc. Truly immaculate. (But YES! Let’s be pretentious bitches together. That’s truly the dream. It’s also what Mor x Nesta could have been but anyway) haha maybe I’ll indulge both of us and write that someday 😊

Ooh the weaver? I see the appeal! It’s hard to pick one for ACOTAR because most of the characters are already hot. Andras, maybe? Dying for the sake of the plot? What a guy. Although I guess he’s not special in that regard, if you think about it.

I’m so sorry I just started talking😂

For non ACOTAR? I’m going to be honest I didn’t think about this either, so I’m doing the same as you. Uh, this is definitely a popular one, but that one fish from finding Nemo. Gill, I think his name is.

I can verify I am not one of the two people in the fandom who can understand that reference. Unsure if that narrows anything down for you (so I’m going to narrow it down even further and tell you I’m American)

I feel like these asks keep getting longer and longer. I don’t know what that says about us.

Anyways!

Do you have any favorite fics? They could be for any ship, honestly. I also enjoy Nessian and sometimes Feysand, and am open to other ones too.

Do you play any instruments? (I don’t think I asked this already?)

santa ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 i hope you flood me with asks, i love them

oH MY GOD i do that too, where i leave a book when i know it'll get bad 🫢 i'm scared to proceed with other books form "The Poppy War" for an example, because i have a vague idea of what will happen and i just. i just can't i've not read "Ninth House", i wanted to but not gonna lie, i'm scared i won't like it.. leigh bardugo hasn't ever done it for me before

i wanted to give something new of hers a try, though! so maybe?

"Too good to be true" is actually going on my tbr now, especially since i promised myself i'd read more thrillers (and haven't but shhh)

i HAVE read priory, (i have like, 80 pages left, but i'm GETTING TO IT so let's say i read it for a moment) it was so good! but yeah, the second one is gong to have to wait

(i would absolutely read an 800 page long, day to day account of tané's life, though)

---

OKAY, a wine snob??? that's so classy and sophisticated of you, santa (might i say - hot) i'll wait for your other pretentious thing, that's ok see! you see the mor x nesta potential for what it really is... divine and so, so sexy if you ever decide to write mor x nesta i'll owe you my firstborn, actually

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OH MY GOD, THE ANDRAS SHADE (i wish the most important man in the acotar series had a single speaking line, not gonna lie)

okay, here's the thing - i've watched nemo one time and, stupid me i thought that was it, so i deleted all the memories i had of this movie. little did i know people would be referencing it for the rest of time i googled gill the fish from finding nemo and you know what? i GET IT. it's his slutty fin swoop

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you know what, if you said that you recognized what i was talking about, only then would i have IMMEDIATELY known who you are

i now have 3 pieces of information that could possibly help me in figuring out your identity, and let me tell you, it doesn't narrow it down that much 🤣 so you're in the clear

---

I BRING FORTH MY FAVOURITE FANFICTION:

i cannot have a favourite fics list without mentioning @separatist-apologist, as she's the reason why i'm even in this fandom to begin with, so even though we all know this already -> take your pick and it's my favourite ever

what lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why by @foundress0fnothing THIS ONE IS SO MUCH FUN, and it has bi lucien; what more could you want

Springtide by @clarafae i've been really enjoying this one and i'm not done with it yet but it belongs here, ok i did not think i could like high lady of spring!elain but turns out i just needed a good fic

also, i've started A Blaze in the Dark by the famous @the-lonelybarricade and i can already tell you it belongs here as well

lately i've been reading a lot of azris, actually!

Just Enough Light to Cast Shadows by @jules-writes-stories (if you're reading this because ot the tag, jules please know i haven't forgotten about you, I'LL COME BACK) anyway, i love this one and i've been having so much fun reading it

i'm due a reread of Kerosene by @chunkypossum which is my absolute favourite and changed my life, actually

AND there are so many more but i need to finish replying to you before i turn 80 years old, unfortunately

---

i do not play an instrument :(( i used to really want to play the violin when i was a kid but when i asked my mom if i could attend music school she got war flashbacks and said she wouldn't put me through that (she also said i have no predispositions for doing music, which wow, thanks mom (she was right) 😋) so no instruments for baby laxi but i like to sing in my car when i'm driving 🤣

---

we're writing love letters to one another from across the sea and as the time passes they get progressively longer we just need to embrace it

it got to the point when i'm putting dividers whenever i change the topic to make it easier to read 🤣

as always, santa tell me your answers too, please!! and have a

[blacktreacle22]

Elriel design choices?!

!!!!! Spoilers for ACOMAF, ACOWAR and ACOSF

Just some thoughts that may have been voiced already somewhere on here (or on tiktok, or instagram, or reddit (where i have also posted this….):

Just a small context: I am new (NEW) to the fandom (finished the series a couple of days ago, read them in about 2 weeks, now I am listening to them bc I am feral- next stop: ToG and CC!!)

So, when listening I either find myself rewind to listen to specific wording OR find myself wanting to do something else with my phone or just my hands or anything (like a sudoku or something).

Literally a couple of minutes ago, I was like “hmm what do I do, do I just sit in bed and listen? I don’t want to fall asleep and not know where I left the audio off” so I just stared at the picture of the book cover for ACOWAR (I read them on kindle) and as I was staring (really looking this time) i thought: “Is that Truth Teller? I mean, silly me, of course it is, it is the weapon that killed the King of Hybern, the big bad of the trilogy, duh!”

But then, on closer inspection I noticed something in the lower left corner that very much resembles a rose, imo. We already know what the rose is a symbol for, so I will spare you the Elain imbibed with spring-like qualities description. After that, I looked at the intertwined shapes of smoke, mist, tendrils, whatever you wish to call them and realized the one forming the rose is particularly lighter and the ones in the back are particularly darker- just like, you guessed it, shadows and light.

“Oh well, it could just mean that the Shadow D*ddy offered the really important weapon to the person that killed the king, not that big of a deal” (again, I will spare you the she’s-the-only-one-he-has-ever-entrusted-the-weapon-to discourse).

Or, dare I say, it was a really conscious design choice?

(REALLY IMPORTANT MENTION: when i started voicing this post in my head, the ACOTAR cover in my memory, had Tamlin’s beast on it, which I realized is actually Andras but I still made it work, I think)

I thought:

“hmm, interesting that you should have Andras on the first cover, serving as the event that triggered the whole story AND a testament to Tamlin’s power (shapeshifting- dual nature);

“interesting that you should have Rhys’ beast form on the second cover, him being the main love interest (on the book that the mating bond snapped in place and changed the story further) AND a testament to his dual nature (especially him being half-Illryan);

“interesting that you should have a dual symbolism (light and shadows, Az and Elain) both of them having a second nature of sorts, on the third cover, them being the people that basically made the story end;

So, not only are we keeping in line with the “dual nature symbolism” (which will most likely play a big part in Elaine’s book- with her being a seer) but we are also adding a duo on the center stage;

Not only are we referring to pivotal people/moments in the story, but we are putting them together in the spotlight;

If we are also to consider the fact that, in ACOTAR, we are hinted at Feysand (it is true, it happened, it is on page) in ACOMAF at Nessian (happened), I wonder what could possibly be hinted at in the third? Specifically now, that I have seen this book cover more clearly.

++++ the cover of ACOFAS is a flower, which again, great symbolism for… you guessed it, ELAINE. I do agree that it can also suggest spring, but what I think is even more important is that in spring, things are REBORN. So rebirth, a new beginning, a new story to tell, a new cycle of books.

And if you think about it, there is a new story to tell for each sister (even tho we had Feysand for the trilogy, they will still be there, and with Nyx that is a new beginning).

We have ACOSF, with friendship, love and healing.

And we have whatever is in store for us with Elaine’s book (bc I am so tired of bashing on her as a character, like it is going to CLEARLY be her book).

PS: I know it is not necessarily a good worded theory but this is my first ever post on reddit and it is currently 3 in the morning so I do hope I made sense for some people at least 🙏🥲

PPS: I am a hardcore Elriel shipper, THO, if everyone is happy and it is well written, I could eventually (months later, warm up to other ships- I am only here to read and appreciate amazing posts so please no ill-thoughts)❤️

[mashithamel]

A Court of Thorns and Roses: Sarah J Maas

My thread as a first time reader of “A Court of Thorns and Roses”. (Originally live skeeted [is that what it’s called on BlueSky?]) I follow someone who is a major Nesta fan, so I feel that is going to color my read. Also, just had a patient tell me it’s an amazing series that will “take over your life,” and as I need a distraction until March 13, bring it on!

* Feyre is annoying right off the bat. Does it get better? Youngest daughter is carrying this family’s survival completely on her own and every single family member gives her crap about it? I hope there is more to it, because this will get real old, real fast.

* Interesting that Nesta would fight tooth and nail for Elain, despite her obvious distain for everyone else in the family. Obviously I’ve been conditioned to try and think the best of her by outside sources, but I always like a cranky woman with layers.

* Oo, do we get to learn more about Andras? It’s always interesting when a lead kills someone (with good reason and only a little malice) is of someone we later learn was a good guy who was liked. Or maybe he’s actually a bad guy. But I’m interested.

* Why is the Treaty either death for the killer, or the killer gets to come live the rest of their natural life in luxury? Or I guess Tamlin just took pity on her?

* The Bogge is just Machin Shin, in the daylight. Honestly the best part of the book so far.

* Ok, Lucien is kind of fun.

* Alis’s lips thinned, but she said, “The next time that fool Lucien gives you advice on how to trap the Suriel, you come to me. Dead chickens, my sagging ass. All you needed to do was offer it a new robe, and it would have groveled at your feet.” I could come around on Alis too.

* The puca was enticing. The Bogge was terrifying. The guy who’s turned out to be pretty nice seems really worked up and concerned that you DO NOT leave the house tonight. Lots of reasons to close the window and ignore the creepy drums and fires. Obviously she’s going anyway.🤦🏼‍♀️

* Nesta doesn’t fall for the glamor and went to the wall to look for Feyra. I may be a little bit in love right now.

* “What happened to Tomas Mandray?” I asked, the words strangled. “I realized he wouldn’t have gone with me to save you from Prythian.” Nesta has my heart.

* Oh! It’s a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Ok, that’s pretty cool.

* Well the lentils among the ash is definitely Cinderella.

* Well. That happened. It’s not often the hero of the story winds up actually having to kill someone innocent, especially in such a deliberate fashion. This book is not afraid to commit.

* Ok, I’ve been a little spoiled, so I know Rysand is Feyre’s mate. Am I supposed to wind up disliking Tamlin eventually? Not gonna lie, Rysand is very cool. But if she chooses him it’s because she leaves Tamlin? *disconcerted*. Yeah, yeah, RAFO.

Bottom line: yes, I will be reading book 2.

[girl4music]

The whole secret wife thing - Shae. Married in Vegas.

You wouldn’t think Nicole would be the type of person to get married on a whim. But then you also wouldn’t think Nicole would be the type of person to go to a festival on her own somewhere she doesn’t even know at 6 years old. She’s obviously had a hard life and has been shaped by it. Woman’s got layers and I’m so glad Andras and the ‘Wynonna Earp’ crew wanted to make the audience aware of this even if they couldn’t fully showcase it. It reflects on the type of person she becomes. And that that person is a hero is inspiring.

Katherine Barrell originally wanted Nicole’s backstory with her parents to be one full of love and support. She didn’t want there to be an estrangement over Nicole’s sexuality or choice of profession/career. But I really do think it works that they made it this way for her characterization backstory because her character just seems all the more powerful and stronger for it.

And believe me - I am the last person to believe in the adage of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. But it’s different with Nicole Haught because of the way it’s written. Andras was really careful and conscientious about the way she represented and developed the character and given Nicole’s endgame, I really do think it makes sense that they went this way. That despite what awful past Nicole might have had, she still ended up with the heroes and the law.

Because she could have just as easily gone the other way with no real guidance in her life before Purgatory.

Before Shae. Before Nedley. Before Waverly.

I think that really says something about Nicole’s character. How tenacious she is when she has support. But also how brave she is when she doesn’t.

I just really love how they decided to make her more than just a main character’s love interest. In fact - in some ways - you could even say she’s more important than Waverly or Wynonna to the story of the show because she does ALL OF THIS as a 100% human.

And it’s like what they’re saying with her character is that you can do heroic endeavours and be successful at them without being supernatural or a superhero.

And that matters - you know?

A story like that matters.

A character like that matters.

I just really love Nicole and all that they did with her. Because it really does take a certain kind of bravery when you have so much to lose and when you almost do to still stand up and do the good and right thing.

[thecatsaesthetics]

Hi Cat! I came across this post [https://thecatsaesthetics.tumblr.com/post/750421623870472192/maevecrom-i-think-alot-of-the-stans-of-nesta] and I was wondering if you'd be willing to expand on Lucien's failings here? Nesta and Tamlin speak for themselves, but I've always struggled to articulate my...I suppose "frustration" would be the apt term for Lucien's actions, especially within the context of how events played out in the Spring Court.

So link to the post here:

So I think Lucien is a very interesting character at least until mid way through ACOWAR (where SJM decided to drop him).

He is incredibly cruel to Feyre in the beginning of ACOTAR, which you could claim is either because he was upset over Andras death or he was playing “bad cop” to make Tamlin look better. Either way it doesn’t make it okay, if it’s the former Lucien knew Andras was doing this to save them (and hence not Feyre’s fault) and if the latter it seems very gross to attempt to isolate Feyre into the arms of Tamlin.

Lucien then becomes genuinely became Feyre’s friend but it not enough for Lucien to want to help Feyre get out from her toxic relationship with Tamlin. In my own opinion Lucien read in ACOMAF as a third abused party; he actively wanted Feyre to stay, and keep being abused, so he had someone to “suffer” along side him.

None of this makes him a terrible person, but Lucien admitted that Feyre was a better friend to him than he was to her. That sums it up, he failed her. He saw her being abused and he did nothing. There is no excuse for that, and saying “I’ll talk to Tamlin” or “you need to give Tamlin time” is bullshit.

On top of that the earlier aspects of their relationship (how he, Tamlin, and Alis all effectively lied and manipulated her into breaking the curse) was never acknowledged by either party. However given that, like Tamlin and Alis, the entirety of the relationship came about through manipulation and isolation, it makes complete sense that their friendship more or less disappeared.

And while you cannot blame Lucien for wanting to break the curse, or even using Feyre, it was not Feyre’s responsibility to save Prythian. And like I said it makes sense that with time Feyre just grew apart from Lucien. The relationship was not built on truth, unlike her relationship with Cassian/Mor/Amren. Those relationships were not based on manipulation or an attempt to use Feyre to bring about a resolution. They built those friendships genuinely and that is why Feyre’s relationships with them only continues to flourish. One of the most important things to Feyre is truth and having truthful equal relationships (which is why ACOSF is infuriating lol).

So I wouldn’t say Lucien is the worst or he’s undeserving of forgiveness, or happiness. I would say it makes complete sense that Lucien and Feyre grew apart.

Also fyi my name is Kayla not Cat. That’s just my blog name.

[elevatorladylady]

Critical Reread - ACOTAR Chapter 6

Join me on a reread of A Court of Thorns and Roses

Chapter 6

Feyre gets a bath.

“What wretched power did they possess to make their lands so different from ours, to control the seasons and weather as if they owned them?”

I'd be curious to get more of an exploration on this idea. Are the high lords bending the will of the land? Does the magic balance out with having all of the seasons represented? What would happen if a high lord just didn't want to use their power to create a perpetual season? It would be really interesting if the land itself chose the season, even though we know it's tied to the high lord.

“Only a fool would run with no food, no strength.”

This is what I tell myself every time I try to convince myself to exercise.

“If misfortune forced you to keep company with a faerie, you never drank their wine, never ate their food.”

It's like SJM wants us to know that she does know the lore, but is actively choosing to exclude most of it from the world building.

“This beast was not a man, not a lesser faerie. He was one of the High Fae, one of their ruling nobility: beautiful, lethal, and merciless.”

I still struggle to believe that she knows the difference between any fae races when 95% of info she has on faeries is inaccurate. And really, do humans consider every other kind of fae "lesser faeries" too?

“That promise to my mother, cold and vain as she was, was all I had.”

Again, you'd think the idea of her family dying of starvation would be enough without the asinine promise.

“The Treaty’s summons led me to the mortal. I gave her safe haven.”

Is the Treaty's summons a real thing? If it is, why wouldn't it work to magically protect humans as well? Cause they mention several instances of the fae crossing the wall to attack humans, but humans don't have any recourse for when that happens.

“Perhaps he wore it out of solidarity.”

I looove the idea of Tamlin wearing a mask in solidarity with Lucien. Tam definitely would if Lucien felt self conscious about his scars.

“Well,” the red-haired one seethed, “now we’re stuck with that, thanks to your useless mercy, and you’ve ruined—”

What does it ruin? Am I forgetting something? Isn't actually what they were hoping for by sending Andras out there? Maybe it's all for show?

“While these faeries also looked human, save for their ears, I’d never learned what the High Fae called their servants.”

How can she tell a High Fae from "lesser fae" if they both look human with pointy ears? Are the high fae just prettier? Also, it'd be pretty cool if they had actual names for the different races of fae instead of just calling them all lesser. Feyre still uses the term as high lady and damn does that seem racist as hell.

“A bit fancy, but I didn’t complain when I donned the white shirt, nor when I buttoned the dark blue tunic and ran my hands over the scratchy, golden thread embroidered on the lapels.”

I want some fan art of Feyre in this outfit.

“I was too young to remember much before my father’s downfall.”

Didn't we establish that she was 11 when they lost their wealth? The narrative treats this as though she was 5/6 when she lost their wealth, but there is a huge difference between the two ages.

[themadmorrigan]

ACOTAR Read-Along: Chapter 3

Welcome to chapter 3 of my ACOTAR Read-along! This is turning out not to be a daily thing but it's fun taking a deeper dive into each of these chapters. Anyway, without further ado... (the rest is behind a cut)

I see we're back to the 'evil non-stepsisters' business again, where Feyre has hides to sell and Nesta/Elain hover and try to get coins out of her. Ew.

Hey, the Children of the Blessed! I actually really like this concept. Not having gone through much more other than the first 8 chapters of ACOMAF (which I am not looking forward to) and the wiki, it's interesting that they choose garb that, at first blush, feels a little like the garb of the priestesses. (Pale blue robes, silver accessories, etc)

Also, silver jewelry and bracelets made of bells - I know it's to "attract" faeries, but to most, silver isn't cheap. I wonder who funds these guys... or do you need to be wealthy to join? Based off of the 'moon-white hands' of the acolyte, I wonder whether it isn't the latter... in which case, why join a fae cult? At any rate - that's some fun foreshadowing for Feyre here.

" Perhaps not the best way to deal with them, since they could become a true nuisance if agitated—" WAIT HOW TELL ME MORE. Also, I would have died to see Feyre coming back from selling the skins only to witness Nesta throwing hands at that acolyte.

Not a huge fan of using 'whore' as a pejorative here, hm.

THE MERCENARY. Now... what an opportunity. She's only seen twice in ACOTAR, and there's so much that could be done with her! (Also, I to write a fic now where she kills Andras. Can you imagine?)

Hold up: "the rhymes chanted in schoolyards". There are schools there? I get that the Archerons were wealthy and had tutors and such, but I find it interesting that Feyre remained illiterate in an area that apparently had schooling. (OFC, I'm thinking of like a Jane Eyre one room schoolhouse kind of deal here, which may not be the case at all.)

OK actually, I didn't notice the line about how the mercenary worked for an old noble that noted the increase in fae attacks over the last 50 years the first time around. That was well hidden, good job.

Things torn to ribbons (or referred to as thus) in this chapter: 1

Feyre found the mercenary's blackened veins beautiful. Huh. Kind of an odd addition, but you go Feyre.

Also kind of interesting, the addition of Nesta and Elain being robbed by a mercenary. I don't know that we needed it in the chapter but why not.

Hi Isaac! (Not much else to say about him, other than that their first meeting - talking about chicken eggs - made me chuckle.)

Thus far, we know that Elain has used money given to her to buy (1) paints for Feyre, and (2) a new chisel for Papa A. Huh. Other than being kind of clueless (which I feel might have been cleared up if Feyre had, oh, communicated her needs at any point), she doesn't seem too awful.

Hi Tamlin!

And that's all I've got. Thanks for reading!

[fourteentrout]

Howdy and hello! Back again with some more questions!!

What kind of things draw you to fics? If you could have The Perfect™ fic, what would it encompass (and not just reading-wise, but writing-wise too!)?

What are things that you like to make sure is captured when you write and draw Tamlin and Rhysand? What aspects of their characters do you want to sit and stew over?

And! Tell me about your other interests in ACOTAR! What else do you ship? Who are your favorite characters? Least favorite or ones that just didn’t click with you?

Hey cowboy! Nice to see you back! Sorry about the late-ish response lol, but as you'll see, I have a lot to yap about, so. That's why.

On to the answering!

Omg The Perfect fic...that's HARD. I'm really attracted to anything character driven--I love it when a work delves deep into a character's psyche. Their motivations, their internal conflicts, what makes them tick. Fics that explore this in both prose (?) and dialogue are my SHIT I love seeing characters interact but also seeing like why are they acting this way? What is the driving force behind their reactions, their impulses, their calculated moves? Etc.

HOWEVER in a PERFECT world, a fic that smoothly marries both character driven and plot driven aspects of the story would be peak. Being able to inject a character's entire like essence into the action and plot itself is something that I wish I was automatically good at, and it's something I'd like to work more towards as a writer.

I also often do like a happy ending but open endings are also very fascinating to me, I really like it when an author sorta leaves it up to the reader. Sad endings tho...I have to be in a very specific mood, ykwim?

As for the aspects of Tamlin and Rhysand I like to capture...I really love the sort of orbital essence of their pairing. The fact that they're lives are sort of intrinsically tied, and even from the start, when they're younger--them sort of having this connection they have with no one else. They just Get each other, and then their lives are changed forever, and they still are in the same position as before--legitimately no one else could understand what the other went through as intimately as they do. But they can't connect with each other over it anymore, and that kind of breakaway is so harsh that there's literally no resolution.

And that always makes me think about like--how does attraction fit into this? Lust? Love? Care?

I also always like to stew over their individual relationships with control. How Rhys is always in control of himself, his power, and Tamlin can't seem to get a handle on his, when really, I think they'd like to be the opposite. I often think about Feyre's observation of Rhys in the war, when he really gets to unleash himself, the way his energy sort of shifts in that moment. And Tamlin, how instead of him being able to move easily into a release of control, has it wrestled from him by his own power. He never wanted to be High Lord, nevermind a tyrant, but he just doesnt have the control of his power that Rhysand does. I love the way they're counterparts (almost foils I think) to each other in this aspect.

Other acotar interests, let's see...well I'm mad into Azris right now lol. They're fantastic. I love the way Azris fans saw like, max, 2 on-page interactions with them and RAN with it.

I also, im afraid, am a sucker for Nessian. I do think there's a lot of really shitty aspects of how their relationship was developed in canon, but there are some fics out there that are just so much more fitting for their characters that I can't help but love it.

I also kinda love the Band of Exiles. They're like the resident throuple in my mind. Lucien is a fav of mine and I think it's great that he's developed this friendship with two humans after being someone who kind of detested their kind from the start (out of grief for Andras). I also think he meshes with them better than anyone in the night court, and that's nice to see after he sorta got his life turned upside down.

I also really love Emerie and Gwyn. Friendship is magic.

Anyways, thank you again for popping in! As always I can't keep my mouth shut lol.

[bloodofthefates]

x. plot ideas?

For Feyre: - ACOTAR re-mix where Rhys (still under the guise of working with Amarantha) was the one tracking Feyre in the woods that day when she kills Andras. I've written this plot with a friend on discord before & would love to expand on it if any Rhys writers would be interested. Essentially if Feyre ends up Under the Mountain sooner and under different circumstances/if Rhys was trying to hide or protect her from being Tamlin's human sacrifice. For Nesta: - This one is always a little out there, but I am always curious if Nesta had been the one to go instead of Feyre how things might've gone differently. I think Nesta going in place of Feyre would've been very different for Tamlin (and probably not all in good ways?) but it's always remained a point of note to me that already glamours didn't work on her. I am always very intrigued at the prospect of a Rhys & Nesta dynamic if we still follow the ACOTAR plot, or how else we can re-mix plotlines from the original intro. (don't come for me, I also still love Feysand I just genuinely think Nesta and Rhys make a much better enemies to lovers trope. I don't think Feyre ever hated Rhys enough for them to be considered enemies)

I'm just babbling & spitballing but wondering if any ACOTAR friends would be interested? I'm really in some plotting moods and would love any and all ideas, these are just a few jumping off points that have been rattling around in my head. I would always love to write with any other members of the IC or the Valkyries too but just let me know in the comments or send me a message!

[zucchinibread777books]

ACOTAR Book Review Pt. 2

For this post I will focus on some of the issues I had with specific characterization. The points aren't fully related to each other, apologies. Also...spoilers ahead....obviously 1. The references to Feyre's love of painting. I liked the idea of her interest in painting but the application was poor and unnatural. She will randomly add one sentence about painting during a very intense scene with no transitions in or out of the thought (this also relates to the point I made about 1st and 3rd person pov in my first post) for example: pg 296 “To paint her would have driven me to madness”. It distracted from the scene and didn't really add anything. 2. Tamlin’s character. Since we don’t learn Tamlin’s real motivations until about 250 pages into the book, the majority of the romance seems surface level and his character is incredibly one-dimensional. The author expects us to accept that he would fall in love with the murderer of someone in his court with little apprehension. I could not get invested in the love story because his flip from wanting to kill her to saying she could live with him was so jarring and unnatural that I couldn’t tell if it was going to be revealed later that he was lying to lull her into a false sense of security. After the first hundred pages or so when his reasons still weren’t revealed I began to believe that he had no reasons and it was truly just poor writing. Even still, we saw none of his internal conflict with the idea of living with his friend’s murderer. He seems to view her as a lost pet and does not express any righteous anger or discomfort with living with a murderer. In an attempt to make him kind the author has taken away his humanity (I see the irony yes). I am aware that this is an interpretation of Beauty and the Beast, but it was more of a caricature than anything. 3. Expanding on that, Andras was an important piece of the plot and yet given no characterization whatsoever. I was expecting to learn that Andras was Tamlin’s brother or close friend or literally anything about him past the fact that he was a part of Tamlin’s court, but was given nothing in return. A character whose death is meant to facilitate the main character’s growth should have been given a story to help show why she should care about his death. She understands on a surface level that he was Tamlin and Lucien’s friend, but they never talk about him as a person and she never asks, even after realizing her wrongdoing. I will discuss these a bit more in other topics but that's the general issues I had with those two.

[toast-tales]

Oh my god there was SO much good stuff here-

I am still wondering what's up with Alex's relationship with his parents, specifically Petes. This was kind of cute but also, Xander, why you gotta be so grumpy to your dad, man.

I love Drake's sassing of Alexander.

Resisting the urge to quote all of Wick's dialogue with Xander-

The major problem.

God I love him.

SAY IT. GO AHEAD. TELL HER SOMETHING.

GO. OFF. KILL HIM.

"Fuck off," Alexander pressed his finger at his chest, "don't act all high and mighty over me. I'm nice to humans."

I actually had to stop reading to laugh because BITCH-

Also the ending oh my god. Wicks, please misunderstand and kill the wendigo. Just do it. It's okay. You have my blessing. This is the misunderstanding trope used in the best way possible lmaoo

Keep it coming with the banger chapters, Lucky! <3

Day 47 - Precipitation Shaft (Nov. 7th, Monday) Part 1

Contents (Warnings): The small little difficulties(Angsty, vore mentions, teasing (of a different kind), and character/monster info).

Wordcount: 3,300+ (Didn't expect this to be 2 parts BUT-)

Side note: This will contain experimental writing, first person (Lynette's view) will be implemented alongside third person for the two other essential characters, (mostly) Alexander and (occasionally) Drake. For those third person moments all their text will be italicized and have the characters name in Bold at the start. There may be other characters I write for using this.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Alexander

He turned the corner sharply and saw her pitiful attempt to run. His eagerness to chase sent his body in pursuit. A heavy mixture of hunger and a pinch of irritation. 

The distance between him and his prey decreased. Lynette couldn't stop to hide in any of the doors lining the hallway. If she did, he'd get her. Not that she'd reach the one at the end. His hand was so close to touching her. 

Then the door to their right flung open. Alexander's body went on the defensive. He couldn't pull her back or push her further. He jumped back and avoided the bellow of flames. They dissipated quickly, as the user wanted, and Lynette had slipped away. 

Alexander expected it to be her brother, but every nerve in his body flexed. The putrid hatred filled him once he locked onto the bloodied male who entered the gray hall. 

Not from his own wounds, Alexander, though he disliked blood, clearly recognized that scent. 

 "So close," Andras turned to fully face him. And flashed his sardonically thwarted smile. "Do you mind standing still this time, short fuse."

...

He growled out, almost in sync with his own stomach. He uncrossed his arms and annoying looked down at his own empty abdomen. I should have gone to bed after eating and not let them go. He got up, tracing over the darkness before taking his phone from his sweatpants pocket. 

The screen blinded him temporarily, then he glared at the time. It was three in the morning. He slipped it back into his pocket and took a few steps near the vanity. He stopped and looked at the makeshift bed on the floor with the man sleeping on it. 

Fucker. I told you to sleep on the bed. 

Alexander stood over him, crouched down, then scooped him up without much effort. 

"Ah-he-" Petes panicked. Alexander walked him to the bed. Though around a similar height, he carried his dad as efficiently as a mom would a kid, "HEY!" Alexander threw the grown man onto the bed and turned around. "Alex!"

"I told you to sleep on the bed," the glasses-clad male replied with aggravation. 

"And I told you to sleep on the bed, Alex!" Pete's said. Alexander glanced back to see his dad swing his legs to hang off the bed.

"Hell no," Alexander said. "I like the armchair." He turned to face forward again. He walked ahead and grabbed the rental car keys. "I'm going out to get food."

"It's late-" Petes pushed off the bed. 

"I'm starving. It's either I eat something now or..." His stomach whined. There's a worthwhile meal here that I can't even have.

"I'll make you something,"

Alexander held up his hand to stop his dad, "no, I want to feel somewhat satisfied." He felt his dad near him, and the hand reached out. He flipped around and pointed to the bed. "Don't worry about me. Get some sleep."

The sympathetic eyes stung. Alexander didn't let himself say another word. He pulled his attention and went out the door, no longer listening to what Pete's said next. 

He realized he didn't even have glasses when entering the hall. He wouldn't go back in the room and look stupid, either. He gripped the keys and went to the door next to theirs and across from the staircase. 

He stood before it and called, as he didn't want to knock. 

"Argh, what?" Drake's sleep tone questioned.

"Come outside your room, now."

"You better have a damn good reason," Drake grumbled, hanging up. Alexander could hear the rustling beyond it. The door opened, and before he could answer, his best friend did.

"For the last time, I'm not switching rooms with you." 

"We're going out for breakfast; you're driving." He tossed up the keys, and Drake fumbled but caught them. 

"Oh, going out? Can you get me some magus blood while you're out?" Wenna hummed from the bed. 

Drake walked out with the keys and shut the door. They could both hear her whine from beyond it. 

"I already had my fill yesterday," Drake muttered behind Alexander, who moved to the stairs. 

"I didn't." 

"Of course, you didn't." Drake sassed, adjusting his hoodie. 

...

Drake

He descended the stairs behind Alexander. I finally fell asleep, and you had to wake me up. He played with the keys in one hand, abruptly stopping as the physically imposing male did. He knew what floor they hit. 

He moved around him and remarked, "Her brother will eradicate you if you try." 

Alexander grunted, "yeah, yeah...it's not like I would, anyway." 

I'm inclined to doubt you. Drake thought to himself. They made it down, walking along in the dark. Drake took a moment to appreciate the calmness of the night. Or he would have if he also wasn't tuned in to Alexander's hunger.

"I swear you ate earlier."

"I did," Alexander grumbled. 

"Does Lynette get to you that much?" They walked down to the garage and to the car. 

Alexander got to the passenger side and awaited Drake to open it. He glared at him from over the car roof. "You know the answer, asshole." 

He unlocked the car for Alexander and himself. He buckled his seatbelt.

The blonde-haired male said, "it was also due to that stupid dream; it got me riled up and pissed."

Drake kept his eyes on the road as they drove down the driveway, yet his ears listened. "Was it just a dream about eating Lynette?" Now I feel less wrong about that biting one. 

"Yeah." His friend rested back. 

Drake heard the trembles, "besides the sound of your heartbeat, you know you're a terrible liar, right?"

"You and your fucking weird habit." He tapped on his own ear, "wear earplugs around me or something." Alexander covered his chest as if that would stop it. 

He sounds embarrassed now, and he doesn't want to tell me. If Lynette was the problem, he would have complained by now. 

"Did you have a dream with me?" 

Alexander shivered, and Drake realized how that sounded aloud too.

Please say no.

"For fuck's sake, never say it like that again." Even though it both irked them, it was still funny enough to make Drake smile and Alexader. You were the one joking about the plus one on the way here.

Then his mind returned to the question, "that's not a no."

"I was chasing the shrimp down this long hallway, and I got so close to catching her, but..." Drake listened to the hard pounding coming from Alexander's chest. "Then, one of the doors in the hall opened. Someone attacked me, and I thought it would be Wicks or some shit. But it was fucking Andras." The name left between gritted teeth.

The vampire beast fell silent. His hands trembled as he held the steering wheel, and he found it hard to focus on the road. "I'll handle it next time."

Alexander turned his head immediately and shifted to face Drake. He yanked his seatbelt too fast, and it clicked. His hands slammed on the middle compartment. 

"LIKE HELL I'D LET YOU HANDLE THAT PUNK ASS-"

"I don't need your protection, Chase." Drake cut in. He felt his foot twitch on the pedal and pressed further. 

Alexander pointed to the speed-o-meter, "slow down, fucker, AND it's not even about protection." 

You're a liar. You and everyone else. Don't sit here and act like you don't think I'm weak. Drake thought to himself as he took his foot off the pedal entirely. It let the car roll as they went through the quiet town, with every light being green.

"The C.P.P.A. are already involved and looking for him anyway. They'll probably have a better chance at catching that lucky bastard than us." Alexander said as he rested back. He undid his seatbelt, given its numerous clicks and given that it locked. The car started to beep at his being unbuckled when the vehicle was moving. "I know it's unbuckled, fucker," he said to it.

Drake rolled his eyes, "like they'd care that much." I should be the one to handle it.

"HE'S A FUCKIN' BLACK MARKET SELLER. OF COURSE, THEY WILL." Alexander yelled. He threw his hand out and gripped Drake's hoodie at his right shoulder. "Don't you dare try to find and take him on like an idiot!"

He slammed the brakes on the car immediately. It jerked Alexander forward and himself. Drake didn't look at Alexander and slowly drifted toward the turn lane to do a U-turn. "We passed the store."

And for the rest of that night, Drake no longer talked to Alexander about the subject. 

...

Lynette

It's so different. I thought to myself. My eyes traced the telephone wires. My brain refused to put everything together, but it made sense. Why they brought so few people home to meet me, why Wicks and I went to different schools, and why Charletta never went to school with us. 

They always acted carefully, watchfully, and quickly denied any sort of magic or monster talk when I was younger. I started to wonder if that's why we moved so much. I couldn't work up the courage to ask. 

I love them all so much. I didn't, nor could I ever hate them. I softly listened ahead to Madre and Padre in the front seat, then Charletta and Ulysses in the middle, in front of us. I didn't get to talk much to him, yet he seemed split between Drake's calm, soft-spoken nature and Wenna's bombastic hype. I could tell they were siblings.

And no matter how much I wanted to distrust Ulysses, the pure joy on Charletta's face when she was near him made me smile for her. Especially when I saw him give her that same look. 

"Lyn," Madre called from up front. I perked up and looked ahead, I just realized we stopped. "Si en algún momento te sientes incómoda, te llevaremos a otro lugar." Madre smiled at me and waited for confirmation.

It took a second. Wicks was about to help me. I beat him to it, "thank you. I'll tell you, guys."

"You better," Padre said with a gentle smirk. "or I'll put raisins in your pancakes tomorrow."

Madre pressed at his arm. "Stefan."

Padre laughed as he opened his car door. Everyone followed suit and piled out. Wicks led me from behind. I went out of Ulysses' side. I didn't realize I had almost bumped into him. He gave me a small smile when I peered up from his black dress coat. It was friendly and warm.

"Sorry." I apologized. 

Wicks pushed me ahead before he properly replied as the others parked next to us. 

I studied the large building. It looked to be a similar size as the Pizzeria. "Olden Country Eatery," the sign with a string of lights read.

Wenna came up next to us happily. "No need to sound so nervous, Lynette. I've been to one of these before. They are SO cool, they have tons of food, different types for all kinds of species."

Wicks threw his arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to himself than to Wenna.

"Thanks, Wenna." That's not exactly what I'm worried about. I am going to one of these places with my family. What if something happens to them. I didn't care whether they were magic or not. I was still worried.

The fanged gal leaned near me even as Wicks held me, "and hey, don't worry, my younger brother drinks from humans, not me." She gave a proud grin after saying that.

Wicks still refused to let go.

...

Wicks

He looked over at his sister while she tried to make some choices. At least most monsters didn't seem to care or pay attention to them. I know they are trying to make Lynette feel included, but why are we taking her here. Wicks sighed. He knew they didn't live here anymore, so none of these individuals would pose a problem to her. Yet, he couldn't shake that feeling. Especially knowing...

The first night they fought. He still wanted to yell at Lynette. She was basically a giver, and the thought gave him chills. He understood it's what monsters did. Some enjoyed it, BUT HIS SISTER. His hazel hue found Drake near Ulysses, Wenna, and his sister. 

I suspect he's not as much of a problem, though he's definitely attacked her. Then he went to glance back at the table. 

Lynette broke his thoughts, "they have DINO NUGGIES!"

The innocence of it made him smile. It was the most he had seen Lynette smile since the reveal. Even if it faded quickly, he felt relieved to see her do it. He didn't know for how long. 

"You are freaking out about the dino nuggies," He motioned next to them, "what about these bad boys." 

They were in the kids' section as these foods had less energy. He didn't think her body would react badly to it, but it might overwhelm her.

"They're little snakes!" She exclaimed. She got a few on her plate too. Wicks did the same. "Why don't we have fry snakes at normal restaurants?"

 Wicks chuckled, "I think most people don't like snakes."

"They're kinda cute, at least the small ones like garter snakes. Big ones are terrifying..." She paused, then looked at the snakes on her plate. "oh..."

"What?" Wicks asked with a slight worry. "Do you work with a Naga too?"

"I work with a half-naga half-mimic, Dragon and Fae too." She said, getting some mashed potatoes and greens on her plate too. 

What? I shouldn't be surprised, but those are SO DANGEROUS. He felt like he was about to have a breakdown. How could I not have paid enough attention? We didn't have many monsters in our area. There's only a few establishments nearby for them. AND- He wanted to shake Lynette. He clutched his plate instead. YOU SOMEHOW FOUND AND WORK AT ONE OF THEM!! L.Y.N.E.T.T.E.!!

Wick's bore down on the dino nuggies as if they were the true enemy. You could have quit. I ran through the establishment, and it's under C.P.P.A. registration and regulation. She also isn't there against her will. She could just leave. SHE SHOULD JUST LEAVE. He couldn't get over that, and his sister decided to subject herself to that for money. Sure, the amount she would set her up for life. YOU FORGET YOU'RE POWERLESS.

"Wicks!" Lynette pressed on his shoulder gently. The furrow of her brows and the concern of her eyes drew him from thought. 

He found it hard to smile back at her because of his frustration. You're too fragile too. He still gave her reassurance back. "Sorry, Lentils, I was thinking of that one time I unscrewed the cap, and you tried to add ketchup to your plate, then when you squeezed it, you drowned all your dinos." He laughed after explaining it. Genuinely. 

Her eyes went to stunned jokey shock then he saw the slight puff at her cheeks, "you're a punk! Thanks for reminding me that I'll be the first to use it this time!" 

He snickered, "not if I get it first.~" 

She pointed to her plate, "unlike you, I'm already done." 

Wicks shook his head, "hey, mom said you're sticking to me, so you ain't leavin' without me." He teased as he went to grab a few more things. He understood why his dad was laxed, and Wicks knew his mom was as worried as he was. She just hid it well. While Charletta trusted them wholeheartedly. 

Things aren't so lovely on the monster side, dad. He thought in his head. And at the same time, he couldn't push it. He couldn't imagine being in his father's shoes.

They were the first to return to the table, and Wicks groaned internally. The major problem. He thought to himself. Alexander was sitting there alone. He did glance up from his phone when he saw them approach.

He could feel Lynette's slight uneasy sitting down across from Alexander, so Wicks made sure he moved closer. Lynette started to get her ketchup bottle at the table ready. 

Wicks didn't start eating. He loathed that Alexander's eyes lingered on Lynette far too long. If I ever get a moment alone with you, just two minutes...

"What?" Alexander asked as he put his phone down with a huff. He stared directly at Wicks. He lacked fear. 

Wicks smirked, "you were the one who invited Lentils to the job, right?"

"Lentils, the bean?" Alexander saw the gesture Wicks made and realized he was talking about Lynette.

Wicks sighed. He pressed some loose strands from his messy ponytail back, "yes or no, human eater."

 "Yes." Alexander answered, "Why are you saying that like it's a fucking problem."

Lynette chimed in, "it is."

Alexander snapped to her.

SAY IT. GO AHEAD. TELL HER SOMETHING. Wicks begged in his head. Lynette looked away, and he didn't say anything. 

"You-" He looked at the buffet bar and grumbled inaudibly under his breath.

"Registration number," Wicks said to the half wendigo.

Alexander's shoulders lifted up. He then exhaled, "JX934." 

Wicks pulled out his phone and pulled up his messaging app.

Wicks: Can you send me the registration record of JX934? Thank you. 8:54 p.m.

Garter: Roger that, Boss!👌8:54p.m.

I'm not your boss. Wicks hated when Garter did that. 

"What are you doing?" He heard Alexander and decided to ignore him. Lynette tapped on him to tell him. 

"If you have nothing to hide, there's no issue," Wicks said sinuously.

Alexander looked away. Wicks could see the anxious annoyance. "I don't understand why you're going through all this trouble."

The side of wicks lips curled, and he scoffed, "I've seen the way you look at humans," he glanced over at the buffet. They still were there waiting for specialty orders. "Look at my SISTER. There's no way you're not a danger."

Lynette touched Wicks's arm, "I don't really want to hear this right now."

Alexander's voice overtook her own. "You are much more of a danger than me, jackass." He pressed up his glasses, staring back. 

Wicks chuckled, "yeah, but unlike you, I care for humans."

"Like I don't care."

"You seem like you care more about your stomach than understanding anything about them."

"Fuck off," Alexander pressed his finger at his chest, "don't act all high and mighty over me. I'm nice to humans."

Lynette muttered, "nice?"

"Alright, I don't know anything about you." Wicks patted Lynette's head. "So prove it to me because I doubt you can tell me one thing about her that isn't her energy."

Alexander stood up, "I know things about her." 

"Then name ONE thing if you can't..." His phone pinged, but he didn't look at it. "I'll suspend your registration." It was a bluff. He couldn't. However, Wicks wanted to see if he could get Alexander to play along. Hopefully, this'll knock some sense into you, Lynette. Wendigo's are especially dangerous when you're the species they eat. 

Alexander kept his eyes on Wicks. He could feel the anger in his stormy blue eyes. Wicks so hoped he'd strike first. 

"Wicks, just drop it," Lynette said to him.

Wicks expected Alexander to give up after she said that. Wicks saw he struggled, and Lynette gave him a way out. 

The burly blonde refused to take it, "I recently found out Lynette's a girl-!" He cut off his own declaration, realizing how stupid it sounded. At least, that's what Wicks first assumed until he saw Lynette's quick gesture to cover her chest and the red blush on her cheeks.

Wicks stood up immediately, his eyes burst with light, and Alexander went on the defensive. "AND HOW DID YOU FIND-"

He stopped as Lynette wrapped her arms around him in a hug, "WICKS, we're in public, and it wasn't his fault; really, it was an accident. Please sit down." She whimpered.

...

@vore-toast Well well well, look at that. xD Your ramblings weren't for nothing! You guessed correct, I did add that snippet with the other from the C.P.P.A. just because I planned on it being the big reveal with Wicks later. THANK YOU FOR THE THEORY! <3

Hey, you, thank you so much for reading. It means a lot that I put out a story that people can enjoy! <3 So, I hope you continue to enjoy it as WE have a LOT more to go! YOU BETTER KEEP PROSPERING! (Nonnegotiable).

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Catch up, see some maps/art, or check the latest release dates down below  ↓ ↓ ↓ 

What I’d do for a Livable Income (Synopsis/Chapter - List)

[sukunasdirtylaugh]

3 Pink Roses Mean, "I Love You"

-Nanami Kento

synopsis: In exchange for financial security, you and Nanami Kento sign a contract agreeing to live as couples. Sex is not required from you. What Nanami seeks is a partner he can come back home to since his busy work life forbids him from keeping a relationship while you, a college student, needs help with money. Falling in love has never been this hard.

tags: falling in love, nanami kento, slowburn, eventual romance, eventual smut, slice of life, fluff, angst, who will fall in love first?, acts of service, smut

series masterlist here:

a/n: I really really love this story so I hope you will too! let me know how it goes<3

- Andra

“Are you certain this will work?”

“Trust me Nanami,” The woman over the other side of the line confidently nodded, “She meets all of the requirements. She said she’ll meet you at a restaurant. Hold on, I’ll send you the address.”

“Then how can I know she’s her?”

“She said she’d be wearing blue. Seated towards the back.”

Nanami Kento never expected to sign himself up for a business like this. It was a hotline service that helped you find partners, and it had taken him 3 months to find someone. Just as he was about to cancel his interest in the website, they called him. Saying that they found a woman who met all of his conditions. So at the last minute, he was getting ready for a date.

He wondered if he should bring flowers. Was it too forward? Desperate? He didn’t want to appear needy nor scare her, but he also knew that it was rude to not bring anything. So an hour before the meet, he stopped by to purchase a small bouquet of 3 pink roses. It was better than a singular rose, and not as extravagant as 12 or more for a first date.

He arrived 15 minutes early dressed in grey dress pants and a white rolled up sleeve dress shirt. His brown dress shoes were polished, as he always did, and his hair was neatly combed. A couple of strands scaping though.

It was 15 minutes before 4 when Nanami showed up. It was a decent restaurant. There was a bar at the side, a few booths, and tables. It was nice, but not luxurious. When he stepped foot, he slowly made his way to the back. He stopped when he saw a girl sitting on an end booth. She was wearing a blue sundress while her long hair covered her face as she watched her phone.

“Are you…” Nanami tried not to sound nervous, “Are you from the hotline? With Veronica…” He stopped when he saw her nod at the name of their matchmaker.

“Nice to meet you,” She abruptly stood from the booth and extended her hand for him to shake. Nanami stared at the hand for a moment, as if he had never shook someone's hand, “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” He gently shook her hand back, careful not to shake too brusquely.

“Are those...:” She motioned to the flowers on his opposite hand, “...for me?”

“Yes, I thought perhaps-”

“No one’s ever given me flowers before,” Her blunt confession leaves him dumbfounded. He stares as she smiled down at the bouquet. Running a hand along the fabric that held the roses. “They’re lovely. Thank you,”

“Shall we sit then?” He motioned to the booth. “I believe it’s best if we discuss our terms and conditions.”

“Oh right,” She nods. “I actually had something to add…” Once they take a seat, she pulls out her purse to reveal a small notebook, “I’ve got a list of things we can talk about and modify based off of what we come up with,”

Nanami tried not to widen his eyes in surprise. “So you were prepared?”

“Always am,” She politely smiles, “I’m a History major, so I kinda have to be already.”

Right, she’s a college student. Nanami thought as he watched her skim through the pages. “I brought a list as well.” he pulled out his phone. “Well, a contract of sorts. But like you said, we can modify it.”

“Glad to hear we’re on the same page then.” Nanami noticed her smile once more. He wondered if she really did smile this often or was doing this out of manners. He rarely smiled and wondered if his serious face made her uncomfortable like the other girls he had spoken to.

She seemed unaffected by it.

When he finally opened up his list, he glanced to see he r. She was watching a nearby TV with a smile. He sighed. “Do you want to go first?”

“Uh...yeah, sure.” gently, she slides the list his way. He makes sure to read it through before looking up at her.

Okay with:

- Hand holding (talk before if in public yes or no)

- Hugs

-Cheek kisses

Discuss first/TBA

Cuddling.

Signs of affection-massage(?)

Not Planning in the near future:

Sexual relations. To be discussed.

Looking up to see her, Nanami notices her fingertips tap rapidly against the table. She watches him intently. “Well,” he sighs, placing his phone back into his pocket. “I suppose we don’t need to negotiate anything. What you wrote was exactly what I was looking for. I must inform you that my work requires me to travel and spend hours in my office. I do not have the luxury of simply ‘finding’ a significant other or tend to my relationships; which is why I signed up for this website. I’d only need you to stay at home, occasionally greet me, and partake in ‘couple’ activities. I will provide for you if you allow it. I think it’d be easier if you just live in my apartment so that I can come home to you. Do not worry. My presence will not intervene with your education. I will ensure it. And to compensate, I do plan to fully cover your tuition.” Her eyes widened at the statement.

“So your conditions are- live with you, do those couple things, and my tuition is paid for?” She asks in disbelief. “No rent?”

“Unless you have any protests, that’s about it.” Nanami watches her in thought. Some moments go by as he gives her all the time in the world. The last thing he would ever want is to pressure her into something she does not want to do. In fact, he was unsure if this meeting was either going to be a success or a fail. Her organized behavior gave him the slightest of impressions that maybe he’d like her organization.

According to the matchmaker, she was a college student with an impeccably clean record. No drugs, gang affiliations, and an impressive grade point average (GPA). Perhaps her nature was studious, as Nanami hoped it’d be. He was entering his late 20’s and he was certain of one thing: all he wanted was peace and tranquility; someone to go home to. Even if it was by an arrangement.

“Okay. Where do I sign?” she asks, “I assume this is a sort of contract-”

“It is,” Nanami nods before pulling out his phone once more, “I can email you the contract so that you and I can both sign it.”

Suddenly, she giggles. When he asks her what was wrong, she endearingly smiles, “Nothing. I just think it’s funny that we’re e exchanging emails rather than phone numbers or socials first. That’s all.”

He tries to read her, “Then would you want to exchange numbers?”

She grins, “I thought you’d never ask.”

After exchanging numbers and emails, they both conclude their meeting. When they stand up, she willingly gives him a friendly one sided hug instead of a handshake; as if to seal their deal in an unofficially affectionate way. “Text me when you get home,” She calls from behind. Nanami simply nods before exiting the restaurant; feeling slightly accomplished.

When he arrives home, Nanami forgets to text her. However, no more than 2 hours after their meetup, his phone rings. It was a picture of the 3 pink roses he had sent her, now in a clean vase.

Her:

Attachment: 1

Since you didn’t send a message back (I’m assuming you’re alive), I wanted to send you an update on the roses. They’re doing well, thank you.

Did you get back home safely? I didn’t hear back from you so I was kind of worried if you were okay or not.

Nanami repeated the word ‘worried’ in his mind several times as if it were a word he had never heard of. Worried. Someone he had just met was worried about him. 5 minutes later, he sent her a message of his covered feet at the entrance of his door.

Nanami:

Attachment: 1

I arrived well. Thank you for your concerns.

Have a good night.

Her:

You too :)

That night, Nanami looked over her message three times before heading to bed. He wondered if this was anything like starting a relationship. Regardless of how it began.

A/N: Iet me know how this goes! I will provide a taglist for those interested.

[the-lonelybarricade]

Any fic recs centered around time travel?

Time travel is unfortunately pretty niche in this fandom, but here are the one's I've found (including my own):

A Court Outside of Time by Sonata_IX. I really love this one. It's set post acowar and because Feyre technically died in acotar, she and Rhys can't conceive. Soooo Feyre makes a bargain that sends her back in time with the express perpose of consumating with a certain High Lord UtM 👀

Magic In the Air by Ladyloec. This one's a smutty calanmai oneshot that is AMAZING but is also going to stab you in the feels. Ugh, so good.

Of Talons and Light by @isthisclever. Post-acosf Feyre time travels back to the woods before she shot Andras and basically canon gets thrown out the window. I really need to catch up on this fic, but the chapters I read were superb and I'm SO curious where it's going.

While not *technically* time travel, I still need to reccomend The High Lady of Cunning by @slutsofren because it's a similar vein and plugging my friend's fics is my favorite thing to do. It's a reader insert where someone from our world who has read the acotar books winds up in Feyre's body as a child. There is a bat-boy polyamory and while I am very far behind it is still *chef's kiss*

If She Had Known by WhattheheckKristen. I haven't actually read this one, but I have heard about it through the grapevine of "Feysand authors who write this very specific plot". I think in this version I think both Feyre and Rhys time travel together, she goes back to the Spring Court and he goes UtM (🥺).

Never Alone by Frufusc. I haven't read this one either but the premise sounds really interesting! Rhysand travels back in time and meets a young version of Feyre.

And then my time travel fics are:

A Court of Faded Dreams and if you follow me, I usually just assume it's for this fic so I won't bore you with a synopsis.

The Outlier, which is a two-shot where Rhys can manipulate time and tries to use it to impress Feyre, which somehow fails spectacularly.

This unnamed fic which isn't on my masterlist because I wasn't very proud of it, but basically acowar Feyre looks into the Ouroboros and gets sent back to UtM-era Velaris, where the IC has no idea who she is.