#and hint towards the ‘right’ path if he’s really struggling

[tibtew]

ngl I hope sinclair ends up rebelling against demian in some way since (if the book is anything to go by) one of the major aspects of his character arc is learning to not depend on others for comfort and guidance… limbus demian talks about sinclair in very predestined terms, and, while I’m not arguing he’s evil or anything, the expectation of a higher purpose + the fact that book demian is revered as this holy being that sinclair longs to be on the level of… idk it feels strangely kromer-esque to me? minus the familicide of course, I mean more so in terms of what they want from sinclair. demian definitely sees sinclair as more of a person, but there’s still this expectation of what he Could be… all while assuming that sinclair will just accept it once the time comes��

[watermelons-dont-grow-on-trees]

Slowly

Another drabble with unnamed characters, my head is overcrowded, can't have more OCs in there rn (i might change this later)

TW: creepy whumper, manipulation, desensitized whumpee (slightly fucked up headspace), whipping

He gently pullded their hands away from their from their face, revealing the paleness of their skin that stood out even in the darkness of the basement as they cowered in the furthest corner away from the source of light that was upstairs.

"It's okay, love, it's okay" he managed to grab both their wrists in his left, holding them tight and away from their face, they still tried to hide "I know you must be so scared" he only got a whimper out of them in response and more struggle to pull away, to no avail.

"Just look at me, baby" he asked gently coaxing them to turn their face towards him "I know you're afraid, I promise I won't do anything to hurt you now, just look at me" he continued, he kept his voice low and soothing "You don't know where you are, we've taken you in by force, it must be horrifying, I don't want to scare you more than this already"

"There you go" he brightened up and smiled fondly at their face, with tears streaming steadly from their eyes, lips wobbly as they tried to keep themself from crying "I just want to take some pictures" he waved the camera he had in his other hand "See, nothing scary"

They nodded, following the device with a fearful expression, but it wasn't anything sinister. Really just a camera, he clicked in their way a couple of times.

"It wasn't that bad, right?" he smiled and clicked through the pictures he'd taken. They shook their head no.

...

"Try to put this on for me, love" he dangled the collar in their face. They scurried back to that same corner they always did, when he visited them downstairs. He didn't hurt them, he mostly talked and they listened. Today he had a collar he wanted them to put on.

"It's okay, it's nothing scary, just a piece of leather, see?" he brought it closer to their face so they could inspect it. It really was just a simple leather collar one might put on a dog.

"I'm not hurting you with it, it's okay" he followed the path of the now familiar mantra. It's okay, he's not hurting them. It could be so much worse. They reluctantly took the collar and buckled it around their neck.

They flinched as he reached up to check how tight it was, to which he just chuckled as a reply and then retreated.

"See? Nothing bad, I don't want to scare you"

...

"Let's try this today" They recognised the items in his hand as leather handcuffs. He'd never restrained them before, he never even laid a hand on them "I will have to put them on, but just because you couldn't fasten it yourself once they're on" he offered an apologetic smile. They had to remind themself, they weren't the one asking for the cuffs to be put on, but they nodded carefully and reached their hands for him to reach. The leather fit snugly around their wrists, the chain connecting them offered very little range of motion. Their breath picked up as they tested how much they can move, looking up wide eyed at the man, but they were only met with another round of soothing shushes.

"It's just a little more than the collar, it's not too tight, right?" he asked and checked again to make sure. Of course it wasn't.

"It's okay, love, it doesn't hurt right? No, it doesn't, they're just pieces of leather, it's nothing scary" they hated to agree with him. But at the end it wasn't scary, and it didn't hurt.

...

He took photos at each turn, less tears and less time to coax them out of their corner each time.

...

"Kneel down for me, love" he asked gently, once they were comfortable enough to not scurry back into the corner at his sight. They looked at him confused, with only a small hint of fear in their eyes. He knew they were close to where he wanted them to be.

"Just kneel, it's okay, in fact, I won't even go closer, I don't want it to be intimidating" he stayed where he was on the stairs that led down to the basement, his sihlouette lit from behind and his face stayed in the darkness. They considered it for another moment.

"There's no harm in it, I'm just standing here, you know I won't hurt you, just do this little thing for me" They knelt down. He reached the bottom of the stairs and ruffled their hair. They shuddered at the sudden contact, his hands where warm and rough on their scalp, and they wanted to lean into the touch so bad. Just as bad as they knew they were supposed to hate it, so they stayed still.

...

"Just a little more for me, love" he asked sweetly and they thought it through, before nodding that it was okay, he could continue.

He brought the whip down on their back with full force, relishing in the painful sobs that wrecked through their body.

[bolithesenate]

Blorbo timetravel and/or Dooku takes over the agricorps 👀

hehehehe

yeah, blorbo timetravel is exactly what it says on the can

all the blorbos randomly wake up in their padawan bodies (theres some attempted murder on Jo's side and some snarkyness on Sy's -- as well as genral mopyness from dooku)

“On a scale of one to ten,” Jocasta was visibly struggling to hold the – much too big and heavy for her current form – saber aloft, “How murderous towards Jedi are you feeling right now?” Yan blinked. “Uh,” he squeaked out, “Three?” “Wrong answer!” She lifted the saber even higher, ready to strike him down. “What even is the right answer?!,” the Jedi-turned-Sith-turned-Initiate wailed as he stumbled back out of range of her rather uncoordinated slashes. “Not karking three!” Her young voice was full of age-inappropriate vitriol as she immediately took chase, slashing up several mattresses and a goodly portion of the wooden tiles on the floor in the process. Yan was busy evading her, though not busy enough to shut the kark up. “What do you want from me, woman?! Should I have said more? Is that what you want?!?”

Jocasta let out an incoherent scream of outrage. “Actually,” Sifo from his bean bag in the farthest corner from their little two-man guerilla war said, “I think the correct amount she was looking for would be zero. If you truly were wondering.” “That’s not even on the scale!,” the immediate protest came – because of course it did. Far be it from Yan to just accept something. Sifo sighed.

they then decide that the only valid way to deal with all those feelings is to take over serenno (for plot reasons, you know how it is) and because they need more people they also kidnap Arath and Lorian with them

it then becomes a wonderful story about how the ideal count of serenno is five jedi padawans in a coat.

and also about how Arath's innate head-exploding powers (that are legends canon) (at least to me) can and will save the galaxy

and dooku takes over the agricorps is...

well, also what it says on the tin. i really like to give straight-forward wip titles. most of the time.

the thing that gets dooku to leave the order is not a message about how bad serenno is doing, but a message on how bad the agricorps is doing

and that simply cannot be permitted to continue

cue him using his resting bitch face powers and also all the embezzled tax money he's stealing from Ramil for good :3

featuring, how else could it be, a dear OC of mine: Sisviker Ninedi, the most harrowed spokesperoson of the agricorps

Dooku observed Corpsmember Ninedi with rapt attention.

So far he had realized three major things about the young theelin.

One, they were absolutely overworked and were lucky to be able to rely on the Force to supplement where sleep and nerves lacked - otherwise they would probably be nothing more than a wandling stress-ulcer. Her for her species unusually dull skin and pale hair hinted on a chronic lack of sleep and essential nutrients. That wouldn't do. Definitely something he'd have to monitor. Two, they were, even with all the stones life tossed onto her path, an incredibly efficient worker. From what he'd seen from her previous track record, Ninedi had always managed, through a very balanced combination between licking the right boots and firmly defending her point when needed, to ensure that the AgriCorps at least didn't suffer any losses with the deals she cut. With the right guidance and a proper sleep schedule Dooku was sure they'd make a formidable spokesperson for the Corps. And three, that she and Rael were never, under any circumstances, to be allowed to meet, lest they wanted to seal the destruction of the Republic in a giant glittery trash fire.

[zoropookie]

Hey so uh could we get a soft sweet moment of ynkiss and hhab scara in the orchard I mean always thought they got a poetic vibe to them romantic too idk maybe we got something like that already I don't remember lol sorry if that's the case maybe like resting on each other shoulders or like smth brief like that please please please whenever you have the time make it happen (iam the English not my first person Soo uhm if anything seemed vague sorry also really love your ficss)

Besides the modernity of how the two of them lived, the orchard spreading in longevity. Woven from its threads of a later summer, rows and rows of apple trees standing tall, branches heavy with the vow of their harvests. Air rich with the scent of the ripened fruits they have yet to pick.

Kuni and you walked down the path between the orchards trees, and his gaze drifted upwards towards the sky. He observed the way the light of the sun filters through the leaves while the shadows below them did a dance with the grass. For once in the years that he stayed here, has he realized how peaceful they were. Every gnarled branch of older trees, stretched wide like the arms of an old friend.

The stillness settled in him, eased tension that had been a companion for as long as he could remember. The elation he felt watching you, a few paces away picking apples and gathering them into a woven basket, was similar to a cool weight. You looked ofer, a small smile playing at the corner of your lips. “Hey! I was getting the red ones ready for sale, but I saved some really good ones for our picnic.”

His lips twitched upward, there was a soft blooming that grew in his chest as he watched you carefully pluck them off the tree. “We’ve never done that.”

“Right? I never realized how many stuff we just don’t do as a couple. Why not start?” Your eyes were bright with a quiet excitement, going back to the task. “There’s nothing for both of us to do today. How many times are we going to get this chance, Kuni?! I wanted to take advantage of it, anyway. What do you think we should get? Do you want sandwiches?”

His eyebrows furrowed, eyes narrowing. “Yeah.” He drawled, a hint of uncertainty in his tone. “This is weird. I don’t know how to feel.”

“You could feel grateful,” You suggested, your eyebrows rising with a slight tilt of your head. “Maybe…elated that I’m an amazing partner? That’s so willing to do things for you? Unfathomably?”

“All of the above…” He felt disjointed watching you, almost trying to gauge you actually having a genuine outlook on him. It was still unbelievable, he couldn’t properly articulate what was happening right now. Especially from how uncomfortable he was. “But stop doing that.”

“Doing what?”

He paused, struggling to find the right words. “That. The prepping for the picnic, you’re supposed to let me do all of it. I’m the provider.”

Your eyes dulled. “I can help too.”

“You don’t do it like I do.” He watched you, severely skeptical but softening with every word. The way the light caught in your hair while it was swaying from the leaves. The sincerity in your eyes— it disarmed him from anything else. If they were to be in severe danger, he’d be too enamored to pay attention. “Alright, but only because you’re working hard.”

“Does it make you nervous? You barely have anything to say right now.” You asked, your tone playful.

“Yeah.” He walked closer to you while you’re picking apples, holding your waist as his eyes stared at your back with internal longing. The feeling of an adoration was warm and unfamiliar, but with the foliage and greenery of the garden around the two of you, you looked royal to him. “I’ll adapt with you if you plan on putting some more weight in.”

“I don’t know about all that, I still know my place here.” You said with a dull tone.

[sageandred]

This is a bit long, but my thoughts on Carlos/Season 5:

Gonna say something controversial, but Carlos' storyline has been foreseeable for a long long time now and the show has been laying the groundwork as early as season 1.

Carlos being a ranger and "following in his dad's footsteps" has been hinted at since the first season, and definitely in the works since his investigative journeys with Grace and the missing girl when his boss tells him he should take the Detective Exam. This isn't surprising. Carlos in "Bad Call" was shown to have good instincts and his dad couldn't admit to it (for protocol reasons), but they were shown at a point of contention for their differing work tactics and disagreeing on the kidnapping case with TK. And maybe Carlos "never wanted to be a ranger" and this goes against his beliefs — I get it, but I've always viewed it as he was scared and becoming a detective was inevitable. The moral compass of the Texas Ranger angle and his dad having potentially corrupt actions on his record is interesting and will definitely be a point they address for Carlos either going down a bad path or being conflicted within his rank.

I've had thoughts on this relating to a different topic, but there's a lot of storytelling they could do with Carlos taking on the same title as Gabriel. Could Carlos struggle in this position either with corruption and tough decisions or because following his dad ends up being "too big of shoes to fill"? Could he become so obsessed with the investigation that he loses himself completely and his morals along the way before he pulls himself back? Will Carlos' career upgrade actually make him an even better "officer" and be more fitting of a job calling for him where he challenges the history of the job and sticks to his belief system? This is obviously a connection to Gabriel and his motivations for doing it will come out upon the premiere, but he still has the opportunity to make his own path if he sticks with the title by the end of the season.

Another controversial take, I need to get off my chest: Gabriel and Gwyn's deaths were necessary and narratively vital to progress the characters Here's the thing with Gabriel: he and Carlos did not have a good relationship; they were on the path to mending (..kind-of), but they didn't see eye-to-eye and Carlos' hurt from his coming out was/is still present. I don't really see how they could keep him alive without sacrificing some of the deeper exploration into Carlos' progression and insight to his character. They already set-up the "Carlos, you and dad got along so well" narrative that he doesn't remember via his sisters.. This is important. I've always seen Carlos as viewing Gabriel as a strict father and (with 4x18's knowledge), he didn't fair well as the only son (who's also gay). Carlos is going to have to revisit some childhood memories and the memory of his dad and I don't think he would ever come to some conclusions without the death. Tbh, some mending and epiphanies only come in grief and Carlos realistically probably would never feel close with his dad the way he should've or have untainted views re: his upbringing without the event happening. He will probably feel closer to his dad and come to see Gabriel's personal perspectives & truths more than he ever has, if I'm right about the storytelling.

Lastly, I wanna talk about tarlos and their differing inputs on kids, or uncertainty for the future. I think it's cool that Carlos is shown to lean towards not wanting and they settle to desiring to be together in their own way in the end. If Carlos never has a definitive desire.. cool! I think they'll be fine and the story will be an uncommon on-screen representation of where it works out. However, as someone who's more leaning towards not wanting kids, I don't really think that's Carlos based on what he's said. It seems to me, Carlos has concerns about being a father AND being like his father that hinder him from feeling comfortable about this (no hate to Gabriel; again I think Carlos' experience of growing up conflicts to Gabriel's perception of being a parent and how others' viewed them together). The fact that the kids conversation happens in season 4 means the writers knew they were going to kill Gabriel off at the end of the season and were well on their way to setting up the story they're trying to tell for the audience. I know if Carlos grows fond of parenting or he has a new conversation with TK about his thoughts, there are going to be some people that say he "changed his mind" when the story is laid out evidently from where I'm watching.

Stories are set up with purposes that have beginnings, middle, and ends that you can usually tell where they're going once you make it so far in the journey. And you can predict this with every well-known character that I even just implied yesterday that Wyatt would struggle as a dispatcher, because that makes sense narratively (with what we've seen from him in the past), and when Grace is absent, he's the only option that makes sense to take her position rather than someone random (from a show-development point of view).

[dino-fart]

Afterthought

Request for @bobateadaydreams​

Pairing: Stephen Strange x Female Reader

Summary: Reader and Stephen have broken up because of something Stephen did. Stephen knows he fucked up is trying everything he can to show reader how he is sorry. Unfortunately, the reader is pissed at him, like REALLY pissed at him, so it's not an easy task. Stephen has turned to everyone for help like Wong, America, even Peter...But alas nothing works, so what will it take to mend their relationship? 

“Tell me again how we got here?” You raise a brow at your ex as you held your hand up between the two with a fire spell cast. It lit up your faces in very dark cave surroundings. Your back was pressed against the cave wall and you were chest to chest with Stephen. 

“The kid...” Stephen grumbled and tried to shimmy away from you due to the close proximity. 

“Peter?” You furrowed your brows. 

Stephen sighed and eventually gave up, “Yeah...Look, I’m sorry...About this...I asked the kid to help me with...A project and obviously it backfired.” Stephen leaned back against the cave wall. 

“Was the project putting us in a crazy situation that you rescue me and I forgive you?” You raise a brow. 

Stephen let out a low chuckle, “Not exactly. But I know how much you like danger.” 

You smirk, “That’s one good thing you remembered.” 

Stephen smiled at you and slowly leaned toward you. You pressed your hand on his chest and pushed him back against the wall. “Nope.” 

“Bad timing?” 

“Absolutely.” 

The cave began to rumble and the cloak moved up to cover both of your heads. When the rumbling stopped, you opened your eyes when you noticed a faint glow. You looked up to see the cave ceiling glow from blue crystals embedded. 

You gasped softly and managed to get out of the small cavern you and Stephen were stuck in. You helped Stephen out and followed the glowing path. 

“What kind of crystals are they? I’ve never seen such things...” Stephen smiled at its’ beauty. 

You gently put your hand on his arm and he immediately felt his heart skip a beat. “Shh, not so loud, they’re sleeping.” You whisper. 

“They?” Stephen furrowed his brows. 

“Weeping Crystal Spiders. Their carapace or shells, are covered in these crystals, it’s how they lure their prey. But if you’re quiet enough they won’t notice you, they’re also blind, so if one does come down onto the ground, don’t move.” You explained. 

“God I could listen to you for hours...” Stephen blurted out softly. He blushed at the realization and you rolled your eyes. 

“Stephen...” 

“It’s true. You’re so brilliant.” 

“You must’ve hit your head.” You let his arm go and began to walk ahead. 

Stephen stood there and watched you walk on. He sighed softly and his cloak tugged him toward you. He followed carefully behind you. 

“There should be an opening here somewhere that we can escape.” You stood there and looked up to see if you could find a hint of sunlight. 

“Let me try my sling ring again.” Stephen said but you were quick to stop him. 

“The less noise the better.” You reminded him. 

Stephen let out a soft noise feeling your fingers on his scarred ones. You turned around and noticed his expression. You two stared at each other, unsure of what to do. You were so angry at him and you had finally calmed down from what he did. From how he treated you, like an afterthought. But gods he looked so beautiful in this light. You pulled your hand away gently and gave him a small smile. “Maybe when we’re not in a spider’s nest, we can talk.” 

“I would love that.” 

You found a path out and created a bottomless cage of insects and cast it far away from the two of you to distract the spiders. The cave rumbled again and the spiders ran toward the cage. You began to climb the wall of the cavern toward the sunlight. Stephen wasn’t far behind you, but you could heard him struggling. You stopped and grabbed his hand in yours, “Climb with me.” 

You whispered a spell to create gloves on his hands to shield them. The two of you made it out and a portal appeared right as you helped Stephen up. Wong and Peter rushed out and Wong teleported all of you back at the Sanctum. 

You stumbled back slightly at the sudden change of plain and the cloak was quick to catch you. “Thanks...” You chuckled at the fabric that helped you stand up. The cloak returned to its’ owner who wouldn’t stop staring at you. Whatever Wong and Peter was saying was muffled to Stephen as the only thing that mattered was you. 

Fuck it...Stephen thought and walked toward you and wrapped his arms around your waist and buried his head on your shoulder. He hugged you tightly and you blushed at the soft embrace. It was the first time you’d ever felt such affection from him. You smiled softly and gently ran your hands down his back. 

“Don’t leave.” Stephen said with a shaky breath. 

“As many times as you piss me off you’ll never get rid of me...Guess I’m the fool.” You sighed. 

At this, Stephen pulled back and cupped your face. He saw the tears forming in your eyes, “I’m the fool, for not seeing your love and your care for me...I’m so sorry...” 

You didn’t know what to say, you looked away from him to hold back your tears from falling. Stephen gently cupped your chin and brushed your nose against his. “May I?” You nodded slowly and you felt his rough and cold lips against yours. You kissed him back softly and wrapped your arms around his neck. Stephen wrapped his arms around your waist and continued to kiss you, savoring the sweet taste of your lips. 

When he finally pulled his lips from yours, he pressed slow kisses along your jawline. “Mmm...Stephen...” You let out a soft sigh. 

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” Stephen teased. 

“Mmm, maybe, we’ll see.” You chuckled. 

Stephen moved his lips to press kisses along your neck and roamed his hands along the curves of your hips. 

“I take it the plan went well?” Peter chimed in finally. 

Stephen froze and pulled back from you. You smirked and raised a brow at Stephen. “Mhm.” Stephen simply replied and turned to realize that Wong and Peter had been standing there the whole time. Peter had a grin on his face and Wong gave him a nod. Stephen then noticed America giving Peter a thumbs up. 

“Alright, show’s over!” Stephen moved to scoop you up in his arms and carried you bridal style. You laughed softly when he walked up the stairs toward the second floor of the Sanctum and toward his bedroom. 

Maybe he could finally make it up to you...

Tagging: @bobateadaydreams​

[the-one-that-weeps]

Hello, here I am coming from the shadows for one last thought since the Nene teaser will prob leave me unconcious for the rest of the month.

I think there is something really interesting and fucked up colorpalet could do with what they're setting up with Rui.

There have been two Main things (that aren't Asahi) that are still unadressed sore spots for Rui :

-Him feeling like he's selfish/greedy

-His insecurity at not helping Tsukasa or Nene in Tsukasa2/Nene4 (for nene4 it was shown in a side card story) (also slightlyyyy hinted at Tsukasa3 ???)

Considering how colorpalet really emphasizes how kind Rui is, what I think could make for Rui legitematly being brought down to his lowest is make him believe that he is the "villain" or simply that he's somehow in the wrong for what he's doing/done.

Sounds like it could be coming out of nowhere but during WxS's training arc there was been a lot of indirect themes of betrayal going on that I think just repeat themselves a bit too much to be ignored especially in Rui4 with the whole "the villain was your friend all along !". People associate this with Sakaki and I kinda do too but it is just like...

You know how there is kind of a trope sometimes of RPG's having one of the team members ending up as the final boss (not common enough to be really a trope but it's something i've seen a lot of times). This is the vibes this is giving me.

It would also fit extremely well with Rui's whole thing of being "the villain" everytime WxS do plays.

It would also fit extremely well with his bloomfes which seems to kind of hint at Rui feeling guilty for being in such a well off/positive situation. I mean Kanade's bloomfes seemed to foreshadow her own path towards what she wants to do so we can assume Rui's bloomfes is there to foreshadow whatever Rui would go through.

Maybe Rui will be influenced by Sakaki to believe his decision during the disbandement arc was wrong/immoral which, I don't think would cause very Great Things. Especially when Asahi is in the background T-Posing.

Anyways going back into the mist cya !

Ohh... Yeah...

Actually I think the conflict from Tsukasa2 has either died down or has just. Joined the overall pile of regrets Rui contains. The conflict that in my opinion could possibly affect him as of now would be the regret about what happened in Mizu5. He was there for a reason and he's one of Mizuki's best friends so that's bound to come up again.

The Sakaki theory seems based to me. I also see the reasons why Rui would start feeling like a bad person again (because it HAS been hinted in the past... Many stories, like you said) but I'm hesitant about what colopalette might do with it because... I really don't want it to look like Rui's just returning to square one? He's grown so much and it's been a really good journey, in his bloomfes he affirms that he remembers the pain of his past and it's not as jarring anymore. He's healing— so unless Colopale takes a very specific route in order to make him feel inadequate again I'm kind of worried if that character development will be erased

I don't mean this in a "he's healed now he'll never struggle with feeling like a bad person again!!!" Way, I mean it in the way that Rui HAS, objectively, learnt new things about relationships while being with wxs. I don't want him to forget all of them. I trust sega will make it good, seeing they did just that with Mizu5 (the fear of rejection is there, but so is the learned truth about Ena's kindness) but still.

I feel like the next Rui events will be very stressful ones. Asahi + Sasaki + all the other wonderful things going on in Rui's life right now basically. Also Rui still hasn't told Tsukasa and Emu about his past and technically no one in wxs knows what happened to him in middle school so... Maybe there'll be a story for that? Not necessarily since Revival my dream was already very backstory focused, but a man can dream

[cnnmairoll]

Energetic Hearts on the Sunrise Path

Pairing : Hairo x Reader Genre : fluff a/n : An old draft, I put Saiki K in my carrd on things I write for but I never actually post my only TDLoSK fic ive written so yeah here it is, just a general idea on what I write, this wont get as much attention as my other fics but it wouldnt hurt to post

In the bustling halls of PK Academy, where the sun filtered through the windows and laughter echoed in the corridors, you found yourself drawn to the whirlwind of energy that was Kineshi Hairo. With his distinctive maroon spiky hair that seemed to defy gravity and those eyebrows that were both bizarre and endearing, he stood out like a beacon of enthusiasm in a sea of students.

Class 2-∭ had a ray of sunshine for a class representative, and that was none other than Hairo. His reputation was built on the foundation of his kindness, his ever-ready leadership, and his unwavering reliability. He had a heart that seemed to know no boundaries when it came to caring for his classmates, and they in turn adored him for it.

And then there was you, the mysterious enigma that Hairo couldn't help but feel drawn towards. One day, amidst the usual school chaos, he approached you with a determination that could rival his tennis matches. "Hey, you! Yeah, you with the amazing presence! I've been watching you, and I think you're incredible. Would you do me the honor of being my partner in life's grand rally?"

You couldn't help but be taken aback by his straightforwardness, his fiery confession leaving you both amused and flustered. But what truly endeared you to him were the moments that followed – the times when his confident exterior cracked just a bit. There were instances when you caught him stealing glances at you, a faint blush painting his cheeks as he quickly turned away, pretending to be busy with some class-related task.

It was during those instances that you realized that even the unstoppable force that was Kineshi Hairo had moments of vulnerability. The class representative who could inspire a roomful of students struggled to find the right words when it came to expressing his feelings to you.

One early morning, the first hints of dawn casting a soft, golden glow across the campus, you were roused from your slumber by a persistent knocking on your door. Groggily, you stumbled to the door and opened it, only to be greeted by a fully dressed and oddly energetic Hairo.

"Hey, rise and shine! It's time to seize the day!" Hairo declared, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

You blinked, still half-asleep. "Hairo, what in the world are you doing here so early?"

His eyes sparkled as he flashed a grin. "I thought we could start our day with a morning jog. It's invigorating! Come on, you won't regret it!"

Rubbing the sleep from your eyes, you sighed. "You do realize it's barely dawn, right?"

Hairo's enthusiasm was unrelenting. "Exactly! The sunrise, the fresh air – it's the perfect way to kickstart the day! Trust me."

With a mixture of amusement and surrender, you found yourself changing into your jogging clothes and stepping outside with Hairo. The sky was painted in shades of pink and orange, the world still quiet and serene. As the two of you began jogging along the school's path, the gentle rhythm of your steps echoed in the hushed morning.

After a few minutes, you couldn't help but smile. Despite your initial reluctance, there was something undeniably calming about the quiet beauty of the sunrise and the shared companionship of this early morning run.

Hairo glanced at you, his energetic facade softening into something more sincere. "See, isn't this worth waking up for?"

You chuckled, feeling the warmth of his genuine enthusiasm. "Yeah, you were right. This is... actually really nice."

As your relationship with Hairo continued to flourish, you found yourself exploring different sides of each other. One sunny afternoon, you decided to take a break from the usual hustle and bustle of school life and invited Hairo to spend a quiet day at the nearby park. The vibrant greenery and the gentle rustling of leaves provided a soothing backdrop as you both settled down on a picnic blanket.

Hairo, who was usually a whirlwind of boundless energy, seemed to be taking in the tranquility of the surroundings. He let out a content sigh as he lay back on the blanket, his maroon hair fanned out around him. "This is a nice change of pace, isn't it?"

You smiled, appreciating the calmness that had settled over him. "Definitely. It's good to have moments where we can just relax and enjoy the peace."

Hairo propped himself up on his elbows and looked at you with a thoughtful expression. "You know, I've realized that I tend to get caught up in my own excitement and enthusiasm. It's like I'm always on the go, chasing after the next adventure!"

You nodded, understanding his sentiment. "It's wonderful that you're so passionate and energetic, but it's also important to find a balance. Taking time to relax and recharge is just as vital."

He chuckled, running a hand through his spiky hair. "I guess I need a little guidance in that department. You're really good at finding that balance, aren't you?"

You reached out and gently placed your hand over his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Well, maybe we can help each other. You inspire me to be more active and enthusiastic, and I can help you find moments of calm and serenity."

Hairo's eyes softened, his expression filled with gratitude. "I'd really appreciate that."

As the day wore on, you introduced Hairo to the simple joys of relaxation. You showed him how to lie down and listen to the gentle rustling of leaves, the soft chirping of birds, and the distant laughter of children playing in the park. You guided him through deep breaths, encouraging him to let go of his racing thoughts and just be in the present moment.

Hairo closed his eyes, his features relaxing as he followed your lead. "This... this is surprisingly nice. I never realized how much I needed this."

You smiled, glad to see him embracing the moment. "It's all about finding those pockets of calm in the midst of our busy lives. Just like how you find moments of excitement and energy."

He opened his eyes and looked at you with a newfound sense of understanding. "You're right. It's all about balance, isn't it?"

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the park, you both shared a quiet moment of togetherness. It was a moment of balance – his boundless enthusiasm met with your serene calmness, creating a harmonious blend that felt just right.

In the weeks and months that followed, you continued to help Hairo find moments of relaxation amidst his energetic pursuits. Whether it was through gentle walks in the park, quiet stargazing sessions, or simply sharing a cup of tea in the school's courtyard, you both learned to appreciate the different facets of each other's personalities.

Your love story was a beautiful testament to the power of balance and understanding. Together, you embraced each other's strengths and weaknesses, and in doing so, you created a bond that was unbreakable – one that could weather any storm and bask in the sunshine of shared laughter, quiet moments, and the unwavering support that came from knowing that you were each other's perfect counterbalance.

[blackjackkent]

After the unexpectedly painful showdown with He Who Was, the last thing Rakha really wants to do is go back to Last Light, where Isobel waits, taunting the murderous urge in her head. But... they have Art Cullagh's lute, and if it helps to wake him and points a path towards lifting the curse, that would qualify as by far the best thing that has happened to her in weeks. So she steels herself and walks back in the inn door.

Cullagh is still stretched on the bed where she last saw him, humming feverishly to himself and surrounded by an anxious-looking group of Flaming Fist. Halsin is there too, seated on a nearby bed, and he looks up with an eager smile at Rakha's approach.

"It's true, then," he says, nodding. "He's met Thaniel. There's no other way he'd know that name. This is just what we needed. Well done." He paces a few steps up and down next to the bed. "We need to wake him. He must know something about where to find Thaniel."

It startles her a little, how comforting those words are. Well done. How jarring it is to be greeted with that eagerness, even if it it's just for the news she brings. The encounter with He Who Was buried her deep in a sense of self-loathing hopelessness, but this - like Wyll's fingertips which are resting gently against her elbow - is a flicker of contrasting light.

"I found a lute," she says. Reaching to her shoulder, she unstraps the instrument from her back. (Another interesting thing - she's grown used to the weight of Alfira's, which is of some solider wood, and Cullagh's is smaller and lighter and feels fragile by comparison.) "It seems to have belonged to the Flaming Fist."

"Good," Halsin says, nodding vigorously. "Its music might help restore him. Show it to him."

Pull out the lute you found and play a little.

Rakha brushes her fingertips across the strings. She's suddenly acutely aware that every person in the room is looking at her. She has never performed for an audience. She does not know any songs; the music she produces, if it can be called that, is only sounds that tug at the Weave in specific ways.

And it is different with Cullagh's lute than with Alfira's, like starting all over again. It is tuned wrong, or at least not precisely right; there is a hint of dissonance on the highest notes. It is older, smaller, beaten by use; even its lowest notes have a shinier resonance to them that she is not used to.(*)

She closes her eyes, shutting out the staring eyes, focusing on the sounds, the way the Weave shudders with the chord. The highest note in the chord is slightly too high. She slides her index finger back along the fretboard, listening to the way the chord wavers and shifts with the motion, until it clicks into place--

Light bursts around her as the chord solidifies, and something about that wailing shiver of sound before it found its place seems to call out to the man, for he starts up into a sitting position and his eyes come open, wide and frantic.

"Thaniel!!"

He looks around wildly, blinking at Rakha in the halo of light surrounding her. "He's still trapped there," he says urgently. "He needs help."

"Breathe." Halsin crouches at the man's side, laying a hand on his shoulder. "You've been trapped in the Shadowfell for a century. Take a moment to clear your mind."

(A/N: I get that we're trying to be efficient here, Halsin, but I might have maybe waited a few sentences before dropping the century bomb if you want him to calm down. XD )

Cullagh shivers violently and looks down at his hands in his lap. "A century..." he whispers. Rakha can see the urge to panic struggling up in him - but it loses out to his inner strength, or perhaps to his exhaustion. "You're... Halsin," he says. "Thaniel said to find you. You must help him. Please."

Halsin stands slowly, his eyes bright with eager hope. "I will," he says, nodding. "But I need to know where Thaniel is. If I venture into the Shadowfell blind, I will never find him."

Cullagh swallows uncertainly. "I'm...not sure I can put it into words. The landscape there shifts and changes."

Slowly Rakha sets down the lute, leaning it against the edge of the bed. The glow of the spell she cast with it fades slowly from her skin. She feels somewhat calmer now after the moment of connection with her own magic, and she tries to focus on what the two men are saying.

The Shadowfell. Halsin and Shadowheart have both mentioned it before. The domain of Shar. The source of the power behind the curse - although not, Rakha suspects - behind its corruption. That is Ketheric's by some other means, for He Who Was (it seems) was also a creature of the Shadowfell, and his magic was dark but pure.

Nevertheless... that power is certainly dangerous, corrupted or not.

Let Halsin handle this.

She watches the elf, deeply curious to see what approach he suggests. Is it possible that they are truly on the trail of a way to clear the taint on this place?

"Lavender," Cullagh says slowly after a little while. "Whenever I saw Thaniel, I always smelled lavender."

Halsin smiles. "I can work with that." Suddenly energized, he lifts his eyes to Rakha. "Meet me by the lakeshore. I have what we need to proceed, but I'll need your help. Be ready... this may prove perilous."

----

(*) Credit to @rhysintherain for some ideas I played off of a bit here around Cullagh's lute and Rakha's unique approach to bardic magic. :D

[acourtofthought]

Do you think Lucien will end up at Spring or Day? Because most of the fandom is certain he'll end up at the Day Court but I always felt like he'd maybe explore his Day Court heritage but end up at Spring because Day Court already has Helion while the Spring court is in shambles. Also Lucien lived in the Spring Court for a long time so it would make sense if he ended up becoming their High Lord.

I have been turning this question over and over in my head. It's not that I wouldn't love Elucien in Day Court, it would be amazing to see two main characters settled down in a court that we really haven't gotten a feel for. And Lucien wearing that golden spiked crown?! 🥵🔥

But, what would they do there? Lucien has spent the entire series on standby, always second in command to Tamlin or doing work for other High Lords. He's got all this build up to be an amazing leader yet he's been relegated to waiting in the wings. Wouldn't that be more of the same in Day? It could be centuries until Helion steps down and SJM has said she's obsessed with Helion so would she really take him out? Especially with the possible love story that could exist between he and the LoA? If Helion is sticking around then Lucien would once again be right hand to a High Lord in the Day Court, still waiting for his turn to do more. Unless SJM wrote a storyline where the title was always meant to go to Lucien but because Helion became High Lord when Lucien wasn't UTM with the rest of Day, that's why the magic temporarily chose him? Still though, I can't imagine Helion not being a High Lord. So Spring does make the most sense to me for both Lucien and Elain. First, are the people of Spring ever going to trust Tamlin again for him to continue on as High Lord? He's not been able to break free of his depression in order to fulfil his duties so maybe his path forward is not that of a HL (which he never wanted). Maybe he'll join Springs armies instead. I would also think that Lucien having performed in the last Great Rite in the High Lords stead would tie him to the magic of the land. We also know that Lucien is still struggling with Spring not being the home he wanted it to be: "It was what, long ago, he'd once thought life at Tamlin's court would be. An ache like a blow to the chest went through him." "There was no tinge of guilt when he told Azriel what he knew. None of what he felt when he looked toward the south - toward both of the courts he'd called home." "I don't have anywhere else to go." "You ruined any chance I have of going back to Spring. Not to Tamlin, but to the court beyond his house. Everyone either still believes the lies you spun or they believe me complicit in your deceit." Maybe it's just me but I find it impossible not to think that with Nesta telling us Spring had been "made" for someone like Elain, that Elain can convince anyone to do anything with a few smiles and the knowledge that Lucien clearly is upset over having been run out of Spring that they're going to end up in Spring. All those sad feelings Lucien still has when thinking of Spring could be SJM hinting that he and Elain will turn the court into what he once dreamed of it being.

Though I still think maybe it will be Elain that is ""made" High Lord (but Lady) with Lucien standing beside her as acting High Lord (in the way Feyre is High Lady to Rhys's High Lord). Or Elain as High Lady of Spring and Lucien as temporary High King if future ACOTAR books involve some of the High Lords world walking, creating the need for leadership in their absence. That does then lead to the question of what happens when it is time for Lucien to step into his role as HL of Day but say that's something SJM knows won't happen for centuries. It's not entirely impossible to think that by that point, Elucien will have children, one of which Elain will have had a vision of taking over Spring. Or maybe SJM will hint at a future where the system for choosing leaders becomes more of a democracy. There's a lot of things she'll need to account for regardless of which direction she goes but I do think (regardless of what I like the idea of best), Spring makes the most sense. Thank you for the thought provoking question!

[ibijau]

AO3 is down, I’m depressed, it’s too hot, so let me offer you distraction in the form of lxc having transmigrated into his favourite novel only to make everything worse /o/

[edit] AO3 is back so this got posted there too

It could only be a quick visit, since Lan Xichen had so much to take care of these days. Really, back home, this visit could have been replaced with a few texts, or maybe a phone call for a touch of warmth… But there were no phones in this world of course, and letters were just too cumbersome for a problem like this one. So Lan Xichen had flown to the Unclean Realm… And at least he could fly and reach his destination in just a few days. A sword wasn't as efficient as a plane, but it beat walking or riding a horse by a good margin. 

When he landed at the gate of the Unclean Realm, Lan Xichen felt his heartbeat accelerate a little, as always whenever he got to visit a location he particularly loved. Even after so long, he just couldn't get used to it. Sometimes even the Cloud Recesses still had that effect, but much less frequently, since its look was a very classic one, resembling a number of historical places he’d visited back home. Compared to the Unclean Realm's imposing coldness, to Carp Tower's gold and abundance… 

"Xichen, you arrived early!" Nie Mingjue barked, coming to the gate to greet his sworn brother.

Lan Xichen smiled. "You made it sound urgent, how could I not hurry?" 

"I just said Huaisang is looking sad," Nie Mingjue protested.

"And isn't that the greatest of emergencies for both of us?" Lan Xichen replied.

Nie Mingjue scoffed at that, but he did not directly contradict his old friend, which was as good as agreeing. Not that Lan Xichen needed it confirmed. Between his own observations in this world, and how many times he had read the original work, he knew well that Mingjue's little brother was his top priority at all times, even if he sometimes showed it in a manner difficult to understand.

It had been more obvious in the original story, of course. But Nie Mingjue’s PTSD hadn’t been so bad in the novel, not with Meng Yao to help him through the worst of it. 

“I don’t know what’s wrong with that boy,” Nie Mingjue explained as they walked together toward the garden where Nie Huaisang would hide whenever he was upset. “He’s constantly moping around, or reading treatises on morality. If it were someone else, I would suspect he’s killed someone and struggles with guilt.”

Lan Xichen chuckled politely.

“I do realise how it sounds,” Nie Mingjue agreed. “I know it can’t be that, he doesn’t have the spine for it. But there’s still something wrong with him, and he won’t tell me what. So I figured… he’s always been more comfortable confiding in you, so maybe you can get the truth out of him.”

“I’ll do my best,” Lan Xichen promised, and while Nie Mingjue stopped at the gate of that garden, he walked in.

It was a pretty little place, this garden. There weren’t many flowers, because the soil of the Unclean Realm wasn’t right for it, but bushes and rocks had been arranged with exquisite taste. In the novel, this place had been described as the only thing toward which Nie Huaisang had ever put any effort. It had become the secret heart of the Unclean Realm, the location where many heart-to-heart conversations would take place between Nie Mingjue and Meng Yao.

But on that bright morning, only Nie Huaisang was there, sitting on a bench with a book that looked more serious than the light poetry or the elaborate porn he usually favoured.

When he heard footsteps on the path, Nie Huaisang startled and quickly closed that book, even trying to hide it behind his back. But once he recognised Lan Xichen he relaxed and merely put the volume down on the bench as he stood to greet his guest. Nie Huaisang seemed in a good enough mood, better certainly than what Nie Mingjue had hinted at, so Lan Xichen wasn’t too worried for the young man as they chatted a little. And yet when Lan Xichen explained he was there at Nie Mingjue’s request, that his sworn brother was worried for his little brother, Nie Huaisang’s attitude quickly changed. His smile vanished, and his head hung low, like a child caught doing something naughty.

“It’s just that I’ve been thinking about Wei Wuxian a lot since he died,” Nie Huaisang confessed at last, and Lan Xichen immediately tensed.

He never liked to talk about Wei Wuxian these days.

Back in the original version of the story, Wei Wuxian had been a black hearted villain, the too ambitious son of a servant, whose hubris had caused him to turn against the cultivation world in his endless quest for power and revenge. He’d been described as impossibly clever but equally cruel and arrogant, ready to use the worst methods to rise above others, turning against the sect that had taken him in, unleashing undead horrors upon innocents in an effort to conquer the world. 

Lan Xichen had found him despicable from start to finish.

He hadn’t been prepared, when Wei Wuxian had arrived at the Cloud Recesses, around the time Lan Xichen had transmigrated there.

Wei Wuxian had just been a fun kid. A bit cocky, sure, as any boy of fifteen could be, but really, really funny too. Lan Xichen had nearly broken character a dozen times when hearing his uncle complain against this most unruly student. Not only that but Lan Wangji, who in the novel had appeared to hate Wei Wuxian at first sight, was discovered by Lan Xichen to be more like a toddler with an angry crush.

And Lan Xichen, newly arrived into that world, filled with sympathy for a boy who couldn’t have been further from a murderous necromancer, had wanted to help Wei Wuxian.

Sometimes, he wondered if that was where everything had gone wrong.

But no, it wasn’t possible. All he’d done was subtly encourage Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian to see they could be great friends, and it hadn’t even worked anyway. Surely the changes to the plot had to have come from something else.

"I just can't understand how Wei-xiong became like this," Nie Huaisang sighed. "He wasn't… He really was a good person before, you know. He was! What happened makes no sense, and I keep wondering if maybe… If I had been a better friend… If I’d tried to still be his friend after he left the Cloud Recesses… If I’d invited him and Jiang-xiong here after the lectures, if I’d reached out more after the war…"

Lan Xichen pinched his lips. 

It was the wrong time for this conversation. This exact dialogue… Nie Huaisang should have been wondering this before Wei Wuxian died, when the world had been thrown into terrible chaos by him. 

Not only was the timing wrong, but it wasn't a conversation he should have had with Lan Xichen of all people. Something so personal should only have been shared with Nie Huaisang's dearest friend, the person he trusted the most to understand such complex feelings, the one who should have been guiding him for years. 

Sadly, Nie Huaisang had been robbed of that guidance. Due to Lan Xichen's impact on the story, Meng Yao had joined the Jin sect years earlier than he should have, inadvertently creating a rift between him and Nie Mingjue, the details of which Lan Xichen was only partly aware of, since it did not follow the original plot.

It was a tragedy on several levels. First and foremost because the friendship between Meng Yao and Nie Mingjue had been the heart of the story, the driving force behind most of its action. Through the unbreakable bond of their friendship, Nie Mingjue had been able to better govern his own sect and have time to further improve his cultivation, while in return his complete support of Meng Yao had helped the other man overcome every obstacle on his path that his sharp mind couldn’t already defeat. Even when they disagreed on something, they had always found ways to work together, either through compromises or through convincing the other that a certain choice would be detrimental. Lan Xichen had cried his heart out when Nie Mingjue had been killed by Wei Wuxian, when Meng Yao, nearly overcome with grief, had used the pain of that loss as a rallying cry against the greatest villain the world had ever known, eventually defeating Wei Wuxian and cementing his place as a noble hero.

Nie Mingjue and Meng Yao were close friends, confidants, perfect matches, the sort of relationship that could only exist in stories.

Lan Xichen had been thrilled to realise he’d transmigrated into someone lucky enough to be called friends by them, even though he had no illusion that he could ever be to either of them what they would be to each other. He’d always taken this character to be a bit of a third wheel, actually. The original Lan Xichen was someone who merely tagged along and helped support this epic bromance when the plot required it.

And yet, through mistakes on his part, Lan Xichen had torn those two apart. He was still a little confused about what he’d done wrong, truth be told. But certain things had happened that should not have happened, and he’d ended up meeting Meng Yao much earlier than he should have, even contracting a life debt toward him, eventually leading to Meng Yao joining the Jin sect nearly half a decade earlier than he should have. It had created a deep divide between Meng Yao and Nie Mingjue.

It also meant that Nie Huaisang hadn’t had much of a chance to truly become close to the person he ought to have loved above anyone except his own brother.

And love really was barely a strong enough word for it, Lan Xichen thought. Reading the original story, he’d always thought there was a certain attraction between Nie Huaisang and Meng Yao, even if by the epilogue they’d both married women. Lan Xichen would not admit to it even under torture, but he’d definitely written fanfiction about these two, and even drawn some fanart here and there. His skill hadn’t been very great, but he’d put all his heart into it, feeling truly passionate about the idea that his two favourite characters might love each other as much as he loved them. To know that he might have ruined any chance of his favourite couple coming together… truly, there were no words for how much it depressed him.

The most depressing part, though, was that as a result, both Meng Yao and Nie Huaisang kept having with him conversations they should have had with each other… like the present one about Wei Wuxian.

“Huaisang, you cannot blame yourself for the choices of others,” Lan Xichen said, hoping his tone was as comforting as Meng Yao’s would have been. “The things that Wei Wuxian has done… Can anyone really explain things like that?”

“Yes,” Nie Huaisang replied, startling Lan Xichen. 

That wasn’t how the conversation went, as far as he remembered. But of course when the conversation happened in the story, Wei Wuxian had just killed Nie Mingjue, and threatened to slaughter every sect over some invented insults against himself. 

“He wasn’t that bad,” Nie Huaisang insisted. “And these people, those Wens… If he had a debt to them, then it was right to help them, no? Debts are meant to be repaid. We wouldn't have won the war without Wei-xiong, and if they saved him…"

"We don't know that he was saved by them," Lan Xichen prudently objected, because the original work never did specify the nature of that debt, only hinting that it was linked to Wei Wuxian’s demonic cultivation. "But I can't say you're wrong either. It sounds like a complicated situation he was in, and I'm not sure what he could have done to keep his reputation and repay his debt at the same time. But that's how life is. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can't be right. You can only choose in what manner you will be wrong."

Nie Huaisang grimaced at that answer, clearly displeased that Lan Xichen wouldn't commit one way or the other. Before long though, that frown of his turned into the sort of brilliant, mischievous grin that nothing in the original work had prepared Lan Xichen for. It always sent his heart racing a little, which he'd rationalised as being due to Nie Huaisang’s immense cuteness. 

"I guess I see what you mean, a little," Nie Huaisang said. "Thank you for taking the time to listen to me. Nobody else ever does." 

"I'm sure others too are happy to talk to you. Certainly A-Yao…"

Nie Huaisang shook his head, pouting once more. 

"San-ge never has time for me," he lamented, "and when he does, he doesn't really listen. You’re the only one I can talk to like this, and the only one that says anything worth listening to. Er-ge, your way of thinking is really different from everyone, you know?”

“I’m not sure what you mean," Lan Xichen replied, a little startled by that comment. He'd always done his best to act and speak the exact way the original character would have, and nobody else had ever accused him of behaving oddly until that moment. 

“I’m not sure either," Nie Huaisang said, still pouting. "Maybe I mean the way you always think well of everyone? But it’s more than that. It’s like your entire way of thinking is completely different. That’s why I can talk to you about Wei-xiong. Everyone else always just said he was too proud for a servant’s son, as if that explains everything, but you've never held that against him.”

“I’m not the only one… Jiang-zongzhu too… and your brother doesn’t look at people’s birth to determine their worth either.”

“Da-ge says he doesn’t,” Nie Huaisang corrected with a dubious pout, “but then he just finds his own reason to dislike the same people as everyone else. Like how he criticises San-ge all the time, and then says it has nothing to do with his mother.”

“I rather think Da-ge finds A-Yao’s father to be his more shameful parent.”

“No, that’s just what you think,” Nie Huaisang replied with an amused smirk. “Da-ge doesn’t like Jin-zongzhu, sure, but he still recognises him as a sect leader and gives him the respect due to one. But you don’t like him at all, and really have to force yourself to act like you respect him, I know that.”

Lan Xichen’s cheeks heated up, ashamed that his disdain had been noticed.

But really, Jin Guangshan had been despicable as a character back when he’d read the novel, and now he was infinitely worse as a person who Lan Xichen regularly had to speak to. In the modern world, Jin Guangshan would have been cancelled a hundred times already. There would be hashtags demanding he step down from power. There would be memes.

So, so many memes.

Sometimes Lan Xichen thought of very clever ones, and lamented that he couldn’t share them with anyone.

“Have I been so obvious?�� Lan Xichen asked, worried he might create more deviation from the plot if his dislike was revealed.

Chuckling slightly, Nie Huaisang shook his head.

“Not really. You are fooling everyone else. You’re very good at fooling others, you know. It’s really hard to know what you’re thinking… worse than San-ge, and he’s pretty good at it already.”

“And yet you can guess his thoughts anyway, can’t you?” Lan Xichen asked, smiling fondly.

“Usually, if I’m interested enough,” Nie Huaisang replied, shrugging again. “But he’s always involved in boring stuff, so I really don’t care what’s on his mind. I think it’d be more fun if I could know what you’re thinking.”

Without meaning to, Lan Xichen shivered. 

He told himself it was only a reaction to yet more proof that his favourite ship had been ruined by himself. It might also have been because while reading the original story, he’d always had the faint impression that Nie Huaisang was far more clever and observant than the narration really gave him credit for. It had always been a controversial opinion, and Lan Xichen had even encountered some backlash sometimes when he’d dared to share his idea online, no matter how many quotes he used to prove his point.

Nie Huaisang was just a comic relief, they’d point out. He was a fool and an idiot, they’d say. It was already bad enough Lan Xichen drew him to be so handsome when the novel never described his looks as more than ok (and yet he was handsome, much more so than any of the others cultivators Lan Xichen had met since transmigrating), but to claim he was clever was so wrong, a complete disregard for the novel’s text.

So if Lan Xichen’s heart was suddenly beating so fast, it was only because Nie Huaisang’s attitude confirmed his interpretation of him.

“Er-ge, won’t you share your thoughts with me?” Nie Huaisang asked with a smile that might have been seductive if it had been targeted at Meng Yao.

“I fear you’d be very disappointed if you could read my mind,” Lan Xichen replied, fighting to stay in character. “My thoughts are very mundane.”

Nie Huaisang cocked his head to the side, like a curious bird.

“I think that’s not quite true,” he said with a pout. “I think it would be very interesting. I think Er-ge should share more with me, since I’m always sharing with him. I really, really want to understand you, after all.”

“Huaisang…” Lan Xichen started saying, only to stop himself, perplexed to hear how strangled his voice sounded. The real Lan Xichen would never have lost his cool, even when faced with a too playful boy. 

Nie Huaisang grinned proudly, as if he’d pulled off a great trick.

“Someday, I’ll understand you,” he claimed. “You’re the only one that still eludes me. Everyone else I’ve figured out, more or less.”

“I did not know you were so obsessed with understanding people,” Lan Xichen mumbled. “Is there a reason why?”

“It’s all Da-ge’s fault,” Nie Huaisang said, his voice losing any flirty tone he’d had to turn whiny instead, something Lan Xichen was far more comfortable with. “He’s always dragging me to conferences these days, and makes me help with taking care of the sect… watching people and trying to figure out how they think is the only fun I get to have! I hardly even get to paint or go birdwatching lately, it’s the worst, it’s just the worst, I’m so miserable!”

Relieved that the conversation was once more what it ought to be between them, Lan Xichen allowed Nie Huaisang to complain as much as he wanted, listening to everything patiently. Sometimes Nie Huaisang said something mean about someone, and Lan Xichen would gently scold him for being unkind. Much more frequently Nie Huaisang would say something unkind and hilarious, and Lan Xichen had to bite his cheeks not to burst out laughing, because his character was too gentle and bland to enjoy that level of pettiness.

After a while, Lan Xichen had to point out that it would soon be time for dinner, and they should go join everyone. Nie Huaisang agreed without enthusiasm, as if he’d have preferred the two of them stayed alone to chat. 

“Er-ge, you won’t tell Da-ge about what we talked about, will you?” Nie Huaisang shyly asked as they left the garden. “He just despises Wei Wuxian so much for choosing to betray his sect and to stand with some Wens… He wouldn’t understand why I care about how it all came to that.”

“If I keep the secret, you’ll have to make an effort to act more cheerful,” Lan Xichen replied. “Your brother is really worried about you. He just wants you to be happy, you know.”

Nie Huaisang promised he would try, and smiled brightly as he said so, looking exactly like the charming, harmless young man he was written to be.

Seeing him like this, Lan Xichen couldn’t refrain from smiling as well. He’d made some mistakes in the past, but it didn’t matter anymore. With Wei Wuxian dead, nothing bad could ever happen to any of them now. Peace had returned to the cultivation world, and Lan Xichen was free to act as he pleased.

Maybe he’d even try to make Nie Mingjue and Meng Yao reconcile. 

It couldn’t be too late to fix the plot, right?

[wolpertinger-prince]

Of Eileen and Zippley: Part Two of a Raytas Continuation

After his encounter with the Beast Fairy, Rayman finds himself struggling to find his friends. But one encounter with a familiar face, as well as a new one, might lead him in the right direction.

Part One

Rayman hoped to never cross paths with Wolpenauct again.

Sure, he felt sorry for them, but something about them unnerved him, almost like Jano did all those years ago. Not to mention how harsh they were. And what was that about calling him the Glade's plaything? Yup, they definitely weren't as warm as, say, Ly or Betilla. Not everyone was going to appreciate him showing them kindness, he supposed.

It'd been a few days since he found his friends missing, presumably captured by Grub and taken back to the circus. Rayman had been traveling by foot nonstop since. He'd yet to see hint nor hair of the traveling circus, or even hear of Rigatoni for that matter. It was possible that they'd left Aeropolis, but did Rigatoni really rebuild his tent so quickly that he could travel that far that fast? Had he been stuck in Aeropolis all this time just as Rayman and friends had been? No, Rigatoni had some of Razorbeard's former henchmen at his side. They knew how to build flying ships from the ground up. Rigatoni and the others could be miles ahead by now.

Gods, this was frustrating! Rayman had no idea where to start or what he was even chasing. And this was assuming Lac-Mac and the others even were with Rigatoni at the circus and not in jail. In that case, maybe he'd gone too far. What if he could've just broken them out of jail earlier? Maybe they'd already been picked up by Rigatoni by now!

Rayman stopped and leaned against a wall to catch his breath. It was times like this Betina would tease him and tell him he sounded like Cookie. Just when he was thinking of the two of his friends was when he saw the short silhouette of a figure that reminded him of Lac-Mac, but smaller. The figure was limping, as far as Rayman could tell in the darkness of the night. Suddenly, a bright light shone on the figure, revealing its orange color, floppy ears, and stripes. The light came from a speeding car that the striped creature was too busy struggling to cross the road to notice.

"Hey, look out!"

As Rayman called to the creature, he rushed to his side. The creature noticed the car speeding towards him too late, letting out a shriek as he was about to be hit. However, just before the car could make contact did Rayman jump in front and push the creature out of the way. The impact of the car sent parts of Rayman flying, his head landing on and rolling off of the car's hood. The car screeched to a halt, the driver quickly stepping out of the vehicle with wide, horrified eyes as she assessed the damage she'd done. Her gloved hand over her heart, she breathed quickly and heavily while noting Rayman's hands, feet, and body dispersed all over the road.

"Oh, gods," she exclaimed, suddenly feeling very faint.

"Hey, it's okay," came a voice.

The driver snapped her gaze towards the hood of her car.

"Over here," uttered the voice again.

The driver stepped over to the other side of her car where Rayman's head lay. Rayman blinked up at her, definitely still alive. Suddenly, one of his hands hovered over and picked Rayman's head up by one of the tufts of his hair. Rayman recognized this now very confused and startled woman as being Grub's date from a few weeks ago.

"Fancy seeing you again," he remarked. "Excuse my appearance."

Rayman whistled and his other hand started to scoop up his shoes. As the hand brought his feet closer, Rayman nodded towards his limp purple body that laid limply several feet away.

"Uh, would you mind getting that for me?" he asked the woman awkwardly.

"Oh, uh… Sure."

The woman walked over to the body and hesitantly picked it up. She couldn't believe she was doing this; first she hit a pedestrian and now here she was putting him back together like some kind of toy! She brought the body back to where Rayman held his head up, once again shocked when the body just seemed to float back into place. Rayman let out a sigh of relief as his hand let go of his head and he "stretched" his feet just to test them out.

"Thanks! That could've been really ugly," Rayman mused. "What's your name?"

"Eileen," the woman answered. "Hey, aren't you that sweet kid that delivered that singing telegram?"

"Yup! Name's Rayman. Hope you liked it."

"Your pitch needs work," Eileen remarked. "But your dance was adorable."

"Thanks! Now, if you'll excuse me…"

Rayman glanced behind himself, in the direction he shoved that creature. The creature was gone, probably having disappeared into the forested area on the other side of the road.

"I gotta find that little guy," Rayman explained as he began to walk away. "He looked hurt."

"Let me come with you," Eileen replied as she followed. "I almost hit him!"

"He couldn't have gone far."

Rayman and Eileen made their way into the woods, quickly spotting the striped creature. He was hobbling his way through, gulping when he noticed the two. He turned around and hissed, showing off his sharp teeth.

"Get back!" the creature exclaimed. "I… I bite!"

"Whoa, whoa! Take it easy," Rayman stated as he slowed his walking and put his hands up. "We don't wanna hurt you. We just wanna see if you're okay."

"Okay?" The creature cocked a brow and laughed. "I'm not okay, thanks for checking. You can go away now."

"You could've just said no thank you," Eileen remarked.

"Come on, let us at least look at your leg," Rayman urged, pointing at the creature's limp right leg. "You're not gonna get very far on it."

"I don't need your help," the creature hissed as he turned away. "I've been doing fine all by myself ever since I was dumped out here."

Rayman reached one of his hands up into the trees where he carefully traced the branches until he found one just big enough, then snapped it off. He then handed the branch to the striped creature, who observed it, puzzled, before snatching it.

"Who dumped you?" Rayman asked.

"Henry Antipasti," the creature replied. "I was working for him at the theater… Well, I was more like a slave."

"Hey, that's exactly what happened to me and my friends," Rayman gasped. "Then you must be one of those vuni vuni Wolpenauct told me about!"

"Who?" The creature cocked a brow. "Anyway, I don't know why I'm telling you guys my tragic backstory, but if you know Henry, I'd appreciate you pointing me in his direction so I can have a little… chat with him about how he treated me."

"Wait. Hold on a second," Eileen interrupted. "What's going on? Slaves?"

Rayman turned to Eileen, taking in a deep breath. Boy, this was going to be one heck of an explanation. Who knew if she'd even believe him? Well, it was worth a shot…

"Well, you know that guy you're dating, Grub? Well, he's been trying to arrest my friends and I and return us to this circus," Rayman began. "This Rigatoni guy put him up to it. You see, Rigatoni locked us up, in cages, and forced us to perform at his circus. Now he's got my friends and I have to get them outta there!"

Eileen couldn't believe what she was hearing. They did that? Kidnapped people and made them into entertainment for the masses? That couldn't be legal, surely. Could it? No, something else was wrong here.

"You, too?" she asked, looking at the striped creature.

"Uh-huh," the creature answered with a nod, leaning on the branch Rayman gave him. "All my life, until I got this."

The creature gestured to his bad leg. Eileen lifted her hands over her mouth.

"I don't believe it," she gasped. "I believe you, I just don't believe that someone would do that!"

"I just learned it happens all over," Rayman began. "A Beast Fairy told me creatures from forests get poached all the time. But they're gonna put a stop to it."

"Yeah, they're doing a great job so far," the striped creature remarked sarcastically.

"...But it's up to me to save my friends," Rayman continued, ignoring the creature's remark.

"I've heard enough. I'll help you," Eileen stated, earning surprised stares from both Rayman and the striped creature. "What? I will! Grub will know where this Rigatoni guy is and I can get it out of him. You two can stay at my place until we get to the bottom of this. You must be exhausted, and starving."

"That's really kind of you," Rayman replied, not helping but to think of how great it would be to eat after how long he's been traveling. "What do you think, kid? Coming with us?"

The creature looked hesitant. He didn't want to depend on anyone, but… food did sound good right about now. And he had been sleeping on leaves and discarded cushions for some time now. So, he nodded with a hum.

"And what's your name, sweetie?" Eileen asked, kneeling to his height.

"My name's Zippley," he answered. "I guess I can tag along for now. I've got nothing better to do."

"Then we're a team," Rayman practically announced.

"Alright, Rayman. Zippley," Eileen urged. "Get in my car. It's getting late."

So, the trio made their way back to the car, where they drove back into the city. After the panic he's been through for the last few days, Rayman was just happy not to be alone.

[seventeenlovesthree]

Digimon shipping dynamic game

@valtren​: “Can I request Joe and Mimi? :)”

Oh, that’s a good one, thanks for the request, I’ll dive right into it!

Send me two names among the following 12 and I’ll write a short analysis post about them:

Taichi Yagami | Yamato Ishida | Sora Takenouchi | Koushirou Izumi | Mimi Tachikawa | Jyou Kidou | Takeru Takaishi | Hikari Yagami | Daisuke Motomiya | Miyako Inoue | Iori Hida | Ken Ichijouji

Whether canon provides input on them or not:

You absolutely bet it does, which is one of the main reasons why it baffles me they’re not more popular to begin with. One might argue that it’s because of their age difference, but we shall get to that later, let’s start at the beginning, shall we: It’s more subtle at the beginning of Adventure, but Jyou’s and Mimi’s path are crossing one another quite frequently due to various reasons. First of all, they are implied to have known each other before entering the Digital World, as Jyou calls Mimi out for carrying the food rations he was supposed to give her and the novel even makes a point about them having been assigned to the same group together, thus making him basically her superior. We do have a power dynamic at play here and for a good chunk of the anime, they’re mainly set up to be comic relief towards/with each other (sometimes with Sora or other characters added to the mix), nothing really goes too deep so far - until we get to the Dark Masters’ arc. Both of them have been confronted with their priority systems throughout the Vamdemon arc - and this set up theme will stick with them for the rest of the series, intertwining at several points.

Jyou has been struggling with his sense of responsibility (just like Sora); he’s unsure whether or not he can be the leader he expects himself to be for the others or whether he wants to become a doctor just like his father expects of him, thus questioning his purpose. Mimi on the other hand goes through an arc of self discovery that begins with her refusing to fight and see more loved ones die - and Jyou decides to stay behind with her, joining her on that journey that makes both of them come to the conclusion that there are things they may not like or may not be good at, but that they have to find a solution for themselves. For Jyou, that’s committing to his own path, choosing it for himself, accepting that leadership and fighting may not be his primary way to support - for Mimi, it’s finding a middle ground, because sacrifices may be necessary sometimes, but that doesn’t mean that she can’t figure out her own way to support.

It’s a subtle, but amazing set-up, that displays them getting closer to and more familiar with one another, understanding and supporting each other’s choices and ways of being, figuring out their “purposes” outside of being “main fighters” - with tiny hints of growing affection in between as well. That is why their scenes in the second Tri movie actually work, even if they admit that they have already been there before - they are able to open up to each other, because they’ve BEEN through so much (together) already. 

Mimi admires Jyou for prioritizing what he does (= staying away from the group to be a responsible adult) and Jyou admires Mimi for being straightforward with what she wants (= being enthusiastic and trying to convinve others that what she’s considering to be “good” is a good choice for them as well). Even if neither of them are happy with themselves at that point in time, struggling with their own ideas of “selfishness”. But they actually do take each other for what they are. Surely Mimi had her own moments of doubting Jyou’s capabilities here and there at the VERY beginning, but that shifted completely by the end of 01; neither of them has to change for the sake of the other or play a role - and they are aware of that, hence why I chose the screenshot above. Their arcs, while more in the back, are intertwined to some degree and their resolutions are, in my humble opinion, also the reason why they’re among those that do NOT struggle with their career choices in the end and are not threatened by the fate of losing their partners by the time of Kizuna.

Long story short - there is A LOT of setup for them. And I’ve only talked about their story related purposes so far...

Whether I think why and how they’d work:

In case my little love letter about their relationship hasn’t convinced you yet - I am very much convinced that they’re working out wonderfully as an established couple. While their dynamic, as fun and humourous as it is often portrayed to be, works very well on a platonic level in my book, there are several aspects that make me adore them even more on a romantic level.

As mentioned above, throughout 01 and 02, the sense of familiarity and openness between these two grows significantly - even if the age gap exists and even if Jyou tries very hard to maintain his senpai-ish attitude towards Mimi to stay composed, she’s not really fazed by that. On the contrary, Jyou is among the few characters she’s being most physical and affectionate with, only topped by Sora, Miyako and Meiko at best and those are all girls thus supporting my headcanon that Mimi is a raging bisexual with a preference for women, but Jyou is the non-plus-ultra main exception. Canon even supports that by constantly making her display her love language - “giving gifts” - towards Jyou, whether it’s nuts or candies or even very loving hugs... Jyou easily gets affected by that and blushes on several occasions, making it quite difficult to not sense mutual adoration and fondness for one another. Especially because he’s obviously very protective of her.

And since they’re both among the few characters who’re actually genuinely OPENING UP to one another about their fears and doubts in both 01 and Tri, their crests - of Sincerity and Reliability - are basically the proof for why I can see them being a wonderful romantic combination: They are there for and believe in each other, they enjoy being in each other’s company, they’re communicative and can even call one another out on what bothers them, they don’t shy away from physical touch - and they complement each other. Where Mimi can be brash, Jyou can act as the voice of reason that gets her back on earth - where Jyou gets doubtful and anxious, Mimi is a ray of positivity and forwardness. (They may butt heads because of their differences too, but as mentioned above, I consider them to be communicative enough to be able to deal with that and get over their differences. I don’t see the same level of readiness and patience in Mimi when it comes to other characters, except maybe Sora.)

They can both be incredibly judgemental together as well, thus calling out the rest of the group for being too adventurous/engaging in dangerous activities, thus making them quite a power couple - even if they’re literally more at the back than others. As adults, they’re more grounded in reality, their priorities and passions - and thus they can only make each other better through that, even if they may have to deal with some long distance shenanigans for a while. Their hobbies might actually also be quite different, but in the end, they could still come together for late night calls, with Jyou falling asleep while Mimi would soothe him after a long, stressful day at work. 

Tl;dr: I love them and kinda wish Tri didn’t go so hard on ship teasing in different directions, trying very hard to keep these two apart in text, while the subtext basically told us that they’re amazing for each other.

Whether I’d prefer them as platonic or romantic ship:

I quite obviously prefer them romantically, but if canon were to go into different directions, I could still live with that as long as they maintained the bond that had so lovingly bloomed between them throughout all this time.

[innerpalaces]

THE PRINCESS WEI YANG - 170 PART 1

CHAPTER 170: Eternal Torment

Consort Lian told Tuoba Zhen that Tuoba Yu had set up an ambush at Shizi Ridge to prevent him from returning. Tuoba Zhen sneered, Shizi Ridge? The soldiers had already scouted out the place earlier. The rebel army was located on the right side of the mountain and there were only two paths to go up. The steeper one was the Shizi Ridge, which had the shortest distance. The other, Chengtian Ridge, required a long detour. The news from Consort Lian came so naturally that Tuoba Zhen sneered and said, "Head out for Shizi Ridge."

The steward, Li Ping, was surprised. Tuoba Zhen no longer trusted anyone. Every day, he would only bring along the people his concubine mother had left behind. This time, Li Ping did not trust ordinary guards and accompanied him personally. Although Tuoba Zhen was unmoved on the surface, he was still somewhat moved in his heart. At this moment, Li Ping said with concern: "Your Highness, didn't you say that Consort Lian—"

"Li Wei Yang has already seen through Consort Lian's little tricks.At the beginning, I wanted to dig out something useful from her, but I discovered that Li Weiyang never revealed any important information to her. It had been like this for the past few months. How could such important news suddenly come? There is only one possibility, and that is that Consort Lian's identity has been exposed. Li Wei Yang intentionally sent me false information through her, in an attempt to lure me into a trap. Hmph, this woman is really cunning." In fact, the Emperor's order had been issued so he had to go. In addition, he had prepared in advance and was surrounded by elite first-class masters. There was no need to worry about the other party's ambush. He didn't believe that Tuoba Yu and Li Wei Yang could do anything to him this time.

After Tuoba Zhen left, everyone's carriages drove down the mountain. Tuoba Yu stayed behind, riding his horse beside Li Wei Yang's carriage as if nothing had happened, and whispered: "He indeed went to Shizi Ridge."

Li Wei Yang smiled slightly and said: "His personality is that he is suspicious and rarely trusts others. Consort Lian has never given him useful information. Now, he will naturally think to deeply about it and assume that I am borrowing Consort Lian's hand to intentionally reveal it to him, so he will definitely do the opposite."

There was a hint of coldness in Tuoba Yu's smile, and he said, "I wonder if the princess is planning to watch Tuoba Zhen's outcome?"

Li Wei Yang said thoughtfully: "Yes, how can I rest assured if I don't see him with my own eyes?"

Tuoba Zhen had already walked more than ten miles of mountain road with his hundreds of cavalry guards. He saw patches of green pines surrounded by a few faint red plum blossoms adorning the ground. The snow in the past few days was not heavy, and began to melt as soon as the sun shined. A few hundred meters further through this pine forest is Shizi Ridge.

Tuoba Zhen took the lead as they gradually walked up a mountain road. The terrain became more and more rugged as they ascended and everyone had to be careful to pull the horse's reins and let the horse run as fast as possible. slow. After struggling uphill for seven or eight miles, they discovered that the mountain road they walked along was like a tall round cup upside down on the mountain peak. From the neck to the summit, the cliffs were like sharp blades. The mountain road was very steep, and could only accommodate two mounts at most. Next to it was a very steep cliff that was connected to another mountain range at the front and in the middle was a deep gorge that was several feet wide, and so dark that there seemed to be no bottom.

Seeing this scene, Tuoba Zhen clearly had an understanding of the trecherous terrain surrounding Shizi Ridge, but he still felt a little uneasy. It was like the natural instinct of a wild beast towards danger. He subconsciously looked back and saw a vague feeling of uneasiness on everyone's face. In that split-second, he suddenly thought, if Li Wei Yang was playing tricks on him, had he overthought and been fooled by the other party?

At this moment, there was a sudden bang in front of him, like the sky and the earth were falling apart! Immediately afterwards, the ground rumbled like a small boat bumping in the wind and waves. The horse lost its balance on the ground and staggered backwards, and the mountain wall also started shaking. Huge boulders began to fall from the sky. With great difficulty, he turned his eyes upwards only to see sand and rocks falling, flying dust covering the sky and the sun. Tuoba Zhen shouted, "Quick, retreat!"

However, it was too late. On the side of the cliff above, hundreds of archers had launched an ambush. Taking advantage of the chaos, countless arrows were shot towards the people on the mountain road. Tuoba Zhen originally thought that Li Wei Yang would not set up an attack here. One of the most important reasons was that the terrain of Shizi Ridge was steep. It was difficult for people and horses to navigate, and it was even more difficult to set up an ambush. He assumed that's why Li Wei Yang deliberately induced him to take another path. However, Tuoba Zhen ignored one point. In the northwest corner of Shizi Ridge, there is a cliff with a crack and a peak on the west side shaped like a human thumb, hence the name "One Finger Peak".

Li Wei Yang took used this as an opening to scope out the Empress Dowager's burial grounds. She hired skilled craftsmen to chisel some narrow foot holes on the cliff along the natural crack on the "One Finger Peak". Compared with ordinary mountain roads, this kind of ladder can only be climbed by one person at a time and is more than 20 meters high. Every step when climbing is more and more tense. Every time you take a step, you have to watch carefully. It takes a lot of effort and great courage to climb up from below. All the soldiers used their hands and feet to climb up, lying in ambush on this seemingly impossible road of no return.

In the midst of the chaos, Tuoba Zhen suddenly felt an arrow hit his arm. He endured the severe pain and looked back, only to see countless people running away in disarray and falling off the cliff one after another with shrill screams. There was a faint sound of horse hooves from the bottom of the mountain, as if a massive cavalry was approaching.

"All officers, hear my order. Tuoba Zhen colluded with Sun Chongyao's remnant army in an attempt to ambush His Majesty. Consort Lian was assassinated. His Majesty has issued an imperial edict to capture Tuoba Zhen dead or alive! If there is resistance, he will be executed on the spot!"

As the rocks shattered, Tuoba Zhen heard Tuoba Yu's voice coming from the mountain wind. He was shocked and finally understood that Li Wei Yang was determined to put him to death! What colluding with Sun Chongyao army!? She was deliberately leading him to his death!

Li Wei Yang knew Tuoba Zhen too well. In order to achieve success today, he had left behind tricks in everything. Even if the ambush fails, Tuoba Zhen will never return to the capital!

Tuoba Zhen's side had been fighting fiercely for a long time, and the sound of horse hooves coming from the bottom of the mountain was getting closer and closer. After fighting hard, the wound on his body opened again. He gritted his teeth and tore off two pieces of sleeves, tied them tightly on his arm, and commanded Li Ping in a low voice: "Look for a chance to escape and meet me at the usual place!" Then, he turned his horse, leaving everyone behind, and dashed towards the depths of the ravine.

As he moved forward, countless people behind him screamed in surprise, accompanied by the sound of iron hooves catching up. Several times, a gleaming sword almost came close to his body, but he always narrowly escaped. He turned around and looked back again, only to see that his elite troops were in pieces and running away in all directions. There were corpses and blood everywhere. The armor on the pursuers shone brightly in the sun, almost blinding people's eyes. He hated Li Wei Yang in his heart. He no longer looked back and beat his horse hard. Under the whip, the horse surged forward.

The pursuit behind him became more fierce, and he was almost hit by a stray arrow. However, Tuoba Zhen didn't hesitate at all, and continued whipping his mount. The horse suddenly reached the limit of pain, and let out a long hiss. Four hooves leaped over the deep gorge! Countless horses chased behind him, but they couldn't catch up, and no horse dared to jump over. The soldiers had to rein in and watched Tuoba Zhen reach the mountain road on the other side.

Tuoba Yu quickly caught up to the edge of the deep ravine, but saw that Tuoba Zhen had successfully jumped into the opposite side. The arrow only injured one of his arms. The fierce horse saved Tuoba Zhen's life at the critical moment! His heart sank, and he said sternly: "Tuoba Zhen, you are violating the imperial order by leaving! Why don't you go back with me and admit your mistake to father!"

Admit his mistake? Consort Lian was assassinated, and the Emperor suddenly lost his beloved concubine. There was no way he could forgive Tuoba Zhen. Furthermore, Tuoba Yu had countless crimes waiting for him. If he went back, there would be no chance of him surviving! Tuoba Zhen was extremely angry. At that moment, that dream suddenly came to his mind. He had forced that person to the point of desperation... Today he was also in a desperate situation, and he realized the feeling of losing everything all at once and being plunged into despair! In an instant, waves of fury surged in his heart. He didn't know whether it was the resentment of being forced into a desperate situation or the regret for everything in the past. He only knew one thing clearly in his heart. His dream, the throne that was about to be obtained, was gone and could never be grasped again. Watching the most beloved thing disappear before your eyes is definitely not a pain that ordinary people can bear!

Tuoba Zhen rode on, not even daring to look back and didn't dare walk the trail for fear of being discovered. He ran for an unknown amount of time and finally found a secret road down the mountain. He fought hard against his injuries, but in fact he was already exhausted and was  holding on with just his resentment that refused to bow. When he reached the bottom of the mountain, he suddenly felt dizzy and the world spun. Tuoba Zhen felt even more resentful. He took out a dagger, stabbing it into his own thigh to wake himself up and just managed to sit firmly on the horse.

The palace was something he would never be able to return to. Tuoba Yu must have set countless traps for him. When did this seventh brother become so cruel! Yes, Li Wei Yang, she is behind everything! Tuoba Zhen looked at the mountain angrily, with incomparable hatred in his eyes.

On Shizi Ridge, Li Wei Yang saw Tuoba Zhen escaping from a distance, but smiled lightly. Tuoba Yu frowned and said, "You can still laugh, what should we do now?"

Li Wei Yang sighed and said: "He has now become a wanted criminal, so naturally we will try our best to capture him."

Tuoyu Yu frowned more and more. He felt that Li Wei Yang's absent-mindedness seemed very unusual, but he couldn't tell what was off: "What if I can't catch him?"

Li Wei Yang's smile deepened and said: "Your Highness, I have done everything I can, and the rest is all up to you." This means that I have already helped you to this point. Whether you can catch this hidden danger and completely solve it is all up to you.

This was the first time that Li Wei Yang explicitly rejected Tuoba Yu. He was slightly surprised, and his heart trembled. He quickly smiled: "Yes, you have worked hard these past few days. Leave the rest to me."

There was already a hint of satisfaction and high spirits in his smile, and it was obvious that he no longer cared about the down-and-out Tuoba Zhen. Thinking about it, Tuoba Yu may now think that the throne is already under his control. Yes, without Tuoba Zhen, who can compete with him? There was a trace of ridicule in Li Wei Yang's clear eyes, but she just said: "Thank you very much."

Tuoba Zhen escaped from the pursuers and quietly hid his appearance. He wanted to enter the capital and look for opportunities to make a comeback, but he found that there were exponentially more guards in the capital than before. The soldiers were holding portraits and checking each person one by one.  Only then did he realize that his portrait had been posted on every city gate in the capital. People were watching and whispering. The Third Prince colluded with the remnants of Sun Chongyao's rebel army to murder the Emperor. However, the Seventh Prince saw through his trick and now the Third Prince was wanted nationwide. Those who successfully capture him will receive a reward of one thousand taels of gold.

A thousand taels of gold, this must be Tuoba Yu's trick. No one in the past dynasties has ever had such a high bounty. Tuoba Yu had only one purpose, leaving Tuoba Zhen with no way out. It's really abominable! Tuoba Zhen thought about it, his identity has been exposed, and there is no way to enter the capital. Tuoba Zhen thought for a moment. His identity had already been exposed, so he had no way of entering the capital. Even if he did enter, whether or not he could contact his old aides wasn't something that could be done overnight. Rather than taking such a risk, it would be better to stay at the side courtyard according to the original plan.

With this thought, he turned his horse's head and headed towards the countryside. On the outskirts of the capital, he has three villas, each of which is exquisite and rich. But now, he can't go to any of these three places. His so-called hiding place is a residence he bought with the help of others. There is a secret courtyard with countless tunnels and secret entrances. Only he knows the map and all the craftsmen who built it have been killed by him. Once he enters the tunnel, he can go directly to the por. If he can leave by boat, no one in the world can catch him. On that ship, he had arranged everything in advance, including manpower, gold and silver. He had also purchased properties and farms in other places, enough for him to carefully prepare to recruit troops and supplies. In five years, he would be able to make a comeback and return to drive Tuoba Yu away.

People say that a cunning rabbit has three burrows. Tuoba is really more cunning than a rabbit. He not only left himself a way out, he also had hundreds of escape routes! For the throne, he had painstakingly plotted for so many years, and this was only a small failure. How could he could he be at the end of his rope just because of temporary depression? As Tuoba Zhen thought of this, he looked towards the capital and sneered. "Li Weiyang, we'll meet again. I hope you won't be too surprised when the time comes!" 

But on the way to the manor, he still had to be careful to avoid pursuers. Thinking, worrying, and panicking all the way, until the sky turned pale. Only then did he find a secluded place to sleep for a while. After waking up, he deliberately found a small stream and looked into the water. Surprisingly, there was a trace of white hair on his temples, and he couldn't help but feel extreme hatred. People say that hair can turn gray overnight, but he thought it was just a rumor but it was really true. Only when it was his turn did he realize that this kind of life of hiding for fear of dying will drive him crazy if he's not careful!

At this moment, he heard the sound of a horse neighing. He was startled and quickly hid in the woods. Suddenly he heard a shout from behind him: "Your Highness!" Terrified, he slashed back with his sword. The person's movement was not slow either and he dodged the incoming attack and shouted, "Your Highness, it's me!"

At this sound, Tuoba Zhen was completely shocked. Only now did he realize that the person who had come was his advisor, He Qing, who had been arranged to be at the secret courtyard to meet him. He Jing's face showed a look of surprise, and he said quickly: "Your Highness, this subordinate heard about what happened in Cangling and rushed over immediately! I have been looking everywhere for you, hoping to find you before before the pursuers!"

Tuoba Zhen was about to speak, but he felt his body go weak and he fell down from his horse. He Jing quickly dismounted, rushed over to help him, and said: "Your Highness, change your clothes first, don't be discovered by the pursuers. Hurry!" Tuoba Zhen could be said to be at the end of his rope at this moment. He nodded tiredly and walked aside to change his clothes. At the same time, his eyes were still staring at He Jing warily. In his mind, he really couldn't trust anyone casually, even his most loyal advisers.

He Jing apologized, drew his long sword, and slashed Tuoba Zhen's horse. The horse fell down softly without even neighing. Tuoba Zhen frowned. He knew that he could not leave any clues or leads to anyone at this moment, so he did not stop him. He saw He Jing pushing the horse into the valley to the side, covering up the blood stains left behind, and then Tuoba Zhen dug a hole and buried the clothes he had changed out of. Everything was done with great care and caution.

Tuoba Zhen had been staring at He Jing the entire time, but he was actually gripping the sword tightly in his hand in preparation for eliminating him if he showed even the slightest sign of having other intentions. However, just as he was about to say something, he suddenly saw a flash of cold light that shot straight into He Jing's chest. Tuoba Zhen shouted warily, "Who's there!"

But he saw Li Ping, his face haggard, appearing from a short distance away. He was limping and fell to his knees as he reached Tuoba Zhen's side. He burst into tears and said, "Your Highness, I finally found you!" Tuoba Zhen was surprised, and then he was greatly relieved. In his eyes, Li Ping was certainly more trustworthy than He Jing: "Why did you kill him?"

Li Ping wiped away his tears and said angrily: "The situation at the capital became extremely chaotic. I was shot in the leg by an arrow and was mistakenly thought to have died. I finally escaped, but when I arrived at the hideout, I found that He Jing was sneaking around and had colluded with people sent by the Seventh Prince. So I followed him all this way, hoping to take the opportunity to get rid of him for Your Highness!"

Such a loyal servant, even a cruel person like Tuoba Zhen could not help but be moved. He put away his sword, dropped his guard, took the initiative to come over to help Li Ping, and sighed: "In my entire life, the people I can trust in are only those from my concubine mother's past. As expected, you guys are the most loyal —" 

Before he even finished speaking, he felt the tip of a dagger touch his abdomen, and with a slicing sound, the blade cut his entire body, piercing his stomach and being drawn back out. Everything happened so suddenly. Although Tuoba Zhen had subconsciously taken two steps back, he was unable to avoid the knife. At this moment, he didn't even feel any pain. He only felt a coldness in his stomach, and then his whole body gradually became numb.

[asnowfern]

Hello! First of all, happy Christmas and I hope you had the loveliest time! May joyous moments always follow you! 🩷🩵

Now, do not read/open this if you haven't watched the 12th episode.

I loved this episode. It was filled with so much angst and misunderstanding. As much as it is funny to see them struggling to express what they really wish for, it is also heartbreaking. Loved how Gyokuyou was visibly disappointed when Jinshi informed her that Maomao will no longer be working for her. What I was not expecting was the indirect kiss that Jinshi and Maomao shared! Also, can't wait to see how they will continue their relationship. One thing that confuses me is the moment where we see Jinshi at Lady Ah-Duo's palace, where clearly he is sad. So now, is he sad because she left and he lost a motherly figure, or does he know that she is his real mom and she left?

PS Since you shared your brilliant elucien!au idea I can't stop thinking about it! Thank you so much for sharing! 🩷🩵🩷🩵

Hello! I hope you had a great Christmas too!🎉🥰 It’s another long weekend and I am so excited to be treated with another new episode of the Apothecary Diaries soon!

The most recent episode had such amazing and frustrating idiots in love vibes, which is honestly one of my favourite tropes! Jinshi is such a tease (one that even Mao mao couldn’t resist this time🤣) and I love it!

I definitely think that Jinshi knows about his heritage and who Lady Ah-Duo is to him. The meaningful looks they exchanged at the end seems to hint towards that too?

Also also this is all I have written right now but maybe a vibe check?✨😅

Elain files into the room with the other girls, her head kept obediently low to avoid drawing attention from the man presiding over the table. Once they are all gathered, she ducks her head in a respectful bow before lifting it. And oh.

Oh.

No wonder all the maids rave constantly, powder their faces and check their hair before every inspection.

This man, Lucien. He is the most beautiful man she has ever seen, most certainly unfair for someone like him to be truly this attractive. From the flowing auburn hair to the chiseled jaw on tanned brown skin and his mesmerising russet eyes, eyes that narrow in the slightest as they have gathered.

Dragging out the moment, he carefully draws out three bowls and lifts the lids. Herbs of different varieties are chopped and haphazardly spilled into the bowls. Two of them are common mixes often used for tonic soups but the last one - herbs that counteract each other and could potentially have ill side effects.

The potential consequence sends a jolt of excitement through her and Elain is unable to stop the smallest gasp slip through her lips when Lucien lifts the bowl to his mouth. He pauses at the very instant, the edges of his mouth quirk. He sets the bowl on the table surface.

“You are all dismissed,” he commands with a flick of his wrist. Elain subdues a frown at the utter waste of time this has been but is quick to lift her arms in a respectful retreating bow.

Only for her path to be blocked by a soldier stationed at the door with a subtle but firm shake of his head. Her eyes immediately search for his superior only to find the enchanting eyes already glinting at her, just daring her to defy him.

Shit.

Elain freezes, her head still bowed, splitting the path of the other servants leaving the room, a rock in the moving stream. He announces once the doors to the room close with a resounding click.

“Starting tomorrow, you will serve as Lady Vassa’s attendant.”

[deus-ex-mona]

LIPxLIP and the Filming of the New Year’s Special Programme: Chapter 6

the host definitely shipxships it

previous part (chapter 5)

next part (chapter 7)

Aizo: (Some of the stuff we had to find were rather ridiculous, but… we’re finally at the final item, huh.)

Just as the faintest sight of the final checkpoint came into view, Aizo turned around to look behind him.

Aizo: (Huh…? Yujiro’s gone. He’s been following me pretty closely for the entire time, though.)

Aizo stopped in place and looked back towards the way he came for a moment. Eventually, the distant figure of Yujiro emerged from far down the path.

Aizo: (Well… His physical capabilities are lower than mine to begin with, and he’s wearing a hakama, and there’s a camera filming us the entire time. It’s no wonder he’s lagging behind, I guess.)

Aizo: (He’ll have to run up a slight incline in the path… around here…)

Aizo: (Ah…? Wait, no, isn’t he running kinda weirdly?)

Aizo: Sorry guys! I’ll be right back!

Having spoken those words to the camera, Aizo headed back down the path. When he regrouped with Yujiro, however, the latter heaved a sigh of annoyance.

Yujiro: Hey, are you even taking this race seriously?

Aizo: Now’s not the time for that. Lemme see.

Aizo crouched down by Yujiro’s feet. As he had expected, there were blisters on Yujiro’s feet, which had been caused by his sandals.

Aizo: You’re bleeding. Aren’t you supposed to be used to wearing sandals like these?

Yujiro: Shut it. The size of the sandals that the programme staff had prepared for me was just a little off.

Yujiro: I figured that it’d be fine if the most we did was light exercises. Though I never expected them to make us go on a long-distance run.

Aizo: Why didn’t you say something sooner? …Hey, staff!

The staff members, whom Aizo had called out to, helped Yujiro to patch up his feet. In addition to that, they gave Yujiro another set of shoes to change into, and they were able to resume the race.

Host: Hmm, our staff sure dropped the ball on this one, didn’t they? I’m so sorry, Yujiro!

Host: To all you viewers out there, I’d like to apologise… for worrying you.

Host: Though, Aizo was the very first one to notice that something was off with Yujiro… I guess they really are two halves of a whole, after all.

Such were the words that the host had spoken from the studio, while Aizo and Yujiro took a short break with the camera turned off.

Host: At this rate, don’t tell me… They’ll even reach the goal together in an unprecedented occurrence on this show?! 

Yujiro & Aizo: …

Aizo: …I don’t approve of jokes like that, not even by a single bit.

Yujiro: That’s my line.

Aizo: Y’know, you’re the one who started it all back at the first checkpoint by giving me that weird advice.

Aizo: So to say that we don’t care for each other would be—

Yujiro: What are you going on about? Had I not given you that hint, you’d still be struggling at the first checkpoint at this very moment.

Aizo: Ugh… That’s low…!

Aizo: (He really isn’t cute~!)

Staff: Hey LIPxLIP! We’re about to resume the filming!

Yujiro & Aizo: Got it!

Aizo: In any case, we should make it our priority to end the stream on an exciting note.

Aizo: There’s no way you’re gonna retire, hm?

Yujiro: Of course I won’t. …Don’t patronise me.

They quickly got into position to resume the rest of the run.

Aizo: (The host said that thing about us reaching the goal at the same time earlier, but… there’s no way that that’s gonna happen, right…?)

Aizo: (No way… But that would make things more exciting, right…? Nah, nope… of course they won’t…)

Such thoughts coursed through Aizo’s mind as he ran towards his destination, namely the piece of paper with the final item written on it. Shortly after Aizo arrived at the checkpoint, Yujiro reached it as well. 

Yujiro: …Hurry up and pick one. You got here first.

Aizo: I’ll do it, even if you didn’t tell me to.

Host: Whether tears will be shed, or smiles will be shared, we’re finally at the last spurt! What’ll happen to the race between the two of LIPxLIP…?

Aizo unfolded the paper as the broadcasted audio from the studio drifted into his ears.

Aizo: (And the item I’ll have to get this time is… Eh?!)