#also doesn't help that i keep blending books together

[sheyri]

Just watched Daniel Greene's 2.5h summary of Rhythm of War because Wind and Truth releases tomorrow and my brain can't remember shit, especially when it's been four years.

But it still feels unreal! Like, Stormlight 5, the conclusion of the first half, is here! Where has time gone? How has it been four years already?

I didn't follow the development at all. I know the title, I saw the covers, I know the prologue has been out for a while but I haven't read it. I'm so out of the loop and don't feel ready at all to read it.

Watching the summary I realise I should've probably reread the series, or at least Rhythm of War. But those are such bricks! I can't just casually reread them! Even though I really want to.

[ladyofrosefire]

fuck it, bg3 companions shower routine

Shadowheart: Shar hates self-care, but a Shadowheart does take pride in her hair, and a Shadowheart who has learned to be kind to herself can indulge. Long, complicated hair routine, very specific water temperature, and a tendency toward long-ass depression showers. LOVES a bubble bath and will make a whole event of it with flower petals and candles just for her. Will bring a book with a little book tray and a glass of wine.

Astarion: Similarly complicated hair routine. Gotta hydrate the curls, and being dead does not do nice things to your hair. Less prone to standing there staring at nothing while the horrors set in, but prone to scrubbing too hard. Similarly fond of a bubble bath, although without the book or flowers, although he will fuck with an essential oil heater and likes to make his own blends.

Lae'zel: Queen of the 4 minute shower. She has been accused of not even waiting for the water to heat up, but she likes it blistering. Does not actually use 3-in-1, thank you. Having fairly short hair helps. She finds the other companions baffling. Would get bored in a bubble bath unless she had company (rubber duck counts).

Wyll: Sings. If someone called him on it, he would be embarrassed, the first time, for about a minute. Neither wildly efficient nor inclined to standing there for ages and ages and prefers to shower in the morning. Washing his hair is a chance to relax and take care of himself, although before he has his family back, it can be a bit melancholy. He has fallen asleep in the bath before. I feel like he'd love a bath bomb and he'd love the full romantic evening with candles and flowers and music.

Karlach: Please, please someone boil her. Once she gets her engine fixed all the way, she tries a cold shower just to remember what it feels like and keeps up a running commentary about how much it sucks while also not turning up the temperature. Absolutely loves sharing a shower with someone and will also sing. Should not attempt her little jig on wet tiles. May try anyway. Someone should introduce her to proper hair/skin care because if anyone is using 3-in-1, I'm sorry, it's Karlach. Genuinely cannot sit still for a bubble bath unless she has company to cuddle.

Gale: Voted Faerun's Most Likely to Relitigate Arguments in the Shower, Even if He Won Originally. Loves to pamper himself, canonically, loves a spa day, also canonically. You simply are not getting the bathroom back for a good hour, although not all that time involves running water. Plays around with different products and researches the living hell out of everything. Loves a long soak. The only person with a feline in their house to ever bathe in peace. Constantly torn between wanting a book with him when he has a bath and not wanting to get the pages steamy and damp, much less actually wet.

Minthara: Her ideal hair wash involves someone else doing it for her while also having the utmost certainty that the person will not attempt to murder her. If her partner washes her hair for her, she turns into a puddle. She has an incredibly specific lineup of products. If she shares, understand that she has bestowed upon you a great gift. More about bath salts than bubbles and could be persuaded to a sufficiently elegant bath bomb (it would not be a difficult check).

Halsin: Low-flow showerhead user. Hell, he might be the kind of person to turn the water off entirely when not soaking/rinsing out his hair... However, he is not immune to the "shower together to save water" line even though he KNOWS it doesn't work that way. He needs low-scent soaps/etc considering his heightened sense of smell. And listen, this man does not fit in a bathtub unless he goes somewhere special or finds a particularly large one. He made everyone floaty ducks, properly sealed against water damage, and he has one for himself that holds his soap.

Jaheira: Understands that having a chair in the shower is just being kind to yourself and proceeds accordingly. Will revisit arguments she had that day, but despite that has a quick and fairly simple routine. She needs the water pressure to pound the everloving hell out of her back. Loofa on a stick user. Like Wyll, she has fallen asleep in a bathtub, in part thanks to having and using a bath cushion. Truly, the expert on bath-based comfort.

Minsc: Also sings in the shower. LOUDLY. Boo is allowed to sit a shelf out of the way. The best way to get him to use lotion is to give him something that smells yummy. He has similar problems to Halsin regarding fitting in bathtubs. He tries anyway. He has been banned from at least one hotspring for doing a cannonball.

[astrocafecoffee]

• Sun in Groom persona chart •

• FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY, ENJOY •

✨ you guys requested this series of groom persona chart, so here it is. Today I am gonna cover sun in the houses of Groom pc .

✨ MASTERLIST

Sun in the houses :

💖 1st house : your fs is likely to have a strong sense of self confidence and Vitality . They may have commanding presence and charismatic personality. They may possess natural leadership abilities and a desire to take charge in various situations. This can make them stand out in social settings. They are likely to be expressive and have a clear sense of identity . They may be quite open about their thoughts and feelings. You fs may seek attention and recognition from others. They might enjoy being in the spotlight and receiving praise for their accomplishments. They are likely to be determined and have a strong will . When they set their mind on something they pursue with vigor. They may have generally positive and optimistic outlook on life, which can be infectious to those around them. Sun in the 1st house can also influence physical appearance , potentially indicating a strong , healthy and attractive look. While they may have admirable qualities , they might also need to watch out for excessive pride or ego , which can sometimes leads to conflicts.

💖 2nd house : When the Sun is in the 2nd house of your groom's persona chart, it can uniquely indicate that your future spouse's identity and life purpose are intricately tied to their ability to create and sustain value. This placement suggests a person who doesn't just seek financial stability but sees wealth creation as a form of self-expression. They may have a unique approach to wealth that blends creativity with practicality, turning passions and hobbies into lucrative ventures. This placement can denote a person who values authenticity in their possessions and relationships. They might prefer quality over quantity, investing in items or experiences that reflect their true self and bring lasting joy rather than fleeting satisfaction. your future spouse might also possess a natural talent for identifying hidden potential in people and things. This ability to see value where others might not could lead them to success in areas such as investing, art collecting, or any field where discerning true worth is key. This placement might indicate that your spouse’s journey involves transforming their relationship with material wealth, learning to balance their innate desire for security with a deeper understanding of self-worth that transcends possessions. This unique blend of traits can create a dynamic and enriching partnership where you both grow and thrive.

💖3rd house: Your future spouse may stand out as an intellectual leader in their community.They may have a unique ability to connect seemingly unrelated ideas, leading to innovative solutions and creative projects. This knack for seeing the bigger picture can make them a visionary in their field.They could excel in multiple areas, from writing and public speaking to technology and social media. Your future spouse might have a natural talent for connecting people, creating networks, and fostering collaborations. They can effortlessly bring different groups together, facilitating teamwork and community building. Their love for variety and learning may lead them to travel frequently, seeking out new experiences and cultures. They might enjoy exploring different places and sharing their adventures through blogging, vlogging, or social media. With a strong emphasis on continuous learning, they may always be enrolled in a new course, reading the latest books, or attending seminars. This lifelong pursuit of knowledge can keep them dynamic and adaptable. They might have a passion for teaching and mentoring others, finding fulfillment in helping others grow intellectually. This could manifest in formal education roles or informal settings, like community workshops or online platforms.

💖 4th house : Your future spouse might possess an extraordinary ability to turn any space into a vibrant, lively, and welcoming home.Their home could be a reflection of their personal adventures and interests, filled with unique artifacts, travel souvenirs, and collections that tell their life story. Your spouse may have an innate ability to transform emotional pain into strength and wisdom. This skill allows them to help others navigate their own emotional journeys, often acting as a healer within their social circle. They might excel in integrating cutting-edge technology with traditional home comforts, creating a smart home that’s both futuristic and cozy. Think automated systems, green energy solutions, and innovative home design. There could be a unique passion for cooking and experimenting with different cuisines. Their kitchen might be the heart of the home, where they create culinary masterpieces that bring people together. They might blend different cultural elements into their home, creating a space that’s a melting pot of traditions and modernity. This could manifest in their interior design, food, and even the way they celebrate holidays. Their approach to family relationships might be both insightful and practical.

💖 5th house : When the Sun is in the 5th house of your groom's persona chart, it highlights a vibrant, creative, and playful side to your future spouse. This placement suggests that your spouse will likely be someone who thrives on joy, self-expression, and the pursuit of personal passions. They may have a natural talent for arts, whether it be music, painting, acting, or any other form of creative expression. Their creativity isn’t just a hobby; it’s a core part of their identity and something that they actively seek to incorporate into their daily life. This placement also suggests a strong connection to children. Whether or not they have their own, your spouse is likely to have a youthful spirit and may enjoy activities that allow them to connect with their inner child. They might be excellent at entertaining children and could find great joy in spending time with them. Romance is another key aspect of the 5th house, and with the Sun here, your spouse is likely to be very romantic and expressive in their affections. They may enjoy grand gestures of love and will likely seek to keep the romance alive in your relationship through thoughtful surprises and passionate moments.Their competitive nature can drive them to achieve great things in their personal and professional life, as they are likely to enjoy the thrill of the challenge and the satisfaction of victory.

💖6th house: With the Sun positioned in the 6th house of the groom's natal chart, your future spouse's focus on routine and structure can be a defining aspect of his personality. He might thrive on having a well-organized daily schedule and may feel most comfortable in environments where tasks and responsibilities are clearly defined. This inclination towards routine can make him a reliable and consistent partner, as he likely values stability and predictability in his relationships. Health and wellness are likely important to him, and he may integrate these values into his daily habits. This could manifest as a commitment to regular exercise, a balanced diet, or other health-conscious practices. He might also encourage these habits in his partner, reflecting his belief in the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. His attention to detail is another notable trait. He is likely to be meticulous and thorough, whether in managing household duties, handling work-related tasks, or addressing minor issues. This precision can be an asset in maintaining an organized and functional home life, though it may occasionally lead him to stress over small details. In the context of a relationship, he might express love and affection through acts of service and practical support. For him, demonstrating care might involve helping with chores, offering assistance with daily tasks, or being a steady source of support. This service-oriented approach reflects his belief in showing love through tangible actions rather than just words.

💖 7th house: Sun is in the 7th house of a groom's persona chart indicates that your spouse may have a strong and confident personality. They might be assertive, charismatic, and central in their social circles. Physically, they could have a noticeable presence or be prominent in some way. Since the Sun symbolizes leadership and authority, your spouse might be someone who takes charge in relationships or in their career. They may have natural leadership abilities and can be influential in their community or workplace. The 7th house is traditionally associated with partnerships, marriage, and significant others. With the Sun here, marriage and committed relationships are likely to play a significant role in their life. They may seek a partnership that enhances their personal identity and goals. The Sun in the 7th house can also indicate that your spouse may be quite visible or known publicly, possibly through their work, social activities, or community involvement. They might have a career that puts them in the spotlight or involves interactions with the public.

💖 8th house : The 8th house in astrology is associated with deep transformation, intimacy, and shared resources. When the Sun placed here ,it suggests that your future spouse is likely to have a profound and intense personality. They may approach life with a deep sense of passion and emotional depth, seeking meaningful connections and experiences that go beyond the surface.This placement can indicate that the spouse may have an interest in occult, mystical, or spiritual matters.The 8th house deals with shared resources, investments, and inheritances. Therefore, the spouse may have an influence or involvement in financial matters that involve joint resources or inheritances. Your spouse may seek relationships that bring about personal growth and change. They might have a strong need for emotional intimacy and connection, and relationships could serve as a catalyst for their personal development. The 8th house is also significant, indicating a deep and intense approach to physical intimacy. Your spouse may place great importance on the emotional and spiritual aspects of intimacy, seeking a profound connection with their partner.

💖 9th house : your spouse could be philosophically inclined, interested in exploring different belief systems, or deeply spiritual. They may seek meaning and purpose through intellectual and spiritual pursuits.your spouse may have a keen interest in travel,(or could be a foreigner) either physically exploring different countries or mentally through academic studies of different cultures. They might be drawn to adventures abroad, international relationships, or careers that involve cross-cultural interactions.your spouse may have pursued advanced studies or have a career in academia, teaching, or guiding others in some capacity. They might value knowledge and continuous learning, possibly inspiring others through their wisdom and experience.Your spouse may be idealistic, advocating for causes they believe in or striving to make a positive impact on a larger scale. They could be ethical, principled, and committed to justice and fairness.They may have a cheerful disposition, seeing opportunities and possibilities even in challenging situations. Their upbeat attitude could be contagious, uplifting those around them.your spouse may have an affinity for languages or an ability to adapt to different cultural environments easily. They may enjoy learning about different customs, traditions, and languages, fostering a sense of cultural understanding and integration.

💖 10th house: your spouse is likely to be ambitious, driven, and focused on their career goals. They may aspire to positions of authority, leadership roles, or recognition in their profession. Their identity and sense of self-worth may be strongly tied to their achievements and career success.They may strive to maintain a positive image in the eyes of others and uphold their integrity and credibility. Their actions and decisions may often be influenced by how they are perceived in their professional and social spheres.Your spouse may receive recognition and accolades for their hard work and accomplishments. They may strive for excellence in their chosen field and be motivated by the desire to achieve significant milestones and goals. Their achievements may bring them a sense of pride and fulfillment. There may be a need to balance their professional goals with personal life. Your spouse may invest considerable time and energy into their career, which could impact their family dynamics and relationships. Finding harmony between work and personal life may be an ongoing challenge. your spouse may have had influential authority figures or mentors who guided them in their career path. They may have learned valuable lessons from leaders in their field and benefited from mentorship or guidance that shaped their professional development.your spouse may have strong public speaking abilities and effective communication skills. They may excel in presenting ideas and networking with other people.

💖11th house : Your spouse may possess a visionary mindset, capable of seeing beyond current limitations and envisioning innovative solutions or possibilities for the future. They may inspire others with their forward-thinking ideas and aspirations.Your spouse may have a natural affinity for technology, whether it's through their career, hobbies, or social connection.Your spouse may have a diverse and influential network of friends, colleagues, or acquaintances. They may excel in building and maintaining relationships that span different social circles, which could benefit them professionally or personally.They may be actively involved in community initiatives, social groups, or online communities that align with their interests and values. Their contributions could range from advocacy for social causes to organizing events that promote collective well-being. They may advocate for social justice issues or champion reforms that contribute to a more equitable society. Your fs may have entrepreneurial inclinations , particularly in the areas of technology, innovation or social enterprise. They may be drawn to startups or ventures that harness creativity and connectivity for positive impact.They may have a keen interest in future trends, whether it's in technology, social movements, or cultural shifts. Their ability to anticipate changes and adapt accordingly could be a valuable asset in both personal and professional endeavors.

💖12th house : your spouse may have a rich inner life and be introspective by nature. They may value solitude and contemplation, finding spiritual fulfillment through practices like meditation, prayer, or introspective self-reflection.They may be drawn to helping professions or volunteer work that allows them to make a difference in people’s lives.Your spouse may have a talent for creative expression through music, art, writing, or other forms of artistic endeavor.Your spouse may have a deep interest in psychology, psychotherapy, or exploring the hidden aspects of the human psyche. They may be introspective about their own motivations, fears, and desires, seeking to understand themselves on a profound level. This introspective journey may also lead them to explore esoteric or mystical teachings.Your spouse may prefer peaceful, serene surroundings where they can retreat and recharge. They may have a knack for creating sacred spaces or environments conducive to relaxation and inner peace.They may have a quiet determination and inner fortitude that allows them to overcome obstacles and setbacks with grace and perseverance.The 12th house is often associated with karmic themes, past lives, and spiritual healing. Your spouse may be on a path of spiritual growth and transformation, seeking to resolve past issues or karma through self-awareness, forgiveness, and healing practices.

Thanks for reading 💓

- PIKO 💖

[cosmicstarlatte]

Can I request Obey Me characters with a busty girl? It's like she's in pain all day, has bad posture and lacks self-confidence, is constantly criticized, can't dress the way she wants.

comforting busty mc

tags: demon bros, busty reader, fluff/comfort, short headcanons // thank you for the request, i hope this is comforting~ ♡ ^^

"come here."

when lucifer notices you complaining about your back, he glances at his workload & looks back to you. you already deal with so much on a daily basis, mainly with the antics of his brothers. he is grateful for you & knows you deserve some relief. he pushes his work to the side & offers you a hand. he guides you to his room & gives you a soft massage, promising to help you when available. he'd do anything for his little lamb.

"y-you look great...goldie! do your thing!"

when mammon hears you beating yourself up over your clothes, he takes your hand & drags you away on a shopping trip, with asmo tagging along. they spend the whole day helping you pick out clothes you like & always wanted, having them tailored just for you if needed. no one is excluded from wearing what they want, not on their watch! through out the day, mammon handed goldie over & over. never once regretting it as he looked to his side, catching your dazzling eyes & smile that thanked him.

"don't listen to them, okay?"

when levi notices you at r.a.d. getting teased & criticized for your busty size, he doesn't stand for it. he immediately unleashes a wrath upon the lower demons, one that satan would be proud of. it's one thing to bully him, but you? no no no. he finds you & comforts you, letting you know how much he & so many others love you. he does go on a long rant on how stupid bullies are, making you laugh & agree with him, making you feel better.

"let me know if this helps, otherwise i''ll keep looking."

when satan heard your complaints of daily pains, he knew he had to figure out a way to help. he set on researching natural remedies. he consulted with barbatos on magical teas with pain-relief properties & made his own special blend for you. he passed by your room with a little basket filled with the tea blend, a book, & a small little kitty plushie tucked carefully inside. he offered a neck & shoulder rub, letting you know it was no issue if you needed him.

"hon, you look magnificent!"

when asmo hears of your wardrobe woes, he wasn't having it. he worked with mammon to take you on the shopping trip of your dreams. of course, after so many new clothes, he had to throw a fashion show for you at home. the guys went crazy complimenting you, reminding you how beautiful you've always been. asmo loved the new confident smile on your face, it melted his heart. he knew the others felt the same.

"call me. i'll always be here."

when beel hears you crying over your image, he immediately embraces you & offers sweet honest compliments. he knows it takes time to be comfortable with oneself, but he will always support you. he offers a smile & reminds you that you can always call on him if you're down or, if needed, to scare your bullies. you deserve to feel comfortable & he will do anything he can to make it happen.

"lets help each other out."

when belphie notices you complaining about your posture, he gets an idea. why not work together & kindly help each other point out when the other slouches? it works well for the two of you, sometimes even helping each other out with small massages at the end of the day. he makes a point to remind you how precious you are & to never forget it.

⬦ you might also like: pick-me-up︱two a.m.︱mc feeling insecure

[anonymousbeefriendfanfics]

*barges in again and makes self at home*

Hi againnn! I really loved how you wrote my Gaming req 🫶🫶 but you already heard me screech about it.

Might I suggest some sleepy headcannons for either Shalom, Langley or Zoya in Path to Nowhere?

Like their night-time routine with their lover and stuff like that?

I like how you say 'either' as if I won't write all three of them for you, my silly child <3 This was a super sweet request though, thank you!

Fandom: Path to Nowhere

Characters: Shalom, Langley, Zoya

Warnings: Excessively fluffy, mild spice in Zoya's.

Nighttime Routines

Shalom

Shalom is honestly just. So so so soft for this. I think she absolutely lives for nighttime routines, and doing them with her lover??? Ten million times better than doing them alone.

She likes to bathe in the evenings to wash away all of the sweat and dirt from the day and get all nice and clean before bed. On her own, she often just showers, but with you she would prefer to run a nice bath, soaking in the warm water together and washing each other.

Once you're out of the bath and all dried off, she does her nighttime skincare routine. I feel like she'd take really good care of her skin, especially on her face - she uses a special face wash because her skin is sensitive, then follows it up with a nice moisturizer. She probably also uses a gentle face scrub every week or so. Once that's done, she applies a nice buttery lotion to her body, asking you to help her with the harder-to-reach spots.

She'd be more than happy to help you with your routine as well, if you'd like, or she'd use her products on you if you want her to. Unrelated to nighttime routines, but a spa day with Shalom??? So nice. She'd pamper you so well. Maybe I should write that next.

Anyway, after she's bathed and put on her robe, her go-to nighttime activity is usually reading. She likes to settle in a comfy chair in her bedroom and read until she gets sleepy. Depending on your tastes, she'll adjust a bit once you start dating - she's happy to talk for a bit while you both wind down, or read your own books together, or even snuggle up and take turns reading together. She'd also happily read to you, if that's more your thing.

She also enjoys having a nice cup of tea and occasionally some light bedtime snacks while she reads and relaxes for the evening, so she'll definitely make those for you two and deliver them on a delicate silver tray. It's like a little sleepytime tea party!!

Once she's actually ready for bed, she's definitely a snuggler. She wants you close, she wants to hold you and feel safe and loved in your arms. She also smells so incredibly good - she always does, but especially after using all of the delightfully scented products after her shower. It's such a calming, soothing scent, and it suits her very well.

Langley

Langley doesn't have a super complicated nighttime routine, mostly because she doesn't have the time for something like that. However, she does implement a few things, mostly just to help her unwind and shift her mindset out of work mode.

She starts by drinking a cup of calming tea, as opposed to the energizing blends of tea or coffee she drinks throughout the day to keep her focused. The taste alone is enough to begin the mental transition, and she often seems to zone out a bit while sipping her tea as her mind slowly begins to shut down after another long day.

If you're still awake to join her for her nighttime tea, you often talk about how the day went. She tells you a few of the more interesting non-confidential things that happened throughout the day, and you quietly decompress together.

She often takes a quick shower before bed to get all clean and help clear her head. Sometimes she'll skip it and shower in the morning instead if it's extremely late or she's too tired. You'd be more than welcome to join her, of course, even though it easily triples the amount of time she'd normally take. She's gotta take care of you, after all~

She usually just washes her face with water, but she does apply a nice moisturizer afterwards. It smells really nice, and it helps relax her. If you'd like, you can use it, too. She'll even apply it for you if you want her to.

After her little routine, she usually goes straight to bed. She's such a busy person that she doesn't have time for a lengthy nighttime routine, and she's gotta get plenty of sleep to wake up early in the morning, after all. Her favorite way to fall asleep is with you in her arms, preferably with your head on her chest. She plays with your hair until she inevitably drifts off.

Zoya

Zoya doesn't really have a nighttime routine before she comes to the MBCC. She's never seen much use for one, and trying to find the time and resources in Syndicate was... not very easy.

If you were to ask her about her nighttime routine, she'd look confused, and hesitantly answer, "...I go to sleep? What kinda question is that?"

The first thing that becomes part of her routine is taking a quick (or not-so-quick, if you're involved) shower before bed to wash off all the sweat and grime from the day. She's always busy working out, training, and going on missions, so it's nice and relaxing to get clean after all that.

There is one thing that has been part of her nighttime routine for years, though. She needs to get off before she sleeps. It started because night was the only time she could really take the time to take care of her own needs, but it's also the best way she's found to shut her brain off and relax her enough to go to sleep quickly and easily. Of course, if you're in the mood as well, this often leads to both of you finishing multiple times before you pass out together.

She wants to sleep holding you. It's part of her instinct to be on guard and protect you during your sleep, even if it's no longer necessary. You're either tangled together with her arms securely around your waist, or she's spooning you from behind. Either way, she needs you close so she knows you're safe and sound. Sometimes you have to struggle to get away from her if you have to get up in the middle of the night, but she's a pretty light sleeper, so once she wakes up and realizes where you're going, she'll reluctantly release you. You'd better hurry, though, because she's not going back to sleep until you're back in her arms, and if you take too long, you'll have a grumpy, sleepy Zoya showing up to toss you over her shoulder and carry you back to bed.

Writing Masterlist 🐝 Requests Open! Tag List 🐝 @mossmosis

[watched-kettle]

Fandom : The Magnus Archives

Characters : Martin Blackwood ( me ) , Jonathan Sims ( f/o )

Word Count : 776

( I'm falling a bit behind, so today is a two-in-one day ! + banners and prompts from : @strawbeaniie )

Martin putters around the kitchen, humming to himself as he works on a new tea blend that Jon will inevitably have to try and give a detailed review on. That was routine after all; weekends were reserved for hobbies away from all of the scary institute business, and Martin had spent all day baking earl grey biscuits and perfecting the tea they would eventually have with it as they wound down for the evening.

Jon sat at the kitchen table, resting one of his legs on top of the other and enjoying Martin's presence while he browsed various topics on his laptop. Usually he was looking into cryptids, a subject that he'd enjoyed since childhood even if he wasn't exactly sure where he fell on the believer-to-skeptic scale. He randomly spouted facts he found interesting, using his smooth voice to recite the information in a way that Martin found not only comprehensible, but also endlessly endearing.

Today was a bit different though, he had his eyes set on fairytales, curiosity overtaking his features as he looked over stories like 'Little Red Riding Hood' and 'Hansel and Gretel'. "These are a bit morbid to be children's stories, aren't they?" Jon mumbles to himself.

"What is?" Martin asks softly, glancing in Jon's direction and getting a look at his screen. "Oh, fairytales? Wait— You haven't heard of them before? With all your reading you've surely picked up one or two..."

Jon shakes his head after a moment of thought. "My grandmother wasn't the sort to keep fantasy material around... she was afraid it would rot my brain I think. On top of that, all of my books were from a local library that didn't have a children's section." He explains.

Martin's eyes widen and he quickly decides that his tea endeavors are over. "Jon— we have to watch one! I mean... they aren't the peak of fiction by any means... but fairytales are a right of passage!" He insists eagerly, the idea of being cuddled up on the couch already sitting firmly in his mind. Jon gives an amused smile, enjoying the way Martin's eyes light up in excitement, making him unable to deny the proposal.

"I suppose I'm amenable... as long as those biscuits and tea make it to the couch with us, the smell has been taunting me all day." Jon replies, standing and stretching. Martin simply gives a quick nod and gets to work putting everything together. "Go ahead and sit down, I'll be right over!" The busy man concludes, already back to humming as he puts the kettle on.

It doesn't take long for Jon to get settled, unfolding a blanket in anticipation for one of his favourite activities; cuddling his boyfriend. Jon had always been focused on sensations and textures, and shortly after he began dating Martin he quickly decided that Martin himself was his favourite thing to feel. The softness of his skin covered in soft patches of hair, his general doughiness that was just so delightful to squish and bury himself in, how carefully his pudgy fingers moved through his hair. He couldn't get enough.

Martin follows shortly after, two mugs of his new tea blend balanced in one hand as the other balances a plate of the biscuits he had made. He sets them both on the coffee table before carefully pressing a kiss to Jon's forehead, unable to help himself as he sees the Archivist already snuggled in a blanket. Jon leans into the kiss before opening the blanket in invitation. Martin happily plops down next to his love, picking the scrawny man up with ease as he situates himself and pulls Jon into his lap.

Jon hums happily, nuzzling against Martin's cheek before pressing a kiss there and reaching for a biscuit and one of the mugs. He dunks the biscuits and takes a bite, immediately groaning in delight at the taste and mouth feel. "You've.. absolutely outdone yourself." Jon mumbles between finishing the biscuit. Martin giggles and gives a sheepish, yet appreciative smile. "Glad you think so." He plucks a biscuit for himself and his own mug, humming as he enjoys his own efforts.

After a moment of just enjoying being close to each other and the delicious tea and biscuits; Jon speaks again. "So... what fairytale will we be diving into then?" Martin, having almost forgotten, sets his mug down and grabs the remote. "I was thinking Pinocchio? It's my childhood favourite." He responds, flipping the telly on. "Ah, the wooden boy? Yes, that seems good." Jon murmers in agreement, setting his own mug down and nuzzling in close against Martin as the film begins to play.

[sicklyseraphnsuch]

RotG and HiJack Recs

Alright, I'm building this list because some of these fics are just a tad dusty, and they could use more love. (A lot more love, I am literally dying from how much I adored these.) But note that a good few are incomplete.

Let's start with:

INCOMPLETE FICS

The Long Road:

Presently Gen, but Hiccup very much falls for Jack. He does however retain his feelings for Astrid, so bear that in mind. There's the classic Viking mindset when it comes to homosexual relationships that's pretty much giving Hiccup like a lot of anxiety.

But beyond that! I cannot shower this fic with enough praises! It gives me the same sort of excitement that the RotG movie does. Jack's characterization is Spot On. He's friendly and outgoing and also incredibly secretive and flighty. It balances out Jack's blunt mannerisms with a joyous charm and just that hint of vulnerability (which he keeps so well hidden lol).

The plots take place after HttyD, during the Riders of Berk TV series. Jack is folded into the Dragon Rider group who considers him some kind of Elf. Yes, this is Jack Frost in all his frosty glory. The way the story builds on a solid foundation of camaraderie and friendship, giving plenty of scenes to show how Hiccup and Jack became great friends, lends well to the Hiccup's realization of: "Oh I'm into him". Without giving too many spoilers, that "oh" moment is forever ingrained into my memory because of how PERFECTLY timed it is.

This blends Guardians of Childhood book verse with HttyD book verse, mostly via cameos over lore. Overall, a beautiful, fun, and simply enchanting read. I cannot recommend this enough.

A Story about Ice, Dragon Fire, and Belief:

Another gen fic. Mostly, it's about North looking at Jack and going, "he's my son now", and Jack having absolutely none of it. When placed together with Stoik and Hiccup's relationship, it becomes an almost interesting study of contrasts. North is the guy who's trying to prove something to a boy that he disappointed. Hiccup is the guy who's trying to prove something to a man that he disappointed. But ultimately, it ends up the same with a schism forming between the two pairs the harder one of them tries to breach it.

Also, it talks about how Jack is a force of fucking nature? And his blizzards can kill and have killed in the past? There's a little bit of trying to reconcile that with his new ID as a guardian. North is not doing a great job helping here.

But really the Crown Jewel of this fic is North and Berk's reactions to North (and by proxy his relationship to Jack). We go a little into the historical Viking side of things (like the pillaging et al), and apply that lens to this jolly old man. Let's just say some troubling (hilarious) assumptions are drawn. Also...

Everyone loves the sleigh.

I think this is one of the few RotG and HttyD crossovers that really do a good job of merging the two movies. Primarily because it's not just Jack in Berk. And this just made me hungry for more fics where more of the RotG cast arrive as Berk, and be just 100% fantastical and strange as the bedtime stories they are. Put some respect on the Guardians name, if you know what I'm saying.

In the Shadows of My Mind:

This one is an RotG only fic. No pairings except for whatever's going on between Pitch and Nightlight (and by proxy Jack). It's not a for real pairing. That said, it's such a complex and intricate relationship that doesn't resemble a romance but remains markedly intimate. Basically, this fic takes advantage of Pitch and Nightlight's ridiculously long history then throws Jack into the mix. Alive, human Jack in an early 18th century colonial town wherein he very recently did not drown (and boy, isn't that suspicious?)

My favorite thing about this fic is how spot on the dialogue feels? The lexicon, the syntax feels true to the time its set in. Although, I can't say that it is accurate as I'm not an expert of this time period in this region. Regardless, it certainly appears that a good stack of research went into this.

All that said, this fic has captured Bill Joyce's writing style the best, but with a deeper, more complex, more mature layer underpining that bedtime like vibe. There's a good host of OCs but genuinely, I didn't notice them as OCs. I could really believe they were characters of Joyce's books. Not to mention, they feel like fully fleshed out individuals even if they have like maybe two paragraphs of screentime.

The entire premise hinges on the idea of "what if Jack survived the skating accident" and everyone's reactions to that, as well as... the hidden secret thing that involves Nightlight. GoC spoilers are hinted so beware. But the little interplay between Nightlight and Jack is such a delicious little mystery, and also makes me so sad. These two boys deserved better.

Then we throw in Pitch for fun, because Pitch is always fun, and he just makes the whole thing even more complicated or as Jack calls it, "unnatural". But he's not even the main villain. It's Christianity. JK. That said, the fic does explore the idea of well, how would a fairly backwater colony be able to explain how Jack survived or... the powers that's slowly revealing itself from within him. There's a particularly nasty boy (around Jack's age), who is an OC and I believe an exceptionally well placed one. The OC understood his role to play and he plays it fantastically. Everytime he shows up, I too feel scared and indignant and excited all at once.

Speaking of great OCs, shoutout to Jack's Da. His appearances are brief but the impact is maximized with each appearance. He has that sense of realism and whimsy baked into him that I could gush endlessly about.

Overall, just a pure delight to read. Will re-read again and again.

Zastruga:

Total Gen fic. And a classic in my opinion.

I started reading this when I was in college - note the publish date. Nevermind the update date. Because even after all these years, this story? Still good. Still very very good.

This takes the original RotG plot and makes it more epic, and also more sad. RotG was very joyful at its core, which this fic somehow manages to retain. But it's just under a layer of sad. It's not overwhelming angst though, just enough to really pinch your heart.

Also whereas the movie has a few epic battles before things go really wrong, this fic stretches that out into a proper war against Pitch (and Jack). That's right. Jack is with Pitch ala Mother Gothel/Judge Frollo style. Jack isn't locked up entirely. He's given just enough rope to hang himself with. Mind the Jack whump is what I'm saying. But also do note that Jack's character remains as steadfast and loyal as he ever was in RotG, so the whump just hits nicer since this Jack isn't so irrevocably changed.

I have re-read this before. I will re-read this again. Nevermind the incomplete status. There's plenty of chapters that simply give me great joy.

COMPLETE FICS

It's the Great Spirit Sleigh, Hiccup Haddock:

Gen fic, in that there's no pairing actively getting together. But remains faithful to the original canon's hinted love interests. So Hiccup has a big crush on Astrid and Jack leans towards Tooth. That said, the relationship between Hiccup and Jack is just plain adorable and also heart-wrenching. They care about each other. So Much.

Now this is just a good holiday cheer. It literally has the Hallmark movie template, which is the point really. You know, the whole "oh no, a holiday is ruined" followed by "clever and charming ways to fix the holiday". With Hiccup and Jack taking the starring roles.

If you know your Hallmark movies, then you know that the leads get together in the end. And they don't in this fic. But the amount of "Gosh do I care about you" is so good. It's a lot of hurt and a lot of comfort. And I am here for it.

Also, this fic was completed way before the HttyD 3 movie so it doesn't have a canon compliant ending. That may be a bonus for some of you.

Scary Monsters and Super Creeps:

Pre JackRabbit (Bunny/Jack). But honestly the pairing isn't the main focus, mostly that Jack and Bunny admit to liking each other (but not to each other). So their dynamic remains in the best bros category. The pairing mostly shows through the plot machinations.

So long story short, Pitch opens the Guardian-Verse and recruits the other versions of the Guardians - the corrupt versions. And it's good, action/adventure fun. There's some gore, so mind that. Because the corrupt versions are nasty little things that fight dirty. Which makes the action feel like there's legit stakes. Also makes for a quick read because you must know what happens next? Did they get out of this sticky situation? Are they going to be okay? That sort of thing.

[tineymang]

i finished doing an updated reference of my explorers of sky team!! these guys live rent free in my head i like them a lot (some fun facts under the cut because i have too much to say about them)

circuit

was found by mello passed out on the beach, with no memories other than their name, and the fact they were once human…

had the scars on their horn and fin from the moment they woke up on the beach, and never figured out why they had them until they went to dark crater

the main navigator and also the cartographer of the group! they carry the wonder map with them, along with a feather pen and paper for mapping out the floors of mystery dungeons

was originally always the leader, but often now they will switch between themselves and mello depending on the situation

came up with the team name! they think it is very cool and nobody else except for mello agrees.

has a habit of rushing into fights without thinking, so they often need to duck behind mello for cover when things get dicey

only stores light things in their bag, like their paper and a few healing items in case of an emergency. they will also often hold onto items that need to be delivered to clients so they don't get mixed up with other equipment

they offered to carry mello's bag once and were immediately squished by it, and now they are permanently banned from carrying anything heavy.

mello

formed a team with circuit after the two joined wigglytuff's guild together

a lighter color than most mudkip! the 'splotchy' or spotty patterns she has are also a common trait of water types, possibly because it helps them blend into the water more

her gills are curved and her head fin is longer than normal, which causes it to fold over because of the extra weight. these are only aesthetic differences, and don't affect anything about their functionality!

keeps track of the job requests, usually has a bulleted list she keeps on her. likewise she also keeps an eye out for the items and/or pokemon they need to find in dungeons

has a fascination with all things ancient and mysterious. she has a growing collection of aged books, even in subjects she doesn't have much interest in.

also enjoys collecting various odd objects, and souvenirs from the places she's been! she decorates sharpedo bluff with them.

originally carried the bulk of items they found in dungeons, but after luna joined mello now only carries equipment (orbs, scarves, etc.), while luna carries treasure (boxes, poke, etc.)

one of her favorite hobbies is reading, she finds it's a good way to wind down after an exploration. recently, she has taken up journaling as well.

stripe

met circuit and mello when they explored sky peak together, and she joined the team soon after!

grew up in a colder climate, hence their extra fur

trained at marowak dojo following her joining the team, in an attempt to match the levels of circuit and mello. her brown bow is from marowak!

handles inventory management, took over for circuit who did it prior. she insists she doesn't mind, she finds it satisfying to do.

doesn't speak very often, except to people that they're comfortable with. because of her easygoing nature, she's often the first one other members of the team come to for advice!

has their own home where they live by themselves, but they stay at sharpedo bluff enough that they consider it their second home

one of her favorite spots is spinda's cafe, they enjoy sitting down and crowd watching. mello likes to join her sometimes!

stripe exclusively holds onto healing items like reviver seeds, so they're able to quickly grab one if someone is in a pinch.

mana

joined the team after they came to sharpedo bluff to return to the place they hatched!

has the same kind of splotchy patterning as mello! this is only by pure coincidence, though.

circuit and mello are very protective of mana following their illness when they were young, but they insist they are able to handle themselves.

has the occasional mischievous streak in which they find it entertaining to intentionally scare their parents. i wonder who they get that from…

being the most recent recruit to team epic squad, mana is still figuring out exactly where their specialties lie. but that doesn't mean they're not trying their best!

never quite figured out who exactly it was that left mana's egg alone in the middle of the ocean. circuit has some strongly worded things to say to them if they ever encountered them.

they view mello and circuit as their parents, and walrein is more like an uncle to them. they still see walrein on occasion when he comes to visit treasure town!

carries no bag, only their defense scarf. circuit and mello worry about them straining themselves, so they will usually not bring any items with them.

luna

joined the team after the fight at dark crater!

really not a fan of the team name, but also trying really hard not to be rude about it. she will often refer to it as 'team epic' for short.

not used to having casual conversations with pokemon, so she often will come across as stilted when speaking. instead of names she will default to referring to a pokemon by their position (ie the kecleon brothers are shopkeeps, chatot is head of intelligence, etc)

because of how long she's been around, she has a knack for spotting rare or unusual items! she is not particularly good at estimating monetary value, however.

having trouble figuring out how to relax now that she doesn't have to focus on thwarting any world-ending plots. the rest of the team has gradually been working on getting her to loosen up more

enjoys the company of the future trio, celebi in particular. they like to discuss "legendary pokemon things", as celebi puts it.

has reasons for joining the team beyond finding the work of exploration teams fascinating. she has not told anyone what those reasons are, though.

carries all the various treasure the team finds! she has a liking for any especially shiny objects.

also as a bonus for making it thru the fun facts heres the old reference i did of team epic squad (around 2021 i think??) which this one was a redraw of! (and i also added luna)

[archive-of-the-lost]

𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 @tillichan

❀ Rose — What made them realize that they’re in love with you?

He didn't really think about the depth of his feelings towards you at first, only knowing that he wanted to spend as much time with you as possible. It was Yuji and Nobara who made him realise he's been in love with you for a while. They were teasing him about how his camera roll is mostly you, and how he'll look at you with the softest eyes while you talk. He reflexively denied it at first, but after checking his camera roll and seeing that photos of you were indeed the majority, he had to think about what that means. The conclusion was so obvious he felt silly for not realising it sooner.

❀ Lilac — What are they like when they're in love? Is it obvious for others? How do they express their feelings?

It's hard to tell the difference between him treating you as a treasured friend and him being in love with you. It's not super obvious, but some signs are there, the ones Yuji and Nobara picked up on. Besides taking lots of pictures of you and looking at you fondly, he's also more tolerating of your antics (compared to Yuji and Nobara who are often faced with his deadpan stare).

❀ Aster — Courting/flirting headcanons.

♡ He summons his demon dogs more often, so you can play with them. Partly because it's fun to spend time with them and you, partly because he wants them to help him seem more endearing to you. His dogs can sense his true feelings, and often push at him and you while playing so you both knock into each other.

♡ He gives you little gifts! Like the snacks you like, tea or coffee, and face masks. He'll also lend you his copy of a book he enjoyed, wanting to see if you like it too. You can always return it if you don't wish to keep it. If you read it and like it, you both can talk about it!

♡ Even after realising he's in love with you, he doesn't act much different than usual. To him, friendship and romantic love aren't so different that he would change into a different person around you. However, he does find that he becomes more sensitive towards you and your feelings. He's happy when you're happy. He's the first to notice when you're feeling sad and he'll try to make you feel better. He notices when someone is making you uncomfortable and steps in. Whatever it is you're feeling, he's particularly attentive to it.

❀ Tulip — How would they confess to you?

It happens during a quiet moment. Late at night on a Friday, you were in his room, watching a movie on his laptop together with him. He leaves shortly after the climax of the movie, when the story starts to wind down, and comes back holding a bowl. "I made you something," he says, looking at the laptop instead of at you. It's hard to tell in the dark room, but you're almost sure his cheeks are darker than the rest of his face. "Oh! What is it?" You reach out to receive the bowl. Inside you find chocolate-covered strawberries, winking at you tantalizingly. "Thank you, Megumi! These look really good!" Megumi sits down beside you as you pop one of the strawberries in your mouth, savouring the wonderful blend of rich chocolate and strawberry sourness. "I have to tell you something." You turn to face him. "Hm?" You don't speak with your mouth full. He was looking at you at first, but when you turn to him, he shifts his gaze to his lap. The movie ends behind you, end credits rolling to a soft, romantic song. "I... I think I'm in love with you. I have been for a while now. I don't know when it started, it just...did. Now everything seems brighter thanks to you."

❀ Freesia — Firsts headcanons. Where/when/how was your first meeting, first date, first kiss, first time they said I love you.

♡ Gojo introduced you to him after Nanami brought you to Jujutsu Tech. It was before the start of a new semester, before you both would be admitted into Jujutsu Tech as first years. Gojo was being annoying, telling Megumi that he had a friend now before you both could even say anything to each other. Once Gojo left for you both to get to know each other, the both of you talked while taking a walk around campus. You made a good impression on him with your gentle, friendly demeanor. Though the same could not be said as much for his impression on you, as he was a bit quiet and awkward.

♡ For your first date with him, Megumi took you to a cute cafe. There you both could talk in private, with no risk of any of your friends coming to look for either of you, and try out their desserts with chocolate, honey and/or berries to your liking. The decor was not too lavish, but still picturesque. A perfect location in Megumi's opinion. He took lots of pictures of you, urging you to pose with some of the cafe's animal figurines and fake flower arrangements.

♡ It was, admittedly, not as romantic as you both were dreaming of. It can't be helped. The both of you were young, inexperienced, navigating romance with only an idea of what it might look like through books and movies. On your walk home after your first date, it started raining. Heavily. You both quickly ran to the nearest shelter, which happened to be a row of shop lots. Despite your quick reaction, the both of you were still quite wet. Worried about you, Megumi wipes at your face with his jacket sleeve. It does a better job at drying your face than your bare hands at least. With every rough swipe at your face by the fabric, you can't help but giggle. Megumi starts laughing too, your laughter infectious. He stares into your eyes, mirthful smile frozen on his face. Lightning flashes. Sparks fly between the both of you. He leans in for a kiss, but his foot slips on the wet floor and your lips end up crashing together instead of smoothly connecting as intended. It didn't hurt that much. The embarrassment probably hurt more. You both burst into laughter again.

♡ He says it 2 weeks after you both began dating. You both were coming back to the dorms after a date night, stopping by your door to say goodbye. He gives your hand a squeeze as you open your door before unclasping your joined hands. "Goodnight," he says fondly. And then, a little softer. "I love you." He doesn't leave until you say it back. But it might have taken a while from how flustered you were.

❀ Daisy — How easy is it to embarrass them? What can you do to fluster them and make them melt?

It's not very hard to make him flustered. But given your passive and well-mannered personality, it might be difficult for you for you to get him really flustered, flushing a beet red. That being said, your soft personality also has its charms. Flashing one of your blinding smiles, gently taking his hand, and complimenting him in a foreign language he doesn't understand will never fail to make him melt a bit. Look out for when he can't look you in the eye.

❀ Hyacinth — Jealousy headcanons. Are they likely to get jealous? What do they do when they feel jealous?

He doesn't get jealous easily when it comes to mutual friends. If Yuji puts an arm around you, he doesn't think much of it because Yuji is a tactile person, he'll put his arm around anyone he likes. But when it comes to people he's unfamiliar with, then he might get a little jealous. You're approachable and friendly, so people often talk to you when you go to the city. Megumi will feel jealous and protective when young men try to flirt with you, especially if you seem to not mind their company (the nice ones who don't yet know you have a boyfriend). He won't do anything bad or embarrassing of course, just go over to introduce himself as your boyfriend, then hover close to you while you carry on with your conversation. If the guy leaves soon after, great. If he doesn't and gives you his phone number anyway, claiming that he wants to be friends, Megumi isn't so controlling that he would stop you from being friends with someone. Maybe the guy really does just want to be friends. If the guy continues to flirt to the point that you get uncomfortable... Well. Megumi's delinquent side might appear.

❀ Daffodil — Love triangle headcanons. The character who has a crush on you and how does your s/o react to their crush?

Toge has a crush on you. He's quiet, often has most of his face hidden behind his collar (can't see him blushing~), and isn't the type to make a move on you knowing you and Megumi are in a happy relationship. So it took a while for Megumi to notice Toge's crush on you. He found out on accident, when he saw the way Toge looked at you while you healed a cut on his arm he got while on a mission. It was so soft and full of adoration. Megumi felt the urge to look away, not wanting to intrude on such an intimate moment between the two of you. Even if Toge has a crush on you, you both are still friends. These two, they're on friendly terms, so they're quite sensitive to each other's feelings. Megumi approached Toge in private later that day, just to clear things up with him. Toge made it clear that he wasn't intending to intrude on Megumi's relationship with you. Megumi thanked him. And that's that. The both of them are still on good terms with each other, and Toge remains respectful in his friendship with you.

❀ Iris — What do their friends and family think about your relationship?

♡ Gojo finds you both adorable!! He practically raised Megumi for half of the boy's life, so he sometimes gets emotional when he sees you both happy together. "My baby has grown up so well!" He wipes a (fake) tear away as Megumi goes over to attack him. Really though, he can see that you both make each other very happy, so he's fully supportive of your relationship. It's good to see Megumi smile more.

♡ Yuji and Nobara consider themselves the reason your relationship exists. If it weren't for their teasing, Megumi probably wouldn't have examined his feelings for at least a few more years. They even had a bet on when he would confess (Nobara won). They're super supportive too of course! They like to tease the both of you sometimes, but Megumi is usually the main victim. Nobara also often tells you to tell her if Megumi upsets you so she can hit him for you, even though you both know that will never happen. It's just her way of supporting you.

❀ Forget-me-not — Their favorite memory with you?

If you were to ask him this, he wouldn't be able to give you a definite answer because so many of his memories with you are precious. But! The first thing that comes to his mind is the image of you both cuddled up on the couch, his demon dogs laying on your laps, dozing off. He pets the black dog's ears with one hand, his other busy gentle carding through your soft hair. It's cosy and peaceful. He wishes these moments would last longer every time.

[fictionadventurer]

I happened to see a good chunk of the Netflix Persuasion. I can't give a complete review or analysis or whatever, but I have thoughts.

This movie has some very pretty colors. I like cool color palettes, what can I say?

There was one shot of a purple sunset where I was like, "Oh, I could live in this picture."

The aesthetic was so trendy I couldn't take it seriously. The clothes were that 2019 Little Women cottagecore vibe with lots of poorly-fitted textures and layers and colors. I laughed out loud at the Big White Text announcing LYME or BATH, because it's such a specific vibe.

I tried to detach from any notion of it as an Austen adaptation, and just enjoy it as its own movie that just happens to take place in a history-flavored fantasy world where everyone uses modern speech. Because sometimes those stories can be fun. It still didn't work.

Because it mostly just confused me. It was this weird mish-mash of genres and tones that didn't really blend together. Oil and water. It was Pinterest and Hallmark and Austen and College Humor and Instagram and Feminism and it's all felt like it came from completely different movies.

It was trying to be a sincere period drama love story and a goofy parody at the same time and it just didn't work.

Like, there were some sweet moments in it. Anne talking about poetry to Captain Benwick was rather nice.

But then you've got things like the weird octopus-sucking-my-face story Anne tells at Lady Dalrymple's. Even that could have worked okay in context, because Mr. Eliot jumps in and turns it into a metaphor about identity, which helps to cover for Anne's awkwardness and shows that he's willing to help her out. But then they keep bringing up the octopus as a sort of pet name and it's just so weird and doesn't fit with the rest of the story.

I've gotten ahead of myself so I'm going to backtrack to some specifics.

Mary Musgrove was excellent. Spot-on. I love how she's visibly younger than Anne. First adaptation I've seen that emphasizes that.

It was interesting how they emphasized the Mrs. Clay storyline. It actually sparked some interesting thoughts about the differences between the male social climbing of the sailors (shown in a positive light in Austen) and the female social climbing of the marriage-seeking ladies (shown in a more negative light).

I've never had a clearer picture of why Mrs. Clay matters so much to Mr. Elliot. Even in the book, it's a bit muddy, but it's crystal clear here. Mr. Elliot telling us his schemes straight-out did have the benefit of making the story very easy to follow.

I've got to back up again.

They completely altered the Anne/Wentworth storyline by mixing around all the plot points.

After they go to Bath, Wentworth seeks out Anne, says that they haven't had a chance to talk, and tells her how he always admired how good she was in an emergency. And this was before the staircase scene. I was extremely confused, until it hit me--this is a dream sequence! This is how Anne wants it to play out, but then she'll wake up!

But no! This actually happened! Wentworth says all this very sincerely and passionately, leading up to him declaring...that he wants to be friends. (At least there's context for "We're worse than exes--we're friends.")

It completely alters the trajectory of their relationship. Instead of jumping from the passion of hatred to the passion of love, Wentworth has gone to the other end of the pole--friendly indifference. He likes Anne and is totally okay with her marrying someone else.

I think they changed it so Mr. Elliot could be a serious contender in the love triangle. Wentworth has let her go--can she find happiness with someone else? I'll admit it's an interesting change, even if it's not Persuasion.

But it also seems like they're trying to make Wentworth a Suitable Love Interest for the Twitter Generation. Wentworth gets weirdly bristly with Mr. Elliot. Then Wentworth apologizes because Anne is a strong woman who doesn't need his protection. He tells her she should have been able to be an admiral. He's being mature and letting go of his resentment and wishing her well and showing that he doesn't like Regency Gender Roles. It's like they're shaving away his character growth in favor of a bland Nontoxic Relationship (TM).

But then Anne likes Mr. Elliot because he's bad? He openly talks about how he's trying to wreck her father's relationship to get the title. He insults her family. And she likes it.

This version of Anne holds her family in contempt. She doesn't like them or how they treat her and she openly disdains it. So she connects with Mr. Elliot. But the book Anne seems sad for her family--she doesn't like their behavior because she wishes they could be better people. She has compassion while movie Anne is resentful.

Persuasion is all about restraint. This movie is all about lack of restraint. People speak bluntly and say what they think and openly insult people. It's a completely different culture from the usual Austen movie, because it's modern culture. Which emphasizes how little we value good manners and restraint.

It's also weird how in changing the story, they also turn it into a generic rom-com. There's a more blatant love triangle between the good boy and the bad boy. Wentworth is starting to fall in love with Anne, but he's got an opportunity to advance his career, and he has to decide within a few days, oh no! It's textbook romcom plot points.

There was another point that I'll probably think of later.

EDIT: Oh, I just remembered! I think it was that the movie was so interested in the vibes and emotions of each individual scene that it didn't bother to try to stitch them together in a coherent whole.

The ending kiss looked 1000% like the cover of a cheap romance novel.

And the final moral of "don't let anyone tell you how to live your life" feels so simplistic and selfish and weird.

Overall, I'm not angry. I'm just confused. It's not the type of movie to arouse any kind of emotion other than "Huh???" And maybe a bit of regret that they couldn't have done better things with the interesting bits.

[brightblueflare]

I've been Having Thoughts about Petalnose for a while.

In canon she doesn't matter, she's just a random background queen (like many of the female characters, now that I think about it), which I think is a shame because she has a lot of potential!

The first time we hear of her is in Firestar's Quest, when Rainfur (SkC) comes to ask for help to rescue her from her abusive Twoleg. She spends a while in SkyClan, chillin', before The Rats Attack.

Then her mate dies, and she has to raise two children alone.

That alone could have been fascinating. We could have seen a traumatized widow trying to raise her children right, we could have seen SkyClan taking care of the kittens and learning how to be a community, we could've good family drama, in this series.

Then, when word gets out that the abusive Twoleg keeps mistreating cats, and my fascination with her simply grew. How would she, a heavily traumatized abuse victim, react when other people need help to escape from the Twoleg that used to be her abuser?

But that's thrown out the window. The plot point of being nervous and afraid of the abusive bastard goes to a tom and her abuse is never mentioned again.

I refuse to give the authors props for remembering she was abused, remembering the arc of the character you're writing should be the bare fucking minimum if you want to tell a story. But she didn't have an arc, from what I've seen the fandom hardly remembers her, and the development of going from abuse survivor that's afraid of their own shadow to Clan deputy goes to another character.

So, she's getting blorborified in the Blazing Sky AU.

Her character arc is still in drafts, but the basic idea is to grab her backstory and elaborate on it.

Canon says she's kind and motherly, but I feel like, if written like that, she blends a lot into Clovertail. So I'm changing it, and portraying her as I always wished she was in the books.

The story about the abusive human is something I'm keeping, but I want to expand on the consequences his mistreatment had on her. After being rescued by the newly reformed SkyClan, she's looking around nervously, wide-eyed and terrified. She's born and raised a housecat, she's never seen so many cats together before, she's only ever gone out of her home to see Rainbloom (prev. Rainfur) and her kittenhood friend Echo, and those times grew rarer as the human grew crueler.

But they're being nice to her. They offer to carry her kittens, they make sure she and her kittens are healthy, and she's given a place in their camp for as long as she wants it while the others bring her and Sage and Mint food.

At first she doesn't trust them, and refuses to let anyone see the kittens or even enter the den if Rainbloom isn't present. They respect her wishes. Clovertail even moves her nest to give her space. Rainbloom stays with her, since he isn't really a member of SkyClan and feels uneasy around the group of cats.

Slowly she begins to open up. I don't have them planned, but I want to write scenes about her interactions with the Clan, how she gets to know them, learns about the Clan, and how she begins to think of them as her friends.

She definitely befriends Clovertail during her stay. Clovertail is kind, but also confident. Sometimes she rambles, but Petal likes how it fills the silence. Plus, Clovertail's three kittens are bundles of energy that seem to adore Sage and Mint.

When she and Rainbloom choose to become SkyClan cats, everyone is happy. They have come to love her, and are thrilled to know she's staying. That's what she likes the most about SkyClan: the community, the loyalty and love all these cats feel towards each other.

She has the choice to leave. She chooses to stay.

*shakes Petalnose* I don't know man, I just think she's neat.

I'll probably do a character summary for her eventually.

[songoftrillium]

1, 7, 15, 20? :3

1. How are you feeling right now?

A mix of things. I'm planning a camping trip for the first week of November to celebrate the book launch, and its been really fun putting together stuff. I've been the usual blend of anxious handling fine details on the book, but still happy to be working on it. Definitely looking forward to it being finished!

7. What's something you love about yourself?

I think I have pretty eyes.

15. Do you have any piercings/would you want to?

Yep, I have/have had a couple of piercings. Both of my lobes, of course. I also have a single helix piercing. I used to have a labret piercing, but I get MRIs often enough that I can't keep it open long enough to heal, so I let it close up. I used to have a junk piercing before GRS, and I kind of want to do it again. The quiz doesn't mention tattoos, so I'll volunteer that I also have some stick-and-poke tattoos. I want more.

20. Do you believe in luck?

I don't. At least not in the sense of predetermination. Statistical luck where an outcome is positive and random? Yeah, a person can definitely be lucky. When you drive on a highway, you shouldn't respond to the car in front of you as much as you pay attention to the vehicle that's 3 cars ahead of you so you can anticipate the car's actions right in front of you.

I take that same approach to living, at least as best I can. I think a significant component of luck lies in recognizing circumstances that can fall wildly out of control as much as in identifying and seizing the opportunities life offers. A person can also get 'stuck,' where they can no longer help themselves out of a situation, which on the outside also looks like bad luck. Still, I think it also lies in recognizing those existential one-way roads out there and learning what a bad scene looks and feels like.

Funny enough, I think that ties into spiritualism, too. It is like the main symptoms of things like 'a demon has come into your life when your bread no longer rises.' It sounds a little silly on the surface, but consider it was made for people who make bread by hand daily, using muscle memory that requires very little thought. If you consider what a 'demon' means in folk legend, at its core, it represents danger and how to recognize when to avoid and when to partner with a particular demon. Things like 'don't sing in the woods at night' (a highwayman may hear you and come rob you) and 'making a flower crown and floating it down a stream to find a husband' (the flowers are themselves medicines and reflect one's ability to navigate the woods and find medicine), et al. are all indicative of not just a supernatural element but real-world practicality as well. If something in your life is so disruptive that your daily routine is suddenly no longer working (your bread won't rise,) it means something is possessing your intention, and you need to start looking around for problems.

In short, I think we make our own luck (or lack thereof.)

I'm answering random questions! Askbox is open!

[vacantgodling]

I want to know more about Soprano and Tenor, along with my kings Lath and Ensio <3

henrike!! thank you for asking <3

SOPRANO / TENOR (status: canon!)

soprano and tenor are actually forte (and his sister, melody's) parents! the two of them met when tenor was still a traveling bard, one of the most famous in terrae this era before he retired formally (from traveling at least, you can't take the music out of this man its probably in his bloodstream at this point). it was sort of like a terrae-version of a groupie getting her idol to fall in love with her, though soprano never tried particularly hard for that to happen. his music just enriched her soul and she couldn't help but follow him to every city he held concerts at. one thing led to another, and after they consummated their relationship, she found out she was pregnant with their first child, forte. forte's birth is actually what sparked tenor to retire, though he wasn't upset about it. having a family and getting to settle down in his hometown of bass landing is lovely for him, and who knows? maybe once melody is grown he and soprano will travel around terrae, performing together. soprano actually has a lovely husky voice and the symphonia house was always full of music. they're really gentle lovers and gentle parents and have that sort of toothrotting fluff vibe about them that just makes me Emo.

LATH / ENSIO (status: literally immortal together cannot be separated - qpr territory basically)

god these two i rotate an INSANE amount as you know. idk how much of their backstory i've quite talked about, but tldr they are from the first age of terrae when argos was still standing. lath's parents died when he was young, and ensio's parents who were close with lath's essentially took him under his wing. lath and ensio have always been attached at the hip; if you saw one, you'd always see the other not too far away. while ensio is more outgoing and personable, lath is more standoffish (he hardly blinks and is too intense for the average person) the mesh together really well. they just know each other so well. their fighting together is like a dance. ensio knows where lath keeps his spare daggers and vice versa, and coming into service of the little king mitica together was natural after the day of fissures.

once lath becomes a guardian, MUINENS also grants him ensio as a permanent companion by having him take the form of lath's sword. unlike the other guardians, lath is the one who is Most Likely to have ensio by his side in his human form. think of soul eater, where guardian weapons can take on 2 forms. (the other exception to this is arian) but tbh lath would've never agreed to becoming a guardian if ensio wasn't with him (not that he had a choice, but MUINENS already knew that lath would not take up the mantle alone). lath doesn't view himself as anything that special. he likes to fight and has never experienced terror and he's extremely calculating. his legend definitely softens a lot of his edges, and in many ways has blended he and ensio's personalities together (there's also a statue of lath as a guardian with his sword drawn in the center of the city of lathsbury, which is named after him lol). so its actually really funny in book 2 when some of the characters actually meet lath and they realize... yeah he is actually much stranger and more scary than legend would have us believe. as much as i dislike the roman series that rick riordan wrote cuz of percy character assassination, the cognitive dissonance that the characters experienced meeting percy when he had amnesia and was powerful and intense and kind of aggressive... same vibes when they meet lath lolol. ensio is always the one talking for lath and lath prefers it that way.

in a particular piece i wrote i also spoke about how they're soulmates, and they are in every sense of the word. they're best friends, they're husbands, they're brothers, they're the same person, they're extensions of each other... etc etc. i'm just NOT NORMAL about them.

so here's some required reading (which i know u henrike already read lol) to also become not normal about them:

soulmates

sword of a great hero

also a bad old image of lath, i need to redraw him and his actual ensio-sword (cuz its fancier than this)

[elliepassmore]

For She is Wrath review

4/5 stars Recommended if you like: retellings, female rage, revenge, schemes

Big thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was fairly entertaining and fast-paced. Despite requesting the ARC, I dragged my feet when it came to reading it, but once I started I sped through it and was eager to see what was going to happen next. Was it perfect? No. But it's definitely entertaining and definitely scratches the itch for scheming characters.

I'll preface this review by saying I DNF'd The Count of Monte Cristo about 50% of the way through over a decade ago and haven't touched it since, so I can't really say how well this book does at reinterpreting it.

First, I'll say that I found the concept of zoraat interesting and I definitely wish we learned more about the different blends and effects. Taking too much zoraat, however, can begin turning you 'dark,' and taking the wrong mix can kill you. I like that the zoraat comes in the same general types, but it's the way the different types are mixed together that creates an effect. Noor does a good job explaining it, but getting an entry-level explanation is different than having lots of experience.

Dania is in prison for supposedly murdering a tribal chief from the north. She insists she didn't do it, and since she's an experienced swordswoman and the victim was killed via poison, I'd definitely have believed it in the king's shoes...but what do I know? She's spent her time in prison being tortured and plotting revenge, so when the moment pops up for her to escape, she takes it. While she's definitely rage-filled, Dania also craves human connection, and is unwilling to let fellow prisoner, Noor, continue to rot in jail when the other girl is why she can escape in the first place.

Noor is in prison for her mentor having stolen zoraat from the emperor, which is considered treason. She's been kept alive because the prison warden, and emperor, believe she knows where the stolen zoraat was hidden. Prior to being imprisoned, Noor was an expert at mixing different zoraat blends, and thus is an invaluable ally. I did like Noor, but for someone who says they want revenge, she preaches caution and letting go more than I'd expect.

Most of the book is spent plotting and executing revenge plans. Dania seems to be the mastermind behind the planning, with Noor helping to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. I really liked seeing their plans come to fruition, and I think one of the highlights of this book is that Dania doesn't tell us her plans ahead of time, we simply see them in action.

The two girls have a very specific list of people they're looking to take down: the captain of the guard, Dania's ex-lover, Dania's father's best friend, and the emperor. The first two are actually easy enough to accomplish with some planning, but the latter two prove to be more difficult, not least because Dania seems to still have some lingering feelings.

I have to say, I was disappointed in the direction things took with the ex-lover, Mazin. Obviously you can't just turn your feelings on and off, but man does Dania struggle to keep her head on straight when he's around. She does pretty well for a while, but it's clear pretty soon after their first time seeing each other again that Dania is probably not going to be able to carry through her revenge fantasy. Considering Maz doesn't have a good reason for betraying her (and betray her he did), I would have preferred Dania stick to her guns and get revenge on everyone, not just the people she dislikes. I wanted to see her punish Maz. I wanted to see her be villainous. And we just don't get that.

There was a good twist toward the end that I 100% didn't see coming. I was quite surprised when it happened and enjoyed it. However, the twist really does just serve to push the anti-revenge narrative, and I think it could've been more interesting if it had been used as a mirror to show how revenge can go two different directions: one unjustified and one justified.

Overall this was an entertaining read, though I will say the opening couple of chapters reads as an early-2010s YA book. The later prose is better and by and large I enjoyed the plot.

[lmelodie]

Familiar Territory

BlackIce for Valentines Day!!! LET'S GOOO! A few years after Chance and Choice, BlackIce being back together for a hot second by this point.

I'm gonna be so fr, this little one shot has made me realize that I maybe don't know how to write fluff for these bitches?? It was harder than I thought it would be! There are other more fluffy concepts in my wips but this one has a lot more substance.

Oh, also y'all remember Ryder from this little doodle dump? The Mermaid? His character got overhauled and his name is Rowan now lol.

Bonus doodle at the very end, ENJOY!

Anyone from the magical realms will tell you, with varying levels of jealousy, that there are plenty of places that a magical being can roam about freely amongst human kind with minimal or even no cloaking involved. One of these being New York City, wherein everyone seems at least a little bit off kilter or odd in a way that blends everyone together in their strangeness. So realistically in the height of the Christmas season, no one would ever notice, or at least look twice at a very seasonally appropriate man in a blue suit in the midst of an otherwise normal group of friends. 

"Join us! Join us! JOIN US!" Lucy’s chants fade into and then quickly out of earshot to Killian as her and Jack skate by yet another time on their route around the rink. She turns around on her skates and holds onto Jack’s shoulder so he can keep pulling her along as she waves down her fellow redhead as they go for another lap around. 

She shouted the same thing to him for the last five laps and just like those other times he paid her no mind, glued to his chain smoking spot leaning against a nearby column.

The ambience of the Winter Village rink during Christmas on the edge of dusk was the pinnacle of experiencing the Christmas spirit that particular day. Even in her early twenties her enthusiasm for such things has never wavered, bouncing off the walls all day and Jack, Killian and Rowan were all subject to her special brand of holiday energy. Which includes her insisting that Killian should get out on the ice with them. 

He only showed up maybe an hour ago, knowing that Jack was somewhere in the city, but he overlooked the inevitable presence of his emotional support dormouse and her new squeeze. So the boogeyman patiently waits for them to finish off on the side of the rink, watching her spin back around to take Jack’s arm for the casual stroll. His presence unassumingly creates a breach of space in the crowd of civilians around him who fear to approach him any further for reasons they themselves cannot articulate.  

“Behind you!” Rowan shouts out to the pair as he quickly catches up to them on their rotation.

A curiously out of sorts human pyromancer that swept the young woman off her feet about 6 months ago. The whole met in college love story between a wizard and a sorceress with the stack of dropped books that he offered to help her with and everything. A rigamarole of horrible cliches that they've been enjoying to no end. 

He quickly catches up to the pair and crashes into Lucy from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist and pushing her forward and away from Jack as they slow to a stop further ahead. She chuckles in good spirits with him all the same.

“How'd I do?” Rowan asks through gasps of air as he brushes back the brown shaggy hair from his face.

Lucy rolls up the sleeve on her overcoat to check her watch, “Fifteen laps around in…forty five minutes.”

"What!? Oh come on! I was really pushing it too,” he chuckles breathlessly.

“That's not a bad time at all! I don't think.”

"Eh. I've seen faster," Jack interjects as he quickly passes them by.

“Nobody asked you,” she shouts after him, quickly tilting her head up to Rowan. “Don't listen to him, your time was fine. If it's any consolation you were fast in my heart.”

Rowan snickers, “That doesn't even make sense.”

“It does so! Physics works differently in my heart. And what makes even more sense is getting a cocoa break,” she can feel her date dropping his arms from her waist as she takes his hand and pulls him along. “Keeping warm is important when someone likes to bite peoples fingers!”

Jack turns over his shoulder at the call out as they catch back up to him, “Excuse me? You've got the wrong guy here. I've worked hard to scrub that reputation clean ya know, and you're over here dragging my name back through the mud again. If you're looking for a finger biter, look at him.”

He vaguely gestures to Killian on the sidelines as the three of them complete the last lap and skate back up to the gate they entered at. Jack watches Lucy and Rowan exit the rink while he lingers behind on the ice and throws his elbows on the ledge. On cue, Killian throws the half burnt cigarette onto the floor and snuffs it out with boot, throwing his hands into his pockets to stroll over to where Jack has stopped.

“Your turn,” he says with a smug grin.

He rolls his eyes, “Absolutely not.”

“Why? Because you know you can't do it?”

“Yeah, actually. So what,” Killian shifts his weight slightly over to stand a fraction closer to the open gateway to the rink, the throngs of people moving about around him also move accordingly.

“So, I've been trying to teach you how for sky knows how long. It's your own fault you don't know.”

“None of that has been teaching, it was sabotaging,” he provides a ghost of a smile, “It's not a skill I need to know. There has never been a time where skating on the ice has ever been useful to me.”

“Says who?” Jack replies, “Who's to say it won't come in handy in the knick of time one of these days?”

“Me. That's never gonna happen so I don't need to learn.”

Jack gets an idea. Well, Jack had the idea ever since Killian showed up and has been simmering this entire time. It's the same idea he always has in locations and circumstances like these. 

“Mhm, right. So why are you here exactly?” he asks with an air of feigned innocence. 

Killian sighs, “Because I actually wanna do something fun for a change.”

“What, you're telling me that small children face planting onto the ice isn't fun?”

Killian looks out onto the ice with a small chuckle to see if any such occurrences would make themselves loudly known, “Oh don't get me wrong, that's always funny. Especially if you get a few right after the other in a stupid little domino effect. Or if all of them go down at once at the same time.”

Jack snorts in choking back a laugh, “Exactly. And I'm sure it would be a lot funnier from a better vantage point,” He says, motioning to the open gate.

Kills shakes his head, “Hah, nice try, but not in your immortal life. Now let's blow this ice cube stand and go west, I want a front row seat when the 405 gets backed up and wrecked from a freak blizzard.” 

The marginally threatening tone and that one specific look was practically designed to catch a Yes as an answer, as the prospect was something they did often in the last couple years. Jack makes it seem he’s got him hook, line and sinker. 

“Fine. I guess I can squeeze that into my very busy schedule—,” Jack pauses as he takes one foot off the ice, looking around the immediate vicinity before grabbing Killians arm with both hands, “—later!”

In one fell swoop Jack pulls Killian out onto the ice with subtle wisps of blue magic forming under his boots with each step to make blades of ice. A couple of sharp swears are heard as he clumsily stumbles into the rink, nearly slipping and falling at least twenty times in quick succession, forced to grab onto Jack as his only form of stability. He quickly comes to an unsteady stop, far enough away from the gate so he can't backtrack too easily and practically clings to Jack out of necessity, holding his breath.

Jack on the other hand keeps both of their weight steady by holding onto his upper arms with the biggest, shit eating smirk on his face. He lets him adjust his balance slightly as he lets the moment simmer for half a second, savoring it.

“Need help?” he finally says.

Killian's face uncharacteristically flushes, “No...! And fuck you!”

Jack can’t help but snicker while trying to help him stand up straighter and actually get moving somewhat, which his body language vehemently disagrees with and actively fights him against, “I just can't believe that after nearly two thousand years you still fall for it. Everytime. Truly amazing, have I ever told you how incredible you are?”

“Shut up! I’ll fucking kill you,” Killian grumbles, nearly sputters, tightening his grip on arms when his feet wobble a bit, “You are going to pay for this later, I swear to god.”

“Hm, promise?”

This actually earns a tiny laugh from him, but also gains a more menacing look, “You’d like that wouldn't you. Your just so fucking lucky that there’s so many people hERE—!”

Lucy and Rowan seated themselves on a nearby bench to watch Killian nearly fall again, each having their own cup of fresh cocoa. Lucy stretches and waves one of her arms in the air to catch their attention, “You're doing great Kills!”

“Lucy, I will break BOTH of your legs!”

Killian doesn't turn back but Jack looks directly at her with that same smug grin and a casual two finger salute to her as Killlian tries to steady himself again, clearly enjoying every precious second, knowing that it is a passing moment of superiority.

Lucy pays his threat no mind, Rowan beside her giving the two a more worried look for her safety as they survey the pair on the ice, their relative peace quickly devolves into their usual petty arguing about how Killian was only making things worse and Jack telling him to stop moving so much. This, turning a few heads of the other skaters that stay far, far away from the duo.  

Rowan turns back to Lucy, giving a quick glance to her mug before pulling out his wand from an inside coat pocket. He brings the amber tip to trace the rim of the cup with a very soft glow, summoning trails of golden magic to follow its path and dip into the hot chocolate with fading sparkle and seeping the enchantment into the drink, making sure it stays at a perfectly hot temperature. 

“You're almost as bad as him,” she softly smiles and brings the cup to her mouth, “you're not supposed to use magic out and about ya know.”

“It's not magic, it's…a prop,” he casually tries to excuse. “There's a Harry Potter store like, an hour away, it's fine. I just hate that the drinks get cold so fast.”

“Thanks,” her posture relaxes when taking another sip and leaning her head on his shoulder. 

Rowan, while getting more used to it, still blushes slightly when she leans against him. He intuitively puts his free arm around her shoulder as they watch Killian struggle on the ice, with Jack trying not to laugh too hard at him. Lucy continues to egg him on from the sidelines with returned threats on her life, both her and Jack taking varying levels of enjoyment in his struggle for very different reasons.

[televinita]

The results of April's book sale bonanza, four library sales in two weeks! Long text post incoming...

Left stack in the first photo is from one sale, right stack is two other sales, and the final photo is from the last one alone. Somehow acquired more in April than I had Jan-March combined. I don't even want to count up how much I spent, so I'm simply going to decide it was worth it because so many pretty books, exciting finds, and fun!

I will say, the craziest thing to me is that the super-mega-huge sale, the one I made an effort to drive an hour for on Wednesday night? It was indeed huge and I spent 3 hours there & had a good time, but only found seven books, pictured in the right hand stack - from The Darcys & The Bingleys up through the 3 skinny paperbacks (plus a couple of CDs I took a chance on, didn't like). And the sale that usually doesn't have much of anything, that I barely had an hour in? The best sale of the month.

I tried to organize the cover photos mainly by age group, with YA blending into adult, so I think that's actually the order in which I'm going to go through them, not least because I missed a couple of them for the stacks.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

1. A Dog Named Wolf - Erik Munsterhjelm (1973): I snagged it mainly because vintage dog/wildlife novel, but then I realized it's actually on my OpenLibrary TBR, so now I don't have to read it that way!

2. Mr. Cat - George Freedly (1960): not really a kids' book but small enough to put here. Apparently a bind-up w/ "More Mr. Cat" but I cannot imagine how short these were originally, as together in a mass market paperback it's still only 160 pages. I assume he was already a famous enough writer, even if only at a newspaper, to be granted the indulgence of publishing a memoir about his cat....

[edit: "theatre critic, librarian and founder of the Theatre Collection of the New York Public Library, Freedley was a regular columnist for PLAYBILL, and the drama critic, book editor, and feature writer for the Morning Telegraph (New York)"]

3. The Black Pearl - Scott O'Dell (1967, 70s edition): not unlike Call it Courage, this is another one I remember really liking in elementary school but the details have been forgotten.

4. BSC Super Special #7: Snowbound: only grabbed because it was super-cheap; it's not in great condition but super-specials are a little harder to spot in the wild so while I'm not trying to collect this massive series, I can't help having a soft-spot for a few reps. (side note: the Karen/Little Sister novelty book "School Scrapbook" was also there, which I thought might be a fun collectible, but it had already been mostly filled out by its previous owner. Still fun to read her answers, though! I would cherish having something like that from my own 3rd grade year).

5. Two-Minute Mysteries - Donald J. Sobold (1967, 90s edition): even though a teacher's name is inked on it, I couldn't resist this nostalgic read! My 4th/5th grade teacher used to read these aloud to us and challenge us to solve them, and you know what? They're STILL kind of hard to solve. You have to pay really close attention to specific wording and tiny details.

6-7. Animal Inn #3 + 6 - Virginia Vail: remember this series I love? By wild coincidence, these are the exact same ones I read from a Little Free Library in 2020, but where those copies were in horrible water-damaged shape, these are as good as can be expected from cheap-pulp kids' paperbacks of the 80s

8. The Dog In My Life - Kurt Unkelbach (1966): yay! I'm interested in all his books but have been wanting to read this ever since I solved it on a Goodreads "What's The Name of That Book?" queries (one of my first, and one I worked very hard on finding!)

9. The Black Stallion & the Girl - Walter Farley (1971): only grabbed this because it was so cheap; it's not in great shape and I probably won't keep. I always wanted to love this series more than I actually did growing up -- everyone who likes horse books always says this is their favorite, and I just never got the hype beyond the first couple! -- but there were a few I really liked. Maybe this could be one of them.

10. A Summer of Horses - Carol Fenner: I see an 80s teen horse book paperback, I buy. Unsure if I'll keep it after reading, but it's not that thick so probably.

11. Flash of Phantom Canyon -- Agnes Ranney (1960s): I see a vintage Scholastic horse book, I also buy. I ended up deciding to read this right away, mostly because it was small and light and easy to carry in a shoulder bag while walking on trails in search of a good reading bench. Honestly, it's as much historical fiction/history lesson as it is horse book and if I ever make myself weed through the Scholastic Stack this is probably a donation candidate...but not just yet.

12. The Stallion of Box Canyon (1997): part of the Treasured Horses collection I owned several of as a kid from Scholastic book orders and LOVED, but sold off when I outgrew them, and have now been grabbing back. When I learned in 2020 that there were model horses to go with them, as well as more books than I knew about, my interest increased, and this one about a Mustang was my #1 most wanted!

13. Foxy - Helen V. Griffith (1984): Dog book! I think I read this in elementary school but want to be sure. May or may not keep, depends how sad it is.

14. The Collector - K.R. Alexander (2018): the modern-day counterpart to Mary Downing Hahn, I freaking love this scary-as-hell cover. I listened to it on audio but I wanted a physical copy as well.

15. The Sun Will Come Out -- Joanne Levy (2021): it was simply too beautiful and pristine -- it looks off the shelf new -- not to buy, knowing I could flip it to Half Price. I think I probably will do that now that I've read it, but I did enjoy it.

16. The Diddakoi - Rumer Godden (1972): figures that I find it just one year after I finally caved and read it on OpenLibrary last year after 6 years on my TBR. But this is the first time I've seen a physical copy. This edition is not my favorite cover so I'm not sure if I really want to keep it, but I did enjoy the book.

17. Tucky the Hunter - James Dickey (1978): pictured in the last photo, I bought one (1) picture book because the illustrations were so beautiful, and the rhyming text written in calligraphy. Do I agree with the story theme of a child dreaming about all the animals he wants to shoot? Not really, but...

YA/TEEN

1. Seventeenth Summer - Maureen Daly (1942, 2006 edition): it's only a mass market paperback, but still thrilled to finally have this classic in my hands to read when ready!

2. City of Darkness - Ben Bova (1976): I just couldn't resist the premise of this one -- Manhattan is now under a dome and only "open" in the summer as a tourist spot, but a kid sneaks in and gets stuck there to find out that gangs secretly live there year-round, fighting for sheer survival? I intended to read & release because it's not in the best condition, so I read it right away, but now I think this is so creative I want to keep it around.

3. In the Hand of the Goddess (Alanna #2) (1984, 2011 edition) - Tamora Pierce: ex-library but I think I can peel the tape/stickers off. I've decided to collect both this version of the series and the mass-market paperbacks as I find them because I love them equally for different reasons.

4. In Front of God and Everybody: The Confessions of April Grace - K.D. McCrite (2011): technically middle grade but putting it here because it's a visual match. I saw this at the sale a few years ago but gave it a pass because it was Christian fiction. Now that bothers me less, and I'm so glad I changed my mind because I read it last week and it was HILARIOUS and I want the rest of the quartet. (also very minimally "Christian Book" -- it shows only in that the family goes to church/says a blessing before dinner and lives by the principle of "be kind to others no matter how ungracious they are")

5. Pretty Fierce - Kieran Scott (2017): a 5-star swoon-worthy YA spy thriller! So happy it's mine.

6. Top Ten - Katie Cotugno (2017): as recently mentioned in the reading triage, this is ex-library w/ a broken spine so I mainly bought it to dismantle for the snapshots on the cover and endpages, but then I realized ah heck, this sounds pretty good and I want to read it after all. I'm 70 pages in and really enjoying it, but saving it for the sunny days.

7. What Comes After - Steve Watkins (2011): one of my standout YA reads in *checks notes* actually 2011, wow! I still think about it regularly -- orphaned teen is sent to live w/ only remaining relatives, an abusive aunt & cousin; finds solace in caring for the goats

8. This Is What It Feels Like  - Annie Barrows (2018): has been on my summer TBR 2 or 3 years running, now I can stop worrying about when the library will weed the last copy.

9. In Real Life - Jessica Love (2016): an underrated read from, I think, 2018? Again with the sweet romance.

10. The Girls of No Return - Erin Saldin (2012): a much more serious book about girls in a wilderness therapy camp/school that really impressed me, thrilled to have one in pristine condition.

ADULT FICTION

Now we're gonna mix it up a little as fiction and non aren't separated in the above photos, mainly to match size & color, but I'm listing all the fiction first.

Driftwood - Elizabeth Dutton (2014): I thought it was a misplaced YA when I bought it, until I started reading and MC is twenty-eight. It promised a solo California road trip, following a route left in letters by her late father, so I decided to take a chance. It seemed so perfect for the weather I ended up starting it in a nearby park before I even went home, and finished the next day. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, I'm glad I bought it

2. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - Michael Chabon (2000): I bought husband a brand-new copy of the newer edition w/ four extra short-stories in the back, which he never read and now I'm kind of glad he didn't so it stays pristine in a way only I can manage, and meanwhile, I decided to get this one too because it is MUCH, MUCH floppier and more comfortable to read.

3. Maurice - E.M. Forster: I've never read this and kind of want to. I've started making it a habit to look for nice editions of classics at these sales, and while this isn't amazing, it's like new, a floppy paperback, AND it has horses on the front, so.

4. Where the Forest Meets the Stars - Glendy Vanderah (2019): I've been flirting with the idea of reading this and while my library DOES have it, I'd love a perfectly-new copy of my own for $2.

5. The Haunting of Gillespie House - Darcy Coates (2015, 2020 edition): same with this one. I still can't believe that after discovering a whole shelf of her books at the library in 2022 and being like "I'm gonna read them all!", I actually only read one. But this was definitely high on my interest list!

6. The Darcys and the Bingleys - Marsha Altman (2008): had there been more at this particular sale I wanted, I might not have bought it, but the library doesn't have it and my interest is piqued by this P&P fanfiction sequel (which...is the first of ten in a series?? good lord this one is already large enough).

7. Coffee Train - Margarethe Erdahl Shank (1953): It's in terrible shape -- awful foxing on the pages -- so I really shouldn't have, but I'm Intrigued by this vintage read; my family has no Scandinavian roots but much of Minnesota (including my husband) does so I have a soft spot for it. Even though this takes place in the state next door, I think it will be very charming.

Through the eyes of little Mugs, a Norwegian-American girl, we see life in North Dakota with Norwegian Lutherans in the days following World War I.

8. The Dogs of Christmas - Bruce Cameron (2013, 2018 edition): I absolutely loved this book and this is the "author's preferred edition" with an extra chapter at the end! I saw it at a garage sale 3 years ago and resisted like an IDIOT who was trying not to over-buy books she didn't ~need~; have regretted and been looking for this version ever since, now it's mine.

9. The Christmas Dog - Melody Carlson (2009): I couldn't resist this slender novella. This year's December reading is gonna be SO CHRISTMASY I swear it.

10. Christmas at Corgi Cove - Annie England Noblin (2023!): aaand now I am back up to owning 3 unread books by her after having only read 1 and given it 3 stars. But hope springs eternal and all that.

11. Roxane the Blue Dane - Alice Kingham-Lechevre (1988): "a series of short stories chronicling the relationship between the author and her favorite show dog, Roxane, told from the perspective of the great dane." Takes place in France, so I had a devil of a time trying to figure out why this author was famous enough to write about her pet, and finally deduced she was a decently well known English/French artist/illustrator, particularly of animals, born late 19th century. It seems quite wonderful from the chapter or two I've read.

12. The Sccrets of Pistoulet - Jana Fayen Kolpen (1996): this one I'm actually really excited about because a) it's in a slipcase, which I didn't previously know because I read a library copy, and b) I spotted it in the cookbooks section I only ever skim (for Susan Branch). I don't actually love the story, which is a murky magical-realism adult fable set in France, but I do love that it's mixed-media with transparent overlays, at least one card that opens up, and several recipe cards you can physically remove from envelopes.

NONFICTION

1. Unauthorized X-Files -- Hatfield/Bur (1996): I would have climbed over people to get my hands on this in high school. "In this ultimate game book for X-philes, the authors have put together a collection of trivia challenges: Some are based on specific episodes from the first three seasons (brief episode summaries are provided); others address behind-the-scenes and on-the-set information, site locations, dialogue between characters, more. Testing methods vary, ranging from multiple choice to fill in the blank. Also included are actor and character profiles, memorable Mulderisms, and scintillating Scullyisms!"

Even though it's limited to the years of TXF I mostly avoid rewatching, the vestigial Phile in me is still intrigued. By the same authors, I also saw Unauthorized X-Cyclopedia, which tempted me, but I figured I'm unlikely to actually use it for reference and tbh, it'll just annoy me that it doesn't cover the full series.

2. Growing With the Grass - Ted Hall (1992): a small local press-published memoir of a boyhood circa the 1920s, arranged as a collection of brief anecdotes & vignettes, snagged because Old Frontenac is a lovely day trip visit and still just as much of a village as ever. I don't know if this will fully be to my tastes or a keeper, but I couldn't resist.

3. House Lessons - Erica Bauermeister (2020): a memoir of restoring an old house on an island off the coast of Washington, crossed w/ life lessons. Would you believe I was on a Libby waitlist for the audio for three months as our library doesn't have a physical copy, finally finished it during first week of driving to book sales, and then found a physical copy at the last one! Decided I liked it enough to own, at least for a while. Plus physical copy has little sketches before each chapter!

4. The Big House A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home - George Howe Colt (2003): now for the opposite coast...I think I put this on a TBR before; our library only has one copy and I really want to read it but I'm never quite in the mood. Now it's mine forever!! (I was SO excited to find this with you lmao)

5. Cold Antler Farm - Jenna Woginrich (2014): I read her first book twice (Made From Scratch), and while unfortunately there are 2 more memoirs to go before I chronologically reach this one and the library doesn't have any, I'm really excited I have this one!

6. Connemara Mollie - Hilary Brandt (2012): I'm ALSO super excited to try this one, never heard of it but it's a memoir of a long-distance pony trek the author took around Ireland in 1984.

7. Brother Super - Bill Rice (1961): Pet memoir about another Great Dane, this time a family pet.

OTHER MEDIA (not pictured)

Audiobooks: When We Were Lost by Kevin Wignall, a cracking good YA adventure about a plane crash in the jungle, and Why Not Me?, so now I have both of Mindy Kaling's memoirs in her voice! (someday I'll listen to it...)

DVDs: Spiderman: No Way Home; Uncharted

CDs: Patty Larkin - "Watch the Sky," and Matt Wasner's eponymous album/limited advanced edition copy (I took a chance on these based on appearance, because nothing is more fun than guessing right on something random that becomes a new fave!, but unfortunately I didn't like either of them so they will be leaving)