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misstycloud · 4 months ago

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Queen of hearts reader x yan card knights

As the next in line for the throne its most important you raise yourself with dignity, elegance and wit. You could not afford to fail or show any weakness. If you did, it could mean your downfall.

So you grew up with this heavy burden; classes in dozens of subject going from dawn to dusk, fearing you might get assassinated, polishing your appearance to absolute perfection.

When it was finally your turn to take over the crown, you were nervous. Despite having trained hard for this moment ever since you were born, you still feared for the future. Would you really be able to lead with the same strength as those before you? Or would you do a terrible job and doom the kingdom? Those were both equally possible options.

Luckily, you did have trustworthy friends by your side who’d lay down their lives in order to protect you.

Lucius Stormheart was your childhood friend. He’d been with you for as long as you could remember. He was the son of the captain of the royal guard, whom have been a friend of your father for a very long time. Perhaps that is one of the reasons the two of you were introduced. You were around seven and nine at the time. You still remember how he refused to meet your gaze and bowed deeply whilst telling you what an honour it was to meet you.

He was a bit stiff for his age, you believed it was because of the legacy and role he’d have to eventually take over; although you were hardly one to talk. If you had any other friends they’d probably also think you’re strange and not at all fun.

Lucius and you never really played traditional children’s games. It was already decided he would become a knight, so he became your guard. Of course, there was no real danger since you stayed within the palace but he took his duty seriously; constantly following you in silence and staying vigilant of anything that moved. Usually, you would have tea in the garden and he would just stand watch. You beckoned him to sit down and enjoy himself, offering him sweets and other delicacies, but he only shook his head. It went on like that for years. You grew tired of him hardly uttering a single word to you. He was supposed to be your friend but wouldn’t even engage in simple conversation. He truly was too stiff for his young age.

You recalled one day, you were almost an adult then, when you wanted to tease him a bit. You pretended to have lost your gold bracelet somewhere in the grass and cried for him to find it. The moment he bent down in the grass to scour for he (not) lost jewelry, you took off as quick as your legs were able. Lucius immediately reacted and shouted for you to come back, but you had gotten a head start.

You laughed as you felt the freedom you’d never had. It wasn’t long until you ditched your fine shoes and ran barefoot. The wind in your hair and ground under your feet felt great. Lucius’ voice wasn’t far behind you. Tiredness overcame you and you threw yourself down among the green and the flowers. You closed your eyes.

Not soon after you heard heavy footsteps and deep breaths. You looked up to see your childhood friend-made-guard loom over you with a furious expression. How could you just run off like that? Do you understand how dangerous it is for someone in your position? You could be attacked!

You ignored his scolding and rolled around, inspecting the flowers instead.

“Are you even listening to a word I say? Of course not.” He huffed. “You can’t run away from me. Ever. If you do, I might not be able to protect you. Imagine that someone had managed to sneak into the palace ground and was waiting for an opportunity to assassinate you, this would be the perfect moment to do so. Honestly, have you no sense of danger? I’d think someone with your background would posses more caution-“

You drowned out his speech. You were staring blankly at him, an idea came to you, you wanted to tease him further. Besides, this was something you’ve wanted yourself for some time. You rolled your eyes with a smile and sat up.

“- and then it would not only affect you but also-“

“Lucius.” You said gently.

He quieted down. It was evident he was not yet done and seethed in silence, after all, you were a princess whilst he was nothing but a commoner. A commoner inheriting an important role and being more privileged than other commoners was still a commoner nonetheless.

“Can you come closer?”

The young guard frowned but did as told. He knelt beside you and awaited your next words. What he did not expect was for you to caress his cheeks and quickly pull him in for a kiss. Lucius’ mind went completely blank. At first, there was nothing, no air, no light, no sound. Then after a couple second came everything, the warmth of the sunny afternoon, the sound of birds twittering on branches and the feeling of your lips against his. They moved with a gentle passion, your tongue licking his lips, asking permission to enter. He complied. It was sweet and warm, completely different from the early mornings and harsh trainings he goes through everyday.

It wasn’t until after you pulled away and smiled at him that Lucius remembered how to breathe. He stood up like someone had burned him- which someone had to a certain degree- and backed away.

Stuttering, he gasped, “P-Princess? What..w-why would you?-“

You laughed at his embarrassment, feeling a bit sorry for him. He was completely red in the face, matching the uniform he wore.

“My apologies, I couldn’t help it. I wanted to tease you one last time.”

Oh. So that was it? Yes, of course you only wanted to have some fun. It’s not like you get to do anything else out of pleasure in your life. You used him for amusement.

“…..Yes, Princess. It’s alright, but you should not do something like this again. You need to refrain from having relations with men that are not your husband- especially not commoners.”

That was the end of it, you thought. You apologised a couple more times before forgetting about the experience. Lucius said it was fine so there was nothing more to it, right? Unfortunately you had no idea of the massive crisis you’d started within Lucius.

You kissed him. Him of all people. Lucius would not believe it if he hadn’t experienced it firsthand. He wondered if all those years of him loving you in secret had been in vain. Did you know? No, obviously you didn’t. It’s just like you said, it was for amusement. You wanted to tease him like when you suddenly took off. It was only fun.

Nothing more like that happened afterwards. The kiss was long since buried along with other memories. That was the case for you. But not for Lucius. He didn’t forget.

About a year before you were crowned queen, Lucius took over his fathers position and became the new captain of the royal guard. You both had become so busy-him with his new job and you with preparing for your coronation- that you hardly saw each other. If you were lucky, you saw him training outside with the new recruits or wandering the hallways. You sent a mere nod of acknowledgement to the other person, no words were exchanged. If you had the time you would’ve mourned the death of the little friendship you had.

You believed you would be no more than strangers with no past and no future. However, you were surprised when your father had called you into his office and there, in all his glory, stood your childhood friend Lucius. His hair reached just above his ears and he wore the same stern expression he always had. The red in his armour seemed glowing, it reminded you of blood.

Your father then revealed the news of Lucius officially becoming your personal knight. When the two of you were young he constantly guarded you but it was more of an assumed responsibility. He was not actually in charge of your protection.

Lucius had done well in his new position and your father wanted to grant him a wish in return. The young man had proceeded to tell him there was nothing more he wanted than to serve his kingdom by protecting its future monarch. This wish was so noble it was granted without further questions, so long he could manage his other duties as well. It made sense, as the captain of the royal guard, whom else was more qualified to protect you?

You first met Sebastian Spade when you were visiting another kingdom as a preteen. The adults had their meetings and swatted you away. They ushered you to go explore the castle whilst they took care of the things that mattered. You decided to go outside since you weren’t too sure about snooping around in all the rooms, there was always a chance you’d find something you shouldn’t and your parents had previously urged you not to run into trouble.

The outside was also beautiful with colourful flowers and carefully trimmed bushes. You wandered, taking in the wonderful scenery. Along the way, the flowers disappeared and you found yourself at the training grounds. At the centre stood a boy your age holding a sword. He lunged at the training dummy positioned in front of him. Unfortunately, he lost his footing and flew forward. The sword landed on the ground with a loud clatter and the boy let out an ‘omfph!’.

You rushed to side and asked him if he was alright, which he was; just embarrassed. He told you his name was Sebastian and that he was aiming to be a knight. He managed to become an apprentice of a knight at the castle. It was one of his training sessions that you stumbled upon. Being a knight had always been his dream. Apparently his father and grandfather had been one, so it was in the blood. Or, it would have been if Sebastian hadn’t been so bad at everything. Truth was he wasn’t actually allowed to use a real sword, only wooden once. But he took one anyway. He thought that maybe he could improve faster if he got used to wielding one out of metal. Well, you got a first row view of how that went.

He felt so worthless. Why couldn’t he ever do something right? Why was he such a failure? No matter how hard he trained, he was barely able to hold the sword straight. Maybe he should give up being a knight altogether, it was hopeless after all. No one said anything, but he noticed the way everyone looked at him. They all thought the same thing, ‘why is he even here?’. How could he blame them? Even his own mentor didn’t believe in him.

You frowned, feeling terrible in how this boy had lost faith in all his dreams. Now you knew nothing of knighthood but you had a friend who did. You wished he could’ve come with but he needed to keep up with his training and besides, you were in yer another royal castle so the chances of anything happening to you was very low. So you decided to give Sebastian some tips; simple things you’ve picked up when watching your friend home his skills. Sebastian listened eagerly, desperate to improve. If there was any way he could become better than he wanted to hear it. That boy hung off every word that came out of your mouth. You did however assert that you were not an expert by any means and these where just things others have told you or what you’ve learned from observation. That didn’t matter though. Thanks to you he understood how to correct his stance and made it possible to hold up the sword- the issue he was struggling with earlier was solved!

During the entirety of the week you and your family were staying, you hung out with Sebastian every day. Every moment you didn’t have to be present out of curtsy you spent with him instead, which was much more pleasurable.

Sebastian was more than happy to have your company. Truth be told, he didn’t have any friends, good acquaintances maybe, but no one he’d be able to call a friend. He was also quite shy. It was to nice to finally have someone who believed in him, who encouraged and was patient with him.

At the end of the week, he had improved so much. It was hard to think he’s the same boy who could hardly even lift a sword. Sebastian was no master, far from it, but it was undeniable that he had become a lot better. Now he only had to hone his skills and he could fulfill his dreams when he became an adult.

The attitude against him changed as well. Before, the other students refused to interact with him unless they were forced to and they along with the knights made fun of him when they thought he couldn’t hear. Now, however, they approached him and wondered how he’d managed to improve so quickly and if he could lend some tips. Obviously he didn’t. They don’t deserve his kindness. Not after how they treated him. Sure, they never outright bullied him by shoving him around or anything but they might’ve as well.

Sebastian ran through the garden. He shouldn’t have since there’s definitely be a scolding coming his way if an adult saw, but he didn’t care. He needed to find you. He had to tell you about the praise he received form his teaching-knight after the day’s training. Before you met he never would have reached a compliment, it was a sign of the good fortune you brought.

His cheeks glowed red at the thought. You were so kind to him. He thought all royals were snobbish assholes who only cares about themself and their looks, now he knew he was wrong. You weren’t like that at all. You smiled, played with him and didn’t care if your dress got dirty. Of course, you preferred if it didn’t but you wouldn’t mind a scolding from your parents for once.

You were beautiful too. Almost too beautiful in his opinion. You were sure to attract a lot of suitors when you grew up. Sebastian’s heart stung. It was a strongly unpleasant feeling; imagining you beside someone else. Sebastian was young but not stupid, he understood what he was feeling. He shouldn’t be jealous, he knew that at the end of the day you were a princess and he was not even close to being a prince, and only a prince could marry you. Realistically he didn’t stand a chance. Unfortunately, his heart didn’t listen to his brain and he couldn’t stop the blossoming affection he felt for you.

“(Y/n)” he yelled when he saw you coming his way. You wore a nice dress that complimented your appearance. His heart thumped uncomfortably within his chest.

“Sebastian, I was just coming to see you.”

The boy scratched his neck. “Well, here I am!”

You laughed at his positive nature. Then your smile fell once you remembered the intent of your visit. “I actually came to see you..for a last time.”

“What?” Sebastian froze. Did he mishear you? No, your words were loud and clear so that meant… “You’re leaving?”

You sighed and nodded, “yes, my family has done the business they came for and we are to return home.”

“When?”

“This evening.”

You hated seeing him hurt. You wished you didn’t have to leave but you had no choice. This was always going to happen, this was not your home. You just weren’t prepared to make a great friend whom you could miss dearly back home.

“Oh. Okay...” Sebastian said in a low voice. His chipper mood was entirely destroyed in a minute.

That evening your belongings were loaded into a grand carriage. You took a seat on the soft cushions inside and scanned the outside form the window. Your parents were in a different carriage so you didn’t have to explain to them why you were staring outside so intensely.

You felt the carriage begin to move. You were really going home. Well, it’s not like you weren’t going to go home in the first place. This was always the plan. No matter how thoroughly you searched there was no sign of your friend. You sighed with a heavy heart. Not being able to see him hurt you too but you at least wanted to say goodbye.

And so you were moving in the direction known as home. Whilst you were thinking about the young knight-in-training, you saw a shadow at the edge of the forest. You leaned towards the window to get a better look and there he was, your friend! So he did want to say goodbye after all, although not in the most conventional way.

Sebastian’s breath was heavy and tired. He’d ran along the toad through the forest. He could feel the smal scrapes he’d gotten from branches(and the one time he fell over a root). It stung a little, however it was no comparison to how he felt inside. He gained and lost his best-and first- friend in the span of a week. And to be honest, you were a bit more than that to him.

He stared longingly at the carriage you were sitting in. He found himself hoping it would break down and you’d have to turn back around, which did not happen since the royal family’s belongings were only of the finest materials and craftsmen ship. Sebastian could only watch as you went further and further away, until you were nothing more than a dor in the horizon. Finally, he waved weakly. Though he was too late for you to be able to see it.

That evening he made a promise. Sebastian vowed to become stronger- better than any knight in the kingdom. Then and only then would he be honourable enough to flee to your kingdom and serve you there. It might take a very long time. But it was completely worth it if it was you.

You’ll see, he will be your knight one day.

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follows-the-bees · 17 days ago

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Ever think about Ed's relationship with birds?

How excited he is to meet "a bird guy." Wanting to get one for his ship. Ed is absolutely fascinated with it, and the ship, all of Stede's trinkets and collections, how things run, but mostly: Stede himself. He has hope and whimsy.

Ed even asks "and Karl's the bird then?" While not said in the same context exactly, it rings of the second moonlight scene between Ed and Stede. Ed explains his fish metaphor, about how the fish needs to want to be caught, and Stede replies, "and you're the fish?"

Things change and turn for the bitter with Karl dies. It is the ultimate point where the crew turns on Jack, when Stede goes from letting Jack stay to kicking him off the ship. Stede's philosophy can come into play here too: "we don't banish people, that's not us." But when someone hurts the crew, kills Karl — a seabird, it's bad luck to kill a seabird — out they go.

That is the final straw for CJ. He has crossed a line, several in fact. The audience knows how important the seagull is to the first mate, and CJ essentially killed his friend, but he also crossed a line in a common seafaring belief/myth. Killing Karl also killed any commodore gained with the crew (though we know doing this achieves CJ's ultimate goal, separating Ed from the crew — and Stede.)

We end that episode looking down at Ed and Stede, feet touching, smiling at each other even as they are being arrested. A bird's eye view.

Side note: This bird's eye view of Ed and Stede is actually shown several times, including the previous two episodes. 1x6 when they return to the crew after the bathtub scene and 1x7 when Ed and Stede are sitting next to each other on the log as Lucius cooks the snake.

This bird metaphor continues to be heartbreaking in the first episode of season two. We again get a bird's eye view of Ed and Frenchie at the bow of the ship. (I half expected Frenchie to ask "and you're the bird" after Ed's speech.)

At this point, Ed is taking everything to keep going. The rhino horn, alcohol, the constant raids. It's a distraction, cause if he stops — if he lands — then it will all come tumbling down. He is the impossible bird, not landing but constantly flying, just barely staying alive.

There is also something to be said of the crew eating a seabird after the storm, after they think they have killed Ed. The guilt manifesting that way as Ed's impossible bird antics are a manifestation of him trying to keep up the Kraken persona.

Luckily, even through those dark times, when the bird metaphor turns dark, things take a turn due to Buttons. Buttons comes swinging in with his magical realism and first mate wisdom.

Just like how Ed was fascinated and full of hope the first time he met Buttons, he is filled with this same hope again the last time we see him. Buttons shows Ed that people can change. Birds no longer are an albatross around Ed's neck, they are salvation, hope, whimsy. They are magical. If Buttons can transform into a bird, why can't Stede or Ed change? Why can't they get a second chance of happiness, just like Buttons gets a second life as a bird.

Ed's journey with birds and how they serve a different meaning throughout the show, in a circular pattern of hope and whimsy, to death and despair, back to that hope perfectly encapsulates Ed's journey.

#ofmd #our flag means death #ofmd meta #edward teach #ed teach #buttons #karl the sea gull #buttons ofmd

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slytherinstag · 4 months ago

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Yes Harry is OOC in Cursed Child.

I see this discussion across multiple social media’s, debating whether Harry James potter was OOC in the cursed child. I believe he was and I’ll try to explain why I believe that.

He’s not the only character that was butcher almost all of the adult characters (Ron, Hermione, McGonagall, poor Cedric etc.) were. And I think I know why. To put it simply: ADULT BAD! ANGSTY TEENAGER GOOD! The original series kinda did the same thing. Most adults in Harry Potter were incompetent or just couldn’t help Harry because Harry was the chosen one. Quite literally no other wizard could defeat Voldemort except for him. And due to plot reasons if there was a capable adult then a lot of their adventures would be stopped which would make a pretty boring plot.

CC didn’t seem like it was written from a place of loving or even understanding the characters and yes I do is that JKR wasn’t the only writer. It’s why the best part of CC is Scorpius because he’s an original character we know nothing about.

Let’s start off strong with the most infamous quote from Cursed Child.

To be fair, this isn’t a horribly intentioned as both sides make it out to be. Albus says that Harry not having a father wasn’t unlucky, kinda insinuating he wished he also was fatherless but he clarified he just wished that Harry wasn’t his father. Harry ‘sees red’ and says he wishes there are times Albus wasnt his son. Then he immediately takes it back but Albus takes his word to heart.

And honestly, I know majority of the fandom despise Harry saying it think he’s evil but for one moment I’ll defend CC’s version of Harry. Even if he was a regular dad with absolutely no trauma, Albus hurt him. When you became an adult you don’t suddenly lose all your emotions. Yes, if your son says he wishes you weren’t his dad that could hurt. He’s still human.

But to be totally honest it was still a shitty thing to say and yes it was out of character for Harry to say that.

An argument for why Harry isn’t actually OOC in CC was that he has ‘anger issues’ and his trauma causes him to lashes. Trauma effects people in different ways and that’s not how Harry’s trauma manifests. People with trauma react in this different ways and this is simply not Harry. ‘But in OOTP-’ Not even in OOTP did Harry ever say anything remotely as hurtful to Ron or Hermione, even when he was isolated and ignored in an abusive home he never says that he hated them or denounced them as friends but instead ranted about how much he hated staying at the Dursleys and how they were wrong about leaving him alone.

There’s a reason why many people refer to OOTP Harry as ‘caps lock Harry’ and that’s because he’s not usually like that. Although ‘caps lock Harry’ is my favourite Harry, he’s the anomaly, mostly due to the events of the graveyard and the wizarding world believing he’s a liar and his constant nightmares of that said event, he was also being forced to carve ‘I must to not tell lies’ in his hand etc. etc. Due to this extremely stressful environment it caused Harry to be agitated and constantly on edge.

I hate that the fandom has turned Harry into this hothead which he isn’t. A lot of Harry snark is kept in his own head, most of the times when he’s annoyed with Ron and Hermione bickering he keeps it in his head. I literally can’t think of a single time Harry has ever denounced his loved ones even when it hurt He isn’t vindictive and easily forgave those he loved.

The problem I have with the quote is that Harry Potter would never say that to his child. ‘But he had trauma-’ NEVER. He knew first hand how words could sting you from the Dursleys and as I said, Harry wasn’t careless with his words. His greatest desire was to have a family and when he got that family he suddenly started to be cruel because his son was a little shit? Not my Harry.

Apart from the the infamous quote Harry to using his powers at the Ministry to bend rules- this is behavior worthy of Lucius Malfoy not Harry Potter. Using his power at the ministry to strong arm Hogwarts (REMEMBER HOW BAD IT WAS WHEN FUDGE DID THAT). Insults Minerva by claiming she "Doesn't understand how he feels since she doesn't have kids". This is just insulting to Harry’s character. If there’s one person Harry respects the most out of the entire franchise it’s McGonagall, that was unwavering throughout. He even TORTURED someone for disrespecting her and yet they wrote Harry himself disrespecting McGonagall??? If that’s not OOC, I don’t know what is.

Also the fact that Harry repeats what fudge (an incompetent adult) reinforces that adult characters were written as incompetent for the sake of plot so the teenagers could have an active role which sacrifices his entire character and destroys any likability he have.

He also HATED his fame, in all seven books yet suddenly in cursed child he doesn’t. And he would never, ever bully his kids, wife, and McGonagall with his fame and into his shadow. Why the hell did they write that he liked fame?

Also it’s implied that Harry is prejudiced against Slytherins??? Since when? Didn’t the epilogue in DH show that Harry didn’t care which house Albus was in as Severus Snape, the guy Albus Potter was named after, was the most bravest man he ever met. But suddenly he prejudiced and acting like a literal monster and isolating Albus and believing the crazy rumours about Scorpius. (You’ll never guess who else and crazy and horrid rumours throughout all their years at hogwarts.) Genuinely who is this man.

Oh and the fact that Harry's scar starts hurting again. Which is impossible, since he is not a horcrux anymore.

Now let’s speed run the rest of the adult characters that were also butchered by CC.

Hermione Granger: Choose which sentence describes Hermione best: a) someone who will become the worst teacher just because she didn’t marry Ron, b) someone who is so dumb that she doesn’t even recognize most basic polyjuice ingredient (something she brewed flawlessly at 12), c) someone who stayed single forever because some boy she had a crush on (at FOURTEEN!!!) didn’t act jealous towards her. If you chose none of the above, give yourself a pat on the back. For the sake of the new main character she was dumbed down so that Hermione Granger the smartest witch in the whole franchise could be outsmarted by 14 year olds.

Why is Hermione’s success based on if she could date Ron. Are they seriously trying to convince that Hermione would never achieve her dreams if Ron didn’t get with her. Hard disagree, if the writers ever even tried to write a teen girl they’d know what it’d be a big deal at the moment fur her but she’d get over. As I keep saying she’s only 14!!!

Cedric diggory: one of the most kindest characters. He never felt resentful towards Harry that he had to share being a Hogwarts Champion, defending Harry against those stupid ‘Potter stink’ badges.

So honourable, even though he got there first was willing to lose for honour. Are you expecting me to read this and believe that Cedric Diggory would be a death eater because he was humiliated once… This was probably the second worst mischaracterisations of CC. The most honoruable man in Harry potter becomes a death eater due the most stupidest reasons.

Saving the worst for last: Ron. Ron is not a background character; he is not there for the funny lines and being a cheap caricature of what Fred Wealsey was.

Would Ron “I Am A Chessmaster & A Under-utilised Strategical Thinker, a child solider and ex auror" Weasley barge into a room WITH A WAND POINTING IN THE WRONG WAY???

Would Ron “I Got Poisoned To Death Just Because Of Love Potion Consumption” Weasley gift HIS NEPHEW THE SAME DATE-RAPE DRUG as a joke to get some girls for fun???

Would Ron “I Overcame My Insecurities And Am A Good Man" Weasley get drunk with Neville Longbottom at the pub and be a superficial idiot finding Delphi Diggory a “cracking one" type of attractive in front of his own family??? Siriusly, whhaaaaa???

I dont know what’s worse, the movies which gave all the good Ron lines to Hermione and other characters, and made him a lazy pig or the play, with their obsession of Redeemed Draco and his adorkable son Scorpius by tearing down Ron and Rose Weasley??? You tell me.

(Don’t get me started on Panju Weasley, I think this franchise just doesn’t know how to name Asian characters.)

#harry potter #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter fandom #cursed child #ron weasley #harry james potter #romione #seeing the stage live is cool but even that doesn’t save the plot #or characters #hermione granger #golden trio era #golden trio #next gen harry potter #anti cursed child

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moonstruckme · 2 years ago

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I absolutely love your writing!! Could I request some hurt/comfort poly!marauders? Like maybe people are judging/really rude to reader about their relationship and the boys defend her and their relationship and make her feel better 🥹

Absolutely you can! Hope this is what you were looking for babe <3

cw: bullying, sexual shaming

poly!marauders x fem!reader ♡ 1.3k words

“Whore,” Lucius hisses as he brushes past you in the hall.

You hear James’ inhale beside you a second before you whirl. “What was that, Malfoy?”

“Too fucked out to hear me?” he sneers, coming to a stop and turning to face you. Your heart stutters at his words, but you’re careful not to let anything show on your face. “Don’t suppose you’re good for much except sucking dick, but I have to say, I’m impressed those Gryffindors caught onto it before the rest of us. I mean, why else would they bring you in on their precious trio?” His lip curls, and while there’s amusement there, there’s also genuine disgust that makes some small, pathetic part of you shrivel up in shame. “Slut.”

“Sweetheart?” James asks, and you wonder if the restraint in his voice is as obvious to everyone else as it is to you. Want me to step in here?

You shake your head at him, but your stare is zeroed in on Lucius. You pout at him sympathetically. “I know it must be hard for you to understand. How’d I get three hot people interested in me, when you can't even get one to look your way?” You shoot him your best impression of Sirius’ wolfish grin. “Don’t worry, Malfoy, someone will come along who’s into all your inbred, Nazi bullshit one day. Maybe even a cousin, if you’re lucky!”

You continue back on your way, pretending you don’t need the steadying hand James rests at the small of your back as you stride down the hall. You make it through the common room, up the stairs, and into the boys’ dorm room before you lose momentum, releasing a shell-shocked, tremulous breath.

James’ arms are around you in an instant, though it takes you a second longer to melt into his embrace.

“Are you okay? You seemed like you wanted to handle it yourself, but I wasn’t sure.”

You take a deep breath. “No, you were right. Thanks, Jamie. It just would have made it worse if it looked like I couldn’t defend myself.”

There’s a shuffling of sheets, and you turn your head to find you’d been so distracted you hadn’t noticed Remus on his bed, studying. He sits up to look at the pair of you with concerned amber eyes, a question evident in his face.

James saves you from responding, clutching you tighter and pressing a kiss to your head. “Had a run-in with Malfoy.”

Remus sighs, the sound knowing. “That’s never good, is it?” His gaze falls squarely on you. “You alright, lovely?”

You nod automatically, though your hands are trembling slightly. You’ve never been good at conflict, but pricks like Malfoy sometimes require you to rise to the occasion. It bothers you that someone like him, whom you don’t respect and whose opinion you couldn’t value less, can still rattle you like this. You know your relationship is unconventional, but it’s good. You haven’t been dating for very long, but you feel the rightness of it every day. Your boyfriends treat you better than anyone can reasonably deserve. You love them. Still…

“Do you think that’s what everyone thinks?” You extricate yourself from James, trying not to sound as pathetic as you feel. At Remus’ bemused expression, you add, “That you guys are only dating me because I put out, I mean.”

James looks horrified. “Do you think that?”

“No,” you say, apparently too quickly, because neither boy looks like they believe you. “I don’t. I just…I don’t know, it’s stupid to care what people think, right?”

James bites his lip, and Remus looks at you consideringly. “I wouldn’t call it stupid,” he says after a moment. “It may not be the best guiding principle to always do what people want you to, but they’re not usually easy to ignore either.”

You heave a sigh, collapsing onto Sirius’ empty bed. “Exactly. I don’t want everyone calling me a slut all the time now.”

Remus’ eyebrows shoot up. “What exactly did Malfoy say to you?”

You hesitate, looking to James in the hopes he’ll answer for you again, but before either of you can say anything, Sirius whooshes in the door.

He completely fails to read the room, all bright eyes and good spirits as he struts over to his bed and leans down over you, his forearms on either side of your head.

“I just heard about your Malfoy kerfuffle from Marlene,” he says, kissing you with a smack. “That’s my girl.”

You can’t help but smile a little, his energy infectious. James gets in on the action too, patting your cheek as he sits down beside the two of you. “She was pretty amazing,” he says. “I thought Malfoy was going to shit the stick right out of his ass.”

“Alright,” Remus says, the tiniest hint of impatience in his tone, “apparently I need to be caught up. What happened?”

“Our sweet angel said that Malfoy gets no bitches,” Sirius proclaimed proudly. “And then she told him to fuck one of his cousins.”

“Well,” you say sheepishly, sitting up, “that’s not exactly word-for-word.”

Remus quirks an eyebrow, but he’s smiling. “No? Give me the summary, then.”

“Basically, Malfoy said you guys only brought me in on your relationship because I put out, and uh, something about me only being good for sucking dick,” you say hesitantly, as if every word he uttered isn’t going to be seared into your memory forever. “So then I said he was jealous that I got three people to like me while he has no one, but…um, I did say something like maybe if he was lucky, he’d find a cousin that was into him.”

All three of the boys are grinning at you, and Sirius plants another smacker on your cheek.

“Attagirl,” Remus says, nodding approvingly.

“Thanks.” You hope your face isn’t as red as it feels. “I guess now, I’m just a little worried that Lucius was just the only one who would say something? Like, what if everyone else is thinking the same thing?”

“Sweetheart,” James says, reaching around you to rub your upper arm comfortingly, “anyone who’s spoken to you for, like, point five seconds is gonna know that’s not true.”

“Wait.” Sirius shakes his head, working to catch up to the conversation that started when he wasn’t in the room. “Are you really worried about what that prick said?”

You shrug, sheepish and a bit ashamed. “It’s not him, it’s more like…my classmates, and my professors. I wonder who agrees with him.”

“Baby, anyone who agrees with Lucius Malfoy is just placing themselves in the same camp of idiots he’s in,” Sirius insists. His tone is light, but his eyes lock in on yours, feeling out how serious you are about this. “Our relationship isn’t anybody’s business, but our friends already know how you are, and they’ll defend you to anyone who asks.”

Remus nods. “Agreed. If anyone wants to believe that sort of baseless, cruel gossip, they’re probably not the lot you want to be around anyways. Just like Malfoy, yeah? If you cared what he thought,” Remus pauses to raise a playful eyebrow at you, “you probably wouldn’t be suggesting he fuck his cousins.”

You grin. “Please, like he needed my encouragement on that one. You’re right, though, thanks.”

James squeezes your shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t let him get in your head, sweetheart. Everyone who matters already knows he’s full of shit.”

“Yeah, and you should’ve heard Marl boasting about you in the common room,” Sirius adds. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she buys your butterbeers next time we’re in Hogsmeade.”

You laugh, but stop when Remus levels you with a serious look. “Anyone talks like that to you again, you come straight to us, understand?”

You nod, and Sirius drags you into his side, eager to lighten the mood again. “Yeah,” he declares, “if anyone’s calling you a slut, it needs to be consensual, and it ought to be me.”

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tagedeszorns · 1 month ago

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SPOILERS for "Fulgrim - The Perfect Son"

You were warned - Spoilers ahaed!

Okay, so it finally has happened. Pigs are flying, dogs are walking backwards and I am admitting that I'd rather read a Fulgrim-novel written by Graham McNeill than this one.

But to get to this point ... let me take the long route!

First - imagine a novel about a Primarch. Let's say Guilliman, because the Ultramarines are the example for everything. Let's say he returns. (Bear with me, I am not talking about how it actually happened for him!) And it is not explained at all, why he's back. What's his motivation. How? Don't ask stupid questions! Anyways. He's back. Now, what about his Legion? What about Calgar? Sicarius? His Librarius? Well, never mind, they don't matter, because (galaxy brain moment here!) - they don't exist! Instead they are replaced with a cast of new characters you never heard of before, but you are supposed to take as "have always been his favourites". And those characters are as generic as they come. Absolutely bland. Plus, Guilliman isn't even there most of the time. Also, apparently the Emperor is no longer a factor for anything.

That's the setting Jude Reid throws at the reader, just with Emperor's Children.

Okay. Okay. I can live with new characters. But maybe at least tie them with the rich history of the third? With all its glory and trauma? Harmony? Canticle City? The Phoenix Conclave? Anything? No?

Well. Then give them a gratious amount of Sex, Drugs and Rock'nRoll, because that's what they do in 40k? No? A bit? So Noise Marines aren't Slaanesh's sledgehammers any longer? Maybe remember how cool Eidolon and his Kakophonii screamed that White Scars ship to rubble or how Ramos tore down the Medean Gate on Luna? No? And the drugs are just some kind of better stims now? Like the stuff Lance Armstrong takes on a daily basis?

Well. Okay. No History, none of the cool guys ... maybe some Dark Prince-fuckery? No? Oh. The word "Slaanesh" is two times in the whole book and it's with sorcery, not normal EC or Fulgrim? And Dark Prince or She Who Thrirsts ... ah, nevermind. So, no Youngest God at all.

Well, Fulgrim is the mightiest servant of Slaanesh and he's the title character of the novel, so it's okay. Enough slaaneshi shenanigans for everyone! No? Fulgrim is there for about 5% of the novel and we never get his POV? Oh. Okay. Well.

Yes, I am disappointed. After Marc Collins gave us the great new Eidolon novel, I had high hopes Games Workshop wanting to bring out the coolness in the third Legion again.

But instead we got the most generic Chaos (not really) stuff ever. You could replace everybody with Red Corsairs and Fulgrim with the Tyrant and nobody would notice any difference.

And now I am back to the beginning. Why McNeill's EC may be horrible but way better than Reid's.

Because they are over the top. Because they are the superlative of extra. Because they are divas. Because they are trying to be cool AF. Because they are mean fuckers.

Reid's EC are what I always thought I wanted (my Midas-moment, if you will): Swordsmen. Duelists. But it turns out, that it is possible to fall to Slaanesh and hate excess (yes, Tamaris, the main char, is very offended by excess). Damn, girl! Take a page out of Ian StMartin's book and look up what excessive swordsmanship does for Lucius!

So, taking everything slaaneshi from the EC didn't do them any good. Apparently they are now Chaos Undivided, swear by "Gods" instead of their chosen patron God and such. Much generic. Wow. Sacrificing like they are the Word Bearers we have at home.

The ideal solution would be a mix of both: McNeill's extra queerness (because Reid's chars are giving off the most cis-het vibes I ever got from anything Warhammer! Even the Chaos Sorcerer reminiscing fucking Fulgrim is as sterilised as possible. I bet Reddit-Warhammer loves this book, because none of them pesky gays and their sexytimes!) and excessiveness and Reid letting them keep their beauty and dignity. It's very telling that the most erotic moment of the book is the main character kissing the guy he just killed.

Because that's the GREAT plus of this book. Finally! Beautiful Emperor's Children! Beautiful Fulgrim! Plaese, give me more of this! And they are (mostly) honourable! Awww, yiss! Yes, Reid is falling back into the way too familiar "uglyness and betrayal"-trope soon enough, but an effort was made.

But that's not enough to work as saving grace.

The novel is very clearly what @paniwarhamauser called "saturday morning cartoons to sell toys", because every buyable unit is mentioned and described very clearly.

But what this book is lacking, is a soul. An understanding for the EC's (and Fulgrim's - but the Phoenician barely features in the novel, so I will leave him out on this) unique tragedy, drama, history and power.

I am glad we got the great "Auric Hammer"-book (please let Marc Collins write more for EC! He gets them! Raging Eidolon gives me life!). And we still have Josh Reynold's superb Fulgrim-novel. But this new one is not for me.

I mean, we EC-fans have a lot of great novels and stories, compared to other Legions (poor Raven Guard for example). So I really shouldn't complain.

Well, rant over, I am calm and collected again and will continue reading the pleasant Alpha Legion-stuff I have left for the Fulgrim novel (may contain traces of Fulgrim). 😁

#warhammer #emperor's children #warhammer 40k #Fulgrim - The Perfect Son #Spoilers

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brutaliashipper1 · 6 days ago

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A sick Robin

Bruce has a day full of VERY important meetings and other stuff with investors and what not. Being a CEO and all. And he has to do it alone with Tim on a Titan mission. He’s not even half way through the day with a 30 minute break before the next meeting, he was going to relax and have an early lunch when he gets a call. Damian’s school.

Turns out Damian had vomited in the bathroom and had a fever. So Bruce drives there quickly with some spare clothes he leaves in his office (he learned early on from dick to always have spare clothes), quickly he gets Damian dressed. As Bruce begins to drive an alarm goes off saying he has 9 minutes till his Most important meeting of the day. With no time to loose he makes the decision to take Damian to WE. He absolutely did violate several speed signs. Bruce and Damian arrive with 2 minutes to spare.

When Damian’s sick he’s very cuddly and sensitive. So when Damian begins to cry as his stomach hurts Bruce calms him down bouncing ever so slightly in the chair. Damian tries to hide himself away from the world in his father’s neck. As the other board members gather around the long glass table with other companies representatives, Lucius starts the meeting. 6 hours of a meeting left Bruce thought.

- 45 minutes in-

Bruce reaches down next to him to give his son the water bottle they brought. Just after that, Bruce stands. “I agree. Doing this will greatly improve profits and boost morale within our teams. I believe we should do this as an event, a charity I propose-

*damian sneezes like a kitten* ”Bless you. As I was saying that a charity can even help the image of WE.”

Bruce sits down once more as the meeting continues while certain members note down what he said.

-2 hours & 4 minutes in-

Damian began to shiver in Bruce’s hold. The room suddenly feeling like a freezer as Damian squirms. No one has noticed to occupied with the screen ahead of them all. Bruce noticing the distress takes of his tux’s jacket and wraps it around his son, feeling Damian relax and cuddle somehow even closer.

-3 hours in-

The meeting was so long and they were only half way through. Damian was squirming more violently. White at the same time griping Bruce. He was trying to get them to move, stand, walk, just something, he’d want rest but not in a public spot.

Bruce had to talk about the topic on the projector screen. He feels Damian moving and getting frustrated, he’s worried Damian will get upset and there will be a whole problem of trying to calm him down while these assholes make judgy remarks about his son. So when his name is called he walks up to the front dragging Damian along.

“So you see here *picks up Damian to use as a pointer for the graph* the prices in Argentina have decreased which means we are over pricing there and therefore *moves Damian to those side* since this only happened since we decided to change this *uses Damian to point to something*, it means we should go back to our old system. I need someone to inform the team we have there.” Everyone nods a few cover there mouths hiding a smirk when Damian giggles quietly at the actions.

“Also we should have a chat with, Damian can you click that button on the right side to get to the next slide- yup there- no so close- yup right there thanks, the IT department needs to fix this issue as we’ve had many complaints.” Bruce finishes by spinning on his heel holding Damian against his chest once more.

“Thank you. Well said mister Wayne” a board member spoke.

-Hour 4 23 minutes in-

*discussing going on everywhere in the room* ”Right how do you feel.” Bruce said softly. “Mm tired. I wnna go hme.” Damian’s voice sounded strained and he was getting worse. His son just needed to wait one more hour (a little more). Bruce rubs his back and rocks Damian to try get the boy to fall asleep.

-5 hours & 45 minutes-

Damian’s fully asleep and the meetings almost over.

“Mister Wayne. You and your son are excused. The rest of the meeting for you and a few others is via email.” Bruce nodded sending Lucius a glance saying tell me everything when it’s done. Lucius nodded knowingly as Bruce and Damian left.

“Baba” Damians spoke. “I’m going to *gags* vomit. “Oh baby come on let’s got to the nearest trash bin or toilet and get some medicine.”

-it’s going to be a long day for Bruce but he wouldn’t have it any other way-

(don’t know how I feel. I just got bored lol)

#bruce wayne #damian wayne #batfamily #fluff #good parent bruce wayne #sick fic #vomit warning #lucius fox #wayne enterprises #Mention Tim drake #Mention Batfamily mebers

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maxdibert · 5 months ago

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Oh, holy maxdibert, please bless us with post-school pre-teaching (from 18 to 20) Snape headcanons

Alright, here are some headcanons I’ve always had to fill in gaps and make sense of certain things:

• His mother died shortly after he left Hogwarts. Eileen’s health had already been in terrible condition due to her way of life, and she was increasingly neglected. In the end, she passed away from some sort of magical illness.

• Severus only returned to Spinner’s End for the funeral, where his father showed up drunk. He decided he had no reason to go back there, especially now that his mother was gone and he was involved with the Death Eaters, finally able to leave the Muggle world behind for good.

• He handled Eileen’s death terribly by completely ignoring his need to grieve, pretending it hadn’t happened, and using the fact that he no longer had any connection to the Muggle world to sever himself from that part of his life, which he had always hated as it reminded him of terrible things.

• Another terrible way he coped was by throwing himself into his “work,” which at that time consisted of political scheming with the Death Eaters. He volunteered for every undesirable task just to avoid stopping and thinking about things he didn’t want to face.

• That’s basically how he ended up taking on espionage tasks for Voldemort: aristocratic pure-blood wizards saw sneaking around in alleyways as lowly work. They wanted to plan assaults or be on the front lines, playing heroes of fanaticism—not hiding in the trash to see what scraps they could gather. Severus didn’t mind because it meant being out all day, avoiding places that made him stop and think.

• Being meticulous, perfectionistic, and someone who liked working alone, he turned out to be excellent at it. Since he was so good at it, he caught Voldemort’s attention. Voldemort might be oblivious when it comes to emotions, but he’s practical and knows how to spot talent.

• This led to Voldemort giving him more complex and secretive tasks, tasks he wouldn’t entrust to many others. It was the door to Voldemort’s inner circle, in a way so discreet that many in the organization still thought Severus was just “Lucius’ half-blood lackey.”

• Speaking of Lucius, of course, he was the one who brought Severus into the Death Eaters. They were pretty close during that time, with Lucius taking on a kind of patronizing, older-brother role toward him.

• That was also when Severus started to really bond with Narcissa. They’d known each other for years but hadn’t spoken much due to the age difference and because he mostly saw her as “Lucius’ girlfriend.” But once they were out of school and the Malfoys were about to get married, they started interacting more, and Narcissa sort of “adopted” him.

• He attended the Malfoys’ wedding, which took place in early 1979.

• That spring, he found out that his father had been found dead in an alley. No one knew what had happened; they just told him that Tobias had been fired from the factory months earlier for showing up drunk too many times, and afterward, he’d never left the pub.

• He didn’t care about the details—just that the house was now his, and he didn’t want it for anything.

• Instead of grieving properly for this second loss, so close to the first, he focused even more on advancing within the Death Eaters, taking on more and more dangerous and reckless missions.

• Voldemort admired his dedication to the cause and his willingness to risk his life, but he had no idea that Severus didn’t care about the cause at all—he just wanted to stop thinking.

• That same year, he also found out that Lily had married James Potter. When he was told, he didn’t say anything—he just compulsively smoked through two packs of cigarettes in a single day.

• His favorite coping mechanism? Absolute avoidance of emotions, with no attempt to acknowledge or process them.

• He wasn’t sad or jealous about Lily’s marriage—he was absolutely furious and deeply disappointed. This culminated in him getting into a ridiculous fight with another Death Eater over some stupid comment. He ended up lunging at the guy and completely wrecking his face.

• Some of the more sadistic Death Eaters thought Severus was a pretty tough guy after that, like some kind of rabid animal. But in reality, he was just a kid who’d been taught to handle emotions with violence.

• He heard the prophecy because Voldemort had finally entrusted him with one of the riskiest tasks: spying on Dumbledore. Ironic, since years later Dumbledore would ask him to do the same thing, but in reverse.

• He liked the recognition Voldemort gave him, liked feeling useful, liked occasionally visiting the Malfoys, and liked how Narcissa would shut Bellatrix up whenever she made snide remarks about him. Bellatrix reminded him too much of Sirius Black—not just in her arrogance, impulsiveness, and insufferability, but also in their physical resemblance—and it drove him crazy.

• He often hung out with Mulciber, Avery, and Rosier, but he got bored quickly because all they did was get drunk and fall over after barely a few drinks. They couldn’t hold their liquor at all.

• Severus wasn’t much of a drinker for fun, but when he did, he could handle a lot more than they could. He would never have admitted it out loud, but in those moments, he thought of them as spoiled brats.

• He had a couple of flings with some pure-blood girls they introduced him to, but nothing serious. Narcissa would sometimes scold him, telling him to find a good match and settle down because “family, blah blah blah,” but it all just sounded like old-people talk to him.

• Around that time, Lucius was obsessed with trying to get Severus to apply for Ministry positions, claiming that with the right connections (i.e., his), Severus could rise to a high-ranking role. But Severus wasn’t interested and never paid him much attention.

• He perfected his Occlumency skills during that period because many Death Eaters were skilled Legilimens, and he didn’t want anyone getting into his head.

• He met Draco shortly after he was born, which was one of the most awkward moments of his life. He had no idea how to interact with a newborn, so he just stared at him for five minutes like he was some exotic animal that was both intriguing and baffling. Narcissa eventually had to tell him to stop staring because he was going to traumatize the baby.

• The idea of returning to Hogwarts or Spinner’s End would never have even crossed his mind—until he heard the prophecy.

• He learned that strength, wealth, or brilliance aren’t the keys to success; the ability to obtain and manage information is the key to power.

#severus snape #pro severus snape #severus snape fandom #severus snape headcanons #Severus snape imagines #young Severus snape #death eaters #lucius malfoy #narcissa malfoy #Voldemort #Dumbledore

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citrineghost · 2 years ago

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I absolutely cannot get over - of all the things wrong with this season of OFMD - the abuse apologism.

Listen, hear me out, I understand that they're violent pirates. I understand they brutally murder and kill people and steal their shit and ruin lives. I get it.

The problem is, you cannot make a comedy about pirates and put a focus on the therapizing and emotional openness of the crew, making the fact that Stede showing up has them healing and talking and being emotionally more healthy as a major selling point of the show only to use that therapy-speak as a way of justifying abuse apologism.

They all hurt people, yes. The thing is, they're not supposed to hurt each other. They're supposed to be a family. The violence and abuse is supposed to be outside of the family network. They're supposed to be at home around each other, even if everyone there isn't great all the time and can sometimes be a bit toxic or unhealthy. Overall, in season 1, the message was, "We can get through this together." "Talk it through, as a crew."

Instead, season 2 dives directly into Ed committing atrocities against his own crew, giving most of them some combination of PTSD (which is clearly worse than any they've experienced before, because their personalities and ability to interact with people is completely altered), dissociation, hypervigilance, etc. Then, when they finally beat his ass and try to kill him because of the abuse, Stede fucking Bonnet shows up and is like, actually! I think you all should give him another chance!

The following episode(s) are so fucking hard to watch.

You've got people jumpy around him, terrified he's going to hurt them, all the while Stede encouraging them to just get over it and forgive him. He pushes for Ed to try to "turn poison into positivity." Basically encouraging the notion that if your abuser apologizes and then acts nice, everything should be fine and peachy.

The fact that this is bullshit is mentioned, I believe, only once, when someone noted that Edward didn't even use the words, "I'm sorry," during his apology.

This isn't just perpetuated by Stede, it's also perpetuated by Black Pete. He says to Lucius, "I feel like you're not even looking at me, you're looking through me." and then, when he sees that Lucius is drawing Ed's head on Pete's body (I guess meant to be some comedic take on traumatic fixation), he isn't sympathetic at all, he get's mad that he's not focused on him, and says something along the lines of, "You're so focused on the bad that happened to you but I haven't heard you mention once that you're alive."

This is such a heartwrenchingly common form of abuse minimization that it's nauseating to think about. This idea that, oh, you may be traumatized but actually you're not dead so who cares? Be grateful! Get over it!

And, unlike it being pointed out that Ed didn't say the words, "I'm sorry," this scene is never criticized by anyone in-show. Instead, Lucius appears very guilty and then draws a picture of Black Pete as an apology, telling him he's right.

He wasn't right. That's a fucked up thing to tell someone who was almost killed and then experienced extreme trauma following that. He made the entirety of Lucius' trauma an affront to him. Because Lucius was thinking about his trauma and not him.

Now the worst thing about all of this, to me, is that once this episode is past, it's treated as if everything is resolved. Oh haha funny, Ed walked around the ship with a cat bell on his neck for a few days so he couldn't sneak up on people! So cute and quirky!

It's fucking not! They should have thrown him onto a deserted beach and left him there. I'm not saying Ed should never be allowed to have anything good again in his life, I'm just saying it shouldn't be the crew he traumatized and abused. They don't deserve to have to live with him. They shouldn't be expected to forgive him.

Don't even talk to me about how they made a, and I quote, "Safe Space," and then Ed showed up to it. Like he had any fucking right to be there. When it was a Safe Space meant to be specifically an escape for the people he abused and traumatized. As if he, too, was a victim of him abusing them.

And on top of all of that, the fact that, as he's dying, Izzy is taking all the blame for Ed's actions as Blackbeard - another of Ed's abuse victims - and is treated as if that's the peak of his emotional development. It's not. That was where his development plummeted. He had seconds left to live and he used them to absolve his abuser of his guilt because he loves him and didn't want him to feel as bad when he died.

I was not a fan of Izzy in season 1. He was the biggest cunt on the ship, and he did encourage Ed to be a worse version of himself. But that doesn't mean his cuntiness justified him being mutilated and abused daily. We can only put so much of that on him. Ed had the power to say no. He had the power to be moderate, even. He had the power to be violent and terrible to people outside of their crew. He took Izzy's words and he ran with them - waaay further than he had any conscionable right to.

But this post isn't about season 2 Izzy. It's about abuse apologism, which I feel made up a significant portion of this season's content. And I'm just fucking furious about it.

I'm not saying shows can't have bad things in them. I'm not saying abuse apologism doesn't happen or that it doesn't have its place in media. I'm just saying, season 2 of this show wasn't a fucking comedy. The writers fucking tanked it. Everything that was good about season 1 was stripped of season 2 and everything was plunged into dark-humor tinted tragedy.

You can't base an entire show on the idea of comedically intelligent/modern therapizing language and then use that language to communicate that abusers deserve your pity and forgiveness - not to a queer audience that is probably 90% people who have been horribly abused.

#ofmd critical #ofmd #ofmd 2 #ofmd season 2 #ofmd2

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nevermindigotthis · 1 year ago

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Oooookay, so in my quest to find a Drarry fic I like I came up with my own idea. Basically, instead of Harry, Ron and Hermione all being captured (during the war), Harry manages to draw attention so only he is captured and manages to hide his face (similarly to what Hermione does). He gets taken to the manor and Draco is asked to identify him. Harry is absolutely sure Draco knows it’s him, but Draco hesitates to say so. In that moment, Harry gets a Voldemort vision: Voldemort has found the Elderwand. However, Voldemort also sees what Harry sees, which is Draco, with the absolute certainty that Draco knows it‘s him and isn‘t saying anything.

So Voldemort returns to Malfoy manor absolutely PISSED and accuses Draco of treason and starts torturing him while Narcissa tries to reason with him. Voldemort demands all Malfoys prove their loyalty by torturing Draco with Cruciatus. Bellatrix does not hesitate. Lucius is reluctant, but too afraid to resist, so he complies. Narcissa begs that he‘s her son and she just can‘t. Haven’t decided if he kills her for it.

Then Voldemort turns to Harry, who doesn‘t want to die and tells Voldmort that he‘s a horcrux so he won‘t be killed (Hermione figured it out earlier). Voldemort tortures him a bit too and then throws the both of them in the cellars of the Manor. Which is where this picture comes in (with a lot more humor than the fic would have).

I haven‘t decided how this would end (apart from Drarry, lol), but the glorious escape would entail Harry realizing Draco is the master of the Elderwand and them using that fact to escape. Now that I think about it though, Voldemort torturing Draco would probably make him the master… eh, I haven‘t figured it out yet.

But enjoy the image, because writing is hard and I probably will never actually write this fic.

#my art #comic #Harry Potter #draco malfoy #Harry Potter and the deathly hollows #Harry Potter book 7 #canon divergence #fanfic ramblings #fanfiction idea #Drarry #drarry art #Harry Potter fan art

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iamnmbr3 · 9 months ago

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J.K.R: Writes a story about a boy who meets another boy at a clothing shop and they somehow become nemesis because boy a didn't shake boy b's hand.

But wait, there's more! They are each other's foil.

Harry then learns everything there is to know about Draco and in spite of not being in the same house, has catalogued every one of his moods, has learned about the letters he gets from his parents and about his freaking wardrobe and things he paid attention to years prior.

And if that's not enough, Draco knew Harry couldn't be the heir of Slytherin.

And you think I'm done? Well, you thought wrong!

After almost accidentally killing Draco, Harry lies through his teeth even when he knew he was right and Draco in turns also lies even when he knows it means he could die and so could his family, which was the sole reason he got into this mess in the first place.

And to further drive the point home, Draco's wand works surprisingly well for Harry and he defeats Voldemort with it.

And it's J.K doesn't want us to ship it? It's not our fault she accidentally wrote a enemies to lovers 🤷‍♀️

Yeah. It is absolutely wild! JKR hates drarry and would never intentionally write this - and if she did, she wouldn't be able to do it as well judging by her rather lackluster handling of the main canon romances. But she accidentally created a work of pure genius with drarry. It's hilarious.

I think you raise a great point about Harry lying to protect Draco in book 6. Not only does Harry obfuscate Draco's role in the whole Astronomy Tower incident in the end to deflect blame from him, but post Sectumsempra incident he takes all the blame and doesn't share what Draco was saying or the fact that he tried to use an Unforgivable even though divulging that information probably would've gotten Harry completely out of trouble.

He hd the power to ruin Draco. Remember, by that point Harry is back in favor with the Ministry (even if the feeling is very much not mutual), Lucius is in jail, and the Malfoys are completely ruined. In the early books Arthur dreams of being able to search Lucius's house but knows he'd never be able to, even with a good reason, because the Malfoys are too influential. By book 6 he can essentially do it on a whim and Slughorn avoids Draco like the plague because of the negative association with his father.

If Harry said that Draco said a ton of incriminating stuff and then attacked him (because let's not forget, Draco is the one who initiated the duel) and tried to use an Unforgivable Curse on him, it would absolutely be believed and taken seriously. Who do you think the authorities are going to side with? The disgraced son of a convicted Death Eater or Harry, the Chosen One who is once again the public's darling? Yeah.

But Harry says nothing despite the fact that this means unpleasant personal consequences for him. Not to mention that it leaves Draco free to continue with whatever mission Harry suspects he's on. In fact, after this scene Harry backs off pursuing Draco. And even when all his suspicions about Draco are proven right on the Astronomy Tower, Harry's reaction is to lie for him again and to worry about him.

#asks #Harry Potter #drarry #hpdm #harco #Draco Malfoy

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sabine-smitten-obviously · 10 days ago

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Our flag means death - fanfic recs part #2 May 2025 🩷🫡🏴‍☠️☠️

Hello my dear fellow Pirates!

I crossed over from the Good-Omens-Fandom to OFMD and i love it here. Usually i write recs for GO, but as my list of OFMD-readings is getting longer and longer, i decided to write about these lovely gems here, too. 🤗 So be happy to look around, feel inspired to have some auxiliary book-recs and feel free to tell me YOUR most loved fanfics on the co-captains of our hearts!

Multichapterfics

77] Blue as cut sapphires and shining like gold (E) by @suchgreatheits

Stede is a history professor, specialised in pirates. When a new art prof joins the uni, he is not only fascinated but rapidly falling in love. Luckily Edward is open to deepen their connection on several levels, though neither of them seems to be really good at communicating. Will they get their happy end? 😉

This is a real long-fic with 34 chapters. And to my humble opinion about 3/4 of it is the best smut i have ever read. Still - you know the hurt and break is coming and even the angsty parts are written so well that i actually had to take a break to stop my own triggers from firing alarms. 🌶️🌶️🌶️

78] Not Pickles (E) by @smallestchurch

Ed has his life finally settled 3 years after his breakup. Well - at least, mostly. When his new neighbour Stede moves in, he finds himself caught up in the whirlwind of love, kids and even a creepy puppet. Don't worry, they will be fine! 🩷 A therapy-positive fic with hilarious banter, which often made me laugh!

Plus funny story aside:

🤣

79] We belong awake (E) by @suchgreatheights

When Ed gets stuck in traffic behind this fucking slow driver, it's already nerve wrecking enough. Running into him again on the rest stop wasn't exactly his plan, but a good opportunity to tell him to his face what he thinks of his driving style. How they still manage to share a small lunch together and then finally even go on kind of a road trip together? You really have to read this fic to find out. 🥳🩷

Don't let the length fool you, it's 840 pages of absolute hilarious banter, plot and the hottest smut I've come across so far (and I read a lot, like really a lot). 🌶️🌶️🌶️ This fic also has a playlist on Spotify and really beautiful art by several different artists. So now I can't listen to 80ies radio without thinking of them and have a seperate folder with fanart from this lovely fic. Definitely on the reread-list! The author has some unfinished stories and I really do hope she will pick up writing again.

Art by @mossgroves

80] Turn on the light (E) by @smallestchurch

When Stede gets to know that the Lighthouse Bookshop is for sale, he quits his job and buys it. The bookshop is connected to the famous bar The Kraken and when Stede meets the owner of the bar, a friendship is formed. At least that's what he tells himself. Being married and a dad and straight - it had to be friendship. Right? 😄

Such a nice story and I just realised it's from the same author as "Not pickles", which I wouldn't have guessed. 🫠

Oneshots

81] When Teal Met Violet (E) by @ramsay_baggins

One year after Stede's top surgery, Lucius finally manages to drag him to a club. You'll never guess, whom he meets there. 😉

82] Pretty (E) by @soupbtch

Ed and Stede play hide and seek - at Lucius and Pete's. What happens in the closet, stays in the closet, right? 🌶️

83] Very Cool (in a soft, gentle, pretty sort of way) (E) by @suchgreatheights

When Stede returns to the revenge, he is not easily forgiven. One day he returns from a raid, offering Ed pearls. Fucking pearls!

84] but zaddy i love him (E) by @margaritaville

When Ed watches Stede choping logs, one word desperately tries to leave his mouth. And no matter how hard he tries not to let it escape, it seems there are things that need to be said. Or rather shouted ... 🌶️ Or: Ed realises, he has a daddy-kink. But what will Stede think of it? 😁

85] Life on Reset (M) by @bizarrelittlemew

Ed is the "captain" of an Ikea-store. When one winterday he finds himself snowed in at work, it's luckily only a handful of customers, he has to care about. Stede for example, who just came to look for a bed ...

86] Everything is coming up roses (M) by @unencryptid

Stede owns a successful flower-shop and has a stand at the weekly saturdays town market. Ed is the vintner of the equally successful vineyard, who is showing up at the market for the first time to present his new rose-wine. When Stede builds a pirate ship out of flowers, Ed has to finally come over to talk to him. 🩷

A very sweet oneshot with a hot end. 🔥

Hope you enjoy the list, pls share the love with kudos, comments and shares! 🤗

Follow along for short summaries and recs on the books i read🩷 The numbers are for funsies - i want to count my reads throughout 2025.

I only read finished stories and one-shots. You will find no WIPs in here. Also you will only find happy or at least hopeful endings here - i couldn´t handle anything else.

Also i try to find every author here on tumblr to link-to, but some times i am out of luck. If you happen to know them, please tell them, write to me in the comments or DM me and i will update the post!

Ratings in ()

Fanfiction is my happyplace 🩷

PS: if you´re interested in GO-recs, here is the overview of all of my recs so far!

#fanfic #ofmd #ofmd fanart #ofmd fanfic #gentlebeard #edward teach #stede bonnet #blackbonnet #blackbeard #our flag means death #fanfic rec #fanfiction review #fanfiction recommendation #taika waititi #rhys darby #co captains #the captains of my heart!

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astral-scout · 2 months ago

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nobleflower hcs pls

omg yay i love u <33333

nobleflower are my GIRLS they are so dear to me. trust that they are always on my mind just floating around in there. yapping got out of hand and it is completely incoherent im so sorry

not really a headcanon but i love music and i associate everything with songs so. i just made a list of songs i associate with them!

ivy by taylor swift -- their theme song sorry not sorry

illicit affairs by taylor swift -- post breakup nobleflower where theyre absolutely a disaster!!!!! i eat that up

you're losing me by taylor swift

casual by chappell roan

good luck babe by chappell roan -- both povs sort of work i have to be honest. but i think alice would be more self aware about her sexuality and thus the chappell in this situation

we're in love by boygenius -- this one is kind of canon-compliant with alice being crucio-d by bellatrix & losing her memory.. because "if you dont remember i will try to remind you of [etc]"

christine by lucy dacus -- kind of au-y. as in i've written an au set to this song. and the "if you get married" verse drove me to tears

bullseye by lucy dacus theres a lot of lucy dacus here bc i love lucy dacus and she writes very nobleflower songs imo

lacy by olivia rodrigo kinda has that . enemies to lovers vibe that they embody in my mind

modigliani by lucy dacus "you make me homesick for places i've never been" is so alice core to me !!! she Is home. but the "and even if it [the subject's boyfriend] doesn't fit, you'll still wear it / cause if it's what you want, you're gonna get it" is . narcissa toward lucius to meee)

sister golden hair by america im not sure about this one . i lovelovelove this song and it came on while i was writing a nobleflower fic and i was like Yup this is them all right. idk. narcissa is blond i guess

daffodil by florence and the machine YES it is mostly because narcissa means daffodil . HOWEVER. i do have some justification for it in that "the helpless optimism of spring" and "sometimes i see so much beauty i dont think i can cope" are my alice)

troublemaker doppelganger by lucy dacus hear me out on this one ok . au where they have a messy break up and marry their canonical husbands etc etc and then being haunted by That Bitch their whole lives. this song is alice pov specifically "it couldn't have been you but she had your eyes / made for faking smiles and turning tides" are you hearing me. "was it that girl, that beautiful girl, thirsty for love and eager for attention / was it that girl who taught me about destruction?" ARE YOU HEARING ME "they made you a throne out of magazines, they made you a crown out of peonies" quintessential narcissa to mee.... also "is that a hearse or a limousine" simply SCREAMS the black family

night shift by lucy dacus i think most people know this one so. no explanation necessary

vampire empire by big thief yeah its them. did somebody say toxic yuri

anything by adrianne lenker (christmas eve w your mother and sis is druella and bellatrix btw . if they wouuld ever be in a situation where they meet alice LMAO) i dont wanna be the owner of your fantasy i just wanna be a part of your family... you held me the whole way through when i couldnt say the words like you / i was scared indigo but i wanted to <- narcissa pov song for once. i dont know why all these songs have been alice pov sorry

moon song by phoebe bridgers "and if i could give you the moon i would give you the moon... you are sick and youre married and you might be dying but youre holding me like water in your hands..." yeah

dreams by fleetwood mac post breakup again! "like a heartbeat drives you mad / in the stillness of remembering what you had / and what you lost .... say women they will come and they will go / when the rain washes you clean you'll know" yeah. alice. im on that haunting each other shit again

(you may have sensed by now that i have listened to approximately 5 artists in my entire life. yes i am slightly ashamed of it)

i looove academic rivals nobleflower. narcissa needs academic validation to function and alice is an Academic Weapon tm and they fuckng hate each other. but then they fall in love. you know that post that's like "i fear only one person has ever truly understood me and i fucking hate the guy" ? yeah thats nobleflower to me

however ! i think they could become friends in like . a homoerotic bound-to-end-badly kind of way. (they definitely had one of those sapphic homoerotic sleepovers and kissed and never talked about it again.) their friendship would be sort of like.. regina george and cady heron core kind of.. if cady didnt gaf about what regina tried to get her to do and couldnt stand the plastics

alice reads poetry for the sheer joy of it. the real love of her life is poetry and her favourite thing to do is curl up with a big mug of tea and read some poems. narcissa reads poetry because she is pretentious and wants to be liek, an Intellectual. that kind of vibe. (alice teaches her to love it for the right reasons eventually. they read sappho together like the lesbian losers they are)

since i am in university (unfortunately) i like putting them in my shoes because i hate them. i think narcissa woudl be an english, psychology, or anthropology major, and alice would be an engineering, music, health sciences, or biology major (i have a lot of Career Paths in mind for her). she could also do english for Rivalry reasons ( I AM AN ENGLISH MAJOR IF YOU COULDNT TELL)

alice would minor in something "political" (for lack of a better word) (gender studies, global studies etc) and she would be super political around campus, fighting for social justice. narcissa would not gaf (ultra privileged rich white girl that she is) and it would drive alice nuts (she is right). she would try to get narcissa to protest w her and narcissa wouuld be like ??? no ??? alice can fix her.

theres an au floating around my head where theyre rival lawyers who have to work together on a case.. and learn about each other along the way... and its set in new york and its raining... idk

i have also been thinking abt them in an orchestra........ narcissa on flute (because i played flute for 5 years and im determined to make it do SOMETHING for me) and alice on bass or violin.. minerva as the conductor... lots of drama

theyre so 90s core to me i dont konw why... i have like 3 separate 90s au nobleflower wips 😞 also vaguely-regency-era (I did not pay attention in history idk when that even was) britain.. yea

this ^ is like, The nobleflower picture if you look up their aesthetic on pinterest . its in everyones boards yaknow. but the pinterest people are right its them

thats all i got for now! thank u again for letting me yap about them <3 iam posting this right before i go to sleep so if theres some truly horrific typo or i missed something .. too bad! i am eepy.

#SORRY for the yapping holy shit. once i get started i will not stop #also sorry it took me a second to answer this !! i forgor #scout talks marauders #<- i should probably do that more often since it is my Main Fandom and i think about them pretty much 24/7

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pigeon-princess · 2 years ago

Text

If you've ever wanted to know about our Curse of Strahd campaign this is a summary of everything so far. We have been playing for over a year so it's a very long read!

We are about halfway through the campaign so there are still a few major plot points and important NPCs that we have not encountered yet so please no spoilers in any tags, questions or responses!

Our campaign has a few added homebrew elements, extended lore from the novels and some NPCs that have been added/changed by our DM so some things will vary from the source book!

Disclaimers: Spoilers below the cut for major Curse of Strahd plot points in Vallaki, Argynvostholt, Dinner at Ravenloft, Wizard of Wines and more.

Our party members:

Benoit - Tiefling Druid (Circle of Stars)

Silas Shaw - Human Wizard (Order of Scribes)

Lucius “Thornhill”- Aasimar Paladin (Oath of devotion) (+ his golden retriever summoned familiar called Dog)

Benoit was looking for a way into Barovia Valley to search for his missing mentor who was looking into the situation happening with the Dusk Elves.

Lucius, a paladin with a sordid past, was following a mysterious letter from a “Kolyan Indirovich” who apparently needed help to save the love of his life.

Silas was desperately trying to get out of the city after escaping his abusive mother who kept him sick and locked in their dilapidated home, while also hoping to get any information about his absent wizard father.

ENTERING BAROVIA

The party started their journey at the Elfsong Tavern in Balder’s Gate.

The unlikely group of three made their way into Barovia Valley, following the road until they were quickly lost in the mists.

While camping on the first night, Silas had a very vivid dream of being trapped back in his house. He had lost the ability to walk again and had to crawl through a pool of blood to rescue his father’s spellbook that had been cast into the fire.

On the road, the party discovered the body of a dead man. His pockets contained another version of Kolyan’s letter (seemingly the real one) detailing a vampire attack on his daughter Ireena Kolyana.

The group arrived in Barovia Village where they met Ismark at the Blood of the Vine Tavern. Discovering that his father Kolyan (The Burgomaster of Barovia Village) had recently died, drunk and distressed, Ismark further explained the attacks from Strahd von Zarovich (A vampire and the dark lord of Barovia Valley) on his sister Ireena.

The party agreed to help Ismark bury his father and assist in finding a safer place for Ireena to stay.

While staying in the Burgomaster’s house. Luci experienced a dream in a beautiful church, where a faceless man stood in the flames of a burning pyre. The figure invited Luci to come and sit with him.

The group assisted Ireena and Ismark in getting their father’s coffin to the local church and there they met Father Donovich. After hearing screaming from the floor beneath, Ismark attempted to force his way into the cellar and Donovich started to grapple him. Silas cast levitate on Father Donovich, sending him high into the rafters of the church. The group discovered Doru in the basement, Donovich’s son who had been turned into a vampire spawn.

With the horrible condition Doru was in the party decided that a mercy killing was the only solution. The party locked a crying Donovich in a spare room and sent Ismark and Ireena outside. Silas firmly stayed upstairs while Luci and Benoit went down to put Doru out of his misery.

Doru fought back, making an escape for the stairs and scaring the absolute shit out of Silas who then cast fireball for the first time. This completely annihilated Doru. His burning corpse tumbled down the stairs and landed right at Lucius’s feet, a vivid memory of the burning man from his dream resurfacing.

In a solemn mood, the party burned what remained of Kolyan and Doru in the graveyard.

A supernatural mist surrounded the party and large wolves began to attack. Combat commenced and after the fight, the party got their first glance of Strahd. He appeared on horseback from a distance before turning and leaving.

OLD BONEGRINDER

The group decided to head towards Vallaki, in hopes that the Church of St Andral would be consecrated ground where Ireena would be safe from Strahd.

The party encountered a woman selling “Dream Pies” to soulless people. They saw a couple give their child to the woman in exchange for pies and the little girl was thrown into a sack.

Lucius insisted that the party needed to intervene and much to Silas’s annoyance, they followed the woman towards the mill known as Old Bonegrinder.

Just outside of Old Bonegrinder, the party discovered their first megalith and saw that the shrine was desecrated with teeth. A very large raven flew over and was clearly trying to communicate something about the teeth to the party.

The group stormed into Old Bonegrinder and began combat with two hags, the third one apparently still out.

During combat the party realised that one of the Hags had turned herself into Ismark, shoving the real Ismark into the oven.

After dragging Ismark out of the oven and saving him by mere seconds, the party managed to make it out alive as the entire Bonegrinder burnt to the ground. Luckily saving the little girl in the process.

Running over from the megalith, the raven turned into a person and the party met Falkon Targolov for the first time. A wereraven and relative of the Martikov family. He said he was planning to take down the hags himself and that he worked for a group called the Keepers of the Feather.

VALLAKI

The group agreed to meet with Falkon later at the Bluewater Inn and before long, finally arrived in Vallaki.

They made a very quick beeline to the Church of St Andral, but were surprised by the four fresh gravestones out front that listed everyone's names, excluding Ireena.

As soon as Luci’s familiar was able to cross the threshold of the church, being a demonic creature, Luci could immediately sense that the church was not consecrated.

Lucius spoke with Father Lucien Petrovich, inquiring about the graves and asking if he could take in the little girl with the other orphans at the church.

Father Lucien explained that the graves were recently commissioned and he would look into the records. Sensing that Luci was a man of god, he admitted that the bones of St Andral that usually kept the church consecrated had been stolen.

Silas attempted to have a conversation with a boy called Milivoj who was digging the graves and completely embarrassed himself.

While heading to the inn, the group walked past the Burgomaster's mansion and saw a bright pink flash of energy from the attic. Silas recognised the flash as a spell going off and was immediately intrigued.

Outside the inn the party saw a colourful caravan with "Rictavio's Carnival of Wonders" painted on the side. Silas attempted to look inside but bailed when he heard a growl from behind the bars.

The party met the owners of the Bluewater Inn, Urwin and Danika Martikov and their sons - all wereravens like Falkon.

Falkon arrived soon after looking battered, carrying an ancient looking book. He had apparently defeated the last hag by himself.

Falkon took them up to his room in the cramped attic called the Raven Loft. Silas asked hesitantly, “Do you… pay to live here?” And Falkon said “No.” To which Silas replied, “Good.”

Benoit helped translate the parts of the book that were in druidic. They learnt about the history of the valley, including the Delmorians and the Fanes.

Falkon asked the party for assistance with the druids who had taken over the Wizard of Wines.

Later that night, the party met Karl and Nikolai Wachter and played a game of cards with them, learning more about the political situation in Vallaki, the Burgomaster’s family and the constant festivals.

That night Benoit had a dream of the Gulthias tree burning and spoke with a ghostly dusk elf woman called Petrina.

The following morning the party met the owner of the caravan, Rictavio. He told them he had a monkey but gave it to Blinksy the toymaker.

BURGOMASTER'S ATTIC

On the way back to the church of St Andral, Silas begged the party to peek in the attic at the Burgomaster’s mansion. Through various means of levitating and flying the party broke into the top floor.

The door on the far end had a ward that electrocuted Luci when he went to knock.

Inside the party found a workshop belonging to the baronet, Viktor Vallakovich. After snooping around and admiring the skeleton cats, the party discovered a faulty teleportation circle. It was only when Luci tried to destroy the circle with a dagger that Viktor revealed himself from his invisibility spell and attempted to stop him.

He immediately said he would have us all arrested for breaking in since he was the Burgomaster’s son. The party had a long and tense conversation with him, discussing his experiments to find a way out of Barovia. He talked about exploding a few of his maids in the process and the treatment of his once promised fiancee, Stella Wachter, who he modified her memory into believing she was a cat. He mentioned important books and information at Wachterhaus (The Wachter family’s home) that he believed would be useful.

Silas was ecstatic about meeting another wizard for the first time; the party was less enthusiastic.

At the church, Luci and Benoit found a fish hook near where the bones had been stolen from. The party learnt that Milivoj was the one who took the bones and that would usually help a fisherman called Bluuto out on Lake Zarovich.

LAKE ZAROVICH

Travelling to the Lake, the party stopped by the Vistani camp There they found out about the missing 7 year old oracle, Arabelle.

The party spoke briefly with Kassimir the dusk elf, Benoit mentioning the dreams with Petrina and learnt that she was once Kassimir’s sister and engaged to Strahd. He asked for assistance with ancient knowledge at the Amber Temple.

At the lake the party managed to stop Bluuto attempting to sacrifice Arabelle to the lake by throwing her overboard in a sack.

Silas levitated him and in his dying breaths he said “The feast…two days” before biting his tongue and dying. Great.

After bringing Arabelle home safely, she gave the part Tarokka readings which mentioned a tome of ancient knowledge, a sword of sunlight and an artefact of protection.

FESTIVAL OF THE BLAZING SUN

The party returned to Vallaki before the festival of the blazing sun.

That night Silas received a dream where he spoke directly to Strahd - Strahd gave Silas the ability to finally open his fathers spellbook. Scared of the party’s reaction, Silas decided not to tell anyone about it.

Shortly after the dream, Silas snuck out at 3am to go over to the Burgomasters mansion. He levitated up to Viktor’s bedroom and asked if he would be interested in sharing spells. It was only when Silas mentioned his father's spell book that Viktor took an interest.

The next day was the festival of the blazing sun. The party attended the bizarre display hosted by Vargus the Burgomaster and a very sad band.

From the crowd Silas tried to get Viktor’s attention on the podium. Viktor did a spinning motion with his finger telling Silas to spin in a circle, which he did immediately to Viktor's amusement. Luci hurriedly told Silas to cut it out.

It started to rain as the guards failed to light the wicker sun, and when one guard started to laugh, Vargus ordered him to be killed.

Before the party could intervene they quickly discovered that the Wachter brothers had released a sabertooth tiger into the streets, one that was apparently in Rictavio’s caravan.

After a lot of running around, rescuing an injured Nikolai and herding the creature out of town, they managed to get the tiger back into the caravan.

Rictavio told them he would be leaving, before giving a very stern talking to Silas where his poor deception revealed he had spoken with Strahd. Rictavio promptly removed a tracking spell that Strahd had put on Silas’s spellbook.

WACHTERHAUS + LORD VASILI

Taking advantage of the fact that Nikolai had gotten hurt, the party went over to Wachterhaus to check on him while also snooping around. Silas got his arm stuck in the fence while trying to get inside.

Karl informed them that his mother currently had a guest staying over called Lord Vasili von Holz.

After meeting Vasili who was surprised to find the entire party snooping around the small library, he invited them all to have dinner with him.

The party had a pleasant evening with Lady Wachter and Vasili, hearing all about Lady Wachter’s dissatisfaction with the current leader of Vallaki.

The next day the party discovered that Silas's spellbook could directly copy the contents of other books within a 8-10 ft radius. This included important documents from Wachterhaus and all of Luci’s personal diary which Silas had been reading secretly every night.

Reading his father's book, Silas also found out that his father was Otto (Inventor of Otto's Irresistible Dance), a famous wizard and bard who was close friends of Mordenkainen. Silas was utterly humiliated that his father was a Bard Wizard but was more gutted to realise that Otto had died 2 years prior at the hands of Vecna.

THE FEAST

With no new leads on the missing bones, the party went on a search through Vallaki. Silas decided to attach his spellbook to Falkon in raven form so he could fly around and look for any clues with a detect magic spell.

Finding a strong source of magic, the party very aggressively barged into the coffin maker's shop at the edge of town. Once again terrorising and killing an elderly man as he ran through Benoit's Spike Groth spell.

Not only did the party manage to find the bones, but also an entire shop filled with vampire spawn.

An intense combat ensued where the party was completely swarmed. Silas managed to dimension door out with Ismark while Luci jumped from the second floor skewering a vampire spawn and crushing it with the weight of his armour.

The city fell into complete chaos with buildings on fire and citizens being killed by vampires left and right. This was “The Feast” that Bluuto had mentioned.

The party ran into Vasili who was protecting a group of children from two vampire spawn. With his help the party managed to get to the Church of St Andral just in time to meet Anastrasya, a full blooded vampire and one of Strahd’s wives.

She killed Father Lucien in front of the party and then turned her attention to Vasili where she called him “Dear” and exposed him as Strahd Von Zarovich in disguise. (We all screamed at the table)

To protect the party, Luci handed over the bones to Strahd and in return he promised to clean up Anastrasya’s mess.

Due to a poor perception check from Luci and many bad rolls in the future, Luci continues to see Strahd in his handsome Vasili form throughout the campaign.

The party facing the aftermath of The Feast

LEAVING VALLAKI

Safely back at the Bluewater Inn, Luci had a dream where he spoke with Strahd in the church of St Andral. Strahd handed the ownership of the church over to Luci and asked him to fix it up.

Silas insisted that the party should allow Viktor to travel with them, saying "I need to bring him along to teach me more spells." And Ismark replied snarkily "Oh yeah? He's going to teach you spells? How is he going to teach you? Is he going to teach you orally? with tongue?!" And Silas flew into a complete fit of rage and embarrassment.

The party investigated Wachterhaus again, finding the long dead body of Lady Wachter's husband hidden in their bedroom but also finding the Tome of Strahd in a box of bones.

The party told Karl and Nikolai about the body and encouraged them to get out of town and head to Kresk.

In the chaos that followed, the party made plans to leave town as soon as possible, with their sights set on Argynvostholt where Luci’s tarokka reading spoke of a sword of sunlight.

With a revolt happening against the Burgomaster, Silas told Viktor to meet them at the Bluewater Inn. He waited for Viktor like a nervous war wife while Luci and Ismark went to look at Luci’s new church. On the way there they saw Lady Wachter leading a mob against the Burgomaster and his wife and allowed them to carry on. While the Burgomaster’s Mansion was set on fire, Luci and Ismark continued to clean up the church and had a heart to heart conversation.

Falkon dragged Viktor into the inn by the scruff of his collar and with no home left to return to, Silas invited Viktor to travel with them. He very quickly agreed to tag along. The party were mostly outraged but Luci firmly said "Make your choices, Silas."

That night Strahd talked with Luci again in his dreams, this time by a lake from Luci’s hometown. The following morning Luci woke up with an invitation for the entire party to a dinner at Castle Ravenloft scheduled in the next few days. Ireena adamantly insisted that she wanted to go to give Strahd a piece of her mind.

Silas was becoming increasingly jealous that Strahd was now only contacting Luci.

The party found a scroll of resurrection that was left by Rictavio. The scroll was given to Ireena to hold onto.

THE ROAD TO ARGYNVOSTHOLT

With a huge travelling party consisting of Falkon, Viktor, Ismark, Ireena, Luci, Benoit and Silas, the group grabbed new winter clothes, got their weapons silvered and bought horses from the Vistani for their trip up the mountain.

Just off the main road out of Vallaki, Luci, Ismark and Benoit stumbled on a body strung up between two trees, yellow flowers and fungi growing from his chest with druidic writing written across the stones.

When a storm started to get too strong, the group found shelter in an abandoned cabin.

The party took some time to read Strahd’s tome (We are using the interactive tome) learning about his childhood and the battle of Argynvostholt. They learnt about his right hand Rahadin the dusk elf and his best friend Alek Guilym who looked not exactly the same but very similar to Luci. They found information about his brother Sergei, the sun sword that he wielded and Tatyana, a woman identical to Ireena.

Within the tome, Benoit had a very important conversation with a woman called Lysaga who he quickly realised was still alive from hundreds of years ago and was very aware that she was communicating through a book.

Silas asked Viktor if he would form a wizard alliance with him.

On the way up the side of the mountain, the group met a Vistani man called Arrigal, who told them he was looking for a horse thief called Esmerelda - The party learnt that Esmerelda is a vampire hunter and was once a student of Van Richten. (Silas's favourite author and famous monster hunter)

Inside Argynvostholt the group stole a bunch of stuff from Godfrey Guilym’s room and absolutely decimated some revenants in an overkill combat (This incredible combat involved Luci’s insanely strong addon damage, a moonbeam spell revealing Falkon’s true form and a double fireball spell from Silas and Viktor.)

In one of the hallways, the party saw a line of marble busts. For a moment one appeared as Benoit's decapitated head. Benoit called Strahd pathetic for trying to scare him. They realised that Strahd harbours a lot of resentment as he is unable to contact Benoit through dreams like he can with the rest of the party.

Speaking with the revenant of Godfrey (And sheepishly returning his stolen property), he let us know that the revenant of Vladimir Horngaard was the one who had the sun sword.

The party had an absolutely agonising (and incredible) combat against Vladimir. Luci was caught in close quarters and was pinned to the ground, having his head smashed against the ground over and over by Vladimir, leaving him dead.

Once Vladimir was defeated and the sun sword obtained, Ireena used the scroll of resurrection to bring Luci back to life (He now has a fear of fire). Ismark being unable to stop Vladimir in the fight took Luci's death very personally.

The party returned back to Arrigal’s campsite in silence, getting a short sleep in before they were expected to be picked up for their dinner at Castle Ravenloft.

Strahd’s black carriage arrived and the party gave the tome to Falkon for safe-keeping and agreed to meet back up again at the Wizard of Wines.

Although he was not invited, Viktor decided that he was also going to attend the dinner and faced the realisation that he was no longer the Burgomaster's son.

DINNER WITH STRAHD

The exhausted party arrived at the gates of Castle Ravenloft and were met by Rahadin. Just being within his "deathly choir" aura took a bunch of hit points off Silas.

They met Strahd at the grand staircase, Luci still completely covered in his own blood.

Strahd was unimpressed by their attire and with Viktor being an uninvited guest. He informed them he had already selected new clothes for them to wear and that Rahadin would escort them to the guest wing.

When Silas hesitated to follow Rahadin up the stairs, the deathly choir got louder, making Silas collapse on the stairs.

In the guest wing they met Escher, Strahd's newest consort. They had already heard a lot about Escher from Falkon as they were dating before Escher decided to leave and turn into a vampire.

The party in their dinner outfits

After changing into new clothes, Escher refused to take the group downstairs.

When the party arrived in the dining hall by themselves, Strahd had very purposefully arranged the seating plan. Ireena on his left and Luci directly on his right.

Silas’s jealousy of Strahd's attention towards Luci was starting to boil over at this point.

At the table they met the other brides, Ludmilla and Anastrasya again - they were informed that Volenta was currently out.

After directing Ireena to sit, Strahd said “This seat is for Ireena’s brother.” And when Ismark went to sit, Strahd instructed “No, no. not you.” and made him sit one seat over.

As the dinner started, a new person entered the room, a bodyguard working for Strahd called Izek. He was very confused when Strahd told him to dine with us. The party discovered that Izek was Ireena’s real biological brother who she believed had died when they were children.

The very awkward dinner continued.

Benoit started up a charming conversation with Ludmilla. Since she wanted to discuss some more sensitive topics, Ludmilla stood and told Strahd very boldly she would be getting more wine from downstairs with Benoit. Strahd watched in silent fury as they left the room.

After Luci accidentally mentioned that he had died earlier that day, Strahd stood from the table and politely asked if Luci would join him for a walk since he had something to show him.

Luci turned to Silas as he stood and said “I’ll just be a few minutes” and Silas replied with the most sarcastic and acidic “Sure.”

With Benoit and Luci both gone from the table, completely filled with rage and jealousy, Silas grabbed a wine bottle and began to drink heavily.

PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS

Strahd had a very intimate conversation with Luci, taking him to his study and showing him the brand new red and black platemail armour that he had commissioned specifically for him.

Luci bashfully replied saying “Red is not really my colour.” Strahd smiled and said, “Well that’s not true, you looked beautiful in red when you arrived here.” referring to when Luci arrived covered in blood. Strahd casually offered Luci the idea of companionship and the opportunity to do good work in Barovia, and Luci hesitated leaving the answer vague but not turning down the offer down completely.

Benoit downstairs in the wine cellar saw the dead body of Milivoj and a number of others strung up in the basement, blood being drained from their bodies and into wine barrels.

He took note but continued his conversation with Ludmilla, asking her what she would do if Strahd was no longer in the picture and organised to meet up with her in the library after dinner to discuss further.

Drunk Silas started to pick fights with Ismark, asking if everyone was going to let Luci get away with this.

Silas demanded that Izek take him and Viktor to look at Strahd’s Library.

In the library Viktor started to hunt through books while Silas had a really pleasant and sobering conversation with Izek. Learning that he seemed to be a very kind hearted man in a difficult situation. He even asked “What's a wizard?” to Silas’s absolute surprise and horror.

Silas offered to lend some of his books to Izek, asked about his job and if there was a chance he’d be able to travel with them for a short time,with the hope he could speak properly with Ireena.

After Viktor found castle floor plans, Silas attempted a high five but since neither of them had ever done one before, they ended up just touching their palms together for a weird amount of time before both awkwardly shrugging it off.

Benoit, Ludmilla, Luci and Strahd arrived back to realise three people were no longer at the table.

As the library trio were about to leave, Izek opened the door to reveal Strahd standing in the hallway.

Izek immediately took the fall for Silas and lied saying that he offered to take them to the Library. Strahd told Izek and Viktor to leave and Viktor left Silas behind without even a second glance.

Strahd offered Silas the role of his successor and Silas's response was extremely sceptical. Strahd also mentioned that apparently the famous monster hunter Van Richten wants to kill Silas since he has Strahd's Tome. Silas is Van Richten's biggest fan and was extremely concerned and confused about this information.

The party all returned to the table. Luci asked Ismark if he was doing alright, and Ismark looked at Luci baffled saying "Why is it when something bad happens to you, you're always asking me if I'm alright? You're the one who just died."

Silas started an argument that Luci's death was more traumatic for him because he had to watch it happen.

After dinner Strahd decided to give a tour of the castle, leaving Viktor alone at the table with the brides.

As they were leaving the dining room Strahd pulled Benoit aside and threatened him saying “Conspire with my wife again and I’ll have you killed.” Benoit stared him down defiantly said “Ok. Sure.”

During the tour, out of spite Benoit revealed to everyone that he had found Milivoj dead and strung up in the wine cellar. Strahd furiously decided that the tour was over and that Izek would escort the party to their rooms for the night.

AFTER DINNER CHAOS

The post dinner conversations were very tense, the party sharing what Strahd had said to them. While Viktor was away the party raised concerns about his lack of participation in the fight that led to Luci’s death, to which Silas was very defensive.

Benoit went to talk privately with Ludmilla in the Library. He learnt more about the Druids at Yester Hill and the location of his mentor. Benoit very casually asked if she'd let him stay the night with her and having already endeared himself, she gave him a once over and nodded calmly allowing him to follow her to her room. (We all started to cheer for Benoit at the table!)

Luci decided to go and speak with Strahd alone to confront him about the all lies he had told him in his numerous dreams. When Luci showed up to Strahd's bedchambers, Escher was immediately kicked out by Strahd.

Strahd spoke with Luci, skillfully turning around every lie and positioning himself as lonely and sympathetic, endearing himself to Luci even more. At one point Strahd cast modify memory on Luci in order to make sure Luci believed him, spinning the story that the others were simply just jealous of him. Strahd offered a hand to Luci again, asking him to stay the night. Luci agreed and slept with Strahd.

When Silas found out that Luci had gone to Strahd and wasn’t coming back for the night, he sent Luci the angriest sending spell saying “You’re an idiot, a fucking traitor and a waste of a perfectly good resurrection scroll.” Silas got no reply.

After speaking with Ireena and Ismark about the state of the party, Silas numbly sat with Viktor in a spare bedroom. Silas ripped into Viktor questioning him about leaving Silas alone with Strahd. He reminded Viktor that without Silas, he would be abandoned by the party immediately so if he wanted to stay he needed to think of someone besides himself.

Viktor apologised and after some more conversations he admitted that he had witnessed his parents being stoned to death and that maybe he wasn’t completely alright after Vallaki.

They had a heart to heart, Silas telling him about his own situation with his abusive mother and Viktor telling Silas he was an idiot for believing that Van Richten wanted to kill him.

They spent the remainder of the evening studying together.

THE NEXT MORNING

Benoit and Luci sheepishly returned to the guest wing the following morning, walking into the room where Ismark, Ireena, Silas and Viktor sat waiting for them.

Silas completely flew off the handle at both of them, Benoit also getting berated but not nearly as severely as Luci.

Luci tried to explain the situation, sharing his belief that perhaps Strahd wasn’t as bad as everyone painted him as but was quickly and harshly scorned by Silas. Further pushing what Strahd had said about everyone being against Luci into his mind and dividing the party.

Luci informed everyone that Strahd had granted Izek a short leave for him to travel with us.

Silas discovered that he was unable to contact Falkon through sending spell and was worried something had happened to him and the tome.

To the surprise of everyone except for Silas, Ismark announced that he and Ireena would actually be going back to Barovia Village for a short time for their own safety. They wished the party luck and said that perhaps they would reconvene in Kresk.

With the absence of Ireena and Ismark and the weighty understanding of why they had left, the atmosphere in the carriage ride back was horrendous and more arguments insued.

Luci swore that he would never do anything to put Ireena in danger and before Silas could argue back, Viktor interrupted saying “No. No Silas, he’s right…he’d fuck anyone to protect Ireena!” which made Silas laugh harder than he ever has in his life, while Luci and Benoit sat in heated silence.

Art of Falkon and Izek by our incredible DM - @oneirotect

WIZARD OF WINES

The carriage dropped them off at the outskirts of the Wizard of Wines. The new, strange party were united in their goal of hopefully finding and recovering Falkon and Strahd's Tome.

Luci donned his incredible new armour to the absolute horror of Silas. Luci's old armour was destroyed in the combat with Vladimir so he argued back that its better than no armour at all.

Travelling off the path and following another large raven, the party met the remainder of the Martikov Family who own the winery.

After explaining the situation, Falkon's uncle Elvir guessed that Falkon had decided to do a quick detour and deal with a hag in Berez.

Elvir invited himself along and only a few hours later mentioned that he couldn't fight but that the party could protect him.

The party made their way into the swamp to rescue Falkon.

This is where we last left off in game and if you have made it this far, thank you so much for reading such a long breakdown of our campaign! If you have any questions feel free to ask and again thank you so much for showing interest and support for our game, it means so much to all of us!

#dnd #Curse of Strahd #ravenloft #strahd #Dnd campaign #dnd character #Silas Shaw #Silas #Benoit #Luci #Lucius Thornhill #dungeons and dragons #dnd art #A MEDAL FOR ANYONE WHO READS THE ENTIRE THING ITS 5K I THINK #I tried to keep is brief but so much has happened #I HOPE YOU ENJOY!

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