#and i'll bring back the three goddesses

[canvaswolfdoll]

okay, might as well just do rune factory, as there's actually no video game property that's broken my heart, but rune factory is what i talk about a bunch.

so here are my mandates

1. rune factory 1 special and rune factory 2 special officially on lock for switch and pc. let's just do it already.

1.1 they are not receiving any new features. we're preserving the experience as much as possible.

1.2 i might make a concession to tweaking rf1's features and romances that require multiplayer. just for future proofing.

2. frontier is getting a rerelease. update the polygon count, but keep the color palette and locked camera.

2.1 the runeys are getting a heavy overhaul. make them easier to vacuum, less dire if they fall out of balance, and you can hire candy to 'lock' the runeys as is.

3. tides of destiny is also getting a rerelease. tides of destiny is also getting a hoe and watering can, because you're meant to be farmers in rune factory, being a jrpg spinoff of story of seasons was the point.

4. no more garishly bright color palettes in future games. frontier had the best palette, but i will allow up to what tod had going on. the ethos is painted animation cells, not digital coloring.

5. there is going to be strict guidelines for the loli bait characters going forward. i am hesitant to ban them, just because i don't want to hinder creativity in that manner, but the goal is more like annette and elena, less like amber and fuuka. ie, write them as adults with careers who look young for their age.

6. throw the community a bone, give them a big breasted bachelorette or two.

7. still can't date the hot moms.

8. we're doing rivals again.

8. farm fields are back inside the dungeons, mostly immune to weather, dungeons have set seasons.

9. return of misty bloom cave shenanigans. no racing through the plot, there's going to be speed bumps set by the season. take your time and chill.

10. sharance is now the benchmark for character personalities. rf4 and rf5 had too many bland personalities for romance. date some real freaks, it's good for you.

11. ads are going to be very clear: rune factory predates stardew valley by a good long time, and has been better than stardew valley since day one.

12. i want an anime. i want official merchandise. i want a pokemon x rune factory cross over game.

then, as a bonus fun treat for myself, make a spiritual successor to frontier with optional polyamory for that game only, then never bring the feature again just to watch the fanbase clamour for its return ever after.

YOU! Are granted the power to suddenly own ONE video game franchise, and to hire the best people who have ever worked on it (and/or anyone else you want in on it).

What video game franchise are you rescuing--er, acquiring?

[natti-ice]

boyfriend!eddie and reader having soft sex in the back of his van literally has me on the flooorrr

Pairing: Eddie Munson x fem!reader

Warnings: 18+ mdni, p in v, creampie, soft sex, praise

Reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated<3

Most nights after being out with Eddie you'd find yourself in the back of his van, you two would sit and talk for hours or make out which obviously lead to more. It always lead to more. You couldn't keep your hands off of him and he definitely didn't mind that at all, the feel of your body against his was enough to make his heart explode.

Right now you two were stripped naked, you laid out on the three person bench, you could feel the leather sticking to your skin as a thin layer of perspiration coated your back. The air was thick and warm from heavy breathing as the passion between you grew. Eddie hovering on top of you holding up one of your legs as he gives you deep and sensual strokes.

You could feel every inch of his love and affection for you as his cock moved in and out of your pussy, he loved fucking you senseless but tonight he wanted to make love.

"You're so beautiful, baby" he says through a shaky breath, his forehead was covered in sweat and his face was bright red but he didn't care about any of that, he was only worried about you.

You let out soft moans of pleasure as his dick stroked your G spot, you gripped onto the back of the seat tightly as the pleasure became too intense. Eddie felt your muscles starting to contract around him signaling your imminent orgasm, he brings his thumb down on your clit and starts to rub it gently.

"Cum for me sweetheart, I'll be right here to catch you." His voice was gentle and soft, you had never heard him speak like that in the almost nine months you had been dating. It made your heart swell by how caring he was to you, this was your first relationship where you felt like you didn't have to ask for love, he just gave it to you.

"Oh Eddie, I'm about to-" before you could finish your sentence your body had reached its peak, your head fell back and your lower half twitched as you came on his cock. He didn't stop rubbing your clit until he felt you had enough, his big goofy smile came into view as you opened your eyes again.

"Such a good girl," he chuckles softly, he slowed down his pace slightly but he wasn't done with you yet. "You look like a goddess when you cum." He leans down and starts kissing down your neck, his warm breath fanning over your skin makes you shiver with excitement. He continues to pump into you as he gently nibbles the tender flesh of your skin, not hard enough to hurt but just the right amount of pressure to make your head spin.

He whispers sweet nothings in your ear to distract you from the sensitivity of your pussy, he knows you can take it but he wants to give you encouragement to push through. "I love you so damn much" he whispers against your ear, "one day I'm gonna make you my bride" he promises you, that right there was almost enough to make you cum again.

A few more pumps later Eddie exploded inside you, he moaned out your name as he filled you up with his seed. He panted hard as he gently laid himself on top of you, care not to crush you with his weight, he brushed his lips against yours before giving you a soft passionate kiss.

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[nastasya--filippovna]

WHO IS CROWLEY AFTER THE FALL?

so there is a LOT of debate over who Crowley was before The Fall. I have seen a lot of headcanons going around the place saying he was Raphael or Kokabiel or Baraqiel.

I mean this is the Exhibit A for saying that Crowley is Baraqiel. I think NOT.

Because this is a handbook written by demons for demons. The title is literally (if my memory serves me right) a guide to angelic beings that walk the earth. SO Crowley is not That..

Other than the red hair thing, no other physical characteristic matches. This Baraqiel guy sounds like an absolute gremlin. grisly slug, occasionally damp. NOT CROWLEY. I mean she's the most dashing thing around.

NO. #3 It says CROWLEY one line above the name Baraqiel. If Crowley is Baraqiel then why would his demon name appear right under that?????

And I think somewhere Neil Gaiman refuted this theory (I'm not really sure but I think so plz don't come at me with pitchforks if I got it wrong). So.......

But this is all beside the point. What I'm trying to say is that too much has been said about who Crowley was before he fell. There is very little, if not none, that has been said about who he was After.

Some say that he's an insignificant demon or some loser guy in Hell or whatever the equivalent of an angel principality deputy on Earth is.

I BEG TO DIFFER.

He is Important. Just look at the kind of assignments he's given. Original Sin, Major Historical Temptations and Evil Acts, Delivering the Antichrist and bringing about Armageddidn't.

But who is he exactly??????????

So canonically we're never told what Crowley's rank in Hell is. But there are more that enough hints for us to figure that out for ourselves.

But where does one place him when the hierarchy is so complex and varying across different historical and theological sources.

Such as here:

I have been thinking about this and I have two current theories

Crowley is Astaroth

Crowley is The Leviathan

I'll discuss only one in this post. I'll save the other for the next post.

Now book!Omens clearly tells us that Crowley or Crawley is not his real demonic name. For those who haven't read the book this happens when Hastur Lavista and Ligur come to hand over the antichrist to Crowley in the churchyard and as he's about to sign his name as "Crowley" they tell him to sign his real demonic name.

Are you with me?!!!!!

NANNY ASHTORETH!

Why did she use this particular name for her nanny disguise. What if...... what if this IS her real demon name.

A lot of my real life friends are annoyed beyond measure by my constant ranting about etymologies, origin and construction of discourse and epistemology, especially when it comes to presenting my thesis over how all Abrahamic religions and their symbology and iconography is, how do I put it, inspired from pagan religions that they expunged. I mean the concept of angles, the man shaped being with wings that is actually just a ball of fire or eyes or hale discs or sth is a pagan Persian concept.

Back to the matter at hand.

Ashtoreth, Astaroth, Astarte, Ishtar, are all the same name in different dialects and languages. All of these refer to a certain Babylonian goddess. When the People of God probably cleansed off all the infidels they decided to literally demonize their god and name a demon after her. In Milton's Paradise Lost Astaroth is one of the three princes or Grand Dukes of Hell alongside Beelz and Lucifer. If this theory might be true Crowley is a Prince/Grand Duke of Hell.

Now this gets even more interesting. Ashtoreth, Astarte, whatever you may, is a goddess of fertility and is associated with childcare. I mean at this point I just stopped to marvel at the attention to detail that Mr. Gaiman's work hold, the smallest hidden meanings in the storytelling.

Another thing. The Babylonians built these temples called ziggurats to worship Astarte and they looked something like this

and this

they were also known as sky temples.

Because Astaroth was first and foremost the goddess of stars and the Babylonians were stargazers and the temples were constructed as a stairway to heaven to take them closer to the stars and functioned as an observatory at times.

I'm just imagining Crowley turning up in ancient Babylon and with her other-worldly looks, knowledge of the stars and compassion for children they just..... started to worship her.

Before the Christians came and declared them pagans and the rest is history.

Continued in next post for the second theory......

[teatreeoilll]

Tender (Sein X Reader)

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w/c - 1.1k content - look at that- my first frieren fic; there's really nothing like an alcohol-loving traveling priest, f!reader, mentions of smoking and drinking. For the wonderful @peepeepopoooo, hope you like it.

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When it rains, it pours. And when it poured, all the older men of the village, and occasionally some sneaky young boys, would gather in the tavern, downing drinks like the barrels would run dry the day after.

"Slow down, old man; there's plenty left." You chastise the mayor with a smile, putting down three new mugs of beer on the table with a thud, "Wouldn't want your wife dragging your unconscious body through the village in the morning again, now would we?"

"I thought barmaids were supposed to encourage drinking." A voice cuts in, and you turn to witness a man in a clergy robe, a cigarette hanging loosely from the corner of his mouth, shuffling playing cards thoroughly in his hands.

"I thought priests weren't supposed to drink."

"It helps us stay close to the goddess." He puts down the card deck to take a swig of his beer, leaving a trail of white foam on his upper lip.

"Does it really?" You pick up the empty mug from his table.

"No," He wipes his mouth with his sleeve, "But it's a great conversation starter with pretty barmaids." And you blush, almost forgetting yourself in his green eyes.

"I wouldn't say it's great."

He chuckles, soft and low, with a hint of redness on his cheeks which you weren't sure if came from the drinks or your words, and it's enough for you to think about him even after the tavern closes, with the rain still knocking on your window as you try to fall asleep.

-

"A drunk traveling priest?" Your friend locks eyes with you as you recollect the memories from the other night, "What good would that do? You should find a nice guy from the village. Better a hunter or an owner of some shop; they always have something to bring back home." You stand and nod at the sensible comments, cleaning yesterday's mugs as you throw looks at the table the priest sat at only hours ago, wondering if he'll come again today.

And he does. He walks in with a cigarette already lit and avoids your gaze as he finds the furthest seat from the bar counter.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"What do you have?" And he watches you laugh, the thought crossing your mind that he's probably already used to the big-city taverns.

"Well, you see.." You say, making a deliberate pause, which he catches on to, "Sein." He adds, and you grin, already pouring a drink. "Well, you see, Sein. This is a unique tavern, unlike those you've probably been to a thousand times. We serve beer on weekdays, but on weekends, it's beer - and sometimes - but only on very special occasions, there's this drink that we serve. I mean, I could tell you, but it's kind of a secret."

"Is it beer?" Sein asks, the ashes falling off his cigarette as he chuckles.

"How'd you know?" You pull a surprised expression while you make your way with the drink to his table.

"Just a hunch."

-

"Sein!" You exclaim, running towards him on the path leading out of the village, "Leaving already?"

"Just going to get some medicinal herbs," he smirks, "why, think you'd miss me?"

"I would miss the money left on your open tab." And he blushes, a hand reaching out to rub the back of his neck.

"Oh, I - uh, It's fine, I'll pay it tonight." He stutters, watching the grin disappear from your face.

"Oh goddess, no, it's a joke!" Your face flushes red as you're reduced to babbling incoherence to excuse yourself from the situation.

-

"Let me help," he extends a hand to lift a few mugs from the now-emptied table, the tavern's dim light reflecting in his eyes.

"I couldn't possibly let a customer help," you reach to grab the mugs from his arms, "besides, I heard you're leaving tomorrow; you should go get some sleep before it's too late."

"I don't mind." he takes the mugs up to the bar counter, watching the last intoxicated villagers leave the place, their drunken laughter still audible through the door.

You clean up silently, watching him wipe the tables as you sweep the dirt left on the floors. A slight unease grows when you think of his imminent departure, your eyes drifting toward his face, lingering for a little too long as you try to memorize his features.

"I heard the mayor almost lost his finger." You finally say.

"Hmm?" He picks up his gaze, "Ah, well, a healing spell mended it rather quickly. He was ecstatic, you see," He curled his pointer finger in front of his face, "It's the one thing that makes his wife happy."

And you blush at his words, "It's the what?"

"I mean, if he couldn't pull the string on his hunting bow, it would have made for a terrible winter." He stops in his tracks, "Why, what'd you think?"

"N-nothing," you stammer, and he burst into laughter, almost dropping the cloth from his hand. You feel a tug in your heart, a passing notion that you would miss that laughter more than you should, "You vulgar priest," you mutter under your breath.

"I think it's rather clean now, don't you?" He watches you swipe the broom over the spotless floors over and over again, and you sigh, knowing that you can't prolong the moment any longer.

"Yes, I think it is." You put the broom down by the counter, leaning on a table next to Sein, "Well, I think it's goodbye now, isn't it?"

But he doesn't move from the seat he took by the table, his leg bouncing on the wooden floor. "I guess it is."

"Ah, don't look so sad, priest. There are many towns and many taverns on the way to your destination, aren't there?" You find the courage to smile.

"It's the barmaid I'd miss." He confesses.

"You'll make the barmaid blush if you keep talking like that," you mumble, "and you never even asked for her name."

"(Y/N)." he utters, getting up from his seat, "You really think I wouldn't ask around for the beautiful barmaiden's name?"

And you taste the tobacco on his lips as he presses them onto yours, and the fading flavor of beer on his tongue when he slips it into your mouth. He draws your body closer to his, and a shiver crawls up your spine at the warm touch of his palm on the back of your neck before he lets his hand get lost in your hair.

"I thought priests weren't supposed to kiss," you smile when you break away from the kiss for a moment.

"They really aren't," he leans in closer again, "but it's the best kind of vice."

-

"I still have to leave tomorrow," he says, his voice hushed from the guilt.

"I never asked you to stay," you remarked, and he furrowed his brows, "but if you ever grow tired of traveling, there's this place that serves beer that I think you might like."

[enchantress-arc]

I don't believe I've mentioned this before on here, but occasionally I like to go by an honorific aside from the three (Miss, Mistress, and Ma'am) that I have in my bio. The reason I don't list it is because I don't consider it something that should be used generally, as much as it is a nice term and I love being called it, it's not particularly fitting most of the time. Most of the time, I'm just me. Sure, I'm dominant, I rather enjoy teasing people, controlling them, but I still feel human. I wouldn't say that my normal demeanor quite fits the title of Goddess.

I do enjoy the title. But I only feel it's appropriate sometimes. When I feel every part of me that works to control my thralls working absolutely effortlessly. When I can feel my mind reaching out and taking hold of another person's consciousness, when their body becomes nothing but a vessel for my will, what little thought they're capable of a means to an end, that end being my own pleasure. When I don't worry about the comfort of my toys, when I know that my control of them runs so deep, they'll feel comfortable as long as they're following my orders, as long as they're bringing me pleasure. When I don't feel mortal. When I feel divine, when that divinity, that presence can be felt by my thralls while I thrust into them, while their body performs an act of worship by spreading its legs for me, when they look up and see that there has never been anything, anyone more perfect than the woman whose cock is actively rewiring their brains reward system. It's so easy to tell that they feel it too. I don't need to command them. I don't need to give orders. They submit regardless. They bend to my will without words to guide them. They know what I want. They'll follow, they'll obey, and worship, and prostrate in the presence of the divine being standing before them. Because Goddess is perfect. Goddess is bliss, and obedience, and pleasure. Goddess is everything.

Now, I can't say it applies to me all of the time, because, frankly, it doesn't. It's only sometimes. I know there is a difference in presence, because I can always tell in the way my thrall reacts to me, there's definitely a more pronounced air of submission, of absolute devotion, though it's quite strong normally, it feels more... fervent, when I am Goddess. Whether it's a conscious reaction or not, I would not know. I've had a sense that there is a bit of a difference between normal me and Goddess me for a while now, but as I've been feeling Divine more often lately, I've been able to notice a few more things about it. To be quite honest, I hope it continues occurring more often. Often, in the back of my head, there's something else running, no matter what I'm doing. Doubt, or worry, general anxiety, it's always there. Except for when I'm Goddess. It feels so clear then. No worries, no anxiety, I just feel... Powerful. I feel control over myself, over those around me. No second guessing my decisions, and it's far easier to make them in the first place. It's nice. Calming. I feel at peace. Maybe that's why there's a different presence. I enjoy it very much. And as I mentioned, it's been happening more often lately. I've been trying to keep track of what causes it so I'll know how to enter that state again in a more conscious manner. But regardless, it has been more frequent lately. I'm hoping that trend will continue. It will be rather fun to feel like that more often. Of course, it also means I'll likely be a bit more... Controlling, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, now is it?

[seospicybin]

FOLDER 103 PREVIEW.

Bangchan x reader. (s)

Synopsis: Everyone knows that the one item Chan always brings with him everywhere is his laptop but what they don't know is the contents of a secret folder named 103.

Preview under the cut!

...

Chan has been dating you for six months but what a time!

He's grateful to have found you, grateful that you understand him, and are always open to exploring new things with him. What he is truly grateful for is your trust.

Which also what Chan thinks is the sexiest part of this relationship, how you trust each other. He knows it's a hard thing to earn from someone yet you're giving it to him so easily and for that, he promised to never take it for granted.

Seeing all these photos and videos only amplify his longing for you, as much as he likes them, they're not as good as feeling you with his fingertips.

That soft skin, those pretty lips, that mouth that can do more than just moan his name, your warmth, your laughter, your body, you, you, and you.

As if his thought calling out to you, his phone ringing on his desk and he grins at the sight of your name on the screen.

"Hi, lovesick boy," you call him that to tease him.

He catches himself foolishly smiling in the mirror, "hey the girl in my wet dreams," he teases back.

You lowly chuckle and oh, how he misses hearing that close to his ear.

"What are you doing?" You ask.

Chan leans back on his chair until it reclines and considers for a moment if he should tell you the truth or not. He sucks air through his teeth and chooses a witty answer, "Thinking of you sitting on my face."

A wave of laughter breaks from the other end of the line and he can imagine what your face looks like when he said that. Chan knows you like it when he's being straightforward like this, you find it sexy.

"I'm not sure you'd make a good seat," you poke fun at him.

Chan pokes his cheek with his tongue and thinks of something cheeky to say back to you, "I wasn't born with a big nose for nothing."

That amuses you so much, another wave of laughter filling his ear and making the ache of his heart lessened.

"I'll see that myself," you say.

He closes his eyes so he can picture you talking to him without all this distance, "I miss you."

"What do you miss from me?" You playfully ask.

"The whole you, of course!" Chan shortly replies, feeling proud of giving you the best answer there is.

"My hole?" You pretend to mishear him.

Now it's Chan's turn to laugh so hard he almost falls off his chair, "well, yeah, that too," he jokingly adds.

"Three more days, baby, just three more days," you assure him with a smile that he can hear through the phone.

"What should I do by then?"

"Do not touch yourself," you answer without thinking.

Chan hisses as he glances down at his hard cock, bulging inside the confine of his sweatpants.

"No?" You ask since he takes a long time to answer.

Chan pinches the bridge of his nose, wanting to say yes but he knows it wouldn't be an easy task to do so.

"I'm not—" he sighs instead of finishing his sentence.

"I don't want you to cum anywhere else but inside me," you mewl at him, using that sultry voice you always use when you're being needy.

"Okay, baby?"

It's pretty obvious that he's weak for you, he would drop to his knees easily for you, worship you like a goddess you are so if you assigned him a task, he'd better do his best to succeed at it.

"For you, yes," he finally answers.

He can hear you smiling on the phone, "good boy," you coo at him.

"And what does a good boy get?" He teases you.

"A lot of fun things," you reply with a low, sultry voice, "and more."

His ears perk up at the sound of that, a lot of fun things with you, and more. He exhales air out of his mouth to calm himself down.

As soon as he hangs up the phone, Chan is getting up from his chair, groaning at how will he endure three days of not being able to get a release.

"Time for a cold shower, Chan!" He tells himself as he looks down at the bulge in his sweatpants, having no other option but to tame his desire.

...

Full fic will be posted tomorrow!

[corpsebasil]

NIKOLAI HUNGER GAMES PARTE DOS

dear God he's so handsome I can't do this

Maybe you shouldn't be, you know you shouldn't be, but you're happy to see your prep team regardless of how you're feeling on the inside.

"'The female tribute for District Two'" Lionus Treech, the announcer for your district, had cheered, reading the slip of paper inside the glass bowl. If you could've bet money you'd put your life's savings on every name in that bowl being yours. "'Y/N Y/L/N!'"

When you moved forward, exchanging one quick glance with the sharp-toothed Enobaria, you knew none of the other surviving victors would volunteer. Even Brutus, a nasty, violent man that still treats life like an arena, hadn't done much but lift his brows when Nikolai's name was read from the male bowl. (It helped that Nikolai was watching Brutus with an expression that promised unspeakable violence if the older man even blinked funny.)

"Darling!" The first voice cries; the trio of stylists that burst through the train door are as loud as their sense of style, all three clad in some sort of animal print. "You look stunning!" Lark gasps, bringing his warm hands to your face. The dark-skinned man is wearing bright purple liner, the color unfairly gorgeous on him. "Don't worry, we'll get these dark circles out of the way. Where's that handsome man of yours?"

"You won't believe the party you missed last month, Y/N. There were aerialists dressed like actual swans! And a frozen swan ice sculpture!" Jem adds, kissing your cheeks quickly. Her dark hair is pulled back in a spiky bun, the part of her hair zigzagging. "You would've looked glorious in this white little number I was working on--covered in feathers. Just glorious."

"I'm sure Y/N feels devastated she missed it." Xiomara, your most level-headed stylist, muses, her tattooed skin free of any makeup. She almost looks normal by Capitol standards--if it weren't for the ear-modding that leaves the tips of them pointed like a fairy's. Her golden eyes are amused when she pulls you into a soft hug, her voice soft. "Hello, darling. We've all missed you." When she pulls away it's clear she wants to say more but she doesn't. "The gem of the Capitol. We will do our best to make you shine."

"Oooh! That's an idea!" Lark snaps his fingers. "'Shine'!"

"What are you getting at?" Jem scoffs.

"Shiiiiiineee. We can cover her skin in gold dust! She'll look like a goddess."

"She'll look like a damn disco ball."

"Lets see you come up with--"

"Hello." The moment Nikolai speaks, his frame filling the empty doorway, all three preps whip their heads in his direction. Jem actually blushes. Then the cooing begins, Jem and Lark fussing over him while you and Xiomara watch with tiny smiles on your faces. Your prep team--Nikolai's biggest fans. "Yes, yes I did." Nikolai responds to a flurry of questions, Lark's biggest concern being whether your lover has cut his hair recently or not.

"With you and Finnick there I'll have to keep smelling salts around for the amount of swooning Capitol citizens." Lark sighs, fanning himself dramatically. "Just imagine him covered in gold dust, Jem."

"I am certainly imagining it."

"Picture it. Picture it vividly."

"Let's allow the two of them relax." Xiomara urges, calmly leading her fellow stylists out the door. She gives Nikolai a soft pat on the shoulder as they leave, still squawking about covering the two of you in gold dust. The second the door closes you sit on the nearest velvet-clad seat, a long sigh leaving you.

"Gold dust, hmm?" Nikolai hums, approaching you calmly. "Seems like your prep team is excited for the Quell."

"Maybe they're inspired. They get to style me, after all."

"Course they are." Nikolai smirks when he leans over you, arms caging you against the couch. Your eyebrows lift, chin raising a fraction as he crowds you, forcing you to look up. "You're utterly striking."

"Why thank you. I always say--"

"You always say--?"

"--'I am the gem of Panem'--"

"Yeah, yeah." Nikolai scoffs, cutting off your giggles with his mouth. He leans into you, lips roving over your own while you close your eyes, your hands tugging him even closer. "'Gem of Panem'. You certainly are." His words are spoken softly against your lips before his tongue moves to trace the curve of your throat.

"Yes..." You murmur, head tipping back. "That is....true."

"Mhmm."

"Nik."

If anyone overhears the moan you let out when he kisses his way down your neck, tugging the front of your dress down with him, they don't bother you.

Lol

I need him

[marilynthornhilllover]

When you call my name. do you think I'll come running? { chapter 7}

+ If i only could I'd make a deal with God I'd get him to swap our places.

Alcina dimitrescu x fem!Reader

Warning: pre-grief, depression, slight sadness, extreme rage, LOTS of angst, extreme plot twist, talk of suicide, slight fluff. { read chapter 6 here }

A/n: I just wanted to start off by saying thank you to the people who showed utmost appreciation to this series and interest of it continuing! I never actually thought this series would hit it off! And it warms my heart to know so many of you are interested and it has captured the attention of your heart! Sorry for the long wait in chapter update! I know it's been almost five months since i last posted CH. 6 and I sincerely apologize! :). This is a bit lengthy so I had to split it into two parts so, chapter 8 will be a bit short!! Love you guys enjoy!!.

Today no one spoke..... no one moved.... no one even dared to blink or breathe too hard. If you were ever to be caught dead in the sight of Lady Dimitrescu who knows what she might do to you..... Perhaps Rip you in half?, shred you to pieces?, pull your throat out?..... well no one wanted to be a human experiment, therefore everyone kept their distance away from the lady and her personal space. Her rage is not one to be tested and neither is her faith. She's like a lion, sly in the shadows but dangerous in light, she couldn't be trusted then and certainly not now. Ever since you left she's been acting as a fish out of water.

She never left her office or the castle itself and when she did, no one could be able to point out her emotions. She'd always dress in her usual formal black dresses and Veil hats that covered three quarters of her face. Her elegant walk and perfectly fitted gloves, only God knew what monster hid behind the poker face of 'Countess Dimitrescu' .

The entire castle was silent - completely silent. You could hear a pin drop. Make noise and your dead, make one slip up and show weakness or incompetence and your also dead, no one wanted to be alive in the same place where " Countess Alcina Dimitrescu " also lived. The villagers who'd usually bring fresh food and fruits to the castle heard of the matter and started delivering their pastries at the back door, too terrified of the wrath she held for anyone who may know what she's going through or even the smallest detail of your whereabouts.

It was a mad house at castle dimitrescu, maids started whispering rumors and stories of how the lady was going completely mad and turning into some sort of witch or dragon - if that's even possible, at night. Some say she flys over the village howling and puffing looking for her.... lost one.... but that's not true..... right?.....

It was 10:05 am, the lady drinks tea at 10:00 am, the lady's tea is five minutes late.... why because the poor little tiny girl who's job is to bring the raven hair goddess tea is scared out of her mind to so much as to stand infront of her door, she's done this a million times, so what's holding her back now? Maybe the fact that no one knows where her fate might lie after the woman opens the door, perhaps only mother miranda will know.... but she's a topic for another time.....

The girl took slow strides walking up to the lady's door as the tray that laid in her hand containing the lady's tea shook vigorously as a result of her nervous system failing her, cold sweat dripped from her forehead as her lips quivered and shook.

One

Two

Three

Knock, knock

Her shaking palms returned to her side as she sighed a breath of pure fright. For two long , minutes there was complete silence, no movement, no breathing, no sign of other recreations, nothing, absolutely nothing. And just as she was about to leave, hoping the lady thought her ears deceived her, there were loud thudding foot steps. No exaggeration used, the tall woman's footsteps were loud and massive. They spoke of frustration and pure rage. The young girl then again started struggling to breathe.

As the footsteps got louder and closer she managed to bow her head just in time when the lady opened the door. Suddenly the girl was taken back when an impossibly human surviving air hit her skin. The air was cold and thick, she could easily tell that the lady in fact hadn't left her room in a while and there was no ventilation happening in there. It felt as if someone had truly died, as if all life was lost, and the world had truly ended and all love was forgotten.

" yes, what is it, can't you see I'm busy?!" her voice was cold, brutal and hoarse, it showed no sign of life, love or even integrity , instead she sounded bitter and cold as, if she was the first person to ever be born on earth and everyone else were just a burden or her just her unwanted ornaments.

" f- forgive m- me my lady i-if I'm wrong but- you have wine with your b- breakfast, and tea in t- the mid afternoon, m- my lady" she wasn't wrong... in fact she's one hundred percent correct, but when your life is at stake you try to minimize your talking and smart mouthing - simply being correct. Again there was a long pause of utter silence. The girl couldn't even hear the lady breathe above her , it was as if she wasn't there at all, if she wasn't quite literally staring at her heels she would have believed she had returned inside.

Besides from that she couldn't even hear herself breathe, she minimized her heart beat and lungs respiration so low that it felt as if she was dying, her chest started to burn, it was as if she wasn't breathing at all. The girl heard a sigh of frustration before a loud slam of the door infront of her.

Well.... it's better than having your throat ripped out and being made into fine Romanian wine then being sold to the market.

Alcina sniffed walking back towards her desk. she held onto the rim of it for emotional support. She bit her lip as it quivered, while fighting back tears. Your voice rang through her mind, you were like a ghost, invisible with high amount of impact but held powerful memories. Alcina couldn't function or focus the way she should be. You were the only thing she thought about, the only person she ever truly loved or cared about besides her daughters. And to have you pulled out of her life by the hands of the person she hated so greatly made her feel as an failure even more.

It ate away at her heart to know that if you had died - as miranda said you did, that means that you spent the last few minutes of your life probably cold and afraid, thinking that it was her fault. But regardless, what ate her up the most was the fact that you died with holding her hand, without her being by your side until you took your last breathe. It wasn't fair, and it was her fault. It is her fault. After all she is a monster.

' Monster '

' Your a monster '

' No one loves you '

' Your the reason she's d- '

" SHUT UP" alcina picked up her vanity and threw it across the room with great power, breaking it in half and slightly cracking the floor of her office. That's definitely gonna need fixing.... which means someone will have to visit the castle. She didn't want any guests or company, not because of the rumors, or the uneasiness you felt as soon as you stepped foot into the palace, no alcina was bigger than that, what she wasn't bigger than was herself.

Not her literally self, the one she saw when she looked into the mirror, the one she felt 24/7 weighing down her shoulders, the one she heard most of the time.....her entire life, the one she felt deeply inside waiting to be unleashed, to be able to set the world ablaze and get rid of all human beings. The one she was called...... a monster..... this part of her..... this was the part she wasn't bigger than.

No matter how much she tried, no matter how much she fought..... it ate her up inside..... her inner soul was bruised, scared, busted, call it what you want, but the truth was she fought to keep the outside going strong and tall. While the fire was running low she fought to keep herself elegant and up right. Good Posture, perfect teeth, phenomenal business, respected name. All of it was just a show that people got to tell. What people failed to realize was that although Alcina may be dead on the inside..... she's still human.....

She still loved... she's still cared, for God's sake. This was the part of her she just couldn't get rid of. The weight of it all soon caught up to her and it and not light at all.

She missed you.... so so much, beyond explanation.... beyond belief.... she loved you, every part, your smile, your hair, the way you'd do a little nose scrunch when she tackled you onto the bed, your laugher, your dramatic side eyes when she said something that didn't quite suit your style. She cared for you.... so damn much too. Cared if you ate, if you slept, if you were happy.... and now you were gone.... erased from her memories, from her life.

She longed for you....

You stired as you slowly opened your eyes to see daylight. You blinked rapidly trying to clear your eyes and refocus your vision. After a while of low steady breathing you were finally able to open your eyes completely and take hold of your surroundings. The room was small, it reminded you of the vintage times. It was raged with cigarette smoke and burning medicine plants - too much burning medicine plants. The room wasn't clean but it also wasn't the tidest.

There was a small bed on which you laid on and another which was empty, there was another room connected to the room that you were in that had a beaded curtain handing before the entrance. From the view that you were sitting you could see an old woman slowly moving her hips side to side as she hummed softly to a playing jazz music that your ears couldn't yet pick up. You coughed as you tried to get up slowly, you instantly felt excruciating pain all over your body.

You fell back sobbing as your hands felt utterly weak. You heard small foot steps before seeing a familiar face. It was Carmen. Your mom's old yoga and herb cooking buddy. A small warm smile was plasted on her face as she sat on the stool infront of you.

" Easy now child, you don't want to make this wound worst" she spoke, her voice cracky and faint. She was dressed in a light pink night gown and a soft brown head band with her hair braided in a fish braid. She gently dipped a wash cloth in a bowl of green like liquid before gently pressing it to your wound that was located on your hip. You whimpered softly at the slight stinking sensation before it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. After multiple wips of her cleaning the wound she placed a badge on it.

" thank you carmen" you mumbled, your voice also being raspy from using for the fisrt time since God knows when. The elder woman smile before waving you off with her hand. She got up and and went back into the kitchen.

" how did I end up here?" You asked her before standing since you felt a bit more better now. You heard her chuckle before hearing some pans clack together.

" I found you laying in the forest the other day when I went out to pick berries, you were all cut up and bruised, could have swore you were a zombie or perhaps even a lycan" she laughed before emerging from the kitchen and into another room. You Curiously followed her just to find four small but widthful shelves of books.

She bent down groaning slightly before taking out some books and dusting them off and replacing them, continuing the step for others.

" I hoped you'd wake up soon, when I found you, you had only a faint pulse that lasted every twelve seconds, you were basically half dead. Anyway I need to go to the market, i'm sure you can fend for yourself, you did just fine, God knows how you ended up 36 miles out into the woods" you froze..... did she just say 36 miles..... into the woods....

" am I in south Romanian?!" You asked a bit too loudly. Carmen looked up at you with raised eyebrows.

" yes.... did you forget you and your mother use to hop the river to come visit me for my birthday? Silly girl, yes south Romanian, mother Miranda's old village, the one she used to rule over? Yes my dear" she moved towards the other selve and began packing.

" Carmen! Do you heard how crazy this sounds?! I live in north Romania, you know... where castle dimitrescu is?! " again your voice was on the raise and she didn't quite like it, but you didn't really care either. She sighed before getting up, she facial expression and body language completely changed into a colder one.

" have a seat child" you compiled before she sat infront if you with a very serious expression. She sighed before placing her hands down onto your thighs.

" your mother died y/n...." your eyes zoned and you swore you could hear your eyes ring as you heard your heart beat slow down. Carmen squeezed your thighs before continuing.

" it's a hard pill to swallow but you better do, my condolences my daughter" she said doing the sign of the cross. Your mother meant alot to you, she wasn't really a huge part of your life, you didn't even remember much of her. You remember being kidnapped from your house one night by mother miranda and seeing the terror on her face before you passed out, and seeing her in a dream once. You've lived in an orphanage for your entire life and that night was the first time that you got back your life to her.

That didn't meant you wouldn't miss her.... you just couldn't find a reason to miss her.... you barely even knew her to begin with.....

" you know that lady people said your in love with?.... you know.... tall, big vampire mommy lady with wings" you gaved her a sarcastic fake laugh before looking at her dead serious. She smirked before continuing.

" there was a rumor that she killed your mother....." you tilted your head to the right, trying to comprehend the information you just received. You shook your head before nervously laughing.

" No that's not true.... it was probably miranda but people are to scared to say that so they blame alcina, they always do that, trust me, miranda was the last person my mom saw so-" Carmen cut you off by shaking her head and tsking.

" No child..... your mother was killed six months ago... and if I'm not mistaken you were kidnapped and forced to work for this ' Alcina' almost two years ago.... look they said it was big boobs vampire lady, bird lady and some lady who's obsessed with carrying her doll everywhere" you were significantly frozened between reality and what carmen was telling you now - which would obviously be a lie.

No one is saying carmen is a lier but sometimes elderly people loss their minds as time goes by - especially is they love to gossip..... anway.... your mom is dead and you felt nothing, you don't even think you miss alcina, now that your away you feel.... nothing..... you don't miss her, part of you don't even seem to care if she's doing ok, it's as if you never loved her.... maybe your body is still in shook, carmen did say that you had been out for two days straight, maybe your sleep dprived and can't think straight or maybe........ no let's not go there.

Carmen could clearly see that you didn't believe her, getting her she sighed as she began to grab her belongs, shoes, shopping bags, bud spray and pepper spray.

" look child believe what you want, don't go cra cra over your mom too much, wishing on things that just weren't possible, i'm off, when I'm back maybe we can make cinnamon rolls and some soup to get you better" she smiled softly at you before leaving a small peck on your forehead then leaving. You decide that your going back to castle dimitrescu, you needed answers...... you demanded them..... and even if it's the last human thing that alcina is capable of doing she will give them to you.

You could feel it in your heart that you were drifting away from alcina..... that spark that you once felt.... that burning passion.... that burning love.... gone....

You didn't have any belongs at Carmen's but you walked with some of her stuff, like water, little protein bars, bud spray and a knife. You left her a note thanking her for her utmost compassion and kindness upon you before starting your very very long journey....

TAG LIST : @willalovexx @ilovehugslikealotalot @milkiedimitrescu @willowshadenox @enchantressb @moisblofish, @nclgsticore @vampire-s61914 @snkskyler15 @milkkyshakeez @luisa323 . If you wish to be apart of the tag list for the next up coming chapters please comment below :) <3

[raxistaicho]

To spork a hatefic

Hey all! A while back I became aware of an anti-CF shortfic that attempts to analyze Edelgard and Hubert's treatment of Byleth in Crimson Flower. The long and short of it is the author (hereafter referred to as "Function", to shorten their AO3 username) interprets Byleth as a Human/Nabatean mixed-race individual, and so takes personally what they perceive to be some anti-Nabatean sentiment espoused by Edelgard and Hubert.

I'm not going to get into that issue during the course of this sporking; I've made a post on this ages back, but I personally interpret Byleth's dichotomy more as a split between mortals and the divine. The game proper focuses more on the Nabateans as a divine family than it does a race.

In any case, it's far more interesting to analyze why Byleth reacts to the things Edelgard and Hubert say, since there's a great deal of groundwork that Function just ignores in favor of detailing why Edelgard and Hubert are awful people. They've kinda forgotten that their shortfic gets into a story that didn't just begin where the shortfic does. That's more what I want to focus on.

Before we continue, do not go looking for this fic to bug the writer, I implore you. I didn't link it, name it, or name the author for a reason.

With that out of the way, let's get started!

*Byleth goes by they/them in this fic

Noted. And honestly it's easier that way, I'm already used to calling Byleth they/them as it is.

*This fic is not favorable towards CF

That's fine, I won't be favorable toward the fic either :)

We open up with,

“I will save this world from those creatures and give humanity its freedom back!” The words strike a discordant cord in Byleth’s chest.

Byleth remembers how Edelgard used to be and how unusual it is for her to speak so openly, capping off with,

Was she always so… comfortable?

No, not until treehouse got hold of her.

A lot, and I mean a lot of the times Edelgard calls the Nabateans "creatures" was an invention of the localization. In the original JP, what she says here is either,

I will bring down the lies of the Goddess, overcome countless sacrifices, then grasp and show everyone the true meaning of a world of man.

or,

I’ll defeat the false goddess, overcome our many sacrifices, and seize a world that’s truly for humanity.

The sources are linked in the quotes.

Now while Edelgard does bring up specifically humanity at the end of both quotes, it's in direct contrast to the falsities of the goddess. It's that human/god contrast I mentioned earlier with regards to Byleth.

To give another common example, the lines that spawned the dialogue Edelgard's haters always point to as an example of her being an evil racist, "Should the one leading the people of the world be someone with humanity or a creature that can merely masquerade as a human at will?" started as,

[Seiros and Nemesis fought to decide] whether those who stand atop humanity should be human, or non-human…

or,

Should the one who rules over humans be a human, or should it be something that is not a human…?

Again, Edelgard's issues are with the church and its false teachings of the goddess. It's more humans v gods here.

Rhea, and Seteth, and Flayn… they have made their stance against those three clear now, but enemies as they may be… creatures? Has Edelgard always been so… willing to speak of them in such a way?

Yes, she has.

(Interestingly, this is one of the few times the localization didn't make up Edelgard calling Rhea a monster! I'll go into the interesting implications a little further down)

You know, right after Rhea declared,

And then transformed into a frankly horrific-looking creature.

Rhea ain't a fluffy divine dragon ala Tiki, she's covered in spikes, she's got claws as long as a man is tall, she's got white pupil-less eyes, and her maw is lined with a jagged "beard" of spikes.

Speaking from experience, it's not easy to disregard things I know but my characters wouldn't when I write, but Function hasn't tried very hard at all to dispense with the Audience Awareness Advantage. They know dragons are generally forces for good in Fire Emblem, especially in modern games, but the characters in Fodlan would only have experience with them in the form of Demonic Beasts, which rampage mindlessly and slaughter people. The word "dragon" doesn't even exist in the game's script, just in UI elements and the name of one weapon.

We see Rhea and think, "oh, divine dragon!" while the people in-universe would think, "she's a white Demonic Beast!"

In any case, it's a definite strike against canon that Byleth would just forget the things Edelgard said previously and what Rhea said, did, and tried to do that prompted Edelgard's harsh description.

If someone viscerally declared their intent to rip out the heart of someone I loved, I'd be pretty liberal with dehumanizing them, too. That's serial killer behavior.

Her words are spoken with such a fervor, a vigor and vitality she would usually reserve for her ambitions and ideals, something dear to her, important to her, close to her heart, and yet… this… This feels different. This feels deeper.  

No they weren't and no it doesn't.

Tara Platt didn't even slip into Edelgard's "speech-voice" when giving that line, she speaks it calmly and softly. This is especially bad since you can easily check the voice lines now, this took me about a minute to confirm.

And just to be sure, I checked the original line in JP. Ai Kakuma, Edelgard's jp va, also gives the line calmly.

Now, for contrast,

If you dare walk this path with me, take your first step. It's now or never!

THAT was spoken with vigor and vitality.

Anyways, Byleth gets uneasy,

That resolution, that drive, that heart - it’s so close to sounding right. So close to being something they can believe in. But under the sincerity lies… No. No, they were thinking too much. They look into Edelgard’s eyes and see that same softness they remember her having, and they know that everything is fine. Everything is fine.

Judging by what we'll see later on, the implication is clearly that Byleth is catching on to the notion that they might be included in the list of "creatures" who need to be removed. This is an exceedingly common claim from Edelgard's more outspoken detractors, that she should turn on and kill Byleth once Rhea is out of the way, because she's just that much of a hater of the Nabateans.

This is just straight up mistaking Edelgard for Thales. Her haters' (mis)understanding of her character is that because she's willing to use violence, violence is her only answer when life asks her a question. It also ties into the nonsensical "she never tried diplomacy!" argument. It's also mistaking why Edelgard fights Rhea and her kin to begin with; it's not because of who they are, but what they do and have done to Fodlan. She has no reason at all to fight Byleth, they're on her side. Even the quotes Function uses later in an attempt to bury Edelgard only supports her point!

But to raise another point, why would Byleth be internalizing Edelgard's supposed anti-Nabatean arguments to include them? This isn't Silver Snow, Byleth hasn't learned anything about Sitri. Though they do know via Sothis that Rhea caused them to live a joint life, that doesn't necessarily mean Byleth themself is even part Nabatean. For all they know, they're just a normal human that Rhea tampered with during the mysterious passing of their mother.

Anyways, the scene then cuts to a rendition of Hubert's A support. I've gone into this support in great detail in a recent post and I encourage you to read it to get the context Function is going to deny us. I'll keep things brief(er) here, but tl;dr: what Hubert's about to say is a sign of trust, not distrust.

“It's absurd to preach to others what you cannot practice yourself.” A conversation with Hubert, after reconnecting. Talking of Rhea’s hypocrisy, of the need for Edelgard to rule in her place; ironically, they speak in the cathedral, the unrepaired hole in the roof letting in dim sunlight.

All right, so Function has just completely denied us all context and the fact that Hubert's saying gods have no fight to be hypocrits, great. It's much easier to frame a conversation the way you want it when you remove all context from it, after all.

“Sometimes it’s necessary.” Sometimes the circumstances call for hypocrisy - isn’t that concession something they all had to live with, for Edelgard’s war? How the only way to stop the need for sacrifices in the future is to indulge in the need for sacrifices now? How the true peace they build on this necessary suffering will erase the false peace Rhea had built?   It is hypocritical, but… that can’t always be avoided.

No, what Edelgard's doing isn't hypocritical. It'd be hypocritical if she decried violence and killing in all circumstances while using violence and killing to achieve her ends.

You know, that thing Dimitri does constantly!

“That is logical, but I am afraid your logic is informed by your humanity. That is not the case for inhuman creatures with lifespans well beyond our own.” The cord is struck again. They look at Hubert - he is staring them directly in the eye.

Again, Function removed the context behind this; he's contrasting humans against the goddess. Gods and mortals.

And again, Byleth doesn't have a reason to internalize what Hubert's saying.

“We must fight to preserve what makes us human.” They feel the hairs on the back of their neck rise. A chill races up and down their spine. Hubert still has that neutral smile, that calculating stare, that even tone.

No, he's actually rather agitated when he says this, because he's discussing his enemies. Rhea and her kin who've abused their long lives and great powers to force laws upon people that they don't practice themselves.

"What makes us human" is just the fallibility, the excuse to make logical mistakes and hypocrisies. Byleth has already compared what Edelgard's doing to being a hypocrite, and they themself are on her side. This Byleth has chosen their human side; they should be agreeing with him.

“You are the one closest to the enemy. I wonder if you will be able to maintain your humanity to the end.” They don’t swallow. They breathe in, then out, as they always do. They blink. They look at Hubert. “If I’m unable to…” Then Hubert - and Edelgard, and the Black Eagles - they would bring them back, right? They would help them. They would stay by them, just as Byleth has always come back to them. Or Hubert will say not to worry about such an impossibility - that it would never happen, because he knows them, and knows they would never… lose their humanity… even if Byleth didn’t understand what Hubert means they would never let that happen, and he knows that-

Let's not forget what it would mean for Byleth to lose their humanity. Because Function was obsessed with race to the point of being blinded by all else while writing this, they seem to think that Byleth failing to preserve what makes them human would mean Byleth just... becoming more of a Nabatean or something. Living too long, or changing into a dragon.

But, again, Edelgard and Hubert are concerned about what the Nabateans are doing, not what they are. Where Byleth losing their humanity leads, based on how Hubert discusses it, is the path of becoming an eternal despot over the people, abusing powers they can't hope to match or understand and forcing them to live in a manner Byleth themself wouldn't.

Byleth fearfully wonders if the Black Eagles would "bring them back, right?" Function means "bring them back from being a Nabatean," when in reality it means "bring them back from being a tyrant." And how does Fire Emblem handle characters fearing their own power and their ability to wield it wisely?

Well, look to Anankos. When he understood he would become a mad dragon, he didn't bleat, "set me back on the straight and narrow, okay?" he empowered his own would-be killers. Which is precisely what Byleth does in this scene if you choose to take that dialogue option, as a final logical evolution of Hubert's threats to kill them earlier in the support line. "If I become corrupted by my power like Nemesis and Rhea did, stop me. Whatever it takes."

Of course, there's a dialogue option here in which Byleth just asserts they'd never do that, and Hubert admits they make him want to believe them, but that doesn't fit Function's narrative so we're ignoring that.

“Does that mean you know I will do what must be done? You must trust me a great deal.” His smile becomes relaxed. His posture loses tension. His gaze is warmer. As if they passed a test. They want to ask what he means. What must be done - what must be done? What does he plan on doing? If they- if they lose their humanity, if they become too close to the enemy, if they- if they what?

So yeah, Function is not remotely interested in any of the context here. They just want to demonize Hubert for being so very racist :(

Also, I'm to believe this Byleth's been interacting with Hubert for a year and change? This Byleth taught him, understands his mindset? They're acting like they've only just met him.

Hubert’s mouth keeps moving. He- he must mean he would help them, right?

"He'd help me stop being a tyrant, right? :( He'd give me a good tongue-lashing and make me knock it off?"

Function's Byleth comes across like... I don't know what. They just can't follow a conversation to save their life.

He wouldn’t- but why phrase it like that? What does he mean closest to the enemy,

Function, you'd know the answer to that if you knew anything about the support that takes place than the part where Hubert implies he'll kill Byleth!

This would be like me picking a random line in Dimitri's A support and going from there. I could probably make him look weird if I did that, too!

they- they left the Church of Seiros! The one safe haven they’ve ever known! They went right back to Edelgard, stayed by her, fought by her side, fought by everyone in the Black Eagles’ side,

The fact that Byleth immediately goes to them leaving the Church of Seiros as if to lay Hubert's concerns to rest exposes Function's thought process and what they think Hubert's talking about.

For Function, "You are the one closest to the enemy," runs like:

Byleth is half-Nabatean

Nabateans are associated with the Church of Seiros

Hubert thinks Byleth might rejoin the Church of Seiros before the battle is over.

For one, it wouldn't make any sense at all for Byleth to even try to rejoin Rhea, given Rhea's vow to brutally kill them, but even setting that aside, Hubert doesn't just ignore threats if they aren't likely to manifest within the next five minutes. He sees further than most people, and he knows once the war ends it will be his responsibility to help safeguard the world Edelgard is trying to build.

"You are the one closest to the enemy," means that once Rhea and her church is gone, Byleth will be the most powerful individual in Fodlan. Will they use their power wisely, as the Church of Seiros says people should but fails to do itself, or will they become the next Rhea? That's why Hubert isn't going to be just be instantly assuaged by Byleth being on Edelgard's side right now; he has to look further ahead.

Is it cold? Yes, but that's just how Hubert is. The fact he's speaking frankly with Byleth about this and is willing to accept Byleth's assertions that they won't fall prey to their own power demonstrates a lot of growth on Hubert's part.

Also, this Byleth wouldn't think of the Garreg Mach of 1180 as necessarily a safe haven anymore, they'd think it as the domain of the woman who tried to groom them into an obscure ritual that would have done something unknown to them and now wants to brutally murder them for protecting their student.

They went right back to Edelgard, stayed by her, fought by her side, fought by everyone in the Black Eagles’ side, against the pleas and cries of students who once looked to them as a guide, killing those students who refused to see Edelgard’s dream,

We're no further than Derdriu, so none of the students so far have been required kills.

Ignatz and Leonie are optional targets in ch13 even if unrecruited, and when Judith falls Edelgard calls for a cessation of hostilities over the bridge. Judith has to die, but why would Byleth care about Judith? They don't know her, she's just another noble to them.

Lysithea can be spared and recruited even if encountered as an enemy in ch14, and Hilda is both optional and easily avoided in the same.

Look, Function, if you wanna play Crimson Flower like the Genocide Route in Undertale, knock yourself out, but don't turn around and blame Edelgard if named characters start dropping like flies.

They’ve done everything they could to stand by Edelgard. What else could they do? What does he mean? What does he mean?

He means it's time to crack open a book about philosophy and see what absolute power absolutely does, Byleth.

Next is the intro to... Linhardt and Leonie's paralogue.

We all know where this is going, folks.

A lot of this can be skipped, but Byleth mentions that the days have been muggy recently, so I guess Function just forgot this is taking place in the middle of winter. A definite strike against canon.

But. Just before they try to leave to inform Edelgard, Linhardt places a hand on their shoulder. “If we're going now, I do suggest leaving Edelgard and Hubert innocent of our quest.” His words are spoken in that casual, disinterested tone that they’ve long grown to find endearing. But there‘s a look in his eye - oddly serious, oddly grounded, for the man Byleth knew to often visit the land of dreams. “Lake Teutates is a place that concerns the saints of the Church of Seiros. It may become bothersome should the two of them find out…” And Byleth wants to protest that idea - Edelgard and Hubert, they have their deep grievances with the Church of Seiros, yes, but surely… surely not so bad as to need to leave them out? Whatever awaits them in this visit was clearly of no harm to anyone - they’ve received no reports of Lake Teutates being dangerous, no bandits or enemy scouts. They may not even engage in any fighting, so, surely, it would be fine…

He starts to yawn as he gets to "the two of them", which really says everything about why he doesn't want Edelgard to know; he just doesn't want to bother getting approval for a trip to church grounds. He even says Byleth should tell her about the trip once it's over.

Leonie… yes, they nod and agree, because yes, yes, after. Edelgard and Hubert can know of this deviation after it is done.  After Linhardt used up all of his motivation to find Saint Indech. After he, the one person who knows the way, would remember the way, will ever want to say it again.

Wait, what? Finding Indech didn't even come up in this scene! The only time Indech is even mentioned is when Linhardt vaguely alludes to a legend about him and that the bow ties into it. Linhardt doesn't even piece together the truth and hypothesize that the Immovable is him until he encounters him in the flesh. This is one of the worst examples of Function applying their knowledge onto the characters in this entire fic, and that's saying something.

Also, "the one person who knows the way"? Lake Teutates is on maps of Fodlan. All you have to do is find the lake, and you'll find the shrine after looking around.

Edelgard won’t get mad at them for investigating this legend about a likely child of the goddess behind her back.

Edelgard does not utter "children of the goddess" often. Just in a battle dialogue in Enbarr and late in Crimson Flower. That's another strike against canon.

Hubert won’t accuse them of growing closer with the enemy and… do what must be done...

Yeah, see? Function thinks Byleth losing humanity means rejoining the Nabateans. I understand they think this is supposed to be all about race and that's why this fanfic is obsessed with race and blood, but that's not what the game itself is worried about. And that's why it's so easy to knock all these points down.

They wouldn’t have regardless, of course, Byleth trusts them to know that they wouldn’t, but… now they can’t. Now, Byleth is…  Assured.

Press X to doubt.

Next we jump ahead to chapter 15, the Garreg Mach defense.

“The time is now! As long as we stand here, you shall not pass!” There she is. Flayn.

You know what this means, dear readers!

Sweet, kind Flayn. Small, weak-bodied Flayn. Flayn, fainted and pale from blood loss, kidnapped in her own home. Flayn, bright and shining, holding up the fish Byleth had reeled up to make her feel better. Flayn, shocked and joyous, over having won the White Heron Cup. Flayn, supportive and happy, when they had first come back after merging with Sothis.

Fuck, I think that gave me diabetes. But remember this glowing detail Flayn gets for later on, because the contrast against Byleth's other students will be stark.

Small, weak-bodied Flayn.

Who are you calling frail!?

Flayn, fainted and pale from blood loss, kidnapped in her own home.

You're gonna mention how Edelgard helped you rescue her and willingly gave her up, right, Byleth? No? Okay.

Flayn, bright and shining, holding up the fish Byleth had reeled up to make her feel better.

Pfft, I reeled that fish up for the renown, thank you very much.

Flayn, shocked and joyous, over having won the White Heron Cup.

Oof, Byleth's out a dancer. Poor planning there, Teach. Also of course it was Flayn, can't let Dorothea have anything, heheh.

Flayn, supportive and happy, when they had first come back after merging with Sothis.

Given the implication that Flayn knew about Rhea's inhumane experiments to revive Sothis, this isn't the cute little thing you think it is, Function.

They swallow. Their hands are shaking so hard they can barely hold their sword. They can’t stop blinking. They- they can’t do this. They can’t do this. Flayn, she- they saved her, brought her back to Seteth before he had broken down completely,

Yeah, shame she's choosing to fight on Rhea's side against the future of Fodlan. Maybe get her to knock it off?

helped her gain some closure in killing Solon, and now… 

What? Flayn doesn't even come up in regards to Solon's death. But of course Byleth killed him for her, and not for his other victims, past and potentially in the future. Flayn is important.

Now they have to kill her?

No? Do what Edelgard does, try to get her to surrender.

Function, Byleth jumping right to thinking they have to kill her isn't a good look.

End her kind, precious life? Destroy Seteth’s one reason for living, after giving her back to him? It’s- it’s cruel, they’ve bloodied their hands so, so much in this forsaken war, but, they just can’t-

Ah, yeah, who cares about all the people you've killed so far, they weren't main characters! But this is Flayn and Seteth, we mustn't hurt them :(

Function, Byleth only giving a shit when it's people they know personally and they, in the context of this fanfic, share a race with is. Um. It's like. Ah. Terrible.

No seriously, Byleth comes across as kinda racist. "Who cares about all the humans I've killed so far, there's plenty of those and I didn't know them, but this time it's different, they're my people :("

“Come at me, so that I may put you out of your misery!” They. Turn to Edelgard. She’s glaring- no. She’s glowering.

Oh baby.

So in the context of this fanfic, she's saying that to Flayn, but in the game itself she just says it to whichever group of hidden enemies spawns first. One of them, the closer of the two, pointedly doesn't have Flayn mixed among them. Just Function, again twisting things to make Edelgard look worse.

She isn’t seeing the sweet, kind girl that had once been her classmate. She isn’t seeing Flayn holding a fish in her hands with an unbridled happiness. She isn’t seeing Flayn smile brightly at being given the traditional dancer garb.

Yeah, she's seeing an enemy commander leading troops to retake the monastery and kill her soldiers, men and women who she has a responsibility for and for whom she cares about. Unlike Byleth.

She… sees her victim that got away. From the kidnapping she sanctioned.

Oh, never mind.

And yeah, I guess Byleth did forget how Edelgard helped to rescue Flayn in the first place. And also how Edelgard didn't take Flayn captive at the Holy Tomb when she could have.

They rush ahead, sprinting to Flayn, Edelgard tries to keep up but her armor wears her down and Byleth is running, their grip becomes sweaty and loose and they are running, their eyes burn and their sight blurs and they are running- And before they knew it, Flayn was in front of them. 

Very dramatic. Where are all Flayn's soldiers, having a smoke break? Did Byleth just mentally blot out killing them because they're not Nabatean and thus mean nothing to them?

Her stare grows more wavering; they could swear her eyes are shining more of what little light shines through the clouds than they should.

That map isn't overcast, Function, Empathic Environment isn't in effect.

Unless it's cloudy from all the smoke the church caused with its fire attack.

They exchange Flayn's battle dialogue, then Byleth beats the shit out of Flayn, holy crap.

They make it quick; Flayn was always better known for her healing than her fighting. The pommel of their sword, the flat end of their blade, fists and kicks - it is violent. It hurts. Try as they might, they still hear the distinctive crack of bone from one strike to her arm, Flayn’s petite body simply too weak to withstand the blow. They see her bite down hard on her lip, the blood trickling to her chin, her eyes squinting past the pain, they hear the muffled whimper, the soft thmp of her staff hitting the ground, her quiet sniffle.

Don't you dare try to blame that one on Edelgard, Function, that was all on Byleth for going full Doom Slayer on Flayn, jesus christ.

Oh and also, I guess Edelgard's also having a smoke break, because she vanished.

She looks at them, and suddenly, her eyes go wide. Understanding seems to dawn on her in that moment, and she takes a step back.  “Farewell, Professor. I do not imagine we shall ever meet again.”

Flayn's understand is that Byleth is letting her go, but in the game it's just presented that Flayn and Seteth choose not to fight to the death if they encounter Byleth. All the power is in their hands, it's just a question of whether or not they intend to needlessly throw their lives away for Rhea.

And she retreats. Bruised, bleeding, and battered, but alive. They can only hope Seteth does the same. Those two, they… They don’t deserve this.

Everyone else can fuck off and shut up and fuck off and die, though.

It’s fine. They defeated her, and will defeat Seteth.

I wonder how Function feels about how Byleth doesn't need to be the one to defeat Seteth and Flayn to get them to back off? Yeah, in case you didn't know, having Byleth engage in battle with them once is all it takes. After that, anyone, even Edelgard, can finish them and they'll be just fine. That revelation seriously upset some of the Edelgard antis, given I'm still seeing them trying to argue against it even to this day.

Those two will never be seen again, hiding away from the world Flayn had so desperately wanted to see, and that’s… okay.

Sometimes, in Fodlan, you end up in Abyss. That's the world Rhea made. Flayn shouldn't be special just because she's cute and has a name.

That’s good. It makes it okay to spare them, and Byleth won’t hear anything from Edelgard or Hubert for this.

This is written as if to be defiant, but Byleth won't hear anything from Edelgard or Hubert for this because they don't react negatively to the pair surviving, because killing them is not a goal for the war. Hell, killing Rhea isn't, either. Just removing her from power is all that's needed.

Thank god that's over!

“You, like Rhea, share a bloodline with the so-called goddess. Your mother likely had some connection to the goddess, whose power has always been sleeping within you. Five years ago when your power awakened, I was afraid you would choose to join with Rhea.” They don’t know. They just don’t know.

You've made that abundantly clear, Byleth.

They had never talked with Rhea more than they had to.

Good thing, too, otherwise you'd have to endure her sexual harassment and getting punished for trying to assert boundaries in her A support!

They had always spoken to Edelgard at every opportunity. They had done everything to push Rhea away from them despite her open arms,

This is portraying Rhea as being oh so very kind, but I've see it argued with some credence that her behavior throughout White Clouds is her lovebombing Byleth.

Right from the start, she strongly suspects Byleth of being the child who escaped from her twenty years ago, so she gives them a job to keep them nearby and showers them with compliments and praise. Then, after Byleth demonstrates they can wield the SotC and thus appear even more likely to be Sothis reborn, suddenly her C support opens up, and she offers Byleth weed herbal remedies to give to give to the students, targeting a major point of Byleth's affection.

It's easy to read Rhea's shows of affection as carefully planned and controlled to get Byleth to open up to her to better steer their course.

and everything to stay with Edelgard despite her radical ideals.

Maybe we should improve society somewhat is radical in Fodlan, I guess.

When Edelgard had tried to kill them and the Black Eagles in the Holy Tomb, they didn’t kill her.

Don't mind me, just dropping those.

Function seems to have forgotten that this Byleth is supposed to be a Byleth who experienced the story as it exists, not as they (Function) headcannon it to be.

They barely hurt her. They did everything to simply incapacitate her, to hear her out, to understand why she would do this.

If Byleth experienced every moment they could and would have experienced with Edelgard, Dorothea, Bernadetta, Petra, and many others, they would know why Edelgard would do this. Despite what her antis would have you believe, what you see really is what you get with Edelgard when she's talking about her ideals. She's very open with Byleth.

“You thought I would join her?” And Edelgard will say that of course she did, because she had done something so drastic. She had brought in an army - her army - and gave the order to kill them and the Black Eagles. She had brought in mindless Demonic Beasts, after Miklan, after Remire’s massacre, after the chapel and their father’s murder. She betrayed them, in every sense of the word - of course, that was why she had thought they would have joined Rhea. 

What Function is missing here is that breaking away from one's "intended" path is a major theme of Crimson Flower, and this scene is directly pointing that out.

Edelgard was "meant" to be Thales's tool, but with her connection to Byleth and the other students, she escapes this fate.

Byleth was "meant" to be Sothis reborn, but by connecting to the students and the people of Fodlan, they choose to keep their humanity and not become a god.

As Fantasy Invader loves to say, you're "changing the story", and that reflects in breaking away from Edelgard and Byleth's appointed fates, where the other three routes see both embracing them, to Edelgard's death and Byleth's fated loneliness of immortality.

“I did. As you know, my goal is to free our world from the control of Rhea and the other children of the goddess. I seek to obliterate her, as well as those around her who use the church's power to control Fódlan. I swore to free the people from Rhea by striking her down, whether or not it meant making an enemy of you.”

Emphasis mine.

Again, the subject of Hubert's A support with Byleth is not about which race they choose to be, but how they use their power after Rhea is no more. It's all about abuse of power, not having too-pointy ears.

And the world starts spinning. Their chest pangs. Their spine chills. Their gut churns. I will save the world from those creatures That is not the case for inhuman creatures Rhea and the other creatures, she means. To obliterate her and those creatures around her. And she thought they would join Rhea, because they are a creature like Rhea.

The creatures who abuse their power, Byleth, you really need to try paying attention when you talk to people.

But yes, given how Byleth seemed all set up to become an avatar of the goddess's will, it seems natural for Edelgard, sworn enemy to the church, to assume Byleth would choose not to walk at her side.

“And yet...you came to my aid and chose to walk with me on the path against Rhea. I was overjoyed of course, but I was also confused. I thought that perhaps it wasn't the path you were meant to take. But I chose to trust in you, to rely on you and your strength. And now, here we are.” They chose to trust in Edelgard. And they were given this in return.

Love? Trust? The freedom to choose?

A trust Edelgard tentatively gave to this… creature.

Oh, of course, Function is obsessed with race so they think Byleth and Edelgard should be as well, right. Where did Byleth get the idea that Edelgard's trust was tentative in that speech? Hubert's is, based on the choices Byleth makes going forward, but that's not the case with Edelgard.

This creature that should be distrusted, despite everything it's done for her, despite opening its heart to her.

...No? At no point did Edelgard say her initial uncertainty was correct. Just that it was how she felt.

This creature that Hubert will do what must be done should it lose its humanity, damn whatever friendship and love it held before. 

If anything, it's because Hubert considers Byleth a friend that he has to do it, now. Who does Hardin trust to set him straight if he loses his path? The Wolfguard, the men he trusts most.

“Thank you for listening, my teacher. I'm glad I finally had the chance to talk to you about it. After Rhea is gone from this world, I don't know what will become of you." They want to laugh. They want to cry. They want to run away screaming. They want to strangle her.  All this time. All they’ve done for her. All they’ve given to her. All they’ve lived for her. All they’ve loved her completely. And she doesn’t know what will become of them.  Does she doubt what will become of Hubert? No; it wasn’t even a question. Anyone could tell how much she trusts the man. He has proven he will walk off the ends of the earth for her. She has no reason to doubt his dedication to staying by her side.

Function chooses the weirdest times to just forget that they played Crimson Flower.

Edelgard's worry here is meant to foreshadow Byleth collapsing after Rhea falls. She knows Byleth is tied to the goddess through their mother, so she fears what will happen to Byleth should they take the final step in defying Rhea. Fear of loss tied into her future is one of Edelgard's main character traits, Edge of Dawn is all about this. Her instincts tell her something dangerous might happen to Byleth, and it very nearly does.

I know exactly what Function is getting at: Edelgard antis love to rant about how Edelgard should totally kill Byleth the minute Rhea goes down, but she obviously doesn't, because she trusts them in Crimson Flower, and her trust is rewarded.

Edelgard doesn’t know them. And… they didn’t know her.

Yeah that'd be because you're operating off Function's probably 5 years old memories of the route and their poor;y-constructed headcanons.

Didn’t know the depths to her hatred.

Man, if hearing Edelgard say mean things about Rhea is enough to count as hate, just imagine if Byleth heard half the rancid shit Dimitri says!

Didn’t know how lowly she must have thought of them, all this time.

Edelgard wept and hugged Byleth when they returned. She said her heart felt broken to think Byleth had fallen. This whole fucking scene is about how deeply Edelgard cares for and trusts Byleth, but sure, Function.

“But whatever happens, I hope you know that you're very special to me. You are the one person in this world who can share the heavy burden I must carry. Someone without equal who I can always speak my mind to…” And her eyes are so soft, her voice so gentle. Admitting to having been willing to kill them so easily and so casually,

She never said she felt she could easily kill you, you really need to try paying attention, Byleth. She only said she was willing to risk making an enemy of you.

that she hadn’t thought they should be here,

Past-tense, Byleth, as in, directly after you made the choice. She was briefly and understandably confused, but that was five years ago.

All for some blood connection to this woman that they have never done one thing for that hadn’t been forced upon them by obligation - a connection based on an assumption about a mother they’ve never met and never seen…

The cognitive dissonance coming from Function is wild. Yes, it does seem remarkably petty for Edelgard to distrust Byleth based on some familial connection not even they are fully aware of, it's almost like that's not actually how she feels!

But they’re special to her. So, so special. Special for a human? Or special for a creature?

No, you're just special, Byleth, because you're you. Fixating on race is Function reading way too far into Edelgard's motives.

They look out one of the many holes in Garreg Mach’s walls.

(sigh)

This scene doesn't take place at Garreg Mach, Function.

It takes place at Fhirdiad. This is immediately after a scene showing the BESF arriving at Fhirdiad.

Another bonafide strike against canon, and another sign that Function only read the game script and probably doesn't remember the route nearly as well as they think they do.

The clouds are heavy and gray, turning the air a thick orange.

It's not cloudy either! Empathic Environment isn't in effect, Function!

Come the night, there will be nothing but darkness.

Yeah, that's what happens when the sun goes down.

Also, Darkness of the Unknown Goalposts, again.

Walking that darkness with Edelgard, treading the ocean of blood that was her righteous ideals - it had once been as easy as breathing. They loved her. They did everything for her. They had known that path would be easy, as their hand would always be locked with hers. They… can’t. They can’t. Not anymore.  It’s too much. The flashes of hatred that switch so quickly to loving gazes, the willingness to kill them, the needling words, the need for secrets, they… they can’t do it. They can’t do it anymore.

So it all became too much once it started personally impacting you, Byleth? Function, it REALLY doesn't look good that you consistently write Byleth as crumpling like a paper tiger the second the war starts to hurt them personally.

Edelgard turns and walks off. She leaves.  They stand there.  Alone.

I mean if you want to be alone then don't whine when you're alone. Also, Edelgard wouldn't just tromp off, leaving Byleth alone.

The Sword of the Creator as a weapon cannot be sheathed, so they take a blanket and curl it inside.

That's... sheathing it... If the SotC will passively cut through a sheath, it'll cut through a blanket. This reminds me of how in Bleach, Nimaiya had to keep Sayafushi in a jelly-like liquid because its edge is too sharp and its sides too slick to be sheathed, only stupider.

Anyways, we jumped back to Garreg Mach and Byleth is planning to run away from Edelgard.

It was easy enough to find a secluded, unused alleyway that led to an unmanned section of the outer walls. Once, the entirety of Garreg Mach’s outer layer was heavily manned and heavily armed, preparing for any siege that may befall it; now, there is nothing. No one.

What? Is the war already over? Did Edelgard abandon Garreg Mach again for some reason? What's going on!

Edelgard will look for them, they know; they’ve heard of her frantic searchings for them during those five years they slept, how absolutely desperate she was to find them. Before it had moved their heart, knowing of her devotion; now it is a warning, letting them know they will be hunted.

Yeah, duh Edelgard will look for you. You're running off without warning in the middle of the night during a war, that's going to look like enemy assassins kidnapped you, of fucking course Edelgard will be desperate to save you!

Function's so incredibly self-defeating.

She couldn’t find them when they were sleeping, however. As good as it is to know she will be searching, there is nothing she can do against the flow of time itself fighting her.

...What? Is Function/Byleth under the assumption that Byleth will get whisked off to some negative hole in space if they go into another long sleep? That's not how it appears to work. Also this reads like Byleth's happy she'll outlive Edelgard, so that's a lovely image. If I may quote Engage,

Living an immortal life is consistently portrayed as very sad when the only relationships a person can hope to hold is with mortal beings who'll grow old and die, leaving you behind. Rhea herself was tortured by this very loneliness.

If not also… lonely, already, knowing that they'll likely never again experience Caspar’s rambunctious shouts or Dorothea’s lovely singing, Ferdinand’s confident boasts or Bernadetta’s silent gratitude. Petra, talking about her homeland; Linhardt, as they last saw him, napping in places strange and forgotten. They will likely never see Leonie and Alois again, the last living memories of Father. Hubert’s private longings to fly pegasi. Edelgard’s loving and warm gaze. It hurt. It all hurts, leaving everything, every one, behind. But they have to.

Oh, hey, nice of Byleth to finally think about the Black Eagles, I was starting to wonder if she gave a shit about them!

Also, really? Is that how Byleth chooses to remember them?

Caspar fails and falls, but he never gives up, he always gets back up and tries again. That part of him is inspiring. Byleth remembers him for being noisy.

Dorothea's whole support line with Byleth is about how she yearns to be loved for something deeper than her voice or her looks. Byleth doesn't think about her incredible compassion that came from a background of unfettered cruelty and loss, they think of her voice, just like all the other shallow nobles who showered her with gifts.

Ferdinand's boasting hides a deep unease, but he grows past that and comes to embody in spirit and in truth the nobility he once claimed. Byleth remembers him for the shallow bravado.

Bernadetta grows so much over the Crimson Flower route, getting out of her room and exploring the lands in one of her CF-exclusive endings. Byleth remembers her as the quiet, demure little lady Count Varley wanted her to be.

Petra comes to view Fodlan as a second home, and the people she met there, her family. Byleth remembers her only thinking of Brigid.

Linhardt proves himself much more than the sleepy dreamer he first seems, but Byleth only sees him as the forgotten sleeper.

And Leonie and Alois? Byleth doesn't even think of them; they think of Jeralt.

This Byleth doesn't seem to have a genuine relation with any of the Black Eagles at all!

Besides, Edelgard said she wants to be rid of all of the indomitable enemies, these creatures plaguing humanity. What place would they truly have, in her pure human world?

Function is trying to convey Byleth as unjustly prejudiced because of their part-Nabatean background, but all they've done is demonstrate Byleth as very lacking in character and incapable of connecting with humans. Oh how they weep for poor Fwayne while recounting what a bright ray of light she was, but with the Black Eagles? Byleth knew them for much longer than Flayn, but even still they can only think of the most basic character traits as they're about to leave them forever.

They don't care about normal people, just themselves and the Nabateans they have to fight. Hubert's right to distrust them, and not because of their blood, but because of their actions.

So yeah, maybe it's best they go away, they won't have anyone to care about but themselves once Rhea is gone.

Byleth shakes their head; it's too late to linger on such thoughts. It's too late for anything to matter anymore, in truth, but... they still look to the sky. It barely lets any light through the thick, heavy, gray clouds hiding away the stars and moon, just as they had thought, casting the very air around them in darkness...  Except for one, sole ray of light. A small, small gap in the curtain, allowing in a blinding trickle of moonlight. A sword, cutting through the ink that has coated everything, the trees and leaves and grass blessed enough to bask in this splendor bursting alive against all else damned to the shadows. It is fleeting; the clouds threaten the edges, ready to consume the light at a moment's notice. That doesn't matter. It is something more. And Byleth walks, lighter, hopeful, free, having now seen all they need.

Empathic enivronment again! I mean sure, Byleth is leaving Fodlan in the hands of a villain (Function's thoughts, not mine), but they'll be safer separated from her, and that's all that matters, right?

And really, poor Edelgard. Seeing as how she and Hubert acted in accordance with their canonical characterization, I can't help but picture her wracked with worry about what the church assassins did to Byleth, never learning that they just didn't get non-Nabateans and worked themselves up into a fit of paranoia before running out on her.

There's a darkfic in there, frankly.

We're almost done, but not quite. The author's notes are still left.

so yeah as a mixed-race person i fucking hated playing through CF and having to put up with Edelgard and Hubert's open and unashamed racism going uncontested

So yeah, that's really where this all came from. Because of their personal stake in the matter, Function failed to be objective, which is why a story about ideals and the loss of connection to other people became about race and nothing else. This was a very nice example of something I've always believed, that Edelgard antis don't know the story nearly as well as they think they do.

Also, for what it's worth, I spoke to a mixed-race friend of mine whether they agreed with the mixed-race interpretation of Byleth, and she simply replied, "hell no."

so i wrote Byleth

Being a coward who only cares about the Nabateans?

not taking their "you're one of the good ones" shit well mentally until they eventually just fuck off entirely (even if what they're fucking off to isn't, ah. the most optimal situation to fuck off to. to say the least lmao). as best as i could anyway

You didn't do very well. As I said before, all they did was take it personally when Edelgard and Hubert castigated Rhea for her abuse of power, which doesn't reflect well on Byleth.

And we're finally free! It wasn't all that long, but it sure felt long. Hope you at least enjoyed my breakdown of it. Later, everyone!

[occasionallyprosie]

A Thousand Ways

Chapter 14: "Passing Through"

Linkle and Warriors would 100% rp royalty as kids and Legend and Hyrule are theatre kids... also, the ballad didn't work.

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"So, is she staying with us?" Wild asked after they took out the monster camp with Linkle's help. Her mere presence had set Warriors off and the two were constantly bantering, more than any of the others ever did with each other and that was saying something.

At first, some of them were concerned, then they collectively realized that Warriors was more relaxed than they almost had ever seen him. It really showed when the fight began, and Linkle and Wars basically handled the entire thing. They fought together incredibly well, Linkle using crossbows and Piyoko--Legend was surprised at how attached Piyoko was to Linkle, she adored the heroine who loved her in return--as weapons, Piyoko definitely had the time of her life, while Warriors used his sword and shield to control the entire camp with ease... with the exception of the couple black bloods that Legend and Hyrule, and Time and Wind handled 

Honestly, Legend saw half their group just hanging back and he joined them in time to see both siblings gang up on a giant, and bring it down in record time.

Both were grinning at the end of it all, high-fiving and throwing insults at the other's form and battle choices.

"If she wants to," Warriors said in response to Wild's question. He shrugged. "I can't stop her if she does."

Linkle scooped up Piyoko into her arms. "I'd love to, goddesses know I miss this kind of thing, but I have to pass." She turned to Warriors. "One of us needs to stay back home, and tell Ma about that pretty little lie of yours."

"I told you--"

"Yeah yeah." Linkle waved him off. "Whatever. I'll tell her that it's a new development and her baby boy didn't lie to her face."

"I am literally a grown adult--With children!"

"Kids you adopted during the war so they wouldn't be sent to an orphanage don’t count."

"Hey!" Wind exclaimed.

"Rude," Time grunted.

Warriors gestured at them. "Does it look like we care? Why does Mom trust you more than me when my kids are actual children and not animals?" 

"Because I have more than you, and they're better trained. Mask dyed Impa's hair green!"

Legend glanced at Hyrule, leaning over to whisper to him and Wild.

"Bets that Mask is the Old Man?"

"No way," Wild hissed back. "It's totally the sailor."

"Ma would side with me that actual kids are far harder to take care of than a flock of cuccos!" Warriors argued.

Linkle scowled. "You know what? Fine! I'll adopt two of my own!"

"Wha--You’re going to--"

Legend and Hyrule both broke when Linkle raised an eyebrow at them.

"Us?" Hyrule pointed at them.

Linkle nodded. "I like you two, besides, I bet you'd beat Mask and Tune."

"No way!" Wind piped up. "We'd kick their ass! Besides, you can't take the Vet, he's my baby brother."

Time snorted. "Wow, Sailor. I'm wounded."

"You’re my little brother, there's a difference," Wind huffed, "Apple's my baby brother and Aryll's my baby sister."

Legend staggered a bit as Hyrule hugged him and declared, "My little brother now!"

"Daaad!" Wind whined, pouting at Warriors.

Legend couldn't help but laugh. Warriors sighed and tried to barter with Linkle, who stood her ground about adopting him and Hyrule.

Wild leaned over. "Would you let her?"

Legend looked at Hyrule, they shrugged.

"Sure," Hyrule agreed.

"Only when we're in this era though," Legend added, thinking of Dusk. "I don’t want to deal with... having to explain that to anyone. If she really wants, then fine, but only legally binding here... I'll let her claim it whenever, if only so we can fight the Sailor and Old Man."

"Yeah," Hyrule smirked, arm still slung over his shoulders. "We'd totally win."

Linkle gestured at them while Warriors groaned.

"Ha! I win! Next time you guys show up here, I'll have the paperwork ready," she swore. "Okay?"

"I can't believe you three." Warriors threw his hands up, turning away.

"Okay," Hyrule told Linkle. "Are you our mom now? Or...?"

"Sure. Next time, I'll introduce you to my Ma as her better grandchildren."

"Rude! Link, why didn't you ever introduce us to your Mom?!" Wind demanded.

"I-I--" Warriors floundered.

Legend could honestly tell that Linkle had only actually offered to mess with Warriors, and if agreeing messed with the Captain and the Sailor? Well, he was all for that.

What kind of 'baby brother' would he be if he didn't take whatever opportunity he was presented with to mess with his apparent siblings?

The portal came during the walk back to town, which was less filled with Warriors and Linkle arguing, and more filled with Linkle questioning him and Hyrule about their lives 'as a good mother would.'

"Well!" Warriors said loudly, interrupting Hyrule and Legend explaining their era and how it was different from his era to Linkle. "As fun as it has been to see you again, my dear sister, we simply must be going now."

Legend snorted, he heard Wild and Four sharing giggles too. Twilight and Sky had taken up the rear of the group, and both seemed especially amused.

Linkle pouted. She wrapped her arms around Legend and Hyrule. "Oh must you, Captain?" She replied, losing every ounce of her country accent in replacement of a posh, castle town accent. "Oh Captain please, my sons are only children, you need not take them away to fight battles for a higher power. Please spare them. Look! They are no soldiers, nor squires training to be such, doest thou not see their fear at facing warfare?"

Oh she is amazing, Piyoko clucked, Link, your new mom is amazing and I love her.

Warriors' face hardened, but the mirth was clear and it was a conscious decision to help bolster Linkle's argument by pulling on every part of his self control and acting ability to play the part of a scared kid. Hyrule's shoulders stopped shaking from holding in laughter and a glance showed that his successor was an excellent actor too.

"The Queen's commands are clear, these boys are to march to battle and face against the dark horrors of time," Warriors declared.

"You monster!" Linkle cried dramatically, playing up her part of a scared mother despite not looking even barely old enough to be their mother. "Child stealer!"

"Okay, okay!" Twilight intervened, choking on laughter. "Even if this is entertainin', we really do needa go. So say bye t' yer Ma, Vet, Traveler, and let's go."

On one hand, he could just cut the act, on the other... Legend looked at Linkle, and he was definitely pouting and using everything he knew to appear scared. "Ma, I don’t want to go."

Hyrule couldn't hold it in anymore and he broke, grabbing his stomach and wheezing in his laughter. Warriors gaped at him, as if surprised he was a decent actor, while Linkle immediately hugged him.

"I know, I know," she held firm to her own act, "but you must." She pulled away and held his face, he grabbed her hands and could see how she was starting to struggle to keep character too. He really wanted to break. "Be strong, and filled with courage. You will find your way back home, I know it."

A beat passed before they both broke, and the entire area was filled with various forms of laughter, loud and boisterous, high and wheezy, contained and quiet, someone's sounded like a fairy's even and another's was carried by the wind itself it felt like.

Legend wiped a tear from his eye. For a moment, it felt like everything was actually okay. For a moment, he was just joking around with friends, pulling stupid jokes and teasing each other.

The next, he felt Piyoko brush his leg, and the reminder of why she was with him hit him. With that, came the reminder of everything that had happened in the last few months. He managed to not let his renewed realization show to strongly, the laughter slowly fizzled out and he lent down to pick up Piyoko.

Link? She sounded concerned. He'd seen her fight with Linkle, but also needed Linkle's aid at every moment. All Piyoko could truly do was distract, and blind if she was lucky. Unlike heroes who accidentally harm cuccoos, monsters had no qualms with smacking them from the sky and he had seen so many close calls in just one fight alone. Linkle was used to accounting for them and ensuring their safety, Legend wasn't and he didn't want to risk her safety to learn.

"Let's--"

"Linkle?" Legend looked at the older woman, she was Warriors' twin, wasn't she? 

"Yeah?"

"Would you be willing to keep Piyoko?"

He heard several people freeze and inhale sharply. He wasn't sure exactly why.

Linkle frowned, crossing her arms. "Why?"

Warriors spoke up, instructing the others to go ahead and file through, to make sure they had their supplies and everything.

Link? Piyoko sounded hurt, though also concerned.

"I... She's a good fighter," Legend said, looking down at her in his arms. "One of my oldest companions, but... I don’t know how to fight with her, and I can't risk her in order to learn. More than that... You've mentioned you have a whole flock of your own, she's friendly and can assimilate, and... and Piyoko, we both know you prefer life on the farm rather than on the road. You also have said you love Linkle, if you’re both okay with it, I think this would be the best option for you."

Piyoko stared up at him, completely silent. He could almost feel her hurt, but the way she wasn't immediately pecking him and telling him he was an idiot--like she had when he suggested she stay with one of the farmers in Kakariko with the other cuccoos--meant he was right and she actually was considering it.

A part of him wanted to take his words back, to keep Piyoko with him. She'd been there in Holodrum, had always been someone he could trust. Din, he'd called her his emotional support animal for all the times he'd vent and she'd offer insight. But he also knew that no matter how much he wanted to cling to before--before his grandparents, before that cell, those days where he could feel his body wasting in that cave--and how Piyoko was a reminder of that, of days between adventures at his grandparents farm, of the lightness in Holodrum, of safety and warmth and peace... she was still a farm animal, and he wouldn't choose his own mental security over her physical safety. Not in a million years. Not ever.

If she's okay with it, Piyoko conceded, almost surprisingly so.

Linkle held her arm out and Piyoko jumped to her, wings flapping to aid the transfer.

"I'll take good care of her, visit when you can," while he can, Linkle gave him a pointed look.

He nodded. "Of course... Later, Piyoko."

...bye Link. Be safe.

"When am I not?"

Warriors and Twilight were the only ones waiting left, as per usual, the local Link would be the last to enter the portal. Legend left with Twilight, and everyone waited a few minutes longer before Warriors came through and it shut behind them.

During his watch, Legend watched the sun rise against all odds, and sure, astronomers of his era had determined the world to be a sphere and to revolve around the sun, but did he particularly care for that detail? No. The sun rose, that's why they called it a sunrise.

There were a million things he could think about.

Raven, how his ancestor not only was the grandson of the Fallen Hero, but how the people seemed to regard the Fallen Hero and in turn how they treated Raven... and what he did in spite of it. Additionally, just the fact that he'd never see Raven again... again. That's the second time he's lost the one man he's considered a parental figure, his uncle had been great but he... there was something there, he was always his uncle, never quite a father figure.

The fact he can't seem to die. That cell, he didn't look over to see the blood but he knew that no person should've survived what he did, and he didn't know how. But maybe Dusk had some special method of saving his life. Then the cave... the island and storms... he had been sick, so sick he couldn't move and didn't eat for days, he knew now he shouldn't have survived that--learning how long they'd been in the Sailor's era and the Traveler's era right afterwards--and yet, he did. He didn't know what Marley and Raven did either, but they didn't have access to things that would've done anything special.

He knew he should've died in that cell, he was certain of that fact, but that portal had come at the perfect time... More than that, the portal had come to that cave and had to of dropped Legend right on Raven in order for him to have survived that too.

He knew the goddesses wasn't done with him, this was just further proof of that.

Or... he glanced at the back of his left hand. Maybe my ancestry plays a larger part in that survival.

Three people here were his ancestors. 

Sky was the easiest to place and yet the hardest to come to terms with. Sky was from before the timeline got chaotic, the line from him to Legend was straight and simple. He was the easiest to understand and yet... how was he, Legend, a descendant of the goddess, and by extension, royalty?

Time was probably the easiest to come to terms with, his was a bit weird with the timeline and parallel worlds, but it was comprehensible. Time was the Fallen Hero, Legend had figured that out, Twilight's Hero of Time was from the exact same time as the Fallen Hero, the history books claimed him to have done the same things as the Fallen Hero... only he succeeded in the end. It was weird, but Legend could understand it. He knew Raven was his ancestor, and he now knew Raven's grandfather was the Fallen Hero. So sure, Time wasn't his ancestor, but in a weird parallel timeline way, he was. That was simple.

What wasn't simple was Twilight, what wasn't easy to come to terms with was Twilight. Because if they were related, it was confusing.

Legend knew exactly four things about his father: one, he was younger than his uncle, two, he looked almost nothing like his uncle aside from the bare minimum sibling similarities, three, his name had been Link and Legend was named after him, and four, he died around the same time Legend had been born.

Now, that paired with the fact that his uncle Alphon was his uncle, would lead one to assume that Twilight--well his parallel self in Legend's timeline--was his father. Easy, simple, timeline shenanigans makes it confusing but only a little more than Time.

Except that Legend has met Dusk and her two children, the children that are the parallels to him and Fable. He knows who their father is, and the problem is that their father is Alphon and Legend knows his father isn't Uncle Alphon.

That's the confusing part. Legend genuinely doesn't know how to place Twilight, his best conclusion is that Dusk and Twilight had some other variable that kept them from falling in love or at least having two kids that Legend's parents didn't. And knowing that Fable's counterpart was born... roughly two years after Twilight's adventure, meant that variable was probably related to his adventure.

But, how did Dusk's daughter look so identical to Fable if she had a different father, who bared little resemblance to Twilight? 

"Honestly, couldn't some part of my life been simple?" He muttered. He wished Piyoko was here--she's safer with Linkle.

"Did you say something?" Wild looked up from the breakfast he was working on.

"No, just thinking. Need a hand with that?"

The moment Legend opened his eyes, he knew things were wrong.

He shot up and almost expected to see lapping waves and hear cawing seagulls, only to see a familiar forest.

"What the..." he breathed, pushing himself to stand as he looked around. He dug out his ocarina and tried to play the Ballad of the Wind Fish.

The song reverberated in the forest—which it shouldn't have, the notes should've just expanded further—and thrummed all around him.

Nothing changed though. He almost began again when he heard a bush rustle.

He moved quickly, drawing his sword only to see a man rush through the small clearing to kneel by a tree. He put something inside it before quickly shoving his cloak into some sling at his chest.

“Excuse me?” Legend called, wary. He reached for the man’s shoulder.

Yelling caught his attention, familiar yelling. He tensed as he shifted his stance, the man shot up quickly.

“This way!”

“Find him!”

A squad of knights burst from the same direction the man had come from. The man moved past Legend in a way that should have bumped his shoulder, but he just went through him.

The realization near smacked him in the face.

This was a vision, he had some of those when he was younger but ever since Koholint he couldn’t differentiate them from dreams. He was seeing some scene, past, present, or future, and he couldn’t intervene. So he observed.

The cloak had been hiding a forest green tunic lined in golds, a golden crown, though Legend couldn't quite see his face from his angle.

“Stand down,” the leading knight commanded, and Legend froze when he saw that familiar glaze in the equally familiar knight’s eyes. “We only wish to kill the boy.”

“Over my dead body,” the man snarled, Legend felt a flash of familiarity at the voice.

“So be it.”

He swallowed thickly. What being had dragged him into some hell where his main torturer, visibly decades younger, was facing a younger and more composed Twilight?

Time grabbed Twilight’s arm and pulled him back. “We’re only observers, Pup.”

“He can’t see us,” Twilight croaked.

Hyrule was waving a hand in front of Legend’s face, but their scholar didn't even notice. Time didn't know how exactly, but they were all sharing some kind of vision, except Legend was separate from them. He blamed the goddesses.

“There’s a baby here!” Wind exclaimed from where he and Four had investigated the tree the nobleman had been knelt by.

Wild suddenly yelped loudly, grabbing Twilight’s arm as he jumped back.

Time turned to look at what startled the Cub, and only due to his earned dark vision, could he see the nobleman's face. The darkness of the snowstorm overhead didn't help, but his face was very clear.

Though it lacked tattoos and scars, it was undoubtedly their rancher, or someone closely related to him. His jaw the same shape, his nose and eyes, the way Time could almost feel a connection to him...

Time tightened his grip on his pup as he felt him go rigid beside him. The man in front of them wasn’t much of a man, maybe Sky’s age, younger than Twilight at least.

“What in Hylia’s…” Sky breathed.

The lookalike cut down two of the knights before an arrow lodged into his bicep. He didn’t cry out and only barely switched his sword to his other hand to block another blade. Time didn’t know what they were meant to be seeing; between the alleged baby in the tree behind them, the young man fighting to save both their lives, and Legend’s exclusion from them.

Time felt his blood go cold as a blade sank through the bundle on the young man’s chest, and then through his chest too. He could see the sword protruding from the man's back.

“NO!” Wild screamed.

Twilight lunged to catch him and pull him back, Time pulled both back as he listened to Twilight promise Wild that it wasn’t him. Wind cried out too, and Warriors was quick to pull him and Hyrule to him as they watched the young man snarl, baring slight fangs. The young man swung his sword desperately, and it knocked the knight’s helmet off, but did little other damage.

“Agahnim will fail,” he swore, “you’ll fail.”

The knight laughed; Sky suddenly made a horrified noise upon seeing the knight’s face.

“With that brat dead, he will prevail,” the knight sneered. “With you out of the way, that wife of yours will be easy pickings, king.”

The knight shoved the noble off his sword, the man fell back and into the snow. 

In a reminder that Legend was completely separate from them, the veteran shot forward, dropping to his knees beside the nobleman.

“No, no, no—” Legend said as the knights all laughed. They boasted to one another, cheered how Agahnim would be pleased, and left the nobleman to die. “Don’t tell me—”

“No--Kit, it’s not him, it's not the Rancher,“ Sky tried as the young nobleman struggled to breathe, blood slipping from his mouth.

Time hated to see it, that was his pup—in look, at least—who was dying on the forest floor. It was that inn all over again.

A ripple of violet wrapped around their scholar for a moment, and just in time, Legend’s hand landed on the young man’s chest.

“He touched him!” Four gasped, voicing what Time knew they all were thinking. This was a vision, a dream, how could Legend interact with it like that?

“Who…” the man murmured, frowning and his brows knitting together in a way that Time could only see Twilight, could only see his descendent laying there.

“Wait—I have a fairy,” Legend shoved his hand into his pouch. “It’s going to be alright—You’ll be fine, you’ll get out of this—”

“Yer him,” the man slurred, and Great Forests, he even sounded like Twilight. “I… I got’ta see… ya grown up…”

Time held his pup a bit tighter as they all stared at the scene.

Legend made a strangled noise. “No, no, no—Where is that damn fairy?!” He suddenly froze as the man raised a bloodied hand to his cheek. “W-What--”

“If yer here…” the young man said, “s’means… yer not changin’ it… are ya?”

Time did not know their acclaimed Veteran Hero to be fragile, yet in that moment he looked like breaking glass.

“I can’t, can I?” He responded, voice breaking. He didn't sound his years either. “I’m sorry—I’ll fix it though! I—Agahnim doesn’t win! I stopped him, and-and I—I saved Zel—She’s—She’s okay too. You—You’re okay—You don’t have to worry.”

It hit him: Legend wasn’t seeing Twilight.

“I know… ya got the look of a hero… jus’ like y’r ancestors.” The young man smiled just as his hand slipped down from Legend’s face, leaving a line of blood down it. “I’m… ‘m proud.”

Legend caught his hand but otherwise didn’t move, his mouth moved as if to speak but no sound emerged.

“What the hell?” Warriors breathed.

“Is he okay?” Wind whispered, daring to try and touch Legend again while the veteran just stared at the dead man in front of him.

“I don’t—” Twilight choked out, “he’s not okay—Ordona, please.”

Wind’s hand went through Legend again.

A call caught their attention. Legend’s head jerked to the side toward the wider forest. He scrambled to his feet as that purple wisp wrapped around him again and the call grew clearer.

“Link!” All their heads turned toward the older woman. She was followed by an older man carrying a lantern, just outside the area. “Link! Baby, we came! Where are…”

“Leanne,” the man grabbed her arm, staring in their direction. “Is that…”

She pushed branches aside and entered the area, Twilight made a strangled noise while Legend, who saw them too, let out a pained cry as he dropped back to his knees.

The woman rushed to the body on the ground, her hand brushing through Legend’s shoulder and half of Sky’s body as he failed to get out of the way quick enough. 

She let out a horrid scream, one worse than any redead Time had ever heard, a cry of pain deeper than any injury, than any sword wound.

“LINK! NO! GODDESSES NO! NOT MY BABY!” She screamed, falling to the ground beside the dead man.

She screamed and sobbed and begged the goddesses not to take her child, her husband kneeling beside her and placing his hand on his son’s leg, eyes slipping shut.

Time couldn’t move, her cries froze him to his place, and it seemed all of them had the same reaction, except for their veteran.

Legend, with visible tears streaming down his cheeks, rushed over to the grieving couple and dropped beside the woman.

“Gran—Gran, please stop crying,” Legend begged, and Time felt the pieces click into place. At that same moment, Twilight fell to the ground just beside Time. Wild made a worried noise as he dropped beside the Rancher. “Gran, please, it’s okay, I’m so sorry—Look! Gran, look at him, he’s smiling. Gran please, don’t cry. I’ll fix it, I will.”

He sounded like a child, he sounded like Time when he had begged Navi not to leave, he sounded desperate and broken and like he just wanted to fix the one thing he had left.

“We shouldn’t be seeing this,” Four said, stepping back. “We’re not supposed to be seeing this.”

The woman faltered, her hand lowered to the man’s face and brushed his cheek, tugging the smile that had remained when his spirit moved on.

“My baby,” she sobbed, her cries quieting. “My baby boy.”

Another kind of cry caught all their attention, in the hollow of a tree came the sound of a crying infant.

“Oh,” Legend breathed. “That’s how…” He let out a pained laugh for seemingly no reason.

The old couple both went to the tree, and the woman cooed, it was strained and a bit painful, as she scooped an infant wrapped in royal blue from the hollow.

Time stumbled as the world suddenly jerked beneath their feet.

Next>>

[azurlily]

Day 7 of 31 of the yandere month May challenge. These two yanderes work together well, so they're pretty scary.

Also a reminder to everyone this is the last month you can request a specific type of reader for free. After this month it becomes commission work. Ask any questions in either DM or on my asks/requests.

Your boss has been giving you a hard time. Vi and Caitlyn hear about and are not happy, they make the night all about you.(they also deal with your boss)

Yandere!Vi and Yandere!Caitlyn Kiramman SMUT

"I dont fucking care! If it's not done by Friday, you're off the team! Got it!?"

You nodded your head, got you hate this man. He's the embodiment of everything you hate. He stands there and glares at you before turning away in anger, you hear him mumble about 'idiot' while he walks away.

Slowly you turn around, turning your head up to stop the warm water dripping down your face. You walk out, it was the end of the day and Friday is only 2 days from now. You can work on the project at home, you hope your lovers would let you pay attention. They like to distract you from work.

Once your home you realise you see two coats, two pairs of shoes, and most importantly two women in the kitchen. Upon hearing the door close both women look up, a set of grey and a set of blue eyes look at you. The hold nothing but adoration, love, happiness, and kindness. Both of your girlfriends love you so much.

So it brought them both pain when you break down crying. Tears spill down you face, warm tears, refusing to stop. Vi is the first to run to you, she picks you up and holds you. She brings you into the kitchen, her face went from one of love to one of pure disgust.

Vi always has some sort of snark, smile, or relatively happy look on her face. Of course that's only for you and Caitlyn. Now, oh right now, she's absolutely pissed, and not afraid to show it.

"Honey? What's wrong, are you okay?"

You didn't say a word, it took you a good second to finally regain the ability to properly think. You push yourself off of Vi, Vi herself had switched back to a smile. She doesn't want to frighten you, poor you.

The three of you sit down and start talking. You explain what's been going on, specifically with your boss. You know that Caitlyn has more than enough money to support you and Vi, and she's never abuse that. You just wanted to be able to do things, and having a job was the best way. Your job wasn't always this demanding, it's your boss that's the problem.

While you were talking you didn't notice the slow changes in both Vi and Caitlyn's faces. They couldn't look at you properly, not right now at least. Both girls had one goal currently, and that was to kill you boss. How dare he yell at you!? Does he not know who you are, who your lovers are? They could ruin him with a snap of their fingers.

"G-girls. I'm going to go call someone real quick."

Vi didn't say anything else and stood up. She walked into the bedroom and called Jinx. The two have been having a good relationship so far. Their bond growing stronger, and therapy is helping too. While you sat on the couch and let Caitlyn coddle you, Vi was calling her sister for a favor.

"Hey, hey yeah. Yeah I need a favor, someone hasn't been all to kind to [name] I was wondering if you could deal with him. No- no I don't care what happens to him. Kill him if you want, just make him understand not to hurt her. Yeah, yeah I'll give you his info in a second."

Caitlyn had so many ideas stewing in her mind, how dare he. How dare your moronic, disgusting, disrespectful boss, EVER yell at you. Men like him need to be put down, maybe cut their balls off, like you would a dog or a cat. Teach him a lesson, he obviously doesn't see a goddess when it's in front of him.

Vi walks in with a smile, she had a good- great idea. You poor thing, you've been hurt so badly by your boss. You need all the love and care both of your very willing girlfriends can provide.

Vi sneaks over to Caitlyn with a smirk, whispering her plan into her ear. An equally devious smirk appears on Caitlyns face. Oh this, this is going to be fun, very fun. Caitlyn smiles sweetly at you, she gives you the smile that tells you many things. That she loves you, that she adores you, that she'd kill for you, that she want to fuck you so hard it hurts.

You assumed the latter was her choice.

"Sweetie, why don't you go undress in the bedroom, hm? Vi and I will be there soon, we're just going to grab a few toys."

Caitlyn stands up and give you a small peck on the lips before leaving with Vi. To large smirks on their face as they walk away. Their entire plan is to fuck you so raw you can't go to work, then when you do, your boss(if he's even alive) will have a whole new personality.

You walk to the bedroom, your face burning. Other parts of your body started to burn too, burn with need, with want. You didn't realise how pent up you were until now, god this was frustrating for you. You know your lovers, they love to tease.

After about ten minutes Caitlyn and Vi walk in. Vi has her boxers on, she also has a belt with a harness attached to it. The entire thing makes it look like thin, black(stylish) suspenders. Caitlyn though, oh she's wearing baby blue lingere. It looks so soft and pretty, you want to tear it off her, so very badly.

"You look so cute princess! I'm glad you were smart enough to only wear a bra and panties, if you wore anything else, well I would more than likely tear it!"

Vi always sounds so enthusiastic right before sex, you know it's her way of showing her interest. It's just scary sometimes, I mean the look on her face and the way she's talking are two very, very different things. She sounds happy, sweet, and kind, she looks like she wants to fuck you in front of hundreds of people and let them call you dirty things for her amusement.

"Mhm. Indeed, our beautiful little wife has learned, finally. I'm glad I dont need to worry about Vi destroying all your clothes anymore. Now, how about you lay back for us."

It wasn't a request, no instead it was a command. Caitlyn runs a tight ship, and you've learned bratting off only fucks you over further into the future. Not that it matters, you find it fun. You tilt your head and ask her to make you. A smile- dark, a dark smile finds it's way to her face. Caitlyn walks to you, she gently grabs a handful of your hair and pulls. A warning, she's warning you.

You know, you know all about her warnings. First a hair pull, then she'll bite your neck softly, lastly she grab you by the throat. Not roughly, but not soft either. You look up at her with faux innocence, you tilt you head in an attempt to feign innocence. You hear a deep growl from behind you, Vi. She's getting impatient.

Vi is the easier one to please out of the two, she just wants to make you scream. That's isn't hard to do, you just have to hit the right spots.

"I advise you to listen to Caitlyn, just because this night is about you doesn't mean we wont remind you how to listen. Dont test."

You decide it's best to save the brat for another day, you know their doing this to make you feel good. You told them everything, you're not surprised they had this cooked up. You nod slowly, you watch Caitlyn pull back, only for her to push you onto the bed. You lay back, spreading your legs and moving your arms above your head.

You know how they like it. You watch Caitlyn move and sit in a chair, it has gold trimmings and is a satin red. Vi smirks, this is how it goes. From now on, the words 'Vi' and 'Caitlyn' don't exist. It's daddy, and mistress. Honorifics, the things you call them by as a reminder of how they own you.

You watch Vi pull something from a box she had with her. A bright red, 8 inch long strap on. She looks between you and the strap, she sees the reaction on your face. Nothing but pure horny bliss, that's what she likes to see. If she saw that you were scared, she would have used a smaller one. One that would better fit you and your interests.

Vi attaches the strap to her, that's what the harness is for after all. She takes a few steps to you, she puts gets on the bed, her hips cornering you. You lay spread out, and she lays on top of you, look down. She takes your hands and cuffs them together, she. The harness has a belt attached to it, the cuffs were attached to the belt. Vi grins, she loves seeing you helpless, seeing that you need her.

You look over to Caitlyn, she's staring you both intently. She wants to see who will react first, if you say something, or will you meekly open your legs and let Vi have her fun. Caitlyn shakes with anticipation, making herself wetter than before. At some point Vi cant take it anymore, she grabs one of your legs and puts it over her shoulder. She dips the straps tip into you, nothing more, just the tip. She wants to see you shake, shake in pleasure, in pain, she wants to see all of it.

You jump and shake at the sudden intrusion, you body feels amazing and Vi just looks at you. She watches you twitch and shake as she slowly slips in and out ofr your pussy. She wants to see every reaction, every movement. Vi can't get enough of seeing you like this, she needs it, she becomes feral thinking about all the things she's going to do to you. Her pace quickened, hips starting to jam closer and closer to your. She needs this, badly.

Caitlyn watches you two with intense excitement. She loves seeing you like this, and it wasn't like she isn't getting any please out of this two. She had put a bullet vibrator in Vi, and she had a vibrator on herself too. She has the controls to Vis and hers, she turns Vis up by 1 and watches her shake. Caitlyn can see just how much shes getting off on this, and it makes her shiver thinking about it.

"Vi honey, if you want to cum at any point tonight, you're going to have to make our darling scream. I want to hear it loud and clear. Got that?"

"Mm, y-yes ma'am. Make her scream so I can c-cum."

Vi is absolutely losing it right not, her hips keep slamming into yours. No matter how many times you shake and spasm, your entire body is under her control. Vi on the other hand is under Caitlyns control, she knows Vi is chasing her oragsm, and hell get it. As long as Caitlyn gets to hear you scream. Vis thrusts get more and more manic, she's shaking, helping you into your orgasm, while chasing her own. God she needs it, so badly.

Your breath starts to shake more, you and Vi had changed positions a while ago, you are on your back and Vi has you holding onto her for dear life. You start scratching down Vis back, be it the pain of pleasure, you can take if anymore. You start crying and mumbling incoherently, you don't know what you're saying, and neither do Vi or Caitlyn. All that matter is you being absolutely destroyed, and you look oh so close.

"Vi, baby, I want you both to cum with me. Hold on just a bit longer babe, and Vi, I'll turn the vibe up."

You didn't know if you could hold on, it just felt so, so good. How the hell are you going to hold back like this!? At this rate you'll start breaking rules, one of those being don't cum unless given permission. You start hitting Vis back, hoping she slows down. You need her to or you wont last any longer, although you know Vi isn't going to listen. Even if you could talk properly, which you cannot.

"Fuck- cum! Both you of y-you, fuck!"

Permission, that's what you needed, and finally you were given it. Your body convulses against Vis, who does the exact same. You to shake and rock against eachother. Slowly you both come down from your highs. Caitlyn turns the bullet Vibrator off and turns hers off too. Vi slowly pulls out of you, she sees your freshly fucked face and almost laughs. You look so cute, all dumb like this.

"You both did so well for me, but now. Vi honey, please move. It's my turn to torture [name] body, and I intend to work thoroughly.

You look at her in your blissed out state, you should have known. Both if them want your body, they just like to take it in different ways.

[tamashi-tai-tamashi]

Time for my little review of Dragon Ball Daima episode 2 !

It was a good episode, I enjoyed it a lot!! Really, for now Daima is great and doesn't disappoint me !

Some little things about the series :

I don't remember if I said it before, but Daima is visually beautiful. The animation, designs, character designs, everything is great and cool to watch ! Which is by the way amazing after the visual mess that Dragon Ball Super was.

The opening and ending are great 🎶

Now about the episode in itself :

The lore keeps being amazing and interesting ! That little thing about how the Namekians/Namekujin left the Daima world was very interesting, for example !

I love the little teasings about the characters and their lives. For now many of them are mysterious, we all want to know more about them, and this episode does a good job teasing us a bit and making us even more interested ! The parts about Gomah, about Kaïoshin's past and his brother, about Neva's backstory... I am hyped not gonna lie ! I can't wait to learn more about Neva, to understand why they said Gomah was so dangerous while for now he just looks like a clown, to know what's Kaïoshin's relationship with his brother...

The humor was great. Seriously, it was so funny. That line when Shenron said he only gave three wishes to the regulars cracked me up lol. All the episode was funny and I really liked it!

Gokū with his Nyoibō!!!! One of my favourite parts!!! I was so happy to see Gokū with his Nyoibō again!!! I had missed it!! The Nyoibō was such an important object in the first Dragon Ball series/at the beginning of the manga, it was emblematic, and I had missed it in DBZ/DBS/the rest of the manga, so I was sooooo happy (and a bit nostalgic!) when I saw Gokū with it again!

Kid Vegeta is adorable. Nothing to add.

I love Gokū's personality and energy, in this ep and in the first two. He looks more like himself, and it's cool. DBS gave him such a shitty personality, and I was afraid we would see that version of him again, but for now it's not the case and it's a good thing!

Gokū as a kid is even more adorable. Still nothing to add.

I like how Bulma treats Kibito as her servant. Go on Queen.

The seiyus (voice actors) are amazing! Masako Nozawa is OF COURSE incredible but I'll talk about it later because she deserves her own point haha. I didn't mention it a lot after the first episode because the characters we love didn't talk that much, but the seiyus are great. Of course, it's still weird to hear that new voice for Bulma, but her original seiyu died (💔) some years ago so they didn't have another choice, her new seiyu honestly does a great job! Same for all the other seiyus, I love the new characters' voices, and the seiyus of the characters we already knew are still doing a perfect job! For now in Daima, I especially love Vegeta's and Piccolo's seiyus' work - and obviously the best is still queen Masako Nozawa !

Masako Nozawa. What can I even say about her ? What a queen, what a goddess, what a legend. Those of you who only watch the dub don't know what you miss because NOBODY can voice a character the way Masako Nozawa voices Gokū, and nobody can voice Gokū the way Masako Nozawa voices Gokū. There's no word to describe how talented she is, how incredible Gokū's voice is, how amazing the passion she puts in her work is! Can you believe that she's almost 90??? That's CRAZY. She's a LEGEND.

It was so, so, so great to hear her voice Kid Gokū again! I love her Kid Gokū voice! I was smiling like an idiot during the whole episode just because of that! And of course it made me nostalgic but in a happy way haha, I had flash-backs of Kid Gokū meeting Bulma for the first time and going on adventures with her and I loved it.

The only little thing I didn't like was Neva saying he couldn't bring back the Dragon Ball like he did a second time. Didn't seem very logical, it kind of sounded like script facility, it was a bit lazy. Of course they couldn't make him do that twice but it would have been better if they'd explained why before. But that's like... a very very little flaw so it doesn't really matter. Edit : someone in the comments told me that they thought Neva was just fucking with us because he didn't want Gomah to do what he wanted to do with that wish and it actually makes a lot of sense, I think it's what happened!

I WANNA SEE GOHAN. WHERE IS GOHAN? I just KNOW something will happen with him, but what? Can't wait to know!

Anyway, this episode was really great, I really like Daima so far, I am sooo hyped and I can't wait to see the next episode!

Hope everyone enjoyed it too :)

[freezerbnuuy]

Questions for Storytelling Simblrs - Answered

I have had these saved on a WordPad document for a while. They aren't mine, I saved them from a reblog I found months ago. EDIT: the original list was from user Iiteralite Answering these for my story, Divided.

what’s the last screenshot you’ve taken for your story? - The last picture I took was this one of Owen, a physician, in his alchemy lab.

describe your story in three words or less - Dark, mysterious, historical

describe (insert character here) in three words or less We'll go with Katlego, one of my favourite characters. Pacifistic, kind, confident.

how did you choose the name of your story? - This is actually part of a universe of stories. The other 3 stories are older, done back when I was on XBox and archived. All of them had one-word titles, so I had to find a word that largely sums up the story and Divided was perfect for it.

how do you choose your characters’ names? - I never use random baby sites' name lists. I always use name lists from sites about the culture / country, or from other similarly-accurate sources. For the 'English' characters' names I used name lists gathered from historical sources for the 1600s-1800s. Most characters' names have almost no connection to the meaning associated with them since I imagine most of the parents of these characters just picked something nice or traditional. - Áine is actually the prototype name (according to an official Tweet) of Tess Dyer, the Magic Realm Untamed Sage predecessor, and the Áine you see in the story is that exact premade. Áine is also an Irish goddess of Summer, which is why her mother named her after her. - It highly depends on multiple factors: Some cultures place more importance on names than others. Kat's background is like this, since a lot of countries in Africa place high importance on names and believe their meaning to be reflective, or hopeful, of the person's future. - I had to change some names due to further research. Before 1900, Romanian naming conventions were different, so Violeta Vasilescu became Violeta Vasile Nicolae. I also changed Iris's real name for similar reasons. - The character's name almost always depends on where they were born / lived. - Some names are references to other media. Oskar's surname, Nivelheim, is the (ff7 prototype's) spelling of the game's town of Nibelheim, a town associated (horribly) with Sephiroth, the character whose design Oskar's is based on. - On occasion I'll use a random name generator. The Annorin family's surname was picked from some kind of fantasy name generator.

how long have you been working on your story for? - 2 years and a bit.

whats the biggest risk you’ve taken with your story? did it pay off? - Not being afraid to write certain things that I worry might cause some kind of offence - especially the Peteran / Jacoban religious material. I only made up ideas for it and went off of what was also in the Sims Medival where those religions appear. The only thing based on real life from it is the offhand mention of Jacobans historically trying to get in the way of physicians practicing on the dead to learn anatomy. So far everyone has enjoyed those aspects of the story, and a few people have compared it to certain elements of how things are where they live which I tried not to respond too much to those comments to go careful, but it's interesting to see people draw a few parallels to their own experience or people they know.

what about your story are you proud of? - It's the longest thing I've written so far, and I haven't given up yet. People will always try to compete with me about how theirs is longer every time I bring it up, but I don't care.

what about your story are you looking to improve on? - In all honesty, nothing. It's not perfect, but I'm not looking to improve on anything because I don't think that much has gone wrong with it, and all the things I've noticed that have gone wrong I'm not bothered about. I have things I do need to go careful with later on but that's slightly different.

is your story fully planned or are you still working things out? is there a definitive end? - It was never fully planned, but multiple plot points were already planned including the ending due to it being a prequel, technically. A lot of it wasn't planned. I still don't know the entirety of how things are going to go.

why have you decided to tell this story? are there any messages or meanings within it? - I can't stop making prequels or side-stories for characters I find interesting. (MCU energy) - I find fantasy interesting, but I'm not really a fan of certain kinds of fantasy. I wanted something more based off IRL practice, and things like DnD and Pathfinder. More gritty, I guess, and with realistic limits unlike some fantasy series where you can cast high-level magic first thing with zero practice as much as you want. I wanted a world where magic is feared and dangerous to some extent both to others and the spellcaster. - I've had the odd person not-so-subtly imply I'm 'pushing an agenda' with this story, but I don't give a shit. The element of witch-hunts is relatable to a lot of people, and so it's not actually that hard to write about a group of people chased out of their living spaces and killed for aspects of their identity and life that are lied about by rich people and the media to ACTUALLY push an agenda. It's an interesting allegory that works for multiple groups of people who might relate to the witches. - I wanted a story focused a lot on shared experience where you perhaps wouldn't expect to find any. So many characters in this story, some who barely know each other or are from various different backgrounds or social classes find things in common. - I wanted to try and challenge myself to write a longer story. Most of my other ones are quite short. - I keep coming up with interesting ideas or lore and I feel the need to try and explore every single one (don't do that it's painful lmao)

do you actually play the game or do you just use it as a storytelling medium? Just as a storytelling medium.

from basic planning to a finished post, how long does that take you? Too fucking long. It used to take a week / 2 weeks, now it can take a month / 2 months. We love worsening mental health < 3

do you have any regrets about your story so far? if you could go back in time, how would you fix these? - We don't do regrets in this house, not for this story anyway.

what have been the highlights of creating your story? - It's a suitable distraction from everything else and it gets me some attention.

what about the process do you enjoy? - At this point, nothing. I just want it finished!

what about the process do you hate? GLITCHES! BUGS! BROKEN CC! PLOT HOLES! GLITCHES! SPENDING AGES FUCKING AROUND WITH T.O.O.L! TRYING TO FIND HISTORICAL CC THAT FITS FAT SIMS!

choose a song that reminds you of your story Here you go. Here's another

choose a song that reminds you of (insert character here) This stock music (that I first heard in the game Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments) is one I use a lot for writing Samuel and Owen for the sinister air of it.

choose your favourite shot from your story so far - I have a lot of favourites, here's a non-spoiler one

choose your least favourite shot so far Nope < 3

choose a favourite character from your story so far I have way too many, so I'll pick one I mentioned earlier, Katlego. She's very different from the other characters. Her magic is Mischief magic which, in this story, is from an in-universe similar-to-a closed practice, practiced by little small communities around the world. She doesn't use her magic often or her tiger form because she fears them both. Her magic is literally mind-altering. She has so much crazy power at her fingertips and yet she refuses to use it because she's good-hearted. She is the one who fears her abilities the most, but is the least likely to do any proper harm to someone. Some characters help her come up with ideas to use her magic for benevolent reasons. Kat is one of the most genuine characters in the story. She always sticks to her guns, even around scarier or more powerful characters. She always tries to stick to pacifism, and hates fighting because of what her mother used to tell her as a child to never hurt anyone else. Despite all that Henford and its people have thrown at her, she still stands tall within the community. But like in any terrible community, there is always going to be people who do genuinely have your back and many people support Kat in whichever way they can.

choose your least favourite character so far - Alistair. He made a lot of mistakes as a father and he hasn't really had much involvement since the end of Act Three since his plot was closely tied to a character who didn't make it past Act Three, one of his children has moved away eventually in Act Four and his other child wants little to do with him.

are there any characters who remind you of yourself? - Eli reminds me of my old, overemotional self, and his being upset at feeling things strongly is something that is very relatable to past me. - Clementia being annoyed about how much her brother gets away with in comparison to her when they were growing up.

what inspirations have you drawn on for your story? Mainly the inspirations for the story come from Pathfinder, Dungeons and Dragons, IRL open practice, and Final Fantasy. Violeta's design was based on Lady Dimitrescu from RE: Village.

have other sim stories inspired you?  - In ways, yes. A lot of those people don't play the game anymore.

what genres would you describe your story as? - Dark fantasy

if you could reproduce your story in another medium (movie, novel, comic, etc.) what would you choose and why? - An RPG would be pretty cool, because well why not? Or a visual novel might be fun. Don't have any reason other than 'it would be cool'.

what would your story’s rating be? (G, PG, M etc.) - M

if you were leaving simblr and had to choose another creator to continue the story for you, who would you ask? - I wouldn't, this story is mine and it dies with me!

drop some random trivia about your story - A scrapped idea: Originally Oskar's canonical first adopted daughter, Ilse, was still meant to be alive in the present day, having been bitten by Oskar to save her from illness. She would have been about 9/10 at the time and utterly resented him for it.

give a light spoiler - A prominent figure in Henford will cause a massive scandal that will set the depths of the witch-hunts in motion.

[notori]

On a more genuine note from my previous post though: I do not think Imodna will go the same way as Vaxleth for a few reasons.

Vax's story was very personal to Liam. It always frustrates me when people act like the Raven Queen 'took Vax away' (and thus she is a bad goddess) when in fact she answered his prayer and granted his wish. Vax's story is about "Take me instead!" - not some kind of "Don't let Vex die!", and certainly not someone who was raised from the dead without their consent and bound like a puppet. Unless such an ending is expressly what Marisha wants for her character, I don't see it being narratively satisfying. Even if Laudna dies in sacrifice to save the others, because of the breadth of Delilah's power, it would be more of a general "I'm dying to save everyone" and less personal (and impactful) than Vax's trading his life for Vex's.

I joked about how this is Delilah Briarwood vs Laura Bailey again, so don't sweat it, but it's true! The players play their characters differently. Liam loves tragedy and plays it well; Laura loves romance and plays it well. Percy also had a dark streak with a hunger for power, and Vex would not let him go. I see more parallels with themes like: "I feel cruel, but in control." and "Take the mask off." Meanwhile, Imogen and Keyleth are different characters and their love interests have different relationships with death. In the end, the reason Keyleth could not do anything against the Raven Queen isn't because she's a god and Keyleth is not, but because Vax - as a paladin - chose to honour his faith and uphold his end of the deal. Imogen is not in that position because Laudna is not in that position. Laudna may see herself as just a puppet, or a risk, or a dead end - but we the audience, and Imogen, know that she is not (maybe a bit of a calculated risk). If anything, I see us on the precipice of an arc of Imogen inspiring Laudna to fight for her independence again and figuring out a way to do that (this is a world of magic after all).

And that theme of fighting for independence is something that has been there since the beginning. We have seen it both in analysis and confirmed on 4SD that Laudna's relationship with Delilah is in many ways similar to struggling with addiction. And now, into year three of C3, we are really seeing that take form when things get rough. When things get out of control, when you get desperate, that's when you grasp at anything to make it easier. It would be a real kick in the teeth to have her not overcome that struggle. Of course, there's the possibility that she does overcome that struggle by getting rid of Delilah and dying as a result. But out of game it has been referred to more in line with addiction that is constantly managed rather than addiction that is ended cold turkey - which for some people is the only way. I'll admit this one is more a personal preference but I do see it overall leaving a bad taste if Laudna were to die from Delilah in some way (again). Presuming they resolve issues with the solstice and resurrection spells, True Resurrection does exist and I'm certain the Hells would work off a 25k GP debt to bring Laudna back for good (which I see as more of a final episode/epilogue/post-game situation).

Regardless, it's a beautiful story and I'm sure that whatever happens will be what the players want. However, in this case I genuinely don't see them repeating something they have done before. Although we saw many parallels last night, there is still much which sets Imodna and Vaxleth apart narratively.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

[ x ]

🦇 Heir Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite fantasy book?❓ 🦇 An orphan. An outcast. A prince. And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees. An old tragedy fuels Aiz's need for vengeance, while love of her people that propels her. Sirsha agrees to use her magic to hunt a killer who is murdering children across the Martial Empire. And Quil is the Empire's crown prince, though he's loath to take the throne. Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of these three young people as they grapple with power, treachery, love, and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, on a journey that may cost them their lives—and their hearts. Literally.

💜 *Insert a plethora of creative curses here* For fig's sake. I can't even begin to describe the pure AWE I have, not only for this story, but for Sabaa Tahir, fantasy and Muslim-American literary goddess, in general. I honestly can't think of a story I've read that was so well intertwined, so fully conceptualized, while respecting roots of the series that came before it. Earlier this year, I had the fortune to read The Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab, which continued her Shades of Magic series. Reading Heir sparked that same feeling; the sensation of returning home after a long journey through other vast worlds. I'm grateful that Penguin Teen hosted the Ember in the Ashes read-along this summer. While Heir introduces us to new characters, 20 years after the Ember in the Ashes series ends, each mention and emergence of a familiar character provided a sweet taste of nostalgia I didn't know I needed. These books have seeped themselves deep within my marrow since 2015, and Sabaa Tahir has been on my favorite/auto-buy author for just as long. She's the first Muslim-American to win the National Book Award for Young People's Literature; a feat that gives me hope and inspiration as a Muslim-American writer.

💜 Reading Heir, you can see how much Tahir's prose has flourished over the past decade. Despite stepping back into this familiar world, it's richer, more vivid. The action is just as intense and ruthless, the characters undeniably unique. The underlying themes resonate deeply. I loved every nod to South Asian, Pakistani, and Islamic culture. It's always the five-star book reviews I struggle with the most. I could talk about this story for hours, but I'd spoil so much that I want you to experience for yourself.

💙 Don't worry: if you haven't read the An Ember in the Ashes quartet, you can still enjoy Heir. The three main characters have their own vivid story to tell, and while there are mentions of many beloved characters from the original series, they're supporting cast to Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil. I will say that the first part of the story took a moment to adjust to, and there's the lingering question of HOW these characters are connected, but once you realize how the breadcrumbs were laid out for you, you'll realize the execution is FLAWLESS. The fast pace keeps you on your toes, the ever-growing tension driving you to the last page. As for the underlying romantic story, AH! It was perfectly built, the sass and chemistry playful without stealing from the main plot, yet heart-wrenching; that kind of painful that keeps you invested long-term. OH! And can we talk about our villain? That BUILD?! I love a villain with reason--a character who doesn't realize they're the villain at all, someone with a mission that goes about it in all the wrong ways. This story had EVERYTHING and then some. I'll be recommending it for the next 20 years.

🦇 Recommended for fans of The Red Queen series, The Lunar Chronicle series, and The Throne of Glass series.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🫀First in a Duology ✨ Young Adult High Fantasy/Romantasy 👑 Political Intrigue ⛏ Enemies to Lovers 💓 Found Family 👁 Multi POV

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #Heir

💬 Quotes ❝ Get what you need. Forget the rest. ❞ ❝ "You are a daughter of the evening star. You are not meant to be caged." ❞ ❝ “I give my heart unto her keeping, a gift with no compare.” ❞ ❝ "The past will distract you from the now. And it’s the now that matters.” ❞ ❝ “You seek to understand the fibers that make the world,” Loli Temba said, “but not your own pain, nor that of others. You’d be better served understanding the latter.” ❞ ❝ He looked at her like her secrets were the sea, and he was at home in dark water. ❞ ❝ “Quil—” His name rolled off her tongue, a prayer. “Please—” “Mmm,” he said. “You should say that more, Sirsha. I’d give you whatever you wanted.” ❞ ❝ “Care about yourself as much as you care about those you love. As much as— as we care about you.” ❞ ❝ Sirsha grabbed his hand, wishing she could articulate the desire suffusing her, something more than I need you and I wish I didn’t. ❞

[xandriagreat]

The Meeting about the River Styx

Summary: Hades has a meeting with Zeus and Poseidon about the River Styx and he's not happy.

Author's note: This takes place after Thunder Bringer and around a week of Odysseus being stuck on Calypso's island.

Notice/warnings: shout/yelling, kill/death mention, CAPs, grounded

▪▪▪

Zeus and Poseidon both got a message from their big brother, Hades. It said that they need to have a meeting.

The meeting will take place in one of the fields of Demeter's garden.

Both of the brothers wondered what the meeting was going to be about.

♤

Zeus and Poseidon looked at each other as they got to Demeter's garden, where the meeting was going to be taking place.

"So, do you know what the meeting about?" Zeus asked, looking at Poseidon.

"Nope. I've been busy. I thought that you would know." Poseidon said, looking at Zeus.

Then they both noticed Demeter walked over to them.

"Hello, Demeter." both brothers said when the harvest goddess got to them.

"Zeus. Poseidon." Demeter said to them a bit flatly.

Before Zeus or Poseidon could ask anything about the meeting, Demeter turned around and said, "Follow me, Hades is here for the meeting. Before either of you ask, no, I don't know what the meeting is about."

Zeus and Poseidon looked at each other before they followed Demeter to the meeting.

♤

Hades waited in the field where the meeting was taking place.

It was the field where he picks up and brings back Persephone for the seasons.

He was sitting down on the ground.

Hades was wet from the soul water of The River Styx when he was coming up to the meeting.

He sighed and looked at Persephone, who was waiting with him, giving him some company before the meeting started.

They talked a bit about what's been happening.

Hades liked the company.

"Thanks for waiting and talking with me, Persephone." he said to her.

"You're welcome." Persephone said, smiling softly.

Then they saw Demeter walking over with Zeus and Poseidon.

Hades and Persephone got up from sitting on the ground. There was a very dry and dead patch of grass where Hades was sitting.

"It's time." Hades said to himself before looking at Persephone. "I'll see you next winter."

Persephone looked at Hades and smiled softly. "See you next winter." she said as she hugged him before going to Demeter.

The two goddesses left the field to give some privacy to the three brothers.

Zeus and Poseidon looked at Hades, who was glaring at them.

Both brothers smiled nervously at their big brother. "So, what is this meeting about?" Zeus asked, keeping his voice calm.

Hades stared at his brothers for a moment before answering with a growl, "The River Styx..."

That confused both Zeus and Poseidon. "What about the River Styx?" they asked together, staring at him.

There was an angry fire in Hades' eyes as the god of the underworld and the dead glared at the god of the sea and the god king.

"What about it is that it's now overflowing with too many souls from Odysseus' fleet." Hades said angrily. "Thanks to both of you, The River Styx is now so clogged up that no soul is moving. Everyone who works in the Underworld is trying to get The River Styx back to normal, including me. That's why I'm wet."

"Oh!" Zeus and Poseidon exclaimed.

Both of them nodded in understanding.

"Okay, is that all? Why did you want us to meet?" Zeus asked, a bit confused.

Hades sighed as he clapped a signal clap and said, "I need both of you to not kill anyone until The River Styx is fixed and get back into the flow of things."

That caught both Zeus and Poseidon off guard. "What?!" both exclaimed angrily at their big brother.

"No way!" Poseidon said angrily. "I haven't found Odysseus yet after SOMEONE didn't kill him but instead the rest of his fleet!" Poseidon glared at Zeus before looking at Hades as he continued, "I want to make Odysseus pay for what he did!"

Hades didn't look fazed by Poseidon's anger while Zeus looked offended at Poseidon.

"That's not my fault!" Zeus shouted at him. "I gave him the choice of either him or his crew!"

"It is your fault!" Poseidon shouted back.

The two gods shouted at each other while the oldest looked at them before sighing and summoned two cuffs with the carving mark his weapon, the bident.

While Zeus and Poseidon were pointing at each other, Hades grabbed both of their wrists and put one cuff on Zeus' wrist and put one cuff on Poseidon's wrist.

Zeus and Poseidon were confused of what Hades just did as the big brother let go of their wrists.

Zeus and Poseidon looked at the cuffs with the bident mark. "Hades... what did you just do?" they asked, looking at their brother.

"These are kill blockers. These will block any kill when worn and will not be taken off until I take it off. You both can scare and hurt anyone with your powers, it's just that you both cannot kill anyone with your powers." Hades explained, pointing at the cuffs with his hand. "In short, you're both grounded until The River Styx is fixed and get back into the flow of things."

Zeus and Poseidon stared at Hades in shock. "THAT'S NOT FAIR!!!!" they shouted.

"OH IT'S FAIR!" Hades shouted back. Then he took a breath and calmed down. "This meeting is done. I'll send Hermes a message let you know when The River Styx is fixed and flowing properly again."

Zeus and Poseidon just stared at Hades before raising their arms to see if the cuffs work.

The cuffs glowed.

The both of them were able to summon their powers but it was enough to just hurt someone.

They stopped their powers and they both looked at the cuffs before looking at Hades, who was glaring at them.

Zeus and Poseidon smiled nervously at Hades. "Okay..."

Hades growled at them before going to his chariot to go back to the Underworld as Zeus and Poseidon start to leave the field.

♤

It took a long time but The River Styx was fixed and got back into the flow of things after a long while.

Hades had a meeting with Zeus and Poseidon to get the cuffs off and unground them after The River Styx got back into the flow of things.