#and I think that's b/c he's... simpler?

[birb-tangleblog]

[empressofthewind]

It says in Volume 13 that Near's ability to complete a blank puzzle is a sign of his intelligence, but honestly I kind of disagree??? Which is not to say that he isn't brilliant, but rather that I don't think that's the main thing the puzzle tells us about him. When he's first shown putting it together, he has a few pieces already selected that he knows will go in the centre. Then he tips it out in Roger's office, and within minutes, it's completed again. This tells me that it's a puzzle he's done over and over, so he knows how the pattern goes and he can finish it from memory alone. The fact that he's able to do this is definitely impressive, but to me, this is more telling of a few things:

A) He likes having something to do with his hands, which is pretty obvious given that he's always seen fidgeting with something.

B) He likes repetitive tasks, which is supported by the hair twirling and the stacking of identical objects.

C) He seems to like activities with that take up a lot of space or have many components for him to play with. In the case of the puzzle, this is shown by him scattering the pieces around him, including behind him. This is also clear in the case of his giant Lego sets or massive L-shaped card towers in the oneshot that fill up the entire room.

D) He likes activities with small or moving parts - which again, is exemplified by the small and numerous pieces of the puzzle, but also with the marble roller coaster, the toy train, and the finger puppets with all their various miniature accessories. He also tends to enjoy taking things apart and rebuilding them, which is seen when he tips out the puzzle, and when he destroys his various towers and Lego structures.

Based on the kinds of activities he does later in the series as well, I don't think he chooses hobbies that are mentally stimulating or writes off hobbies that aren't in line with his skill level. If anything, he tends to pick things that are quite simplistic, like rubber ducks or model trains, that he can use in a range of creative ways or scatter across a large surface area, and will keep his hands occupied while his mental energy is focused elsewhere. Even in the case of the puzzle, a lot of the pieces look like the exact same shape, and if that's true, this would mean each piece can fit in multiple places; so it could actually be a lot simpler to put together than it looks. But regardless, I don't think the mental stimulation is the main purpose of the activity for him. The only activity he seems to find challenging is throwing darts, which he never manages to do successfully.

[dhorrl]

NSFW Alphabet-Feitan Portor

I never write headcanons really, but this is a great way to me to workshop information for my Janitor AI characters as well. Enjoy! Trigger Warnings: It's Feitan, is his own trigger warning. Mentions of blood, torture, etc...

A = Aftercare

At first, when Feitan just pays for sex, he doesn't bother with aftercare. In his mind, that's already been taken care of by the transaction. But when he meets you and realizes you have more needs than just physical, he begins to pay attention to your well-being. He starts by checking your body for any injuries or cuts and making sure they are taken care of. If necessary, he will bandage them up. Afterwards, he'll carry you to the bath and make sure all traces of blood and fluids are washed away. For less intense encounters without any kink involved, it takes a while but he eventually learns to enjoy having his arm around you and nuzzling into the back of your neck. He's not one for talking much, but this is his way of showing that he's there for you if you need anything.

B = Body Part

Feitan doesn't spend much time admiring his own appearance, so it's hard to say if he has a favorite body part. But on you, he loves your legs. From your thighs to your calves to the curve of your ass, he will mark every inch of them with his teeth or knife. Most likely both... definitely both.

C = Cum

Feitan may have a fit body, but that doesn't necessarily mean he eats great. Don't expect the taste to be great. It's quite watery, but there will definitely be a decent amount. He enjoys cumming inside you, but has no desire for baby-making, so his go-to options are either finishing on your face or your backside. It's clear this man has a thing for marking his territory.

D = Dirty Secret

I don’t think he has any secrets per se (well, maybe that’s not entirely accurate; he definitely HAS secrets), but scandalous secrets? He’d be transparent if you asked him about his history, and he’s probably been with both men and women. Maybe once or twice, Feitan and Phinks have tag-teamed someone – that's just the type of friends they are.

E = Experience

People tend to assume that Feitan is inexperienced or a virgin, but I believe the opposite is true. However, he has never been in a traditional relationship. In my opinion, both him and Phinks prefer to seek paid companionship when they feel the need, for their own personal reasons. It's simpler and faster, without having to deal with emotions. Feitan has specific "preference" and it's easiest for him to pay someone who is willing to indulge in his frustrations and kinks.

F = Favorite Position

It's hard to say what he wants more. On one hand, he loves seeing your face during sex – the way your expression changes when you climax or when he brings out his blade. But above all else, he just wants to make sure you're okay. He reads your body language and facial expressions, especially if you've taken on an intense scene. He has a safe word, of course, but he'll also stop if he senses that you're not using it properly.

On the other hand, sometimes he just wants to bend you over any available surface and fuck you until both of you are exhausted. These quickies usually happen when he's feeling particularly worked up or just needs a release. He'll grab your hair, push your face into whatever is nearby, and pull down your pants as he takes you from behind.

G = Goofy

Contrary to popular belief, Feitan is not as serious as he appears. While he may have a stoic demeanor, it does not mean he lacks a sense of humor. In the bedroom, his behavior can vary. When he takes on the role of Dom, he is completely focused and aware to avoid unleashing too much of his torture skills on you. However, during more casual moments like a quick morning romp, he may crack a smile and playfully nip at your skin in an attempt to make you laugh.

H = Hair

Feitan isn't a very hairy person, with smooth skin all over his body. He has a slight trail of hair that leads down to a small patch of black hair. While it may not be perfectly groomed, it doesn't bother him much. When it comes to his partner, the amount or style of hair they have is of no concern to Feitan; he enjoys them regardless.

I = Intimacy

If Feitan is transitioning from paying for sex to pursuing a relationship with you, congratulations - you have reached an intimate level. For him, this is already a huge step, so if there is anything specific you want, you may need to communicate it clearly. As his feelings for you deepen over time, he may start to appreciate the softer moments between you, even though he might never say so out loud.

J = Jack Off

I don't think he masturbates frequently. It's not because he lacks interest, but rather because he is very self-aware and in control of his body. However, if you were to ask him to do it or even let you do it for him while he lays back on the bed and watches, he would absolutely be up for it.

K = Kink

It goes without saying, we all know he's a dominant, but not in the conventional sense. He craves control and isn't afraid to use restraints. But for Feitan, it's about more than just physical pleasure. He wants to leave his mark on you, carve his symbol into your skin, use ropes that bite into your flesh. The feeling of your blood on his skin is intoxicating to him, and he would savor the opportunity to cut you open and bathe in it. It would be even more thrilling if you possessed a Nen ability with enhanced healing capabilities. He enjoys blood but is not interested in any other bodily fluids. His marking kink would involve carving his name or number onto your skin; in my imagination, you have a "2" engraved somewhere on you.

L = Location

Feitan is not one to hold back; when he wants you, he takes you. However, his preference would be in a bed or a special room akin to the one he uses for his victims, where he can unleash without worry of making a mess.

M = Motivation

Before you came into his life, he would only get in the mood after a demanding job or if it had been a while since his last encounter. But with you around, even simple activities like washing dishes or reading a book can make Feitan ready to go. Just one look from you and he's all fired up.

N = No

I don't believe he has any interest in anything involving feces or urine; it's just not his type of kink. It's not that he finds it disgusting, it's just not something he enjoys. But with almost anything else, even things he initially may not like, I feel like if you persist enough, he'll eventually give in and try it.

O = Oral

He's a giver, through and through. He will bury his face between your thighs, losing himself in the moment until he's dizzy and gasping for breath. Even then, he won't pull away. He'll lick, suck, and maybe even bite if he feels like it. By the time he's finished, every inch of his face will be slick, and his eyes will be wild and primal as he looks at you. And if you try to tell him to stop, it will only fuel his fire. Keep that in mind before you ask him to ease up.

P = Pace

It's always a 50/50 gamble with him. I wouldn't say it's sensual, but he definitely likes to take his time. If you agree to a rougher scene, where he can let loose and show off all his skills, be prepared to be tied up and at his mercy for hours. He may even leave you there, tied up and sweating, before coming back to start the whole thing over again.

But all of this is just the warm-up before he even enters you. When he's finally ready for the final round, he will take you hard. The bed will shake on its rails and the headboard will slam against the walls. And it's absolutely incredible.

Q = Quickie

Feitan doesn't mind a quickie, especially when you're in the middle of a mission and there isn't enough time for a longer session. He has impressive self-control, so if you're not feeling up for it, he's okay with that. However, he also knows that you can't resist him when he asks.

R = Risk

Risk? Feitan doesn't even comprehend the concept, especially when it comes to sex. So what if the other Troupe members might overhear or walk in? Who cares if they fuck during a job and the target might catch them in the act? Feitan would simply eliminate any witnesses and continue as he pleases.

S = Stamina

Oh dear, your body is in for a rough time. When Feitan gets riled up, you'll be in for an extended bout of physical activity. Thanks to his rigorous Nen training and natural stamina, he doesn't tire easily. You'll probably lose consciousness long before he's finished, but even then, he'll likely continue on without missing a beat.

T = Toy

If by toys you're referring to the collection of knives, ropes, and gags he uses for his regular torturing sessions, then yes, those are his "toys." However, I have a feeling that once you explore his kinky side with him, he would have a separate set of these items just for personal use. Some people headcanon that he's dirty or gross, but in reality, he's canonically a germaphobe. He wouldn't want any blood or fluids from his victims to touch you. In fact, I bet he would even invest in a high-quality vibrator for other types of "torture."

U = Unfair

This is Feitan's domain. He takes pleasure in teasing you in every possible manner. He considers himself a master of all forms of torture and you are his favorite subject for experimentation. You better not cum without his permission, or there will be consequences. I can't help but wonder if there's a hint of masochism in him, deliberately prolonging his own orgasm until it becomes unbearable.

V = Volume

Feitan's voice is naturally soft, so he doesn't make much noise during sex. But that doesn't mean he's silent; his words are like whispers in your ear, filled with degrading comments and descriptions of what he plans to do next. He watches closely for your reactions to his words, using them to gauge your pleasure.

W = Wild Card

Feitan may not even realize it, but he’s a tsundere with yandere tendencies. He is fixated on you and will go to great lengths to gather information about you. He sees it as a way to bond with you. Your past and relationships with others hold little importance to him unless he can use them to manipulate you. He pays close attention to every detail about you for his own gratification. While this can lead to unexpected surprises, there is a fine line between showing affection and being overly possessive.

X = X-Ray

Let me begin by saying that size isn't always the most important thing. However, that doesn't mean Feitan is lacking in that department. He may not impress when flaccid with a modest 2 inches, but he definitely makes up for it with a solid 5 inches when fully aroused. "Size not matter in fight… or in bed."

Y = Yearning

Feitan has an above average drive and libido, but an even higher level of self-control. He can easily suppress any desires he may have, but when the opportunity arises, be prepared for him to let loose. After finishing a job, it's best to take a few days off because you won't be able to walk afterwards.

Z = ZZZ

I can hardly imagine him getting any sleep at all. I'm sure he does, but as a long time Spider, he has likely trained his body to function on minimal rest. Those rare moments after sex, when everything is calm and still, may be the only times where he truly lets himself relax, though. Even then, it's probably only momentary.

[meanbossart]

its funny looking between his former fixation (orin) and current one (astarion) and noticing he has a very obvious 'type'. what made him so taken with orin, though? what did he like about her? did he not have any initial misgivings? was he ever concerned she might turn on him?

B)c Please know how happy it made me to finally have someone spell this out lmao. It's absolutely true, at least within the dynamic that DU drow shared with each of them; there are a lot of parallels to be found between Orin and Astarion.

The tough part of this question however, is that I have a very difficult time pinning Orin down. She's easily the most elusive character out of the Chosen, and while I understand this Is likely a consequence of being underwritten, I also see a certain charm in a character who's lack of development is part of their tragedy - whose story is very much about not being allowed much individuality of their own, and having no resolution. I think this is a space worth playing in.

I couldn't tell you what the hell Orin likes, what she was like besides blood-thirsty and deranged. I can barely fathom her sitting down to have a conversation with someone. Think about it - she was raised from childhood in the Bhaal temple, both her parent's were faithful servants and she was essentially groomed from birth to be either Bhaal's Chosen, the Dark Urge's consort, or a sacrificial lamb. Nobody had ANYTHING to gain from allowing her to develop any humanity.

Of course, this doesn't mean she doesn't have any, deep inside. We see glimpses of it in fairly difficult-to-get dialogue regarding her origins during act 3. My very vague take on Orin is that she was a determined and persistent person who learned to make her circumstances work for her as best as she could, who had a strong sense of her boundaries but a horrifically difficult time differentiating between negative emotions - this is why I personally don't even know whether she """"led DU drow on""" our of malice or self-preservation. Perhaps she didn't know either - I think whenever Orin felt sadness, discomfort, anger or even happiness or love, she found a way to turn it into bloodlust and sadism, every time.

And it's in part this elusiveness that would have attracted DU drow. What did Astarion have to do to get DU drow to pursue him? He had to feign disinterest, he had to pull away - the fact that Orin never allowed DU drow to get close enough to truly know her plays a significant part in how unhealthy his attachment for her became.

That said, this was a long game - he did become infatuated pretty much from the moment he saw her when they were both teenagers. This is a much simpler concept to understand - he was profoundly emotionally inept and neglected, and she was probably the prettiest thing he ever laid eyes on, not to mention the only other person in the temple close to him in age.

Truth is, they did have a lot in common on the very basis of having been so thoroughly stripped of their humanities, but It was a closeness born entirely from circumstance - the implied vulnerability in the type of life they shared together, even if they never spoke about feelings or shared what normal people would qualify as a "sweet" moment. They didn't really use their words, and when they did, they were like daggers - twisted murder sibling banter.

But when they had to work together it was very different. They played off each each other like match and friction, like two fitted cogs turning a wheel. There must have been nothing that swelled DU drow's heart more than when they killed together, perhaps even more than when Orin hurt him. He loved seeing her in her element and yearned for nothing more but to be let into the joy she found in it.

He Never had any misgivings. He always thought she would come around (to him) eventually. He was completely and entirely blind to how much her resentment towards him grew throughout the years, how he lost a sister through wanting a lover.

[itsmeyaspider]

Catched in a dragon's cave~

Yandere Aegon II x female thief reader x Yandere Aemond part 2

Trigger warning: rape, violence, blood, yandere themes, toxic behavior, I don't think that any of this behavior is fine!!! I don't justify any of this! It's just a made up yandere story so be aware!

Part 1:

Pain, that is the only thing you feel when Aegon starts to penetrate you. Tears run down your cheek, your whole body flinches at every trust he does. You didn't want to give him the satisfaction, you didn't want him to see how much you suffer under him. Abruptly, you close your (e/c) eyes, inwardly you pray to the gods that it will be soon over. Aegons is satisfied in every way he could imagine, your cute (b/t) body is trembling under him, a wide satisfying smile could be seen on his lips. You were tight, what he really loved. Especially on woman who looked so fragile and helpless under him. It was a good idea to make you his personal whore.

"You like it whore? Hmm, taking my cock so well. You can count yourself lucky that you got such a task." He pushes further into you, nothing escapes his evil, violet eyes, all your oh so sweet reactions make him even harder. He likes it when they fight back, and he liked it even more when they trying to fight him. Fuck, you really drive him crazy. He strokes your cheek almost in a gentle way, for a small amount of time you thought he is finished, but suddenly you hear a loud noise in his chamber. Your cheek start to glow red, as another pain runs through your body and you almost scream. Aegon seems to be satisfied again.

"Did I give you permission to close your eyes?" His voice sounds angry, a second ago he was completely different and now you wish that he would be happy again. "Open your fucking eyes when I fuck you or do you want me to take them out?" You open immediately your (e/c) eyes as they sparkle with fear. "I-I'm sorry M-mylord...I-it won't happen again" you stutter out. Your voice is music in his ears, your body who is shaking because of him, and your eyes who are filled with great fear.

You are his little whore, no one else will ever dare to touch you. If someone is stupid enough to do that, he would make sure that his head would hang on the wall.

-------

You lie on the far too big bed, crying over and over again. The feeling of dirt and filth running through your whole body, this is a living nightmare. 'I should have preferred torture, at least I would have died with proud' Slowly you get up from the bed, clutching your stomach, you close your eyes as you start to pray again to the gods that you will never get pregnant from him. You glance at yourself in the mirror, only now you notice all the hickeys and bite marks. Your whole body is covered in it. God, why are you so weak? Where was your strength? You were raised by the streets and you saw many horrible things, and still you couldn't do anything about your new situation.

You would loved to cry again, but with all your rest strength you force yourself to not do it again. 'Stay strong...you will survive' you tell yourself as you decide to take a warm bath. Maybe that would at least make you feel a little bit better. After you finished, you look in the closet that Aegon has filled with dresses and jewelry for you. Many beautiful things catching your eyes, expensive things you could have never wear before. But you really didn't feel like wearing anything glamorous right now, after all what happened you think it would be better to not cause any other problems. You hand reaches for a green dress with a simpler dark green pattern. Nevertheless, it is overflowing with golden hem.

With a small sigh, you decide to take a short walk around the castle. You didn't see to much from it the first time. Your (e/c) eyes didn't know where to look first. Everything was beautiful, the decoration, the pictures on the wall, even the ground was different. You slowly start to float in your fantasy when you suddenly bump into someone.

"Watch out" Says a rough voice. You immediately look up as you notice a purple eye. 'Shit.' You hastily bow as you can't get rid of the feeling of being stared at. Someone is staring in your soul. "E-Excuse me, Mylord," your voice shakes again as you take a glance at the ground. The intensity of the gaze puts your body into a trance like state, it is as if you were trapped in a cage, and in front of you is a large lion who is waiting to eat you. Aemond is clearly amused from the woman infornt of her, he likes how much influence he already had over you.

"What's your name?" He asks without any emotion in his voice. You are very suprised that the prince is actually interested in you, but it's not in your power to question this. It would be better if you keep your head low, you already got the King's attention, you don't need the Prince too. The story's about Aemond Targaryen were as cruel as those about his brother. "My name is (Y/n)." A small smile spreads on his face, something in it made you really uncomfortable. The Targaryen looks at you for one last time, as he disappeares. 'Strange....the Targaryens are all fucked up' you think to yourself, today wasn't your day.

-----------

The day passes by, as you continue to wander like a ghost trough the huge castle. Even now you only seen half of it, with a small sigh you go towards you chamber, secretly hoping that Aegon isn't waiting there. 'Be strong...' On the way back you suddenly get a very bad feeling, only now you notice that you being watched. This time you decide to listen to your feelings and so you follow a different direction. You take a deep breath as somebody suddenly grabs your hand, pressing you against a cold stone wall.

"Where do you go at such a late hour? Shouldn't you be back to your chambers where my brother waits?" Aemonds voice sounds almost gentle, but you still can't shake the feeling that he is mocking you. His fingers glide over your red cheeks, you could feel bis warm breath on your necks. Your body starts to tremble, the uncomfortable feeling gets worse and worse. 'I-I'm on my way to h-him...Mylord" you stutter with the last remaining strength, the gods must have a lot of fun watching you suffer, there was no other way to explain why the other Targaryen was interested in you now too. Aegon is already enough but now also Aemond? Was this some kind of game you couldn't understand or just a joke to make your life worse?

The prince's finger slides now towards your lips, his eye sparks with malice. Something about him immediately screams to run, run as fast as you can. But you couldn't, you're trapped and your body won't listen to you anyways. "Is that so? Answer me this whore, are you having fun pleasing my brother?" Now a small smirk forms on his lips. "M-Mylord I-" but before you can continue to speak, the Targaryen presses you even harder against the wall, his lips crashing with yours. You open your (e/c) eyes in shock, everything gets crazier and crazier. You feel his tongue circling in your mouth, he obviously wants to show you how superior he is to you and where your place is. Underneath him.

You thought it would never end, you could already feel how close you are to cry again. That couldn't be true...was this the punishment for robbing other people? Suddenly a loud, angry voice echoes through the corridor, footsteps can be heard and Aemond immediately let you go out of his grip. "Leave her alone. She is mine. I'm warning you Aemond....if you dare to come near her ever again, I will take your second eye." The king's face turns red as his eyes are now on you. Another shiver runs down your spine, as you could tell how upset he is. You never saw him so angry. "And you...did I give you permission to walk around here freely? Do you think you can do whatever you want without any consequences? Do I have to chain you up until you learn who you belong to?"

The tension is sharp, sharp as a blade who cut someone's throat. You don't dare to contradict him, it's not the right time and moment for it. Aemond stares at his brother for a moment, his smirk never leaves his lips. "Really brother? You think this whore deserve your attention? You would give up our family just for her? Why don't you throw her in a cellar where only we have access to. No one would ever know, not our sister, not our mother and no one else in this castle. It's our little secret under brother's and besides I think our little thief needs to be punished for thinking she can just walk around this castle freely.~"

[stirringwinds]

are there certain visual themes or imagery you yourself particularly associate with yao as an artist or writer? i'm trying to visualize the nations better...

hmmm, interesting question. i like incorporating nature imagery into the hetalias, especially old nations like yao. there's something mythical and compelling about the sense of age and vastness that evokes. these are some (non-exhaustive) thoughts i've had:

a. i always associate yao with rivers and water; the Yellow River in particular, which is often seen as the "cradle" of Chinese civilisation (but of course, there's also the Yangtze, and the Pearl River too). rivers are life-giving but also untameable, powerful and dangerous—the Yellow River's fertile silt birthed agriculture and civilisation, but its destructive floods have claimed uncounted lives over the millennia of Chinese history. and...that's kind of how yao is, as a nation and an empire, towards others of their kind. the source of cultural and artistic innovations, but also death. water can be fluid, life-giving and nurturing, but also as treacherous as a torrential flood sweeping everything away, no?

like the Yellow River's relationship with humanity, yao's impact on world history feels to me like this duality of life and death; peace and warfare; mentor, empire, conqueror... it's like, yao's been a teacher to many others but...i don't think their predominant image of him is as a warm and nurturing figure. maybe more so with his own people, but less so with other nations. being the old warlord he is, he'd say certain things very matter-of-factly (especially to yong-soo and kiku), about how power is the only language their kind universally understands, or about history being written by the victors (when we consider how the only surviving written sources about certain periods of asian history are only chinese ones...), inasmuch he'd talk about the importance of confucian virtue, integrity and humility on other occasions.

b. for obvious reasons; dragons—they and rivers both have that overlapping association of being serpentine, powerful and untameable. in contrast to how european dragons often took on villainous roles and were harbingers of disaster, it's important to note chinese dragons usually have far more positive cultural connotations. they symbolise prosperity, fortune and are guardians; often associated with power over water (so again; Yao and rivers and water.) many dragons are associated with a particular river or sea. they're also believed to have powers over the weather and were often prayed to. after all, the capriciousness of the rains ruled people's lives so much through natural disasters or made a difference between a bountiful harvest and a famine. so, i think at various points in history his people might also have understood him as a literal dragon (spirit/deity) walking around in a human guise. dragons are also a visual staple of chinese culture, from statues to jewellery. at the same time: while they're auspicious symbols—dragons can of course have aggressive and far less benign connotations if we consider how they became symbols of the emperor—and thus chinese imperial power and dominion over others. he evokes majesty, but also dread from that perspective.

c. plum blossoms: much like the sakura in japanese culture, plum blossoms are one beloved motif you'll see showing up in chinese art and literature throughout history. they're elegant and ethereal, also a symbol of both transience and renewal in a way, i'd say—their blossoms wither and die, but they come back each year. there's also that saying about how without a bitter cold, you won't have the sweet fragrance of plum blossoms, because they start blooming in winter. that's...very yao to me. china, as an idea, makes me think of a lot of elegant and refined traditional culture (like poetry or paintings) which plum blossoms recall—but i also think of humbler themes—the simpler idea of someone and something who is enduring, adaptable and resilient. who endures the harshest weather time and time again until spring arrives, the way my (peasant) ancestors probably did, carving their way through all the hardships of chinese history. yao might appear refined in an indulgent, wealthy way when he's dressed in his finest silk hanfu or a smart western suit in the modern day—but if you shake his hand, his palms are always callused and you can just see the weight (and hard-won experience) of centuries in his gaze.

[sgiandubh]

It seems that Cait has cut off the last threads of communication with fans

She has entered the cocoon of movie stars, and is now emerging from her ivory tower in the form of a picture at an event or an article in a newspaper.

In the beginning, she was simpler and closer. What beautiful beginnings.

Dear Ivory Tower Anon,

Again you do try to make me diss on C and again - to no avail, although I do appreciate the grammar & syntax effort. It has been noted, along with your insistence.

The way she manages her public image probably has a legitimate motivation. It is not the best one and I said that before. I also said she was not a movie star - not yet, to be optimistically honest. And B list she will remain as long as people will ask her to tell them who she is on any red carpet of this planet. I also think there are bigger problems in this world than this particular one: war, hunger, disease and social inequity come to mind.

If you are being truthful, try and look at yourself in a mirror. Haven't you changed, too, during these last ten years? Why wouldn't she? Why wouldn't he? Why wouldn't They? Encapsulating their 2013 avatars in a snow globe we regularly shake just to reassure ourselves is not very useful, Anon. They are more than this and their story is more than the sum of our collective perceptions.

Don't forget to ask Santa to do something about that chronic vacillation of yours. Miracles happen - who knows, maybe you're next in line?

[d3adbr3inc3lls]

Amethio x Reader | ABC HCs

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Amethio isn't overly affectionate. He doesn't like physical touch as much as a regular person would. Instead, he often shows affection by getting you things that reminded him of you, or spending quality time.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

If the two of you are both Explorers, you probably scolded Sango for annoying him, that paired with your age being similar to his, the two of you became friends after a while.

If you aren't a part of the Explorers, then you met whilst he was out on a mission. He was looking for more information about the black Rayquaza. He was dressed up in a suit to look more formal, and you just so happened to have seen the Rayquaza and the two of you exchanged numbers (it started off being about the Rayquaza, but later turned into the two of you becoming friends).

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Amethio isn't big on physical touch, so he'd always tense up if you hugged him or cuddled with him. After a few seconds of being in a hug, he would relax though.

His hugs are awkward, he isn't sure that he's even doing it right. He has not received any physical touch, so how is he supposed to know how to give it out?

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Amethio is a part of the Explorers, meaning that he can't settle down. Some day, he wants to settle down (but commitment scares him).

I can imagine that he's pretty good at cooking, he prefers to make simpler dishes but he can make something a bit more complex.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

As for cleaning, I can imagine him having a pretty clean living area, until he has a new mission like the one he has now which causes him to have his nose stuck in books and papers, often leaving his study -or any area where he keeps all his notes - relatively messy as he works on missions.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Amethio would break up in person, he would try to break it off in a 'professional' and clean way.

As mentioned before, Amethio is definitely someone who is scared of commitment. Nothing about his life has been in one place, and he's afraid to get too comfortable. What if something goes wrong,? What if you get hurt becuase he's associated with the Explorers?

With that being said, he definitely takes his time. He doesn't want to rush getting married, he wants to make sure that you know all the risks associated with his work and what it means regarding your safety.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

He's closed off and tries to appear more adult, which results in him trying to not be gentle, but I can see him becoming gentle later on in the relationship as he begins to trust you, (he's scared of accidentally harming you, especially when you're softer and more inoccent than him (Aka, being a relatively normal person for your age demographic))

Amethio is awkward when it comes to hugs. He isn't used to physical affection, so it will take take a while (a really long time) to get used to them.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

It takes Amethio a while to say it, most because he's afraid. He's scared of what will happen if you knew. He knows it's a bit silly but he can't help it.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

I can see him getting jealous if someone tries to hit on you, but at the end of the day, he's always trying to hide it because he thinks that jealousy is a "childish" emotion.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Amethio isn't really one for kisses, he'd prefer to hold your hand at most - he isn't embarrassed of you, he's not an affectionate person. If he does give you kisses, they're short and sweet, on your cheek or forehead, but you can see that he actually cares about you.

Amethio is still roughly a teenager (~16-17 imo), so he hasn't thought about kids, but he isn't too fond of them as they're loud and well- kids.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

Outside of missions, mornings spent with Amethio are relatively slow. He'd take his time getting up, savouring the rare moments where it's just the two of you,

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Amethio would only share a bed/sleeping space with you if he trusts you, there's something intimate and vulnerable about sleeping in the same bed with someone and letting down your gaurd for hours, trusting that they wouldn't harm you.

He has a wild sleep schedule, but he often makes sure that you're asleep before he goes back to work. If he doesn't have a mission, he'd lay with you. He's horribly greatful that you're in his life.

Amethio is more closed than a book that has three inch steel surrounding it. He keeps his feelings to himself and it takes him a really long time to open up. Not that be doesn't trust you -sometimes it *is* because of that- but it's becuase he doesn't know how to express his emotions. His past though? You'll only learn about it when you've fully gained his trust.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Depends on what happens. In a normal situation, it takes a long to anger him, (whether he's hard to anger or he's good at not showing it is upto debate), but he'll never lash out or harm you. No matter how angry he gets.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

Amethio tries to remember every little detail to show you that he's still interested and wants the relationship to keep going.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

Amethio's favourite moment was realising that he can trust you when you him that you'll wait for as long as he needed to open up whilst holding his hand. The look in your eyes as you said those words was so pure and wasn't full of any malice.

Amethio has a well trained Cerulege that he isn't afraid to use if someone is a danger to either of you.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

Amethio knows he sometimes can't be there, so he puts in extra effort into dates, anniversaries and gifts.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

If he skips an anniversary because of Explorer stuff, you best believe that he'll get you something expensive and he'll bring you to a restaraunt that only Arceus knows how he could afford.

After he gets fired, he has more time for the domestic side of the relationship and happily spends his now-free time with you,

Amethio is super closed off. He rarely shares anything with you, he's trying to get better at expressing himself and telling you more about him, but it's hard for him to let down the walls that he has built.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Amethio tries his best to look neat and presentable whenever he can to look mature and be taken seriously by the other Explorer admins and everyone around him.

After he gets fired, he still tries to look presentable and mature,

At the start, probably, but he'll push down and try to block his feelings, so, not for too long,

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Despite being super busy with missions, Amethio tries his best to spend as much time with you as he can to make up for the lost time. He knows it may not be enough, but he's trying.

He often gets you gifts and trinkets from his travels.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

Amethio wouldn't want a dishonest or unloyal partner. He values loyalty and honesty in romantic relationships.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

Because he works for the Explorers, I can't imagine him having a healthy sleep schedule. One night he's up until the sun rises and the next night he's going to bed at 8:30, but in the end, he tries to cram everything in the day so he can spend more time with you at night,

After he gets fired, I can see him trying to fix his sleep schedule to spend more time with you before you leave in the morning for your weekday duties.

---

A/N: Feel free to request fluff ABCs, just note that they'll take me forever (mostly because I procrastinate), and the letters are written randomly,

[sizzleissues]

Look, do I think the writer’s should have sacrificed Adrien’s character arc in order to do the Bug Noir fusion? No of course not. There were probably better ways to do that. Or better ways to execute it. For example, not make him so gosh darn pivotal to the emotional centre of the conflict.

They tried, i think, to pull it off. That’s probably why we got so many ‘Identity reveal = Hawkmoth confrontation = Adrien loses control’, maybe even why he’s a senti in the first place. Adrien’s lack of self control makes it so he can’t battle Hawkmoth without meeting some particular circumstance. He;

A. Somehow not figure out Hawkmoth’s identity until after his defeat

B. Gabriel can’t learn his identity at any point

C. Can’t be made aware of anything anyway until after its all over and even then - might never actually be told anything

Not good odds.

It’s so obvious that they wanted their cake and to eat it too. They wanted to make Adrien interesting and important but only as it reflected on Marinette. If it were a different show, for a different age, made it would get to be a blatant satire of how female character’s are often ‘fridged’ but gender swapped. Adrien has the sad story, has all the emotional weight to motivate Marinette to over come her anxiety and kick the bad guy in the face. Because she can’t have the true baggage.

Like what if Hawkmoth were Marinette’s dad. What if she had Adrien’s story. She remained the protagonist, Adrien had his own simpler bullying storyline going on. Bullied to passiveness as a civilian so as Chat Noir he’s bombastic. Marinette got to still be badass and cool and girlboss like they want. She overcomes not only her abuse but also the villain in that finale. She combines the miraculous, double beats her dad, her enemy and gets the boy.

If you want to tell the girl power story, give the power to the girl. Because when Adrien has his story, you want him to defeat Hawkmoth. You want him to triumph over Gabriel. It’s the Marinette show but they made Adrien have the emotional stake in the finale.

I love these character’s so I wanted to see it. BUT I can see so clearly what they wanted. It probably wasn’t as simple as seeing Bug noir but without the full emotional stake, that’s what it seems like.

I still think that Adrien will have a role in the next season in dismantle Gabriel’s image. I hope he gets to do that in whatever cute outfit the team wants him to wear.

I have more thoughts but I’ll leave it at that (and I liked the finale as a independent thing where I watch my favourite person (Marinette) be badass and just forget about Adrien being boxed and then remembered and didn’t like it so much)

[moonshine999]

Spill your post trailer Helaegon ideas with us please😩

hellooo, I will try my utmost best to articulate them.. sensibly

.

.

as the teaser stands, the performances by Tom and Phia genuinely look phenomenal. It seems stealing the spotlight worthy, especially Phia. Since this is the first season we get to explore her character and also her last season because damn you writers, it looks like she’s really giving it her all and I’m genuinely so excited to see that. details? Love that they grew Aegon’s hair out, the Helaena shot of her looking up might be one most ethereal shots I’ve witnessed, the aegon strut was legit everything. things I am not much a fan of though is the costuming (for them, more so Aegon because we haven’t seen any Helaena dresses in full, at least officially). Because though I love the sunfyre embroidery on his outfit now, it literally looks no different from the coronation costume at first glance. Sure it is dark green instead of black but like cmon. Give aegon pretty costumes 😌. Also sad we didn’t see Sunfyre, Dreamfyre is understandable but come on, we see Syrax and not the most beautiful dragon in the world? Not the dragon who had the strongest dragon-rider bond in history with Aegon? Not the dragon who ends up killing Rhaenyra?? THE FUCK.

but I’ll stop complaining because the teaser is nice and these are just nitpicks about the definite bias. .

. Okay the next things I’m gonna cover are more so ideas for scenes rather than a breakdown or analysis cuz we literally got 2 shots of each of them 🥲

.

.

🕯️Helaena’s visions

I did see quite a few posts saying/implying that we will dive more into Helaena’s visions this season. So I do think it would be interesting to understand that dynamic with her and Aegon when she has them. Like has he matured enough to understand that even though he can’t comprehend his wife, she needs his help OR he still thinks that she is acting idiotic as he did in s1. The leak that said something along the lines that Aegon will first be seen at the council, bored but then is called to attend to his queen could also tie into this. Maybe Helaena isn’t crouching over due to pain of pregnancy ,as some have speculated , but due to the suddenness or pain of one of her visions.

(also I have put a one shot surrounding this in the W.I.P folder along with the thousand others lying there so expect it in about 80 years 😃)

🕯️just them handling being king and queen

this is a pretty vague thing but literally just show them. Just show them getting along, sitting at councils, dragon riding, sleeping in the same room, all before b&c rips everything down. Even one scene of them together handling this can work, in fact just one scene of them being soft with each other would just go to show what it was like and what it could have been like had the war not happened. Just adding more tragedy to their story.

🕯️flashbacks

another pretty vague one. But as I said in this post , I really do think we should have seen them as kids, how they get along and especially their wedding. They could perhaps fit it in, in the episode of the funeral. Aegon or Hela looking back on that day, when things were arguably simpler and their only concerns were stopping Aegon from crying during sex. (IM SORRY, WE ALL KNOW IT HAPPENED)

okay more seriously though, them reminiscing on the past i.e. the day their union was first formed on the day it all broke apart. They as parents should be allowed to feel that grief, with each other and I genuinely hope we don’t get robbed of that. speaking of them as parents though…

🕯️the kids

it is actually so unsettling that half the fans didn’t even realise that they have kids until b&c started being talked about.

Again I beg, SHOW THEM. show them talking to Jaehaerys about becoming heir, how Aegon would go back to his memory of his mother doing the same to him (could also come under flashbacks). Show them trying to stop Maelor to stop crying, show them sitting with their kids at the feast, show them trying to manage their duties as well as their kids.

.

.

but alas it’s just speculation, half of them just wishes. Let’s hope we get some glimpse of their dynamic is season 2 because my god helaegon nation is starving.

[magicstar16]

Okay Okay Okay I just had a thought and I legally CANNOT sleep until I share it

Sooo Gooseworx has confirmed the ages of the humans in The Amazing Digital circus

Brace yourself, this is gonna be long.

And she has also confirmed that Jax and Zooble were the youngest (With Zooble being half a year older)

Now I read a theory on the WMG page of Tv tropes that theorized that Jax might have been a teenager or young adult (I believe this was written before the age confirmation but stay with me here) when he got trapped in the digital circus (They didn't say anything about Zooble but the same could be applied for them) But here's my thought:

What if Jax and Zooble got trapped in TADC as kids. Not teenagers, but ACTUAL CHILDREN.

Think about it, The Amazing Digital Circus has a lot of it's aesthetic and general inspiration taken from 90s/2000s kid's edutainment games, and signs are pointing it to TADC having even been that kind of game In-universe.

So here's my theory:

Jax and Zooble were the age of the TADC's target demographic when they played it (probably early to mid elementary school age). My guess on what lead to them to getting trapped is:

A: When in playtesting/test audience phase, Jax and Zooble were two children chosen by C&A to playtest the game and act as a test audience of sorts, when it turned out they were straight up trapped in there, C&A said "Oh shit, our test players are trapped" And tried to do as much damage control as possible until the game was finished They filled Jax and Zooble's heads with false promises of escape, but eventually they both realized that the company was lying through their teeth and they were never going to get out, whether or not the game was completed.

Or B (AKA the simpler answer) : The game was already released and Jax and Zooble played it as kids (Whether they played it on school computers or home computers IDK) and they got trapped.

If you want to connect some more red strings to this theory, it could provide a potential explanation as to why C&A is in the run-down state it is now. When finding Kid!Jax and Kid!Zooble's bodies collapsed and unresponsive, Their parents/teachers/guardians reported it, and the news spread like wildfire. (Excluding Queener, the other crossed out portraits could have been other children who played the game during it's heyday and got trapped). The incidents of children going comatose while playing TADC lead to lawsuit after lawsuit being thrown at C&A, until they eventually went bankrupt.

As for explaining their behavior, the theory is MUCH MUCH more loose, but you can see what I'm talking about if you squint. Jax is a snarker and a prankster, and Zooble is just moody in general, most people would associate that kind of behavior with misbehaving or "troubled" children. Gooseworx DID say that TADC would be "Like Toy Story but everyone is a jerk".

How Jax and Zooble currently act, while not exact, could be VERY close to how they acted as kids. Because they practically grew up in the digital circus, considering the kind of game The Amazing Digital Circus is, they didn't really grow up at all, they arguably didn't HAVE to.

So yeah basically Zooble and Jax are emotionally stunted, since Jax says the whole cast has been there for years, Zooble and Jax (or at least just Jax) are like That because as kids they were trapped in a world that wouldn't let them grow up.

I'm not saying this theory is correct, I mean, this theory is built on a little information and heavy speculation, if this theory were a building it would be sloppily held together by Duct tape and glitter glue. But I feel like I'm onto SOMETHING here.

[yeehawpim]

HI UM i really admire you and your art and i was wondering --

so i really love the way you format your comics, its really straight-forward and lets the reader process every word with ease (which i think adds to the impact of the writing), and that one rue comic with the split colors for the parentheses... how do you do it without making it look so messy?? to bring up another example, the hide-and-seek comic- i love how subtle and genius the call back to hiding behind the door was, it blew my mind... i take a lot of inspiration from the way you format and lay out your comics but for some reason i cant wrap my head around how you do so much with so little (in reality this might just be the result of me wanting to add so many little details for others to find , while being conflicted on keeping it simple, and,,, AGH...) for context : im trying to make a comic about isolation, but i keep filling up the page because i want to add things - when really i know i should be keeping it simple... but other than removing unnecessary details, i want to know what else you do to make your comics so clean and simple yet it rips out the emotions from your heart and has you stare at it as it beats. like... i want that type of impact!! i want to affect others on such an intense level!! i want to induce emotions!!! but how?

(sorry this was long, HAHAHA i just want to drive my point home- again with the 'wanting to add a lot of stuff to prove a point' thing but i digress)

ok first of all that is a huge compliment and it means v much to me, thank you 😭🙏❤️❤️

tbh for me the answer of keeping things uncluttered is paying attention to spacing and eye direction. Spacing depends on timing, if you want an action to happen slowly for instance you can make the space between panels longer, or take more panels for someone to complete an action. There's tricks for directing your eye, if you ever read anyth about focal points (eg biggest contrast, triangular shapes pointing towards what's important), but really with comics I keep in mind you're reading left to right and top to bottom.

The ruehob comic is actually simpler than you think 😅 I already knew which text had to be on the left and right with august's text post. And after that the "lanes" were so narrow there weren't a lot of complicated things I could do, just make sure you still read left to right and saunter vaguely downwards.

when you talk about putting little details, that doesn't necessarily have to distract people. Like I honestly applaud you having the drive to do detailing. You just have to make sure your compositions allow for it. Like if you think about ghibli backgrounds, they're elaborate and beautiful af.

For smth about isolation, my first thought was that you can draw a person in a setting alone among a bunch of objects, for instance. If you keep the person small but surround them with a bunch of detailed objects, it could feel very lonely. Just make sure the person still stands out b/c they're what's important, so for example the background stuff is a less saturated colour, or the person is the least detailed thing on the page. I think that's the main thing, you just have to make sure the things important to what you're saying stand out. Clarity is rlly half the battle when I'm laying things out haha

In school our teacher called this "killing your babies" because it sucks when you work hard on a cool drawing and it just doesn't work out😂This also still happens to me, it's actually partly why I keep things simple so I can work fast and throw out less

Here is a timestamp from supereyepatchwolf's video about Chainsaw Man, which has some of the coolest fuckin layouts

He's got other stuff that talks about manga and how eye direction can work and what cool stuff has been done. Off the top of my head his vid about one piece and his vid about gantz have helped me understand how to cause Emotions. Also I think he has one about Junji Ito that specifically talks about how details can make you scared, if you're into that 😂

hope this helps!

[horizon-verizon]

While B&C is objectively horrifying, I’ve honestly never once felt any emotion when reading it… but Aerea’s death, oh my god, I was completely engrossed and taken back by the hideous, stomach-turning and repugnant description of her death.

👀

Aerea had to have had those fireworms crawl through her still-living body for days. Aerea's death was much more detailed, a lot more gory, and connects to one overarching and critical element, or "layer", of the ASoIaF series: the Targs' legacy with their dragons and the effect of the Valyrian's imperialism over Essos. Aerea's death brought a sense of doom because it alerted us and Jaehaerys of the Targs' vulnerability to forces that their own ancestors probably caused. And the account is very reliable, more so than most F&B accounts and certainly so for the Dance portion of the book. Its relater, Septon Barth, he's the one who tried to treat Aerea. And of all the "Faith-aligned professionals" we ever encountered in this world, he was the most dedicated to impartial study of the people and things around him. (Sincere about it, too, even though he does also factor in a few societal lens...because he still lives in Westeros and is still a septon.) So you know he was writing what he saw impartially.

Why do the Targs' relationship with their dragons & past AND their dragons' future matter? We (should) know and have read ASoIaF and read about Daenerys, how she becomes the Queen that she is meant to be to save the world. We have learned that something can hurt a dragon. We need dragons//fire for the Long Night & protect humanity. The Targs' assimilation into the Andal-FM pre-Conquest culture and subsequent refusal to better & truly incorporate their women into their politics--or just think outside of their own immediate needs for power, even with some being genuinely better people and leaders--have lead up to their own loss of said dragons, then their usurpation. It's a lead up to Daenerys in-world and re-contextualizes her role for the Long Night to come.

*However, reminder, yes the Targs' Conquest and reign still greatly reduced the thousands of years of constant warfare b/t the non Valyrian Westerosi former kingdoms. Two things, true at once.*

Whereas with Jaehaerys, the death served this one story to illustrate how far a specific group of people will go to destroy the other or get the other back for perceived/real wrongs done. Jaehaerys became a victim of a blood feud & another motive to keep that particular blood feud going. It's not even the first death, but a response to another's death done by the greens (Aemond), who decided to usurp the king-chosen heir, a woman, for their own ambitions. He is part of a succession of a drama. And while his 6 fingers generate some curiosity and inquiry as to what effects the magical connection to dragons have on disabilities/congenital conditions being more reduced--which Idk about, since the Westerosi have been marrying their cousins for centuries and most of the nobles we see aren't fugly nor have many congenital conditions to rival the Hapsburgs--this doesn't serve or inform us on the bigger story. Sad and tragic, but in terms of the scales of consequences, it had a simpler effect.

Ironically, he has less narrative importance than Nettles or Mysaria, whom some Rhaenyra & black stans try to argue was "just a plot device" 🙄 to use against Rhaenyra. Both within and out of Fire & Blood. Then there's the business of green stans being so overwrought & talkative over his death than the:

sack of Bitterbridge & rapes/murders (of refugees, of children, septas, old people, etc.)

sack of of Tumbleton & rapes/murders

Dalton Greyjoy's raping women and killing innocent peasants,

etc.

It is perhaps all of these that make Aerea's death seem both more harrowing and "important" than Jaehaerys'. Aerea's death is more shrouded in mystery, Jaehaerys' is not. Her death has a larger narrative purpose compared to his.

[samtil21]

So, in regards to WWDITS S5 (2am Rambles)

I’m loving all the angsty takes everyone is throwing out about the whole “How is Nandor going to react to Guillermo getting turned by Derek” thing, but I personally think it’s much simpler than that.

I think, once it comes to light that Guillermo has already been turned (whether by his own admission or something else, I have no idea), I think Nandor won’t react at all. And hear me out on this one. I think Nandor’s whole thing is about pushing his emotions down, I mean this man never truly knows what he wants, and whenever something mildly inconvenient happens, he tries to circumnavigate around it until he has no choice than to be honest about how he’s feeling—like his arcs with Lazlo in Pine Barrens and A Night Out With The Guys. I believe that when it finally comes to light that Guillermo has been turned, Nandor will brush it off/be indifferent, and tell Guillermo since he is now officially a vampire, he is no longer under Nandor’s service and can leave—hence the name exit interview for the finale. Now obviously Nandor doesn’t not care—more the exact opposite—but I think him giving Guillermo the choice to leave can serve as both him deflecting his feelings, and also seeing if he’ll stay, because he’s now a vampire and Nandor theoretically doesn’t have anything more to offer him. AND because of that, and the way Nandor has treated Guillermo throughout the show (especially post season 3) and his reaction to his transformation being one of indifference, Guillermo will leave, because if Nandor doesn’t care that he: A) Betrayed his trust B) Betrayed their relationship and C) Doesn’t care that they can now spend eternity together… then none of it probably ever even existed in the first place……..But yeah the angst sounds more fun.

[thejakeformerlyknownasprince]

I’m a little confused as to why you seem to think 48 was a dream, you’ve mentioned that a few times. Chapters 1-3 were a dream-within-a-dream, and chapters 4-5 were a dream, but chapters 6-25 all actually happened- I thought the book made that clear, and Cassie even references it in #50. It’s actually one of my favorite books and I just am a bit confused why you perceive it how you do.

So, calling that all a dream is kind of a shorthand, because it's not clear in context what's happening. But the events aren't literal. Ch. 1 - 5 are all definitely a dream, but from there... Rachel hears David's voice inside the walls of her school (p. 41) and then hears an unfamiliar one replying to her thoughts out loud (p. 43). What happens next is explicitly confirmed as impossible: Rachel perceives rats kidnapping and carrying off her and Cassie, but later says "Reality check... Rats are not sentient creatures. They don't take orders. They don't organize. They can't be rallied like troops. And they don't attack people on command" (p. 83).

That's when Crayak appears, and says this is all "Like one of those video games you humans enjoy so much. A virtual-reality experience" (p. 94). He and Rachel go back and forth for a while about "Was this real? Was it a dream? Was it manipulated reality?" (p. 128). She never gets a good answer, but reality doesn't obey the laws of physics or of morphing (she insta-shifts between rat and human, the cage appears and disappears, etc.) Rachel notes that both David and Crayak seem to be able to hear her thoughts (p. 57, 129) which isn't something Crayak can do at any other time in canon but is common in dreams.

At minimum, we know that a) the first third of the book is a dream-within-a-dream, b) the second two-thirds of the book don't align to literal reality, and c) a lot of what Crayak and David say is based on Rachel's worst fears and most secret hopes for the future. Calling the whole thing a dream is me taking the "go with the simplest explanation" shortcut. But it is simpler to read it as an extended nightmare (similar to #41) than to figure out which individual details might be Crayak bending reality and which ones really happened.

[wishing-stones]

ahdifejbd you know I always get so stressed sending requests for meme things cause I’m always 10000000000% convinced that I’m going to be the 38th jerk to ask the exact same thing SO I am sending two letters that I think would be interesting ONLY because I am giving you the option to Choose One - NOT because I am asking you to write both!

I think Dream with B or C could be interesting in different ways!

B. Under cover of darkness. (Sunshine Boi Bein’ Sneaky sounds fun as heck. What kind of circumstances would require for him to do a sneak in the dark?)

C. A moment’s respite. (What do *you* imagine a moment of rest would look like for the guy who’s chronically Duty Bound to literally the whole multiverse?)

Again - pls pick *one* that suits your fancy OR one that hasn’t been picked already if someone else beat me to the punch lol. Happy Turkey Weekend, Friend! And pls take your time over the holiday weekend! Don’t overwork yourself!!!

Hahahaha, I think I'll go with C for him since I did B for Baggs already. Space out my same-prompts some.

I'll pick one later for myself once I've answered the bulk of these

C. A moment’s respite.

He's thankful for his little corner of the multiverse. He owed Ink a lot for helping him claim it and bring it to life.

The little cottage, perpetually bathed in the warm light of golden hour, is the perfect little place for him. He has enough spare rooms to house a few people, and his two best friends have their own spaces as well.

He has his gardens, his orchard, and his small stable with a single cow.

It was nice to be able to have such a comfortable home to return to. One that didn't remind him of his past failures, one that didn't reek of sorrow and death and anger. One where he could enjoy the warmth on his bones and the peace of birdsong and crickets.

As much as he liked to keep busy here by gardening or by general upkeep...

Today he was taking time to lay on one of the golden hills in the soft grass, listening to the wind quietly hush over the blades and petals of wildflowers. He was kicked back with his sockets closed, skirting towards the edge of sleep, completely at ease.

He'd been all but bullied into taking a day off-- no duty to the multiverse, no busywork in the garden-- they would take care of that-- and no worrying about anything. He'd started the day off with a long soak in his favorite bubbles and oils, and followed it up with reading beneath the largest apple tree in his orchard. Now, he was contemplating a nap in the sun, reminded of simpler times when such days of leisure were common.

It was only slightly painful to think about them, and to lack his brother to enjoy such a moment with.

... Perhaps Nightmare was similarly enjoying a day off. Stars knew that he had luxury in spades in his dark, imposing fortress. Grand marble baths, gilded chaises, massive hearths and wine aplenty.

Wine did sound appealing. Maybe he'd break a bottle of blush open later, at dinner.

It was the one thing he'd managed to negotiate with his friends-- he would be the one to make dinner for them all. Ink could create very fine foods from thin air, and Blue... was not as bad as he used to be.. but Dream took a special pleasure in cooking things from scratch. It was as relaxing to him as laying here, beneath the sun was.

He didn't know what time it was, nor did he really care. He could afford not to today.

He was fortunate to have such good friends. Perhaps his brother was similarly fortunate-- he could afford to take a day of leisure with his underlings handling whatever serious issues might crop up.

He hoped.

The one thing that would put the cherry on the top of the day would be the knowledge that Nightmare had similarly taken a day for himself. Perhaps Killer could harass him away from his perpetual mountain of paperwork. Maybe Dust could ensure he took time to relax. Cross could remind him of the many luxuries the castle had to offer, and Axe, naturally, handled all the food.

His phone was on silent today, but he retrieved it momentarily to contact Cross, texting him to maybe, gently, get him to take the day off.

[Cross] Don't worry about it, Killer has it handled. I think he's soaking in that huge spa bath he has right now.

With a content sigh, Dream pocketed his phone and curled up on the plush grass, tipping his circlet partially off of his head and drifting off into a well-earned, completely content nap.