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shegatsby · 5 months ago

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Love Thy Enemy

Summary; Y/N Atreides had always been a stranger to the entire galaxy, her bed wasn’t her bed, her home wasn’t her home due to the fact that she was sent to accompany and be sisters with Irulan. She had limited access to her actual family and over the years they grew distant. She thought she would be like Reverend Mother, alone, yet powerful, and soon she would realize that there was no need of being alone when a wild creature had his eyes on her for a long time.

A/n; Hi my little doves, sorry i kept you waiting because i had my uncle and his family over from Germany and we spent quality time and also im working and my work is crazy lately but here i am. Love you all xx (sorry for any typos)

TAG LIST IS OPEN! (let me know if i forgot to tag you)

Warnings; Fighting! SMUT in next chapter!

Words; 3.529K

Chapter Eight ‘’Newly Weds''

She had to admit the food was delicious, she was aware that the meat dishes were exactly the way she prefered it, but she had no appetite, the grand hall was packed, houses all around the galaxy came to her wedding, including her sister-in-law and best friend Irulan, their tables were close so she saw Irulan smiled at her warmly, maybe she was encouraging her or feeling pity, Y/N couldn’t read her face from afar. Various guests brought presents such as; ancient scripts, carpets made of spice, valuable stones to make jewelry.. after a while she lost count.

When it was time to dance Feyd-Rautha bolted to his feet with a stoic expression and extended his hand to his new bride, ‘’May I have this dance?’’ it wasn’t a question he was basically demanding and it was custom for bride and groom to start the dance, the entire galaxy knew it. ‘’Yes, my Lord.’’ She replied and held his warm hand, his fingers grasped her delicate hand, he led her to the obsidian dance floor, when he held her waist she felt a sudden rush to her chest like her blood just gathered there.

‘’Try to smile, everyone is watching us.’’ He said quietly, obviously caring for his reputation and his wife’s. She looked into his eyes first, he was an excellent dancer and she was in awe every time, his blue orbits made her feel like they were the only two people in the grand hall, she felt at ease and automatically the corners of her lips lifted up into a gentle smile, a smile that pleased Feyd deeply but he kept his composure.

Soon other couples joined them, she followed Feyd’s eyes to a couple dancing close to them and she turned to see the couple, Pyramus and his fiancé were dancing…

Y/N’s eyes couldn’t believe what she was witnessing, ‘’Aww, are you hurt little dove?’’ she turned to Feyd, his tone was mocking but his eyes held something else, she could see a storm brewing in those ocean eyes, ‘’He doesn’t interest me anymore.’’ She was telling the truth but in Feyd’s dark mind she was a liar. Feyd didn’t respond and kept guiding the dance however he could feel raw rage building in him. His mind which was led by his uncle for so long was doubting his wife’s reply;

‘’She is lying, isn’t she?’’

‘’One cannot forget someone they once held dear..’’

‘’Were they ever intimate with each other?’’

His twisted mind kept twirling into those dark thoughts but his perfectly chiseled face showed no evidence of it.

Y/N’s eyes watched the guests retrieve to their guest chambers one by one, it was almost dawn and she was tired, her feet were killing her but Feyd stood still like a champion, she wondered if he was tired as well but his composure promised otherwise, Y/N found herself admiring her husband for being strong and when she caught herself doing it she shook her weary head in disbelief.

‘’Congratulations again dear nephew.’’ Baron Vladimir approached in his elevated carriage, towering above them, ‘’Thank you uncle.’’ Feyd’s response was short, Y/N bowed to show respect, Reverend Mother was next to Baron in her black clothing, covered head to toe, ‘’I shall pray for the old gods and the new for your marriage to succeed.’’ She said her eyes only focused on Y/N, she understood Reverend Mother’s true intentions, after all Y/N was one of them and she was trained to read between the lines, Reverend Mother was basically saying that ‘’I’ll pray for you to survive and keep Harkonnens connected to the Bene Gesserit by blood’’ one way or another she had to produce heirs but her plan was to avoid it as much as she could. ‘’Thank you Reverend Mother.’’ She bowed to her as well.

The way to Feyd’s chambers were covered with white roses, it was a custom of the Harkonnes, when the celebration of marriage ends the bride and groom walk back to the groom’s chambers hand in hand among white flowers to consummate the marriage.

Y/N’s heart was beating at full speed, his hand was like a cage to her hand, the hall was so silent that she could her heart beat in her ears, she knew the way to his chambers since she had been occupying it for days. She turned to get a glance of Feyd, her husband�� his stoic face made her even more uneasy, she never liked not knowing or not predicting someone’s actions.

When they reached to the black door Feyd let go of her hand to open the door, he walked in and extended his hand, she took his hand again and walked in and her skin froze when she heard the door close.

‘’Do I have to kill him for you to stop loving him?’’ was Feyd’s first words to Y/N since the dance, she knew something was wrong with him.

‘’Pardon me?’’ she turned to face him, they were in the bedroom section, the entire chambers living room, bathroom and bedroom were spotless and decorated with white roses, it smelled nice.

Staring down at her, Feyd’s eyes were dark and intense as he asked the question that had been weighing on his twisted mind since the celebrations, ‘’Do you still love him even after he sold you off for spice?’’ his voice laced with a hint of jealousy and possessiveness. His gaze remained on her, not entirely convinced by her words earlier when she said that Pyramus didn’t interest her anymore, ‘’Then why does he still have an effect on you?!’’ he asked, his tone tinged with skepticism.

She couldn’t believe that she was being accused of this, ‘’Why would a man who sold me for spice could have an effect on me?!’’

Feyd smirked as her anger flared, relishing the fact that he had gotten under her skin. ‘’it’s a simple question little dove,’’ he said coolly, his lips slightly curled in a smug smile. The mention of her ex’s betrayal ignited a fire within him, fueling his own possessive instinct. ‘’Then why was he eyeing you so intently during our wedding?’’

His questioning made her roll her eyes, was he out of his mind? Well, it was Feyd so anything could be possible. ‘’You should ask him that my Lord!’’

Feyd’s irritation grew at her eye roll and insolent response. He couldn’t help but tighten his jaw in annoyance. ‘’I am asking you little dove.’’ He said firmly, he took a step closer, towering over her in an attempt to assert his dominance. ‘’Explain why he was staring at you like that.’’

Y/N was puzzled, how could she know? She didn’t move away from him, Feyd’s patience was wearing thin. He grabbed her chin forcefully, his grip not quite painful, but firm enough to make his intentions clear. ‘’Why can’t you just give me a straightforward answer? Do you enjoy testing my limits?’’ he growled, his eyes narrowing as he studied her face, searching for any hint of deception.

Y/N didn’t back away from his grip even though it was a bit painful, ‘’As I have said, I do not know anything about him anymore, I left him in my past and I shall not bring him to my present and my future.’’ She replied calmly but she could feel the tears forming at the corner of her pretty eyes, Feyd’s grip on her chin remained firm as he leaned in closer, his gaze unwavering as he continued to question her, ‘’Why should I believe you?’’ he asked, his tone sharp, ‘’You say you’ve left him in the past, but your actions contradict your words. I don’t buy it.’’

He was being unbelievably stubborn, was he threatened by Pyramus?

‘’I was on your side the entire time.’’ She protested, his fingers were digging in her jaw, he noticed the tears forming but remained unyielding, he took a step closer again, his body now mere inches away from her, his breath warm against her lips as he continued to probe, ‘’That might be true,’’ he admitted begrudgingly, ‘’but that doesn’t change the fact that I can sense the lingering connection between you two. Don’t try to deny it. I’m no blind.’’

Maybe he still had feelings for her but she had none left, ‘’I do not know how I can convince you but I don’t love him.’’

Feyd’s hand dropped to his side, she was free from his grasp, he didn’t say anything, didn’t have to because she could see that he was still questioning her with his eyes. He pulled out a pocket knife and moved to the bed, Y/N was watching his every move. He cut his palm and smeared the blood on the side she usually slept, before she could ask he spoke with a cold tone; ‘’In few hours maids will come to take our sheets to my uncle to show him that we have consummated our marriage.’’ He took of his clothes and threw them around, he wasn’t even looking at her side of the room. He was only in his undergarments and he got under the covers, ‘’You should scatter your clothes around the room and get some sleep.’’ His back was turned to her, Y/N did what she was told and with her lacy white undergarments she got under the covers and turned her back to him. Sleep came quicker than usual.

Feyd-Rautha was a lot of things but not a liar, after getting some sleep maids have entered their bedchambers to wake them up for the new day ahead and also to ‘’change the bed sheets’’ when they saw the blood Y/N noticed the small smiles they shared among themselves, her Bene Gesserit training told her that the servants were happy to have her as their new lady. Na-Baroness Y/N Harkonnen.

Breakfast was ready for them but Feyd ignored her and left their quarters to his study room to get some work done, he was a busy man and the house Harkonnen’s future depended on him.

While she was having her breakfast she announced; ‘’I would like to visit Giedi Prime’s orphanage.’’ Her request was an odd one, maids around the room couldn’t comprehend her request, ‘’Now that I am the Na-Baroness I represent my husband. I do not wish to busy his already occupied mind about charity work and other social details. I want to see the conditions of the orphanage and offer my help. Don’t let the workers there know that I shall visit.’’ As an Atreides born and raised ladies of her house tended to more social problems and handled them with perfection. Even though she didn’t wish to marry into Harkonnens now she had duties to fulfill, Reverend Mother’s words hanged in her weary mind, the old lady was right in a sense. Y/N had to survive no matter what and her plan was to gain the public’s affection. Show them what kind of a woman she was and how useful and helpful she could be.

Little spies of Feyd-Rautha whispered into his ear that Na-Baroness wished to visit the orphanage today, she ordered her maids to prepare bags filled with clothes, medicine, toys. Feyd found himself smiling when his spies left. He changed his plans for today and decided to join his wife.

Y/N was waiting for the ship to arrive and take her and her servants to the orphanage when she noticed her servants bowing to someone, it was a hot day and the black sun of Giedi Prime made everything look too shiny white and dark black. Her dress was simple, she wanted to give a nice impression and as her first day being Na-Baroness she had to be careful. A soft wind made the silk grey dress clung to her thighs, it was a modest one, she turned on the open field to see who was coming and saw him in all black head to toe.

‘’You thought I would let you leave the fortress on your own Na-Baroness?’’ his raspy voice was sarcastic yet held a truth to it, it was too dangerous outside for the royals to roam. ‘’As I have proven before I can hold my own but-‘’ she watched him stand next to her, his hands clasped on his lower stomach, he leaned in to hear her clearly and it made her aware once again about the height difference.

‘’I do appreciate it.’’ She finished looking up at him, he did something which surprised Y/N, he kissed her temple with his soft lips, placed his hand on the small of her back, his gesture made the servants stand there in disbelief, they have never witnessed their Na-Baron being gentle with someone, especially a woman…. Y/N noticed the glances the servants shared among each other but paid no mind. She let them whisper, if it meant that she could win the public by simple and soft gestures shared between her and her husband then she was happy to oblige. When the ship arrived Feyd held her hand and guided her inside.

The trip to the orphanage was calm, Y/N and Feyd shared a small room together, she was sitting by the small window, ‘’So,’’ she began watching the scenery before her eyes, nothing but buildings, roads and factories, at a distance she could see a forest but it was far. ‘’There is nothing wrong when you don’t dine with me but if I refuse…’’ she mentioned earlier today when he left without a word. Feyd was getting a drink, he froze with her questioning, didn’t except her to say something about it.

‘’I thought you don’t like my company, matter of fact,’’ he turned to her with a glass of wine in his palm, ‘’you said it yourself before.’’ He was teasing.

Her hands resting on her lap, she started to play with her fingers with uneasiness, ‘’I may have said something like that before.’’ She tried to hide her smirk but he saw.

‘’My Na-Baron, we have arrived.’’ A guard announced and Y/N took deep breaths before they left the ship together.

The sun again blocked her vision for few seconds when the doors of the ship opened, she forced her eyes to stay open and get used to it. She felt his hand wrapping around her hand and together they got off the ship.

The orphanage was gigantic and white, pure white, the floors were marble with grey veins. When she looked around and found not a single tree or a bush, she thought that had to be changed.

‘’Na-Baron,’’ a man approached them like his life was at stake, he was a tall old man with a long beard and bald head, ‘’And Na-Baroness, congratulations. We pray for this union to bring prosperity and power to us.’’ He bowed, ‘’Thank you Ser.’’ Feyd-Rautha spoke with his formal manner, it was amazing to see him shift that quickly. ‘’If we had known that you were visiting we would have been ready for you.’’ He seemed embarrassed, ‘’Please,’’ she spoke with a soft tone, ‘’Do not fret. I am here to see the conditions of the children who live here and we have brought clothes, medicine and toys for them. May we see inside?’’

The old man was startled by her soft spoken nature, ‘’Of course my Na-Baroness.’’ He bowed again and led them inside.

The walls were grey marble, there was no vibrant colors for children to see and it broke her heart. In a way Y/N was an orphan, being apart from her actual parents and staying somewhere that wasn’t home… Feyd noticed the sudden shift in his wife, her hand went to her chest in a troubled manner, ‘’Are you feeling unwell.. wife?’’ just like her Feyd was also getting used to being married and having a wife. Y/N turned to smile kindly, ‘’I am fine Na-Baron, thank you.’’ She replied shortly, Feyd didn’t pressured her to explain but he made a mental note to observe her closely. Y/N noticed the looks she got from children around her, they watched her walk gracefully in awe, everyone knew the yesterday’s grand wedding and ever citizen wanted to see the Na-Baroness up close. She smiled and bowed her head slightly to the children and watched them blush and avert their afraid gaze to somewhere and look back at her again. As a Bene Gesserit her mission was to make the citizens of Giedi Prime follow the Sisterhood’s prophecies and laws but as Y/N her mission was to win their favor and show them kindness.

Together they looked at the children’s bedrooms, toilet chambers and common rooms for hang out and eating. The building was old thus the furniture and plumbing system as well. Y/N, clearly was aware that everyone was watching her, held her husband’s arm in a loving manner and spoke ‘’My dear, we should renovate this institute in our name so that children here can have the newest technology and luxuries to succeed.’’ Her plan was to move the Baron and Rabban aside and make her name and Feyd’s name more popular among the people. ‘’Such an excellent idea dear.’’ He agreed, it made her eyes shine in hope which he noticed and felt a strange sensation at his chest, the symptom was heart attack but it was impossible. Then what was it? He didn’t linger on it.

Y/N personally gave the children boxes of toys, she talked to them, listened to their dreams and Feyd found himself watching her while he was talking to the workers. His eyes were on her, she was such a natural at being kind and nurturing that he was in awe of it, all his life he was shown nothing but brutality, fight, and blood. Women in his life before were trained to be an accessory in his life style, however Y/N was the opposite and she never tried to fit in, it seemed like she had a mission and she was following it like the paper ship on a lake, flowing in the water’s direction swiftly.

It was getting dark when their work was done, they said their goodbyes and got on the ship to return to the fortress. Not knowing what was waiting for them.

The ride to the fortress was calm one, they sat in comfortable silence, she could feel his eyes every once in a while, thanks to her trainings she could sense if someone was watching her. The question she was pondering on since last night came to her again ‘’Why didn’t he sleep with me last night?’’ It was their wedding night and ever since she was brought here he seemed eager to have her and when it came to it he stayed distant, his action last night left her in disbelief. He literally cut his palm and rubbed the blood on their sheets to trick the Baron and the rest of Giedi Prime but why?

‘’Last night,’’ she found herself speak, Feyd was sitting next to her and she caught his attention, ‘’Yes?’’ his raspy voice brought her to reality, she changed her mind. ‘’Never mind.’’

As soon as they landed a servant came to collect them, said it was urgent and the Baron requested their presence. She followed Feyd, he was holding her hand, guiding her.

Baron was waiting for them at the strategy room, every house had a room like this one to have meetings for war, spice etc. Baron, as always was in his floating device, ‘’Greetings young couple.’’ His voice didn’t match his words, ‘’Hello uncle.’’ He let go of her hand, didn’t go unnoticed by Y/N. She watched Baron witnessed it and smile with victory, she was good at reading expressions.

‘’There is trouble in Arrakis, Rabban is messing up the whole spice production,’’ Baron began, ‘’you have to take his place and deal with Fremen rebels.’’ He was newlywed and Baron didn’t even hesitate to give him an onerous mission ‘’Me and my wife shall get ready in an hour and-‘’ his speech was cut off, ‘’This matter only concerns you Feyd. Na-Baroness shall stay here and wait for your return. You have consummated the marriage, I’m sure when you come back you will hold your first born.’’

Y/N froze in her state. She was going to be here all alone, Feyd was refusing to look at her because if he did he would slice his uncle’s throat.

The walk back to their chambers was slow and quiet, their fingers brushed and left stingy sensation, when Feyd closed the door behind him the realization hit Y/N. According to Baron, Feyd was suppose to be gone for 9 months maybe more.. she turned to him and his expression broke her heart. He looked like that little boy she met years ago, alone and afraid. ‘’I don’t want to leave you.’’ He confessed which made her throat clench itself in agony, he looked away for a moment, contemplating something in his mind and he cursed under his breath and closed the distance between them, their lips met in passion.

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reginalusus · 14 days ago

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power scalling gotham crime lords: two face versus all the non meta criminals like black mask, joker etc. how far does he go before he gets defeated? everything counts like skills, number of goons and 1v1 etc.

Harvey solos.

Serious answer under the cut.

What the fuck do you mean 'before he gets defeated', that MF is winning. He has blackmail on everyone, a 1983 Milkor MGL and a AA-12 shotgun at his disposal. Everyone is dying.

Ok, ok, sorry for my bias. It would be silly and unfair, yes. I'll give a more comprehensive answer. Also, I love how people throw fighting questions at me specifically because I don't stop yapping about how Harvey is physically capable and should be in a fighter game and shit (he should be).

Anyway, I'm only counting Joker, Penguin and Black Mask as to not get too convoluted. Harvey canonically dismantled the old crime mobs almost single-handedly and ushered in the era of crazies, we all know that, so I'm not counting them either. He has that behind him. So consider that also.

I think out of those three, Black Mask would probably, maybe, be the easiest to take down. 'Easy' is not too easy, obviously. Roman is a petty pyscho and if he has his False Face Society backing him, he's gonna have some loyal grunts at his side. Roman himself is also a pretty good criminal strategist, but Harvey is just better IMO: he's been in the game longer and knows an uncanny amount about how the underground operates, an underground which cannot completely hide Roman. Harvey has, and could gather, information on everyone. Harvey is known for having loyal men (just look at the Arkhamverse), and I do think Harvey's influence stretches farther than Roman's. Harvey himself also has more combat training than Roman, better gun handling too, so I am very confident he'd whoop Roman's ass 1V1, sorry, Roman.

Next is Oz. Oz is a lot trickier to tackle as an answer because, while obviously Harvey could one-shot him, it's the power that Oz has under his belt. He has guys everywhere, he controls gun operations in Gotham, he is surrounded by protection, he is extremely manipulative also, and has a SHIT ton of money. I think the hardest thing Harvey would have to do is actually get *near* him. However, again, I think Harvey's wit and knowledge could allow that. He could find a way to 'meet' Oz through bargaining and blackmail, if he has any, though the latter may be a mistake since Harvey and Oz normally don't get along. At all. So that may have future repercussions. If we go by the Arkhamverse again, a lot of Oz's men are quite fickle, with some even betraying him to join Harvey's side. So perhaps Harvey could take advantage of that, take him down from the inside. And then, when he finally does get into close proximity of Oz, boom, it's over, really. However, it's *still* not that simple. Oz has enough money to build himself an impenetrable fortress, really. BUT, Harvey HAS got the drop on him before. So this is difficult. It'll boil down to Harvey's prep. The dreaded 'prep'.

Oh, boy, then there's Joker! The issue with Joker is that he plays dirty and has gadgets and toys to use. He is unpredictable, and also extremely powerful in Gotham's underground scene. I am going to completely disregard modern takes on the Joker, including my beloved Arkhamverse Mark Hamill version, because modern depictions make him far too OP IMO. He is a twink clown with a lot of guys, gadgets, and a clever, criminal wit. Harvey could physically solo him, but it's the trickery and dirty play that he'd have trouble with. Harvey, again, is better with gun handling, so ehhhh. It's 50/50 here, ironically.

I'd say the one to defeat him, if it does result in that, would be Oz. But, again, it comes down to SO many variables. You could twist it any way to make any of these characters win TBH.

But Harvey solos in my heart.

#asks #answered #rambles

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sem24 · 1 month ago

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The whole discourse over the casting of Astrid in the How to Train Your Dragon remake is insane.

What do you mean you’re upset because she’s Black? The argument of “I’m not racist, it’s just that it’s not historically accurate to have a Black woman in a movie about Vikings” is absurd.

Let’s pretend for a moment I’m actually taking the argument about historical accuracy seriously. Looking at it in good faith, the argument is still just as obviously a a thinly veiled excuse to be a bigot.

First of all, the HTTYD movies are as “historically accurate” as Lord of the Rings is to real medieval Europe, Mulan (the Disney movie, obviously not the real Chinese legend it’s based on.) is to ancient China, or Bridgerton is to the Regency period. In other words, not even close.

And that’s fine! HTTYD isn’t even trying for historical accuracy, just as those other projects aren’t. They all take a justifiable amount of artistic license, aiming more for the general vibe of the period than for actual historical realism. It’s a broad-strokes interpretation.

I’m no historian, but even a quick search will show you that Viking women didn’t dress anything like Astrid does in the movies anyway.

What they actually wore:

Here’s where I found this image—it includes more information on how Vikings dressed. (And for the pedantic history nerds out there, yes, I know “Viking” is technically a verb, not a noun. I’m just using it because it’s the general term most people associate with what I’m talking about.) The article describes layers of long, cotton dresses and covered hair—styles that are a far cry from this:

Shockingly, Viking women weren’t actually wearing mini-skirts and skin-tight leather. And again, that’s okay! For the most part, I actually like Astrid’s designs—they suit her character and fit the unique Viking-inspired aesthetic of the movies.

Plus, the skull belt is admittedly a slay, both literally and fashion-wise.

But let’s not pretend for a second that these movies were meticulously accurate to the (vague) time period they drew inspiration from.

Also, if I’m remembering correctly (I think the creators mentioned this in a featurette I saw a few years ago), they were fully aware that Vikings didn’t actually wear helmets with horns on them, as depicted in the movies.

But they used it anyway as shorthand since horned helmets have become such a staple of Vikings in pop culture. It was simply economical storytelling. Even the creators admit that historical accuracy wasn’t their main priority. The How to Train Your Dragon movies aren’t trying to be historically accurate at all. I haven’t even brought up the most obvious argument… the fucking DRAGONS.

The entire “historical accuracy” argument also falls apart when you consider evidence of the Vikings’ far-reaching explorations and interactions with other cultures. Scholars suggest that Vikings traveled widely, interacting with people across Europe, the Middle East, and even parts of Africa. So while HTTYD isn’t grounded in reality, a more diverse Viking community wouldn’t even be ahistorical.

What’s more improbable: someone of a darker complexion getting on a boat and sailing to Scandinavia, or fire-breathing lizards? And yet no one’s complaining about the dragons. I wonder why.

(Even the books How to Train Your Dragon is based on—yes, if you didn’t know, the movies are based on a series of children’s books—aren’t historically accurate, (or even trying to be). I haven’t read them, but I hear that in the books, Hiccup can actually speak to dragons in their own language, and they have steam-powered machinery centuries before it existed.)

But we all know why they’re making such a fuss about this casting—it’s the same reason they whined about Halle Bailey as Ariel. They’re just looking for an excuse to be racist. This poor actress is simply a casualty of their bigotry, and it’s both disgusting and awful.

I wasn’t actually planning on seeing the live-action How to Train Your Dragon. The franchise is one of my all-time favorites. I distinctly remember watching the first movie in theaters when it came out. And, honestly? I didn’t like it—because child me was an idiot. Let’s all boo younger me, the dumbass.

A few years later, though, I walked in on my younger siblings watching Race to the Edge (a spin-off show set between the first two movies). At first, I tried to play it cool and act like I wasn’t interested—that I was too cool for a “silly little cartoon.” But by the end, I was fully engrossed. (Race to the Edge holds up, by the way—highly recommend. It’s on Netflix and has six seasons.) I binged all the seasons that were out at the time, rewatched the first two movies (the third one wasn’t out yet), and inhaled every spin-off show and short I could find.

(For the record, while I think Race to the Edge is the best spin-off, the others are fun, too—the quality is pretty consistent across the whole franchise.) Look, I’m a completionist. Once I get into a fandom, I can’t stop until I’ve consumed everything. (What I wouldn’t give to have that kind of free time now!) My hyper-fixation with How to Train Your Dragon was strong.

All this to say, I really care about this franchise, and while I was sad to see it end, I was okay with how it concluded. And then they had to go and announce a live-action remake. It’s not exactly a hot take to say that a lot of the original’s charm came from its incredible animation and expressive designs. Why would I want to watch the exact same story, just less creative and slightly worse? I wasn’t about to spend money on the reheated leftovers of what was once How to Train Your Dragon. Honestly, I’ve been secretly hoping it would get canceled this whole time.

Until this controversy. Maybe this is exactly the kind of attention the marketing team wanted, but you know what? I’ll buy a ticket—if only to spite the racist assholes. I am nothing if not extremely, extremely petty. If your life is so empty that you’re on the internet complaining about the casting of a Black actress to play a CGI blonde woman riding a dragon, voiced by a Latina actress, I have only one thing to say to you:

In the wise words of Tuffnut, “The chicken is not amused.”

#how to train your dragon #astrid hofferson #How to Train your dragon live action #casting controversy #vikings #race to the edge #Spite #nerd rant

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rachelillustrates · 9 months ago

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My top 7 Faerie stories/worlds atm 🦋

**Note, I am super dupes aware that I haven't read/watched everything, so please feel free to reblog/comment with recommendations!**

Faerie is the pulse of my heart, and my mind/spirit/etc. spends a LOT of time thinking about it, SO here's the most resonant of depictions of the realm/faeries themselves in my current opinion (and why).

(And not in any particular order:)

Elfhame, @hollyblack 's "Folk of the Air" series and all related books

Arda, Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" and all related adaptations

"Suitor Armor" by @thepurpah

Studio Ghibli's take on spirits in Japanese folklore

Brian and Wendy Froud's take on Faerie

"Fraggle Rock"

"Tock the Gnome," by myself!

Thoughts:

(Art by Rovina Cai, from "How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories")

I feel very much that Holly Black gets the lushness and richness of Faerie, plus the trickery of it, and that level of dangerous beauty - what attracts humanity to it, etc. How everything is in extremes, too, but also how parts of it echo the human experience - both in terms of courts, but also in terms of the heart, and the emotional impact of intense circumstances and intense feelings.

I am, admittedly, not all caught up yet since I haven't read her earlier works, but of course I recommend starting with "The Cruel Prince" and reading forward from there (the more recent "Stolen Heir Duology" having an extra special place in my esteem)!

(Also special shoutout to the fact that there are Nisse - Gnomes! - in the recent books, AND that her take on Redcaps is absolutely Orcish 💚)

(Also also, cw: Changelings. They can be a triggering/upsetting subject, considering how our concept of them as humans seems to have come about. She does make pretty heavy use of them, but not in the ways that one might expect, and always from a very emotionally-centered space - not a humans-abusing-potential-fae space.)

So, Tolkien - yes, I am including the world of his works in this because even though he considered them religious and specifically-denominational, he took SO MUCH inspiration from folklore and faerie tales (do not even get me started on what got edited out of "The Silmarillion" istg) that Arda is not wholly Christian, from my Faerie-worshiping queer-ass faerie perspective thankyouverymuch. Not to mention what is being done in fandom with the faerie-races, especially the Dwarves and the Hobbits, AND what recent adaptations are opening up with the Orcs!! Obviously, his take on Faerie is a much more literally-grounded reality - they exist in the Earth-based world (as if Faerie has bled into what we expect Earth to be), they have magic (at least the Elves and Dwarves do) but it's both somehow super ethereal and super physical at once. And divinely connected, since the biggest magic in Middle-earth (or any part of Arda) comes from the lesser Gods - the Valar, and the Maiar who serve under them as well as from Big Sky Daddy Eru, but we're not talking about him right now. So that, to me, really speaks to the spiritual nature of Faerie too - which is always always always personally interesting to me, and Jrrt's take on the fae was absolutely foundational in my budding concept of them, before I even really thought about who they are in a conscious way.

I don't know where to recommend starting, since I got into the world through the Jackson films, first, and I wouldn't change my experience for anything because it's given me SO much. But in fandom, shoutout to the works of @conkers-thecosy (read her fics here!) as well as "A Long List of Happy Endings" by vicious_summer and "The Mushroom Mine" series by @chrononautintraining for Dwarf Stuff - and "Splint" by HelenaMarkos for Orc Stuff. Plus, as much as I know it's divisive, "Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is - again - doing wonders about the Orcs AND doing very well by the Dwarves too, in my opinion, showing them as a fully realized and thriving people (though Dwarf women should still have beards, Amazon!! And there seems to be some confusion around how the name of Durin functions...)!! Available to stream on Prime, here.

"Suitor Armor" takes place in a world that appears very similar to medieval Earth, and as such the worldbuilding itself doesn't feel very specifically Faerie - yet. However, with the main character having significant ties to the fae, and with the story still having space to explore their culture once the tale takes the characters there, I have faith that we are gonna see more of this take on Faerie specifically soon. In the meantime, what we have seen so far - how faerie magic works, how they relate to each other, etc. - rings true for me, and is lovely to behold, especially in the face of the tragedy around their circumstances in the Big Plot.

Free to read here (and coming to bookshelves in 2025!!).

As for Studio Ghibli - Miyazaki's take on the spirits of Japanese folklore - which are absolutely Faerie - was SO formative for me growing up. I don't have anything else to say about that except that he's right!!

I recommend "Princess Mononoke," "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro," particularly. All available to stream on Max right now (but buying physical media is better, and they're very likely available to rent other places, too).

Brian and Wendy Froud's work has, of course, also been absolutely formative for me - especially when I started getting into Faerie properly. Their work doesn't require much commentary either - they're just correct 💗 Nothing I've experienced has ever contradicted what I've read in their books, and I feel like their work really, really gets the energy of the fae and the liminality of their existence. And that there is kindness, and light, as well as danger.

I recommend "Trolls" and "Faeries' Tales," to start with, and of course the quintessential "Faeries" by Brian Froud and Alan Lee, which started it all.

(Also, considering what's below, special honorary shoutout to their work on "The Dark Crystal." Definite overlap there and absolutely counts.)

Obviously there's some crossover with The Muppets here, considering they come from the same studio, BUT if we're looking at just "Fraggle Rock" on its own - absolutely. Though a very different take than those mentioned above, if you're looking for the whimsy and delight at the heart of the fae, the Fraggles have it.

Both the original series and the reboot are currently available to stream on AppleTV.

Okay, and my own! What I'm doing with the world of "Tock the Gnome" is a little bit different - again, we're looking at a realm that isn't free from some of the physical bounds we find on Earth - but in its vast history there is Faerie at its purest, and the characters are on a Big Quest that will be instrumental in restoring the realm to what one would expect of Faerieland (all wrapped up in a body-positive, sapphic-presenting queer romance, btw). My focus is on Gnomes and Orcs, in particular, since the fact that they're also fae is a big part of my message. Recognizing that, as well as recognizing the importance of connectedness between people and the balance of that and personal sovereignty, and how damage to those things might impact the whole of a magical realm.

All pages available to read for free here, across several platforms (with print issues available here).

🦋💗🦋👏👏

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lonesomedreamer · 4 months ago

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The Rings of Power Liveblog: “Shadow of the Past” (Episode 1)

Two years late, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided I had to see this thing for myself ahead of the second season premiere…spoiler: I didn’t hate it.

I’m not going to gripe about these children looking decidedly human (or at least not Elvish), because I understand the limitations of using, you know—actual human children as actors. But I will question the notion of Elvish children being smug bullies.

But baby Galadriel definitely looks the part.

“It’s not going to float, it’s going to sail.” Not off to a strong start with the dialogue…

Oh, the Elf children are…throwing rocks at her paper boat? All of them? Why?? I know the behavior of Elves in the First and Second Ages tended to be less detached/noble and whatnot, but little Galadriel is literally about to punch this Elf boy…

I have so many questions about this hairstyle choice.

“We have no word for death.” Somehow, I doubt that. This is the Second Age, right? Elves had definitely already experienced death.

Why does this seem like a slightly retooled Minas Tirith design? Is this supposed to be VALINOR??? (Actually, this would be a decent Amber design…)

A very underwhelming depiction of the destruction of the Two Trees…this is what Amazon spent amlost a billion dollars on? I know they can’t accurately depict what happened because, you know, no rights to The Silmarillion, but it still underwhelmed me.

This sequence is just all so obviously CGI. While I’m no fan of the original Jackson films (sorry, I know—boo, hiss), a lot of it looks real.

“See, it’s just like that Game of Thrones spinoff you like, but with terrible CG!”

It would be so helpful if Galadriel’s voiceover told viewers that Orcs were created as a mockery of the Elves, or hinted at why Morgoth created them/why he hated the Elves. Unfortunately, this is what happens when you try to adapt a work to which you don’t have all the rights.

She is very, very pretty.

“What devilry is this?” Is that a word in Middle-earth?

Lots of Galadriel confidently assuming she knows things she can’t possibly know (for the sake of hurrying the story/journey along, I guess)…if only the streaming services didn’t limit themselves to eight or ten episodes and gave their stories room to breathe!

Anyone watching who’s never read The Silmarillion (or even the trilogy): who the fuck is Morgoth? What are the Trees?? What year is it??? What’s going on here??!? Again, the huge problem of adapting a larger story/universe when you only have partial rights…

Insert obligatory video game-esque troll battle that’s also a callback to the Moria scenes of the FOTR film. You can use the bathroom here and miss nothing.

Some proto-Hobbits, because why not? I did like the “hidden village” reveal thing, though!

I kind of love them?

There’s a lot to be said for the charm and appeal of the Shire from an audience perspective, the comfort of it (which is why the Scourging of the Shire is so thematically important and excising it was an irredeemable sin…but I digress), so I actually 100% understand why they included these guys. TTT is by far the bleakest book of the trilogy, my least-favorite, and the lack of the Shire is a huge reason why.

23 years later and I’m still not over the utter miscasting of Hugo Weaving. Visually, this Elrond isn’t really better. Why is Elrond so damn hard to get right??? And his hair is described as black!

The best costumes a billion-dollar budget could buy?

“Elf-lords only.” Such a dignified, Elvish thing to say…

Yes, Elves could be haughty and unkind; just ask Bilbo! But Elrond is an Elf-lord. Hmm.

Also…Elrond and Galadriel appear to be approximately the same age. It doesn’t matter that Galadriel is actually much older (and his eventual mother-in-law!), because TV is such a visual medium.

This is actually a larger overall problem. Because most of The Lord of the Rings takes place over the course of one year, an adaptation doesn’t need to hold the audience’s hand regarding the passage of time. But in this case, as Galadriel’s narration too-briefly mentions, events are taking place across hundreds and even thousands of years. Elves like Galadriel are significantly older than others, like Elrond, but unless you tell the audience that, they won’t know, and the story loses something as a result.

Even though this design is clearly based on Rivendell in the Jackson films, it is quite lovely.

Pretty!!!

How do Galadriel and Elrond know each other? They seem close. Inquiring minds want to know!

The content and context of this scene is meaningless, but I don’t care—it’s just so pretty!

Even though I know they get worse, for now I don’t really mind the proto-Hobbits. They’re obviously not Tolkien, but they’re an homage, and they’re fun/visually appealing.

The casting director gets a D+ for the male Elves. (Then again, they were poorly-cast in the Jackson films too.)

“And as a reward, you will all be exiled!” lmfao. Being shipped off to Valinor doesn’t seem like much of a punishment, though. Where do I volunteer?

Still, it makes sense that Galadriel, who (correctly!) believes Sauron to still be alive and a threat and who wishes to avenge her brother, would be upset about this. They’ve changed her backstory/motivations—which I hate—but her attitude does track with those changes.

Nuns??

This set design is magical, no notes.

Luthien??

She really is perfectly cast.

Elrond, one of the wisest and kindest of all the Elves, is being written as some smug royal enforcer. Just like the Jackson films wrote him as a grumpy, condescending overprotective dad. Sigh.

“[Evil] waits. And at the moment of our complacency, it blinds us.” I mean…yeah, that’s basically how it goes down in Middle-earth. Repeatedly.

Not Elrond mansplaining about Valinor to someone who was literally born there…

None of these people look like Elves.

“I’m going with you!” But why?!? This lady is a healer with a youngish son still dependent on her at home!!!

I really hate them saying “mum” instead of “ma” or “mama” or something similar. (I’d also hate it if they were saying “mom,” to be clear. It’s just so modern-sounding and breaks any immersion they’ve built so far.)

Wow, the hilt of a broken sword with Sauron’s symbol on it… Generic “halfling” characters I can enjoy as a homage. This is lazy writing. And see? I knew her son needed adult supervision. (It’s also a ripoff of Pippin and the Palantir.)

(muttering) None of these people look—oh, forget it.

Elves don’t age as Men do (or age extremely slowly/imperceptibly), so what’s going on with this dude?

Gorgeous, all.

Ents???

Galadriel jumping off of the ship and just…floating there in the middle of the sea is as silly as the naysayers said it would be. However, I thought the scene leading up to it was fairly well-executed, though I wish they’d done a better job animating the rain of silver glass that leads into Valinor…that image has always resonated with me.

The Good:

Many absolutely stunning visuals thanks to great set design (with Valinor of all places somehow being the least-impressive!) and, apart from some cheap/underwhelming looks, costume design that varies from good to great

A solid score that seems to be trying a little bit too hard to mimic Howard Shore’s from the films

Morfydd Clark, in her entirety; the writing for Galadriel might be awful in upcoming episodes, but her casting was inspired

I find the Harfoots whimsically charming, at least so far, especially Nori.

The use of Tolkienesque maps to indicate location changes

An attempt was clearly made, in this episode if nowhere else, to pay homage to the source material, even the source material they don’t have the rights to use outright (the Two Trees, Morgoth, perhaps Luthien)…it’s better than nothing.

The Bad

Every single male Elf is miscast; yes, I said every single one, from Galadriel’s brother to Elrond to the OC Arondir. Gil-galad and Celebrimbor look like they’re in their late 40s/50s, at best, and idk…there’s nothing “Elvish” or “ageless” about any of the male actors playing Elves. (Full disclosure: I don’t remember being impressed by the male Elves in the Jackson films, either.) I also saw someone say that Gil-galad looks like Liam Neeson in a mullet, and now I can’t unsee that.

Some really clunky dialogue

Lack of adequate backstory/exposition…but exposition in an adaptation like this is hard, because most of it is contained in The Silmarillion, for which they don’t own the rights.

Building on that theme, I appreciate the idea of “showing not telling,” however…did they ever tell us Galadriel’s brother name (Finrod)? Or that “the king” is Gil-galad? Or even suggest that there are a variety of different Elves in Middle-earth? A lot of people know these things, because we know Tolkien. But I’ve got to assume that a lot of others don’t. Heck, it took them until almost the end of the episode to name one of their OCs (Bronwyn).

Some worthless scenes, like Galadriel’s company fighting the “ice troll” in the mountains. Actually, the entire sequence in the mountain lair was badly-written.

I don’t care about the “forbidden romance” subplot between the OCs Arondir and Bronwyn…if they’d spent longer than a few minutes in the first episode establishing their relationship/characters, maybe I’d be more invested. (See my earlier complaint about unnecessarily short seasons—some stories need room to grow!)

Even though my criticism outweighs my praise, even though I’m a self-identified Tolkien purist, I thought this was…fine. It’s an absolute feast for the eyes, truly gorgeous to watch (even with all those woefully miscast male Elves)—visually, apart from a few moments of obvious CGI, it’s what I would expect/want from a Tolkien adaptation! My expectations aren’t high for the rest of the series. There are upcoming plot points that I know will disappoint, infuriate, and disgust me. But considering that I went into this episode expecting to loathe it, I was pleasantly surprised.

Besides, I’m going to keep watching no matter what to see more of Nori and Morfydd’s face. This also makes me want to finish The Silmarillion, which I have been starting and then “saving for later” since I was a small child.

#rings of power #the rings of power #trop #tentatively tagging because this is somewhat critical but it's not hateful! promise ♥#and I am up for discussion #luth liveblogs trop

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honourablejester · 6 months ago

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PF2e Character Concept: Angelic Detective

I was browsing deities on Archives of Nethys, and found the Empyreal Lord Zohls (/Verity), who is quite literally the goddess of detectives, among other truth-seeking professions. Investigations that reveal the truths of crimes and horrors are the thing she values most. And, well. I can do that, lady! I will never pass up an opportunity to play a fantasy noir detective! Heh.

I also really love this paragraph on her physical description when she manifests:

“When appearing to her followers, Verity is always practically dressed, usually wearing a tunic and breeches. She wears black and white clothing, as these colors represent the light of truth and the darkness of obscurity and the unknown. She keeps her light-brown hair pulled back in braids. On her back she has large wings made of parchment that never wrinkle, whether furled or unfurled. Followers of Zohls include detectives, scientists, researchers, historians, archivists, librarians, and even conspiracy theorists.”

She wears sturdy, practical clothing, and has paper wings. I love her so much. And I want to steal that whole look. That whole vibe. Sturdy and practical and winged. The whole deal. So.

Name: “Darkdelver. Ida Darkdelver. What seems to be the trouble, ma’am?”

Ancestry: Dwarf

Heritage: Nephilim

Background: Detective

Class: Investigator

Archetype: Cleric

Starting Stats: +3 to Intelligence, +2 to Dexterity and Wisdom, +1 to Constitution, +0 to Charisma and Strength

Sturdy and winged, see. I wanted the Nephilim versatile heritage. Angelic nephilim. We’re going to take the ancestry feat ‘Divine Wings’ later, and they’re going to be papery. And I put it on a dwarf base, because I just love dwarves, and also that fits for ‘sturdy and practical’. For other ancestry feats, I also want the dwarven ‘Defy the Darkness’ to get greater darkvision, because that also feels fitting for a seeker of truth. Dealers choice from there, but I started with Nimble Hooves (‘ankle wings’ version), because we’re a dwarf and slow and a speed boost never hurt anyone. But Halo would also be fitting and funny. A very angelic-looking noir detective.

Because … I love noir fiction, right? And there is a thing in classic noir about L.A. The ‘city of angels’. Zohls as a heavenly detective, it appeals to me so much. An earthly character following in her footsteps. I’m not sure where I’d want her based on Golarion. Absalom is the city of cities, but maybe a darker, shadier city might have more use for an angel-touched detective.

And for class, obviously we’re going Investigator. But I do want to double and triple down on the angelic too, plus I think she’s an actual follower of Zohls, so we’re going to take the Cleric dedication feat at Level 2 as well. I did want it that way around, some cleric spellcasting on a primarily investigator chassis, because the detective part is the base, not the priest. She serves her goddess practically, in the field and on the streets. The edict is to investigate crimes and solve puzzles. She came to Zohls because Zohls is the goddess of detectives, not became a detective to better serve Zohls. Yes, she has angelic heritage, but that wasn’t the why of anything, that was just a happy accident. Ida wants the truth, and pledged her cause to a goddess who shared her goals.

And with the cleric spellcasting … if we take the archetype all the way up to ‘Master Cleric Spellcasting’, we can get up to 8th level spells, if not many of them. And I kind of want to pick some of the more investigative spells on the Divine list. See the Unseen, Augury, Message, Scouting Eye, Sending. Maybe Helpful Steps and Lock. And then, GM allowing, some of the weird niche rare ones, like Fate’s Travels, which if you cast on a corpse gives you a vision of the person’s last 10 minutes of travel, and/or the uncommon Ghostly Tragedy, where you can get local spirits to reenact a recent violent event in the area that you can name, though you take damage for it. Then probably throw in a couple of more traditional cleric spells, like Heal or Angel Form.

I definitely want the 8th level spell, if/when we get there, to be Pinpoint. Again, uncommon, but. So fitting for a detective. You learn a target’s exact location, regardless of plane, and automatically overcoming any lower-level defenses against divination. “I know where you are, you bastard. You’re nicked, sunshine!”

For skills, and this is the other reason to put it all on an investigator chassis, I want to focus on levelling Society (we’re a dwarf, charisma is not going to be our speciality, so society can compensate some), Stealth, Religion, Occultism and Thievery. And, since we’ll be getting wings, Acrobatics. Society and Thievery are to help out our investigative efforts, though we’re going to be careful to avoid contaminating evidence with said thievery. Religion and Occultism … Religion helps with our cleric spellcasting, obviously. But. If we’re going to be a bit angelic. If we’re going to have cleric spellcasting and slightly necromantic investigative options available to us. We could also go full fantasy detective, and throw in some occult detection methods in general. Pick up some feats like Schooled in Secrets to track cults, Read Psychometric Resonance for a bit of psychometry, and Consult the Spirits, both Occultism and Religion versions, for more information-gathering options.

Because Zohls does favour investigations that reveal the truth of crimes and other horrors. So. We can play into that for sure.

So. An angelic dwarven detective, a private eye in a darkened city, who prays to a goddess of truth, determination and investigation. Ida Darkdelver, fantasy gumshoe.

#pf2e #character concepts #dwarves #detectives #investigators #deities #noir

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sodapops0lstice · 1 year ago

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Intro Post!

Because I've never made an actually good one...

Favs! Blinkies & Stamps! Sprite Drive!COMMS!!!! Classic Era Say hello to me!

@badlydrawndirk @badlydrawnjade @ectobio @our-fav-hs-char @alternian-life-advice @aviansaffection @arethesewordsinhomestuck @fuckyeahhomestuckladies @the-gang-makes-a-blog

⬆️I run all those ⬆️

My tags:

#soda's minifridge <- wishlist

#fizzes <- asks

#solar systems <- original posts

#neighbouring stars <- mutuals and pals

#grubpeta <- my earth c au

#cure pop <- PreCure Tag

#splatstuck <- Splatoon x Homestuck au

#jo au <- My fluff au where Joey takes care of Jade

#candy bowl for roxanne <- posts for my good chum and friend roxanne of marinealcoholic fame

#meteorites <- queued posts

#lesbian danny devito <- dog pics, block as needed

#the moon <- @dykemaxxing's very own tag for gay tomfoolery

Basic Stuff

I'm a freak by many a name. But I go by Soda, Cece, Admin, Ary, Xefros, Sol and Rezi mostly. Seriously. Any of those will do. Hell, I'll take new names aswell. Drop them name recommendations lmao

I'm 15 aswell, in Year 11. (I chose Triple Science, French and History if you wanted to know about my GCSE choices.)

I'm a lesbian and agender, which basically is me saying my gender changes for when it's funniest.

I use ALLLL the pronouns, even xenos and neos because I am badass and awesome. Literally anything goes.

I'm Scottish and Irish. Which is kinda cool, means I burn hella easy though which sucks ass.

I'm also autistic, I like to post about that.

I also also have depression and anxiety, I don't really care though because I'm balling 24/7 B)

Interests & Likes

Obvious is obvious but I'm a massssive Homestuck. That is primarily what I post/reblog. This includes Hiveswap/Hauntswitch

I also enjoy Pokémon. A lot. Like... 2200 hours on Ultra Sun alone enjoy.

Youkai Watch is also a big fav of mine. In fact, Youkai Watch 3 is one of my favourite games of all time!

I absolutely ADORE A Hat in Time! It is THE game for me. It means the world and everything to me.

Alongside AHIT, Undertale and Deltarune are some of my favs ever! (I don't cry everytime I replay UT what do you mean?)

In general, I'm a total loser for vidya. I can do a quick rundown of the gaems I like but probably won't be reblogging often

Crash Bandicoot

Kleptocats

Touhou

Gmod

Sonic

Papa's -rias

FNAF

Animal Crossing

Half Life

Persona 5

I don't often watch many series or movies. But there's a special place in my heart for Invader Zim, The Owl House, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Eddsworld and My Little Pony. I'm also super excited for the new Scott Pilgrim show :D

It's strange to say but I have a keen interest in reality shows. This means Gogglebox, Come Dine with Me, Four in a Bed, Kitchen Nightmares (both versions) and Impractical Jokers. Only the lord knows why. I think it's the autism. It's probably the autism.

I'm a fan of Pretty Cure aswell! Those girls are so beegitful <3 in those dresses... Yes I found out about it through Glitter Force but that doesn't change anything. Another anime I also love is Pop Team Epic that show irreversibly changed my sense in humour. I've been getting into MHA and Chainsaw Man aswell.

I also adore!!! Vocaloid it literally makes up 50% of my music taste. I black out and wake up with 20 new pieces of miku merch lmao

Music

I have a lot of different music interests! But my all time favourite band ever is Qbomb! I adoreeeee them to infinity. I literally don't know what my favourite Qbomb song is because they're all so good.

But! Qbomb doesn't have my fav song, that honour goes to Stacked Like Pancakes and their song SFDD. It's a really high energy ska song that I recommend highly. (You won't regret listening to it!)

Instead of just listing my spotify stats here, I'm gonna just get some images of those funky websites instead :)

Obviously this isn't completely accurate since this is from my entireeee spotify history. But it's basically all there!

#wip

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arenabreadandbiscuits · 10 months ago

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Douma + Claude x Fem! Reader Snippet || One's True Nature

So I spun a wheel for a cross fic type of thing. Did it a couple times so if you want to read the others follow and follow my progress.

Anyway, the two characters are obviously Claude Faustus (Black Butler) and Lord Douma (Demon Slayer). I'm having fun with this already.

Think I'll add cross fics to my commission list.

Douma + Claude x Reader

What it'll include: Spanking, biting, marking, breeding, dom and sub, choking and maybe a few others.

Goal : 10k words

It's been many long years.

Many years since he was first beaten, destroyed by an archenemies who he had spent so much time on for such a silly reason. Said reason being some brat's soul because who was he without as the creature that he is.

Claude lurks in the shadows. His form is different now from his previous life though not vastly so. He's of a toned build, with smooth, pearly white skin except for his hands and feet which were made up of claws. His body isn't the only thing that has changed but so has his location.

These weren't the streets of London, lanterns and art lingered in every which was like a colorful dream as humans below seemed to have a celebration of sorts; drinking alcohol, laughing, and whatever else.

To be fair, Claude has a hate for it. The loud noises, the colors, but ever since he's come back he's been struggling with a deep hunger, one that he hadn't been forced to deal with previously when he was in Europe, one that seems to lure him into more primal needs and sensations.

It's annoying, the way that he's never been allowed to show this side of himself, to express his hunger like this… when he had been practically trapped in his last deal. He remembers the days, serving that young brat day in and day out and even with how hungry he was he was forced to stay in control, to tame his needs, just for him to lose control in the end anyway.

Claude could admit that he didn't regret it, crushing that boy's… Alois’s, head in his strong hands until it seemed to pop like a grape and spill blood all over him.

Even with how calm Claude presented in many cases back then of course he still had his emotions and when it came to Alois all he could do was feel annoyance, dread, anger… and Claude had put up with it until he simply couldn't. He could also admit that he paid the price, going against his arch enemy… Sebastian, even going out of his way to try and steal the other's demon's prey. His death… as humbling as it was to say, was one that was bound to happen and maybe Claude had done all of that just to end the suffering. As demons as he and others could do was live as they are and with Alois Claude had been needy, starved. What else was he to do but to go after what he could which has been that stupid, idiotic boy… though, here… it seemed different.

Very different.

Claude could smell the scents in the air, he's not as strong as he used to be but he seems now that he has the potential to do so now and such much more.

He was… free. And freedom has never tasted better.

There's so much food around but as the creature he is, the last thing he wants is a corn dog or poe of some sort… he wants blood, meat… and a lot of it.

One scent in particular seems to jump out at him suddenly and Claude doesn't hesitate to snap his gaze over in the same direction as if to follow such a smell. It's fruity, sweet,... Tempting and Claude feels a rush of heat run through him when he locates the owner.

She's beautiful, as soft and sweet as she looks and dressed in sine silks. Claude hadn't cared much about the history of this place previously, the scenery, the festivals, the fashion trends but the second his eyes landed on her they stuck. She seems to order herself a snack and as Claude stands from his squat and decides to silently get closer Claude can't help but admire her. It's her sweet face, his soft skin, her feminine figure and if Claude was human his heart would be rushing.

He is a demon again yes but never had he felt like this and if he had it must've been a feeling that had become long forgotten to him. Never once had he felt quite as… warm and hot like this over some random human woman and he isn't exactly sure what it is that makes him feel so drawn to her but it has him feeling like he was having a hard time keeping control of himself.

It's interesting how difficult this new life of his was, how different it was from his old one. Never once had he felt a craving like this, with Alois, or even Ciel… it's like he quite literally wants to jump down there and tackle her to the ground, jump on her as if he was some sort of leopard, an animal, a beast and she… some sort of deer, prey. Outside of his rebirth he doesn't know anything about this new life he's been giving but what he does know is that suddenly he feels… hot. He wants this woman and while he still isn't sure what for he's confident in his choice.

He needed to get closer, if not to know this woman than to touch her… caress her skin with both his hands and his lips and maybe he'd proceed by… keeping her, like some cute little pet at his side. Maybe if she agreed to stay by him and at his side he wouldn't kill her immediately.

She walks along the streets and he follows like a lingering shadow as he tries to think about the best way to go about this. As she now sits at a bench by herself he settles on the building just behind her, looking down on her with bright eyes. He's still thinking and it's only when his eyes snap aside and land on an approaching figure that Claude feels like he has in fact wasted to much time.

Whoever this guest was he was tall, broad and Claude could admit that the man's physical appearance was rather… impressive, distracting even. He wears a kimono just as everyone else has and even with such clean and gentle looking garbs Claude can practically smell how strong this male is. It's intimidating and Claude had come to an understanding that in this life demons in fact had ranks. Of course they always had but this was so different, so new and even though another other demon would have probably scurried away, Claude lingered even with the rush of tingles he feels race up his spine.

He proceeds by watching the two, the only prominent features he's kept from his last life was his bright golden eyes which now watched the two figures. The male greets her, bowing his head to the woman before reaching out to take her hand and with a little giggle she gives it to him after her flashes a charming smile. Claude suddenly feels a bit more… annoyed, his eyes narrowing slightly at the scene because though he knows nothing about either one of these two and probably couldn't care less to do so but something about this guest… this man was reminding him of…

Sebastian.

It's only then that her laughs rings through the air and Claude clears his mind to focus again only to look down and freeze when bright eyes are looking back up to him.

A second passes where they stare at each other for a moment and then something seems to burst within Claude's chest. He holds the other demons gaze and the rush of emotion he feels makes him feel both ignited and frantic, as if that the moment their eyes connected with each other had been a deal of some sort all on its own.

Claude reels back before he can help himself, jerking back and blinking owlishly. There's a rushing in his chest that makes him reach a shaky hand up and clutch his heart.

Now. What the fuck was that?

Claude wasn't sure at all but after a moment of silence he finds himself wanting… more.

It's like something had woke up in him, jerking awake in fury and Claude was s man who would sit here and lie and say that a man couldn't possibly win his heart but the way his was racing in his chest suddenly made him feel many, many things.

“Do you…happen to come here often?” A smooth and charming voice suddenly rings out over the sea of others and something tells Claude he shouldn't and yet… he decides to peak back over the length and as he thought, the man was now speaking. He looks at the woman with a fond smile, reaching out a hand to her and she giggles softly as she does so, humming as he seems to raise her hand to his lips and lightly brush his soft lips over her knuckles. “I'll admit that I haven't seen you around here much.” He continues and she hums.

“What's your name pretty? I must know it so I never forget.” He continues as she smiles.

“Y/n. You can just call me y/n.” She answers him and her voice is so soft, so smooth and Claude finds himself leaning in to hear more of it as if he couldn't get enough. The man makes a noise of acknowledgement while Claude personally saves such into in his head and as the man moves to sit beside her, his hip pressing against her own, he finally responds with his own name.

“You may call me Douma-Sama. Everyone calls me it.” Douma chuckles but something about it sends a shiver running up Claude's spine when he hears it as if the man's name was a curse all on its own. Not only that but… their eyes connected again, his and Douma 's as the other demon looks from the wan to him from the corner of his eyes.

Douma-Sama.

It was an interesting name, Claude could give him that but something about the way the man had said it, practically purring it out but each syllable and everything was enough to make Claude's cheeks feel…warm.

Claude reaches a hand up to inspect his face and soon comes to the realization that he was lightly blushing. His cheeks a light pink and he's spooked into silence, even when he and Sebastian battled as much as they did in his previous life never had Claude allowed himself to blush this easily with the man even when that's what Sebastian clearly wanted out of him. He had always waited until he could get alone where he could be stuck with his thoughts all of his own for as long as needed, and maybe he had many, many fantasies and ones he tended to act up on and wasn't exactly sure what it was but just as Sebastian had, this demon… Douma-Sama, had managed to piqued Claude's interest.

TBC~

- A

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koneko-pi · 2 years ago

Text

Potion Pandemonium

The strangest things can bring people together.

Mean to be a series, idk how long. This is just a self-endulgent, chaotic filled story that may get a spicy ending, we'll see where it goes. I usually like to include my moots in these kinda things, so if you wanna be a little easter egg in here lemme know, but if it's weird, then ignore me...

Summary: Someone slips a special potion into the drinks at a large party and Briar is left to deal with it.

Part one.

Violin and piano played elegant tunes in a ballroom, to set the mood. With ceilings up high, held up by pillars, decorated in roses brought in by the Roselie family. Floating lanterns drifted overhead, casting warm glows down upon tables decorated in gold silverware, clear glasses and a variety of drinks or food. People dressed in ball gowns and suits milled about or danced with one another across an open space.

It was an elegant and sophisticated party to say the least, with the majority of the attendees being nobility. Anyone who wasn't was a magic knight that had been extended an invitation simply because of their occupation. Normally most of them didn't show, not wanting to be watched or judged by those in a higher class. But Nozel couldn't help but notice how many more commoners seemed to be here compared to last year.

He watched a few of the green mantis linger around the wine glass tower, talking quietly to each other as if trying to egg one another on. A couple of black bulls were also attempting to flirt with girls who obviously didn't want it, or were trying to control another friend from stealing more food than was necessary.

And yes. It did cause them to get quite a few stares from the nobility who actively tried to avoid them… He wasn't sure why they bothered to be there. No… that was wrong, he could think of one very simple reason, and it was the free food.

He sighed heavily, wondering why he himself bothered to attend. The party was meant to be a kind of… get together for the holiday: Three-Leaf-day. A day where one would give a gift to another who may have brought faith, hope or love into your life. A holiday for couples. So naturally most nobles attended in hopes of mingling with one another to find a life partner.

Something Nozel rarely ever thought about.

Sure, it was a necessity pushed upon him by family members. He was head of the Silva house after his father retired early with the death of his mother, and so it would be his responsibility to make sure the bloodline of Silva continued. His siblings could find favor with someone and have their own spawn, but it wouldn't be the same. After all, Mimosa and her brother were certainly not held to the same standard as either he or Fuegoleon, despite being cousins. They were a branch family. So him finding a wife was far more important in the eyes of their older family members, and other nobles, than say…. Solid or Noelle.

His own father had recently been pushing for it after unsavory rumors about him had been spreading around. He clicked his tongue in irritation at the memory of Solara having to come all the way to his office just to tease him over it. Sometimes he wondered what Fuegoleon saw in that woman. But she made him happy… so he wasn't about to complain too much, not unless she made visits like that regularly. He wondered for a moment if the pair of them were actually here.

"Are you going to be standing here off to the side the entire night?" A deeper, gravely tone came from Nozel's left and he had to take a deep inhale to mentally prepare himself for this encounter.

Nozel uncrossed his arms and turned to the man speaking to him. He was pale, with blue eyes that seemed to lack any form of emotion, sunken in cheeks and long hair that was white from old age. "Hello, Father." He greeted him with a small bow.

"You didn't answer my question." Lord Silva huffed in disapproval.

It had been a long time since Nozel had actually gotten along with his father. He had never really seen much of him to begin with in his adolescence, he was much more attached to his mother. But after she had passed away the gap between him and his children had only grown, leading to any of their meetings becoming unwelcome or uncomfortable. Nebra and Solid didn't even want much to do with him now.

"I'm not one for parties." Nozel responded dryly.

"How else will you meet a woman?" The man narrowed his eyes on his son. "You spend all your time in your office working. This is the only time you get out and even then it's when I force you."

Nozel did not want to deal with this right now. His father always had a way of bringing about a headache in him, especially with this specific conversation topic.

"There's actually someone I want to introduce to you."

Ah, the throbbing intensified.

Nozel watched the man gesture to a young black haired woman in a blue dress. She came walking up to them with all the grace a young noble girl should have, with chin held high and elegant movements. She grabbed her dress and gave a curtsy.

"Anna Lockheed." She greeted them. "It is a pleasure."

Nozel wasn't sure how to respond. He was too busy focusing on the ever intensifying pain at the base of his skull.

"She's the eldest daughter of lord Lockheed." His father added. "A large supporter of the Aquadeer. His other children have joined the squad but she has been looking to settle down."

"Ah."

His father glared at the obvious disinterest he was giving them. But Anna seemed undeterred. "I do apologize for this Lord Silva." She smiled kindly at him. "I know how inconvenient these kinds of moments can be within families, but even so I would still enjoy spending the evening with you, getting to know you."

Nozel clenched his jaw as he debated his next course of action. Surely he could accept this offer and be forced to waste his evening at a party he didn't want to attend with a girl he didn't care for. But his father would be placated. Or, he could do what he really wanted to do, which was tell his father to buzz off and that he wasn't looking to get married anytime soon. No matter how polite a young lady may pretend to be.

Luckily though it seemed the second option was more within his sight as he recognized obnoxiously long chestnut colored hair over by the wine tower. Any excuse to get away from this uncomfortable situation was good enough for him.

"Sorry but something seems to have come up." Nozel bowed to the young lady, now wide eyed with surprise, before swiftly turning around and making his way over to the table.

"Nozel-!"

"I didn't think you would be attending such a party." He asked the young woman, mostly to drown out the sound of his fathers angry cry.

Briar Rose turned to him. He had expected her to be even a little bit surprised he had bothered to acknowledge her presence there but she seemed rather relaxed. Maybe even a little tired.

"Ah well… When you live in Julius Basement you tend to get invited to nice things." Her tone held a hint of bitterness to it. When Nozel glanced around them he saw a few nobles quickly turn away from watching them, mostly other women suddenly hiding behind their fans or starting a sudden conversation with their partners. It was obvious to him that she had already been the target of others ragging on her presence in the party, but unlike some of the bulls who could let harsh words slide, like water off a duck's back, she was getting miffed. And likely had moved over to this table to drown her sorrows, even if just a little bit.

"You didn't have to come." He noted as he reached for a glass flute full of dark red fluid.

"I am well aware." The brunette glanced over her shoulder into the crowd of lingering nobles. "But not showing up would make us look worse than they already assume."

She must have been referring to her "squad". The group of researchers not often given credit for the advances and efforts they put into not only protecting the kingdom, but pushing its creative boundaries. Nozel came to develop an odd respect for them over the last few months working with Briar. The kingdom really wouldn't have as many useful magic tools as they did were it not for their hard work.

"What about you?" She asked as she turned to look at him. "You don't strike me as a ball kind of man."

He felt like he should have been offended, but honestly it was true. "My family demanded I attend."

"Oohh..?" She didn't smile, but the small squint of her eyes was enough for Nozel to see she was amused. "And how do you like it so far, have you gotten to dance with a lovely lady?"

Nozel let out a scoff and looked away in disapproval. Which was enough of an answer to prompt a small chuckle from the woman. "A shame." She sighed. "You look a little dashing today."

His head whipped back to her, stunned that she had given him a compliment. Normally the two were like a couple of cats ready to start a fight. Perhaps they had finally gotten comfortable with one another?

Or she was waiting for her next chance to push one of his buttons.

He couldn't help but glance down to his own outfit though. A blue and gold vest over a white top with puffy sleeves. His usual high collar and the silva emblem clasped his top buttons together. He wasn't super dressed up… perhaps she just liked things simple.

She however seemed less so, her dress was floor length and was decorated in white, gold and purple. It seemed foreign based on its design. She had her signature matching earmuffs on as well.

"Well…" He wasn't really sure how to take her compliment. Instead he brought his glass to his lips to take a drink, but as soon as the fluid entered his mouth he began sputtering and coughing.

"Nozel?" Briar's eyes went wide with surprise as he struggled to breath for a moment. She quickly took the glass from him and moved to pat his back a few times.

The man swallowed what he could of the liquid in his mouth then controlled his coughing. "I'm okay-" he held a hand up to her. "I'm okay…"

"What was that about?" Briar asked, her face now changing to utter confusion. "That came out of nowhere."

"I was just shocked by the drink." Nozel took several clean inhales of air to make sure his windpipe was clear.

"This?" Briar lifted the glass and looked it over. It looked like wine to her.

"It's sweet, it caught me off guard..."

She raised an eyebrow at him before she took a sip of his glass.

He gave her a look of mild disgust to share the same glass as him, but he was glad his reaction wasn't too far fetched as she managed to swallow one mouthful before she recoiled away. "My god it's like liquid sugar!"

Nozel turned to the table and all of the other glasses. He picked up another and gave it a quick sniff, his nose being assaulted by the same sickeningly sweet scent. "What is this?"

"I thought it was supposed to be wine." Briar's tongue swiped across her lips as she also looked irritated, which was surprising. The woman consumed copious amounts of sugary treats daily, so what was it about this drink that had even her in a state of disgust?

They glanced around at the others, and while no one but them was currently drinking, there were plenty of unfinished glasses across tables.

"Whoever picked out this drink clearly made a mistake." Rather than leave the unfinished glass Briar turned to a potted plant nearby and dumped the rest of the drink into its dirt. Leaving the now empty glass on the table. "What now? I was kind of looking forward to a drink."

Honestly, so was Nozel. He could still feel his fathers burning gaze on the back of his head and a glass of wine would have been nice to dull his senses.

"Want to see if the kitchen is nearby?" Nozel glanced at Briar as she already had turned to walk away. "I mean unless you'd rather dance or something?"

"No." He responded quickly. At least this way he would be out of the crowd. "Please, lead the way."

Finding the kitchen had not been hard at all. Asking a servant for directions and flashing Nozel's status was all the pair needed to get proper directions. So now with a new Wine bottle in hand and a few clean glasses they walked down a hallway looking for a place to settle and drink peacefully.

The hallway was as nice as the ballroom had been. A crimson carpeted floor with wooden walls and a carefully carved baseboard. A couple of paintings hung on the walls of important individuals but neither mage really cared to stop and look.

"Rosé wine?" Briar read the label in a curious tone. She was more distracted by the bottle in her hand than anything.

"The Roselie are famous for that wine." Nozel told her as he watched her closely.

"Charlotte's family makes wine?"

"You don't know?" They turned down the quiet hallway, not really sure of their destination at this point. "It's how they got their status. They own almost all the vineyards in the Noble realm."

"I see…" the brunette held the wine glasses out to Nozel, who took them, and then began trying to pray the cork out with her fingers.

"Don't be a savage…" he sighed and held his free hand up, liquid metal coming to form a corkscrew in his palm.

"Oh." She stared at it before smiling and taking it. "Thank you~"

"...You're welcome…"

With swift stab, twist and pull Briar had the bottle freed to let the aroma of bitter wine overtake them. "Oh now that smells much better than the other wine."

"Aren't you a little impatient?" Nozel criticized her despite holding both glasses out, which she filled.

"Well if the Roselie family provided all the drinks tonight I want to see if this is any better than that liquid heart attack in the ballroom." The woman took her glass and clinked it against his before taking a drink. "Oh, and it is." Much better, how wine should properly taste.

And while Nozel wanted to take a proper drink of good wine himself, he found himself distracted by her glass. More specifically, the lipstick print she had left behind on it. She didn't usually wear makeup…

His eyes flicked up to her face, still reading the bottle's information, and he saw she was decorated subtly with makeup. A bit of eyeshadow that was just a few shades darker than her eye color. A swipe of eyeliner, dusting of blush and the soft pink color of her lipstick, now smudged slightly from her drink…

"Hey Nozel-" she turned to him suddenly and it wasn't till then he realized he had been leaning towards her. Their noses almost touching as she stood there mildly shocked to find him up in her face. "Uh…"

But he didn't move to back away, his mind felt anxious over what he was doing, it was abnormal for him. 'Was she always this pretty, or smelled this nice?' Was it perfume? It smelled just like a flower garden…

His body refused to move, if anything he leaned in a little more.

And she didn't stop him…

Whomp-

Crash-

The pair jolted apart, eyes wide and faces flushed as they both turned to look at a door. Whatever atmosphere between them had broken immediately after hearing something break beyond the walls.

"What was that?" Briar asked, and she wasn't quite sure if she was referring to their moment or the sounds they had just heard.

Nozel took the opportunity to separate himself from her, now feeling in his right mind, and advanced on the door. His hand quickly closed on the doorknob and forced it open.

There was the sound of bickering women in a small study but as soon as Nozel made his presence known they silenced themselves.

"Charlotte?" Briar peaked in behind Nozel, her breath across his neck sent an odd shiver down his spine and he quickly side stepped so she could have room in the wide doorway.

The bickering women in question were Charlotte Roselie, dressed elegantly in a blue gown with flower embroidery, and a black bull Briar recognized as Cybil. A purple haired woman in a form-fitted black and gold dress. They both looked furious for whatever reason, their shoulders heaving from what must have been an intense argument. Between them was a flower vase, utterly shattered with flowers all over the floor and water soaking into the carpet. An end table was not too far either, knocked over from whatever spat they must have been having.

"...what is going on?" Nozel asked, he slowly moved to put his wine glass down on a nearby cabinet.

"None of your business." Charlotte snapped at him with a nasty tone, much to his surprise. He always knew she was aggressive towards men, but she always held respect towards her fellow captains at the very least.

Suddenly being talked down to by her made his blood boil. "Well it seems to have gotten out of control." He nodded towards the broken vase.

"I said it's none of your business!" She raised her voice even louder, this time throwing mana into it.

"You dare…" The Silva's lips pulled back into an angry snarl as he too began to raise his Magic.

"Okay!" Briar quickly slipped between the two of them, hands up to deter either side form stepping any closer or starting a fight. "No need to act like Animals…"

"Oh why not?" Cybil giggles from her place off to the side. "It's all Charlotte's good for isn't it?"

"What did you say!?" The blonde turned back onto her previous enemy, eyes blazing with blue fury.

The other woman laughed. "Did you not hear me this whole time? All your good for are fighting, running and screaming. It's no wonder why Yami will never notice you."

"Oh my god-" Briar's eyes went wide.

"What did you say!?" Charlotte practically shrieked.

"You treat him like crap!" Cybil shouted back at her.

"What do you know!?"

Cybil took a step over the broken glass to jab at the noble woman's chest. "You call him names, be little his manhood and scream and run just at the sight of him sometimes!"

"I'm just SHY!"

"I CALL IT BEING RUDE!"

Suddenly both women were at each other's throats, grabbing at one another's hair and clawing at dresses, all while screaming and hurling insults at each other. It was jarring for both of the others to watch, Charlotte was NEVER this petty.

"WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOU?!" Briar quickly jumped into their fight, grabbing one and yanking the other away with enough force to toss Cybil onto the couch.

"Don't TOUCH ME!" Charlotte howled as she suddenly struck Briar across the face.

The woman was so stunned by the sudden action she didn't have time to react to the net of Silver that suddenly snatched up, wrapped around and pinned the Blue Rose to the wall.

"NOZEL-!" Charlotte seethed and writhed in her prison.

Briar whipped around to look at Nozel, who looked livid. His eyes wide and ablaze with fury as he had a hand up to control his magic. "Don't you touch her." He hissed through grit teeth.

"Serves you right!" Cybil howled as she got up and tossed pillows at the trapped Rose.

"Hey!" Briar snapped a hand towards the other mage and vines grew from the couch to grab and hold her down into it. "Enough of that, you're not teenagers! Nozel!"

She turned back to her companion who seemed to only be getting angrier as he was shouting at Charlotte. Was even he loosing his mind!?

"NOZEL!"

Briar grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him to look at her. Wide eyed and stunned, Nozel froze on the spot. All his attention now on her. He heaved to catch his breath but was slowly calming down.

Briar waited, ignoring the still bickering women behind her when she noticed something. Her hands came up to cup his face and, whether Nozel realized it or not, he leaned right into her touch. She used her thumbs to pull down on his lower eyelids as she glanced between both his eyes, his lavender irises now shimmered with flecks of pink and red.

"What on earth…" she gasped softly at the sight. It was both alluring, creating some feeling deep in her, like she was magnetized to him, and also frightening because something was going on.

"Briar…"

The way he said her name sent a chill up her spine, and not in the scary way. She suddenly jabbed him hard in the side to knock him back to himself. The man kneeled over in pain before the brunette swiftly moved to Charlotte.

The Captain almost bit her before she managed to grab hold of her head to check her eyes too. Blue with pink and red, but a lot more of it.

"Unhand me!" The rose snapped as she jerked her head away.

Briar knew she wouldn't have to check the last woman to know she was probably afflicted too. She quickly scanned the room before her eyes settled on a wine glass, the other one broken next to it. She lunged across the room to snatch it up and took a sniff.

Disgustingly sweet.

"What were you talking about?" She spun back around to the women.

"What?" Charlotte snapped.

"Your conversation! How did this fight happen?" Briar pointed between the fighting women with the glass.

"What is going on…" Nozel groaned, looking angry now that some of his senses were returning to him.

"You!" Briar pointed at Cybil who squeaked. "What were you discussing?"

"W-we were talking about Yami…"

"Okay??"

"And how I didn't think Charlotte was a good match for him…"

"Oh and you're any better?!" Charlotte called angrily.

"Better than you!"

The pair were once again hurling insults at one another.

"They both like Yami…" Briar thought out loud as the gears started turning in her brain. She was really scared of the conclusion she was coming to.

"Nozel, watch them!" Briar pointed at him as she put the glass down and rushed for the door.

"What is happening!?" He called after her.

"I'll be back, it's urgent!" She was already rushing down the hall, back towards the ballroom.

As she hurried through the decorated archway she didn't see too much of a difference yet. People were still idly chatting and dancing, though the crowds appear to have thinned out quite a bit….

"Where is it…" she looked around, ignoring the odd looks she was getting from others as she pushed through crowds to make it back to the wine table, its surface now covered in even more half empty glasses. But she cared less about that at the moment and more about…

Her hands grabbed hold of a large flower pot. Her wide eyes staring in disbelief at it. The once white roses were now blooming a brilliant shade of shimmering pink.

"Damn it!" She cursed and spun around to look at the people all going about their business behind her.

"Love potion…"

#black clover #black clover oc #nozel silva #black clover fanart #nozel x oc #oc: briar rose #black clover anime #black clover art #black clover fanfic #black clover fic

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birlwrites · 1 year ago

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okay my question is how close are/were walburga & orion to their kids? how well can they read regulus? (jusy in general but also specifically in the scene at the breakfast table. like, orion taught regulus how to occlude, right? so can he tell when he is?)

i've been going off the assumption that for most wizard kids, there's smthing like elementary school to help teach them to read & write etc before hogwarts when they're ready to start learning magicTM, & then the uber wealthy just hire tutors. so that gives me the thought that wizarding parents in general are just like, more involved in their kids' lives pre-hogwarts. & that + the fact that orion & walburga don't really... have things to do? like they're lord & lady but it's not like they have subjects to look after or snything… so how present were they in sirius & regulus' lives?

sorry if this is ramble-y, this probably should've been 2 different asks but i'm just really curious about if you've thought about any of it

walburga and orion are not what i would call super attuned to their kids' emotional state? like, not to put too fine a point on it, but regulus has not really been Relaxed around either of his parents since he was very young. he's always monitoring his behavior and actions very closely. in that scene, they get the sense that he is balancing the interests of the death eaters with 'ok but also barty is my friend so maybe Don't Kill Him Please.'

if regulus had been in the dining room when he'd started occluding, orion would have clocked it immediately, but since he was out on the stairs, there was no moment of bringing up the shields that orion could see

like, orion and walburga have been somewhat involved in their kids' lives, but regulus has been very conscious of the fact that he needs to Act A Certain Way around adults and non-family-members since he was little, and this includes his parents, although it didn't include his cousins until he was a little older, as bellatrix is bellatrix and regulus would let the people around him set the level of formality for the interaction. and sirius is sirius of course (he's never been as reserved as regulus, but he's also a great liar, so i'd hesitate to say that orion and walburga could read him any better than they can read regulus - sirius is very good at emotional/mental/verbal sleight of hand)

regulus and sirius learned purely academic/theoretical subjects from tutors, but their parents handled a lot of their magical training - obviously there was the family specialty, and dark arts in general, and occlumency, but also families like the blacks don't wait until hogwarts to start teaching their kids magic with wands, and so that was just kind of folded in along with the dark arts

they didn't really start with the tutors until they were, like, kindergarten-aged, or rather until sirius was kindergarten-aged and regulus was Not Going To Be Left Out

in addition, they had to learn about Society Stuff, and whoever was heir at the moment had to learn about Lord Stuff, which were handled by walburga and orion respectively. regulus used to spend more time practicing general dark arts (not the family specialty) than sirius did, as sirius had to learn Lord Stuff and walburga, keeping regulus busy, was like 'ah yes dark arts will hold his interest and prevent him from being upset about sirius doing things without him'

orion does actually have stuff to do - as the head of house black, he manages the entire family's finances, and he's also a member of the wizengamot. but yeah that's about it as far as formal obligations go lmao, plus when regulus was REALLY little (young enough that he doesn't remember this at all) orion was heir black and hadn't started taking on any of arcturus's responsibilities yet, so orion and walburga really had jack shit to do

so regulus and sirius spent a lot of time learning from their parents, but they didn't spend a lot of leisure time with them - there was always Something To Be Achieved in their interaction with their parents

#dark lord wip #should i make an inbox tag #as always we welcome rambling in this house #i certainly do plenty of it myself agjksljfk

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imaginespazzi · 5 months ago

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NIVI MY GIRL AHHHHHHHH OMG OMG OMG I LOWKEY NEED TO LIKE BLACK OUT TO EVER RECOVER FROM THIS CHAPTER😭 FIRST OFF THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR DELIVERING AND GIVING US A NEW CHAPTER💗

ok now oh lord get ready for my notes this chapter😭

•aunty j🥹🥹

JANA STILL BEING ONE OF THEIR MENACE CHILDREN

•jana bringing up the surprise in front of stephie and her even knowing how much stephie loves her miss buecks🥹

•everything changing and stephie calling her every night and paige always picking up and staying until stephie fell asleep UGH I LOVE THEM

•azzi being the first person to lock eyes with paige and realizing their reality WHICH IS INSANE

•azzi and paige’s first time hugging ughhh and it being different cause stephie is in the middle of them GOSH I CANNOT TAKE IT

•JANA MY GIRL SENDING THEM BOTH TO PAIGES ROOM

•OMFG THE EDGE PROTECTORS FOR STEPHIE

•JOYCE ASKING IF SHE HAS A KID AND PAIGE LOOKING AT STEPHIE WTF AHAHAJSNS

•paige not going to pay for the pizza but AS SOON as her lil stephie asked it was an absolute yes order whatever she wants no questions asked

•stephie going to give azzi a hug while unpacking and not wanting to look up at paige because she knows paige is falling in love at the sight of azzi and her daughter and wishing things could be like that forever

•PAIGE IF YOU DONT GET YOUR GAY ASS RAINBOW COLORFUL CLOTHES OFF MY BABY I SWEAR no but paige taking stephie in like her own is so fucking cute😭

•paige wanting to ask azzi to stay the night but saying she doesn’t have the right LIKE GIRL YK DAMN WELL YOU DONT so stop playing and just ask

•STEPHIE ASKING HER MAMA TO CUDDLE PAIGE HAHAHAH STEPHIE IS ONE OF US FR

•stephie being so content once paige cuddles her 🥺

•azzi baby, getting up like that after you had the best sleep of you life and interrupting paige and stephie sleep so early who were probably also having the best sleep of their lives is crazy!

•PAIGE CLOCKED AZZI SAYING SHES PROJECTING

•AZZI JUST PLEASE GIVE IN IM BEGGING

•i actually sobbed at stephie not wanting to leave and azzi still taking her away

ok in conclusion my thoughts on this chapter are you broke my fucking heart and i cried but like I NEED ANOTHER CHAPTER MY ANGEL THE ENDING MY HEART CANT TAKE IT😭😭😭😭

ok some things i’d like to see in the future if possible!💗

•paige calling azzi and telling her she really misses stephie and wants to see them

•MORE AZZI AND PAIGE CUDDLING STEPHIE

•teammates eventually picking up on them!

•im so scared whats going to happen in the next chapter tbh like im already so heartbroken im even more scared now

•can they just fuck and realize they’re in love?

•maybe a scene where paige goes to visit azzi to see stephie but stephie stayed w katie and tim and so they’re just horny and end up fucking

•i am honestly so scared but excited to see all the events that will lead up to their confession of still being in love

•maybe azzi talking to someone and paige gets jealous and tells azzi she better make sure they’re good with stephie or sum like that

ok that’s it for now! (as if i didn’t just yap your ear away) I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MY ANGEL. THANK YOU THANK YOU! i literally cannot wait for the next chapter and i hope the rest of your week is so so good💗

-🩰

Bestie you're so incredibly sweet to me, I don't know what I did to deserve you but I smile so big every time you appear in my inbox <3

Okay question for the class, do y'all feel like I'm writing Jana right? Cause I'm having a good time including her in this fic and she's obviously gonna be in it a fair amount so I just wanted to see how everyone felt I was doing?

I gave y'all so much domesticity this chapter and I'm really glad y'all enjoyed the fluff like I promise I'm not mean all the time.

Paige is whipped beyond measure for Stephie like there isn't a thing that little girl could ask that she wouldn't say yes to.

Lowkey very insane of Paige to ask Azzi something like that but it's Azzi, and when it's Azzi, Paige has no such thing as restrain.

Paige lowkey read Azzi for filth in those two lines and Azzi knows it.

That last scene was a lot like even as I was writing it, I felt kinda bad because it's a pretty shit situation all around and worst of all now EYE I have to dig them out of it.

I'm mapping out next chapter tonight and I have a general idea of what's gonna happen and I'm really excited to write it!

Lots more family scenes and teammate scenes coming up like I'mma have to start cutting shit out of my head-outlines because I have so many ideas but trust a lof of what y'all want will be there!

OOOH I really like that last idea for sure!

I hope you have a week as lovely as you my darling <3

#ask #fic talk #🩰 anon my lovely angel <3 #i'm so excited to add more characters (i'm making life difficult for myself)

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you-are-my-king-now-cariad · 2 years ago

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Voice claim time! Disclaimer, some of these are from what I think are slightly more niche shows/movies, but whatever. Also there are a few “smaller” characters I just have exact voices for so I’ll be including them.

Oh, and apologies in advance for the rambling. I’m trying to be as clear as possible but some of these voices are so hard to pin down.

Nick: a mix of all the male country artists/bands I listen to-Jordan Davis, Blake Shelton, Old Dominion, etc. He’s kind of just generic “guy with a relatively subtle Southern accent.” Also there’s a bit of Tom Holland for some reason.

Sel: Several different voices at different points, and kind of a combination. 1. JD from Heathers-specifically the World Premiere Cast, and even more specifically his voice during Seventeen. 2. Jordan Davis 3. My Chorus Dad Thayer (I have no way to explain his voice-it’s a very very subtle southern accent, very low, and very Sel.)

Bree: I don’t actually know how to describe this bc Bree’s voice isn’t something I’ve ever heard. It’s the voice I hear when Tara speaks-Tara is a character I do text RP as-but there’s no good comparison to that. I can’t mimic it. It’s just slightly different than my voice-enough to be obviously different, but subtle enough that trying to recreate what I hear comes out awful. Closest I’ve heard is probably either Taylor Swift or Tenile Arts, but those are both too far off from mine.

Alice: Erin from the Lore OlymPOD podcast. Yes, I read Lore Olympus, come at me. She’s kind of the default “best friend” voice, actually.

Mariah: You know that trope of the Black woman at the post office who calls you “sweetheart” and is incredibly Southern? That’s Mariah. I know it’s probably closer to Patricia and that Mariah’s 20-something, but hush. Probably the closest I know of is Millie’s first voice in Helluva Boss.

Valec: Asmodeus from Helluva Boss. And for some reason he turns into Angel Dust when he’s mocking/taunting/fighting with Sel. I cannot possibly explain this, don’t ask.

Lord Davis: Striker from Helluva Boss mixed w/Blake Shelton

Issac: The Wolf from Into The Woods, specifically when he’s trying to lure Little Red and being very obviously evil.

Tor: Stella from Helluva Boss.

Evan: Connor from Dear Evan Hansen.

Felicity: Octavia from Helluva Boss but not depressed. Well, not until Bloodmarked.

Anyone else have really specific voice claims that conflict with canon voices? Like… Sel’s definitely a base/baritone, but 2/3 of my voice hcs are tenor voices. And Tor definitely isn’t British, Stella just has the right Bitch Factor.

#legendborn #bloodmarked spoilers #valechaz #selwyn kane #nicholas davis #nick davis #briana matthews #bree matthews #alice chen #bloodmarked #the legendborn cycle #voice claim

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agwic · 1 year ago

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my opinions on post-canon homestuck

i see so many opinions on this mess. always. but especially now that it's back. and most of these opinions are bad. so here i am, to grace the world with my objectively correct take, which is that post-canon homestuck is bad exclusively because it does not include best spidertroll aranea serket.

PART 1: OVERALL OPINIONS

ok more seriously(but no less pretentiously and arrogantly, this is homestuck after all) i did in fact enjoy reading the epilogues and hs^2 and was sad to see it go. im unsure if i thought it was good, but i would rather it exist than not exist, and if that doesn't mean it was good, what does? I do think this new team will probably do a better job though. that doesn't mean im glad the old team got harassed off the project, obviously. ugh i dont know what crowd im pandering to with this. if i start with what i disliked about post-canon homestuck, it'll scare off the people who liked it, even though i think they're on the right side of this fandom conflict. but if i start with what i liked, it'll scare of the people who hated it, who make up a majority of the fandom, and also have quite a few good points. i guess ill just assume the crowd which was more charitable to post-canon homestuck will also be more charitable to me, and start with what i disliked.

PART 2: CANONICITY

is post-canon homestuck canon? the epilogues say that they're "outside canon" but not "non-canon". this is a shitty answer and anyone with the pattern recognition skills necessary to recognize a double negative can tell. i feel like the epilogues knew this was a shitty answer, but that doesn't mean i don't want a better answer. maybe we'll get a better answer, eventually. now, the correct answer is that post-canon homestuck is not canon, but still has a bearing on canon. because that's the only answer that doesn't cause several issues. like, if they're just fully non-canon, basically just fanfiction, then that would open up a gaping plot hole in homestuck, of "hey wait what about the masterpiece and lord english". some people think you can just ignore this fact, but i am not one of those people. on the other hand, if they're just fully canon

PART 2.5: THEY DESERVED A HAPPY ENDING

hey wasn't the intermission after act 3? do i need to rearrange this post to be a weird meta reference to the act structure of homestuck? the answer to one of those questions is yes and the other is no, but getting more into that is for another section. anyways yeah, the title kinda says it all. what was the point of homestuck if, after all that, they opened the door to the new universe, and shit just kept happening. this is also why you can't handwave that earlier plot hole with "oh they just went back to handle it at some point and died" because that doesn't sound like a happy ending to me. and if they don't get a happy ending after all that, then homestuck just becomes a neverending black hole of infinite cynicism, which i am not a fan of and would be horrible. and even if, after all of the post-canon bullshit, they get another happy ending, who's to say that happy ending won't be ruined for no good reason like their last one was? i mean other than the fact that they'll presumably be out of classpects by then. oh that's another reason this can't be wholly non-canon, we need those classpects. someone needs to explain to me what a sylph is and kanaya did a pretty shit job at it if im being honest, and im sure aranea would have had a good explanation but they fucking erased her from existence so.

PART 2.5.5: MY HEADCANONS! NO!

that's not how numbers work. but anyways, another reason declaring this as wholly canon would be shitty is that post-canon just kinda stomps over a lot of headcanons for little reason. trans girl roxy, for instance. also people who think jade doesn't have a dog dick exist and are quite loud but they're not me so they don't matter. let's talk about trans girl roxy. or not, since all there is to say on the matter is that roxy is a trans girl. i could go into why i have this headcanon but does it matter? does any of this matter? no not really. but im sure you have some headcanon which post-canon invalidates for no reason, so you can empathize with me here.

PART 3: VRISKA DID SEVERAL THINGS WRONG

alternate title: "kate mitchell did in fact have some bad takes". this could be folden into the previous sub-section but vriska's too important for that. actually fuck no, vriska isn't important at all. you know who is important? the answer is aranea in most scenarios, but in this case, the answer is tavros. when hussie glorified vriska and shat on tavros, it felt like a joke, like literally everything hussie ever did. when kate glorified vriska and shat on tavros, i got the impression she genuinely believed the shit she was spewing. now, did she deserve to be harassed for her horrible takes? obviously not, that would be something vriska would do, and thus hypocritical. especially the blatant lies, because wow i just googled "kate mitchell homestuck" and people are lying even more blatantly about her now that they were back when hs^2 was ongoing? anyways this section isn't about kate mitchell, it's about vriska, and by that i mean it's about tavros. speaking of tavros am i literally the only person on earth who projected onto tavros while reading homestuck? like i rarely get the impression that other people are actually sympathetic to tavros, they all just see him as pathetic. which makes me sad. even though he is pathetic. oh vriska also did another thing wrong, which was indirectly cause aranea to metamorphosize into a piece of sh

PART 4: THE META SHIT

despite the title for this section including the word "shit" we're now onto the good parts of post-canon homestuck. because the meta shit was genuinely entertaining to me, and also i've seen enough analysis of it to know that it's not just surface level bullshit trying to look interesting. it's been long enough since i read the epilogues that i probably couldn't contribute anything to that discussion but i have it on good authority that this is good and not just my brain activating whenever i see meta shit and/or time travel. oh also this is the section where i was supposed to talk about structuring this post based on homestuck but im not doing that

PART 5: HOMESTUCK WASN'T OVER

this kinda contradicts one of the earlier sections. but it's true. there were several plot threads left hanging by the end of homestuck proper. most notably caliborn's masterpiece, the defeat of lord english, and the four missing classpects. the meat epilogue handily dealt with those first two, and if hs^2 doesn't deal with that last one i am going to track down andrew hussie and silently hand to him a strongly worded letter while holding a butter knife. i know i already said this but it bears repeating. i need to know what a sylph is. so that i can write my 10,000 page aranea-centric fanfiction. im begging you. do you not want to see my 10,000 page aranea-centric fanfiction? do you not w

PART 6: THERE WAS SOME OTHER GOOD STUFF IN THERE TOO

putting actual trans characters in homestuck was a good idea. shame they picked the wrong one. i imagine they'll get around to making june canon eventually. i cannot state my opinions on jade's dog dick or else risk being forever barred from the homestuck fandom. some of the gamma kids are interesting. tavvy and yiffy, specifically. i wanna see where those two characters end up going. "deltritus" is a funny name. i sure hope that ripping off the main plot point from "to boldly flee" was intentional. im not sure if that last sentence was a good thing. but it was an entertaining thing. um, the more homestuck there is, the more likely aranea gets brought back? ok yeah now im grasping for straws but im sure you get the idea

PART 7: I'M STILL CALLING IT HS^2

why did they rename it. that was a very silly decision.

oh hey 7 parts that's nice. if i moved part 2 to the end it might mirror homestuck better. but im too lazy to do that. pretend that this mild oversight is actually a brilliant creative decision okay? okay.

#homestuck

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