#and it would also give me a tiny bit more time to prepare myself

[duskvsdawn]

You naughty thief

You and Alban had been together for a little while now. One night he comes over to your home, unexpected, and the two of you have some fun together ;)

≫ A/N: As requested by my lovely favourite anon, and probably my biggest supporter ever, here is a part 2! I hope you will enjoy! ❤ Alban smut sends me places, and it makes me happy to write this for you :) Also, this isn't really long cause uhhh I just couldn't really think of anything good atm but I still hope you enjoy it nonetheless! I might be taking a break for a few days because I am starting to feel that familiar feeling of putting too much pressure on myself and writers block, and on top of that, there is kind of a lot going on the upcoming days, so I need to make sure all my mental needs are met, I hope you guys understand ❤

CW: smut, female reader, Alban is a cutie, kinda subby Alban and dom reader, Alban has a mommy kink, reader rides Alban, mention overstim, teeny tiny bit of a hint at dacryphilia if you squint, uh this is just filth

Art credits.

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Being on opposite sides of the law had been a challenge for the both of you, but mostly for you. You really wanted to keep that necklace, but you didn't want to lose your job, so like the good citizen, you did turn it in as evidence. Alban hasn't been stealing as much, probably to give you a break so you wouldn't have as much trouble with your job, and you appreciated that.

You hadn't seen him all week and you wondered what he was up to, so you decided to call him. He didn't pick up, which was weird, because he always did when you called him. With a shrug, you put your phone on the nightstand and went over to the bathroom to prepare so you could go to sleep soon. When you came back, he was laying on your bed.

"What the- how... How did you get in?" you asked, and you knew when those words left your mouth that it was a stupid question. "Darling, I am a burglar, of course I know the way in," he replied with a wink. You rolled your eyes and plopped down on the bed, and you hugged your boyfriend. "I've missed you, what have you been up to?" you asked as you looked up at him. "Same as always, just further away so it wouldn't have to be your team to be bothered with catching me," he said with a cheeky smile. When you asked him why he didn't pick up the phone, he told you he saw no point in picking up since he was on his way to your house anyway, and that sounded reasonable to you. You saw a smirk appear on his face, and you knew he had something planned.

He leaned on his elbow and kissed you on your nose. "You know, I missed you too," he said as a blush started appearing on his cheeks. "Ahw, my beautiful little kitty. Did you miss me that much? What do you say, how about we make up for the time we didn't see each other?" you say as you push him onto his back and crawl on top of him. "I would like that very much, mommy," Alban replies as the blush on his cheeks deepens, and his hands start roaming under your pyjama shirt. You lift the shirt over your head and lean over to kiss him. It is a hungry and needy kiss. You both missed each other so much that you poured all your love into that kiss. After breaking the kiss, catboy sits up so he can start taking off his own shirt. His fang bites into his lower lip as his hands wander on your body once more. You move off his lap so you can take off his pants and pull off his boxers, followed by your own underwear. You sit down on his lap and move your hands through his hair.

"I want you, mommy... I want you so bad..." The thief says as his hands move towards your hips. You rub yourself against his dick and you can feel just how much his cock is leaking, guess he really does want you. "You'll have to ask for it nicely, baby." You say as your head moves down towards his neck to leave a hickey there, and the cat thief moans. "Please, mommy. I need you right now. I've missed you so much..." Alban says as one hand moves to your behind to squeeze it, hopefully motivating you to just start riding him already. And it worked, because you thought this was sufficient begging. You lifted yourself up and slowly sank down on his cock, moaning at the feeling of him filling you up so nicely. Alban was getting ready to thrust up into you, but you said, "I don't think so, boy. I am setting the pace tonight," you said as you slowly started moving up and down. Alban was hiding his face in your neck because, oh my god, you just felt so good to him. You wanted to speed up, but you wanted to see if he would become a whiny baby if you didn't. And sure enough, after some time, he did start whining and asked you to move faster.

"Please, mommy. Please, I need more. Pretty please?" he whispered, and if you didn't know better, you'd say he was close to tears because you had only been slowing down for the last minute or so. You loved a high and rough pace yourself, but you wanted to see how much begging you could get out of him, so instead, you stopped altogether. "What's that, baby? I didn't quite catch that, I'm afraid." You said between kisses all over his jawline, neck and collarbone. He repeated the question, louder this time, and you decided to give him what both of you wanted. You started bouncing on his dick like your life depended on it and you had to admit, this felt so much nicer. Moans kept leaving your mouth as whimpers and whines left his. After a little bit of time, though, your legs started to burn, and your boyfriend noticed, but he wasn't afraid of putting in any work. His hands helped you move up and down as his hips snapped against yours to ease the burden on you a little bit. He hid his face in your neck once more, biting down and drawing some blood. You hissed in pain, but moaned when your boyfriend licked the wound to prevent the blood from trickling all over your body and possibly ending up on the sheets that smelled freshly washed. Not that it mattered much, because with what you were doing, those sheets would need washing soon anyway.

You wrapped your arms tighter around him as you felt the pressure in your stomach build, but you knew you would need a little bit more to get there. "Fuck, you feel so good. Make your mommy cum. You can do that for me, right?" and the catboy replied by eagerly nodding his head as one hand instantly moved towards your clit to rub it. You could tell he was getting close, too, because he started whimpering even louder through pants, and you thought he just looked so beautiful so close to the edge. You made a promise to yourself to try and keep your eyes open to look at his face as he fell apart, and listen to every sound he would make. He's always been a vocal bed partner, and you loved that about him. With the extra stimulation, you could feel you were getting closer and closer and closer- until you felt that familiar burst of pleasure all through your body. While you were busy riding out your orgasm, the moans that left your mouth were the final bit that pushed Alban over the edge himself. You snapped your eyes open to look at him, and you could see his eyes were closed, a tiny bit of drool trickling from the corner of his mouth, and the sounds he made were so delicious and beautiful to you. They were a combination of outright cries of pleasure and whimpers from the absolute bliss he was feeling. He fell backwards on your bed, and you leaned over to kiss him.

You had to regain your breath, but you weren't done with him yet; this had only been round 1. After you got him hard again, you rode him for 4 more rounds, and Alban had become a crying mess. He wasn't sure if he wanted you to continue or stop. It felt like too much, but he kept wanting more. You milked him dry of all he had to give you, and after both of you collapsed on the bed, exhausted but satisfied, you held him tight and wiped away those beautiful tears from his eyes. He looked absolutely fucked out and you were on cloud 9 yourself. Both of you needed this so much after you hadn't seen each other for a little bit. You would have work early in the morning, and you had a feeling that it would be him you would be chasing after today.

[dragonaboni-blog]

What Any Researcher Would Do!

So... I originally had the idea of ​​doing a post about Friede and Roy having a late-night snack, but seeing this little comic by @d00xle made me laugh so hard that I couldn't help myself; I had to write something about it!

Don't worry, on another friday I will publish the other writing I had in mind, in the meantime, enjoy this one!

Series: Pokemon Horizons

Characters: Friede, Orla and Mollie.

PREV - Friede Friday Drabbles - NEXT

---

For as long as he could remember, Friede was always a curious child. His hunger for knowledge never stopped growing, and combined with his childish impulsiveness, it was always the basis for trouble.

One sunny day, he and Orla, his faithful companion in adventures, were kneeling on the ground, observing a curious little brown creature with a pink nose and tiny black eyes. The Diglett sniffed at them with mild curiosity, though he didn't dare raise his head completely.

"Have you ever seen any part of its body other than its head?" he asked to the girl, still observing the Ground-type Pokémon.

"I've never really thought about that," she said with some hesitation. "Now I think about it… I don't know if anyone has ever seen anything but its head."

"They say no one knows what is underground."

A sudden impulse overcame him, discreetly, Friede raised his hand, preparing to catch the creature.

"But we can find out right now"

With those words, the boy flung his hand toward the tiny creature. Unfortunately, the Diglett was even faster, diving into it's hole, leaving Friede empty-handed.

"DANG!"

"You scared it."

Determined not to be defeated by a Pokémon, Friede took a quick look at the hole before plunging his hand inside. Instantly, Orla looked at him with terror.

"What are you doing?!"

"Don't you see? I'm trying to get it out of it's hiding place!"

"But not like this! How could you just stick your hand in there?!"

"That's what any researcher would do!"

"Absolutely not! Get your hand out of there!"

Friede ignored her friend's warnings and small knocks, feeling around inside the hole and trying to find the Pokémon, but it was as if it had vanished into thin air.

"Come on, I know you're in there. I just want to-"

"FRIEDE, STOP. You're going to-"

And suddenly, he felt a sharp pain right in his hand, as if pricked by the painful spines of a Sandslash. Friede screamed, jerked away, and fell to his seat, waving his injured hand.

"OUCH! IT BIT ME!!"

"YOU DESERVE IT!" Orla exclaimed as she stood up, raising her arms in a angry gesture.

But her 'I told you so' expression didn't last long, being replaced by a grimace of confusion.

"But… Aren't digletts supposed to prefer running away? Also, it doesn't have a mouth… How could it do that?"

Friede looked at his injured hand, noticing a few pebbles in his skin and some powdery dirt, but no teeth marks.

"Hey, you're right… It doesn't look like he bit me."

Orla looked at him with a deeply frightened expression.

"S-So… What did he do to you?"

The boy looked back at the hole, his determination renewed.

"There's only one way to find out" and without saying anything else, Friede put the same hand back into the hole.

Again, Orla got upset.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"I'm trying to find out what he did!"

"But not like this! Get your hand out of there before-!"

"AHG! HE BIT ME AGAIN!"

"WHAT DID YOU EXPECT, YOU IDIOT?!"

Just kids being kids. Fortunately, it's only a matter of time before he grows out of that stage…

… Right?

Mollie blinked slowly as she looked at them.

"May I ask why Friede is covered in Zigzagoon spikes?"

Orla looked away in embarrassment as Friede, giving a painful smile, tried not to move so the spikes wouldn't dig deeper into his skin.

"I was… Confirming a theory."

"If your theory is that you're an idiot, then yes."

"HEY! Orla, stand up for me."

"You? The stubborn kid who let a Diglett bite him four more times?"

"Get over it! And for the umpteenth time, it wasn't biting me!"

… Maybe some things never change.

---

Two weeks without hearing from Friede -cries-

[itsbansheebitch]

How to Word THIS

I tried rewriting this post so many times. I'm going to try bullet points instead.

I think all of these are good/true:

From my experience as an afab person raised similarly to a boy due to my father wanting a boy, I can confidently say that the emotional suppression that men and boys experience on a daily basis is frankly, inhumane.

Parents shouldn't speculate their kid(s) gender/sexuality/etc just because their kid is showing certain behaviors/having certain interests that aren't stereotypical for their assigned gender.

Parents should allow kids space to explore gender/sexuality, but make sure not to push them into anything.

Parents should allow their kids space to explore gender/sexuality, but make sure that their kid is first and foremost SAFE and HAPPY.

Emotional suppression is expected of men/boys, but science agrees that emotional suppression is in short, BAD FOR YOU.

"Be a man" is often used as a slap in the face to keep men/boys in line. You can imagine this isn't ideal if a boy is reporting bullying in school or a man is trying to bring up unsafe working conditions.

A lot of women have trauma about men (including myself), but this doesn't mean that a whole marginalized group should be excluded from sports (We're not going to re-segregate sports just because some people have trauma related to black people, are we?)

Men & boys' emotions should not only be accepted but ENCOURAGED!

Black men's emotions have been demonized for CENTURIES. Make sure to raise an eyebrow when you hear a black man experiencing anger described as "animalistic" or described with any other dehumanizing language.

Stop expecting men to do things you don't expect women to do! If you don't expect women to chase CEO positions, don't ask why a man isn't a CEO yet! Just like how you shouldn't expect a woman to be a wife and mother by 25 if that's not what you're expecting of men. And if you are having those kinds of standards then maybe lower them because both sides and both genders are extremely unrealistic!

Men aren't given the tools to describe their emotions! If you are wondering what a man thinks about a topic, a decision, etc, give them time to respond and let them know they have time to think! Give them time to think about their answer. If they want (ASK) you can offer an Emotion Wheel or a few (metaphorical) Mad Libs for them to start their answer with.

Alexithymia (also known as emotional colorblindness) is a phenomenon when someone has trouble describing their emotions. They feel all their emotions normally, but they struggle describing them or giving them detail.

Normative Male Alexithymia is a type of Alexithymia. It is called "Normative Male..." because in a lot of cultures (specifically western cultures) it is normal for men to suppress their emotions to the point of having trouble recalling names of emotions or describing them in detail when asked.

Alexithymia/Normative Male Alexithymia is a BIG reason why a lot of men struggle in therapy. It is also the reason why I, myself struggled (to communicate my thoughts) in therapy. Because I was raised to suppress my emotions and not communicate my thoughts.

I truly believe that if my upbringing was even a HINT a SLICE a BREATH a WHISPER a TINY BIT of what the average boy's upbringing is like, then our collective, societal treatment of men and boys is inhumane and inexcusable.

I know any boy or man that makes a post even hinting something like this would be attacked. This isn't me being a pick-me, this is me telling you that my dad was prepared to raise boys, he got girls, and I got a VERY different perspective because of it. I'm telling you right now that if how I was treated was even a hint of what the average boy gets growing up, then we owe men an apology. I'm not joking. This is not satire.

People talk about intersectionality, but rarely actually NAME boys and men as being a part of the discussion (unless they're the "villain"). I think we should do so more often. They are ALSO getting the short end of the stick. (Expecting to be part of an "Atom Family" and work ALL DAY??? NO THANKS)

[poppitron360]

*slides you a 20 [whatever currency you're using] bill* now tell me about how you got to ship valzhang and what you like most about it, along with your headcanons and scenarios

...please<3

THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE YOU.

Okay sorry for taking long to reply I needed to schedule 3hrs out of my day to respond to this because I have a LOT of thoughts- Valzhang was my otp LONG before Valgrace. Be prepared for a lot of caps lock, keysmashes and exited ramblings.

We are phenomenally deprived of Valzhang fanart/fanfiction and that is a CRIME. They are so fun and cute to draw next to each other because they’re just so different- I love how Leo looks SO FUNKING TINY next to Frank.

But seriously, we are lacking. I searched up “Valzhang” on Pinterest earlier and there is NO JOKE only 5 pieces of fanart on there. We need to step up our game!

I’ve already posted this, but here is some Valzhang fanart I drew a while back-

So, how did I come to become the No.1 Valzhang Defender, you ask? Well…

Reading TLH was going slowly (bc of Spotify Audiobooks and their stupid listening hours feature), but I needed to shovel content into my brain like popcorn and so by the end of the first book I’d known all the spoilers and I knew that Frank and Leo would have a rivalry- and I was already SUPER attached to Leo, so I was prepared to HATE Frank.

So imagine my absolute frustration when I read SoN and found myself absolutely falling in love with this massive softie. I tried not to, I really did, but I couldn’t help it.

So, naturally, I was COMPLETELY on board with them becoming besties.

I was also all for their rivalry because it had so much potential for Leo angst- he’s already antagonising himself because of his powers, so someone else treating him like shit would only make him feel worse- thus I have more ways to cathart my own pain through fictional characters, so either way, it was a win-win for me.

But the blossoming bromance we got from it-

Oh my gods.

I already made a post about my feelings on Valzhang and how Caleo is just a shitty re-cycled version of them, but NO WAY was that all my thoughts, so here goes (and bear in mind I am only on HoH so this isn’t even their arc as a whole):

*Clears Throat*

*Shuffles note cards*

*Clears throat again*

*Deep Breath*

1. FRANK IS NO LONGER AFRAID OF FIRE BECAUSE OF LEO!!!!! I mean HOW CUTEE IS THAT!!!!!! He thought that there was nothing worse than fire, he was terrified of it, it was his biggest weakness. And then he met this tiny annoying hyperactive boy who is the MOST UNLIKELY OF FRIENDS- And he taught him to not be afraid. Like there is a moment where his trousers are literally ON FIRE and he doesn’t freak out because Leo taught him to not be afraid anymore. AND IT’S NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE POUCH!!!! Frank learns to trust Leo with his life- and there’s that moment in that scene where he’s faced with a choice to give him The Stick or not, and he chooses to trust Leo. He learns that fire (Leo) may seem scary and intimidating, but it can also be good and warm and wholesome and healing.

2. AND IT GOES BOTH WAYYYS!!!!! Leo was afraid of opening up to people, of letting down the mask and letting people see the real him. Sure, he did it a bit with Jason and Piper, but notice how in TLH, he only does it bc he didn’t have a choice. He used his fire powers to save them, and then Jason sort of just pieced together what happened the night Leo’s mom died. The first time he actually TELLS someone about it was when he tells Frank- someone who he thought was big and intimidating and so was putting his defences up with the jokes. To him, Frank looked just like someone who would’ve bullied him in the foster homes, he was the last person Leo thought he’d open up to. But he does, and Frank comforts him. They realise they’re not as different as they thought, and bonded over similar trauma and dead moms.

*Takes another deep breath*

3. LEO REALLY IS SO BRILLIANTLY TINY NEXT TO FRANK. IT. IS. SO. CUTE. Unlike Calypso and Leo, who were not planned out, Frank was WRITTEN to be Leo’s rival. They are exact opposites. The Yin and the Yang. The Sun and The Star (lol). They both juxtapose each other so beautifully- on the surface they contrast and clash but looking deeper they actually parallel each other but ultimately they compliment each other both in flaws and in strengths!!!! (*steadies myself on table* “Whoa, flashback to GCSE Eng Lit- using the same analysis structure. Are you proud of me, Miss Cox?”) But seriously, they initially are rivals because they look like complete opposites- tall/short, muscular/built like a twig, calm and careful/reckless and loud, animals/machines, Roman/Greek, Outwardly confident/Outwardly insecure, etc, etc.

4. But, as I said, looking deeper, they actually have a lot in common. Not just losing their moms, but Leo’s just as afraid of fire as Frank is. The only difference being that Frank’s afraid because of how it could hurt him, Leo’s afraid because of how it could hurt others, which directly contradicts Frank’s initial impression that Leo is self-centred and egotistic. Honey, that’s just an act. They’re also both very insecure, and both feel like the least useful member of the seven, and struggle to feel accepted. Because of how Leo felt threatened by Frank, he put his defences up and lashed out with his jokes, attacking Frank where he was most vulnerable, ridiculing him. They completely misjudged each other at first, and had an ANTI-meet-cute (Leo firing on New Rome) and it took a while for them to take down those walls that they’d built up, making it a lot more meaningful when they do open up.

And now we get onto specific hcs/scenarios I have, and I have a LOT of them:

1. Nico reveals to Leo that Frank’s mom is in Elysium because she gave her life in war to save others, whereas Leo’s mom is not, and instead is in Asphodel, despite all the little things she sacrificed in order to raise him, knowing he’d be important to the fate of the world. This causes a lot of resentment and jealously for Leo, as Frank has the one thing he desperately wants- a chance to see his mom again, make things right, get closure. Frank is annoyed by the fact that Leo is suddenly acting so cold and angry towards him, until Leo finally explains why.

2. Leo’s lactose-free mac n cheese is Frank’s favourite thing on earth. He has some sort of magic ingredient that makes the fake cheese not taste so plasticky, but he refuses to tell Frank what it is so Frank has to keep begging him to make it. Leo also makes it high in fibre and carbs, so it’s good workout food. Leo makes sure all his meals are Frank-Friendly.

3. I need to see them in battle together. Frank is incredibly anxious and overprotective of his tiny reckless bf/bff. Leo’s just a ball of freaking energy bouncing around going “ahahahbahjabkakdfkajkjaaa” and Frank’s like “Leo, no, those have teeth-“ He’s fine though.

4. As much as Frank acts like he hates Leo, he would risk his life for him in a heartbeat. I imagine Leo gets injured in battle and Frank drops whatever he’s doing and just fucking RUNS to help him. I can vividly picture him transforming into an elephant and scooping an unconscious Leo up in his trunk, and carrying him over to the medic tent. Yes, he’s currently being fired on by so many enemies, but nothing matters except getting Leo to safety.

5. Frank helps Leo with his machines. He can turn into small animals and get into tiny spaces, and he can become desert creatures, so the heat in the engine room doesn’t bother him.

6. Frank often finds Leo asleep on top of his blueprints, his welders-goggles askew, and he turns into a cat and curls up next to him to keep him company.

7. Also, when Leo skips meals because he’s spent too long working and he’s lost track of time, Frank makes sure to bring him food and water and his ADHD meds… and then he asks him to make him some mac n cheese.

8. Frank knows about PTSD from seeing his mom and her military friends, and so is often there to comfort Leo when he has flashbacks to the night his mom died, or one of the other miserable things that happened in his childhood.

9. All the things that used to freak Frank out about Leo (Leo making fun of his insecurities, Leo’s fire, the whole Sammy thing-) they are now 100% comfortable joking about together. Before, Frank would get upset when Leo ridiculed him, but now Leo does it as a sign of affection rather than as self-defence, and Frank can tell the difference. It is their love language.

10. When I write fanfiction, I often write important scenes when I think of them, and then write around them. Sometimes, it’s just one or two lines, for example I found this in my notes app the other day:

“I hate Hera,” Leo said, “She yeeted my dad off a cliff.”

“Yote,” Frank corrected.

And I had nothing written around it, nowhere to put it, it was just lying there. Anyway, that was important to share.

11. Also, I have this:

“I’m hugging you now,” Frank said, pulling Leo into an embrace and squeezing him tight.

“O- Okay, big guy,” Leo said, his voice muffled in Frank’s chest. His tiny body was practically swallowed in Frank’s bear-hug. He squirmed and fought and wriggled, but his weakling arms worked about as well as spaghetti against Frank’s brick-like build.

“No,” Frank insisted, “I will smother you with love and affection.”

“Get. Off.”

“No.”

“Let go of me, Zhang, or I’ll burn you.”

Frank let go. Leo rubbed his bruised arms.

12. I ship them platonically, but the joke-flirting is 1000% a thing they do. Hazel is the main pedaler of this, and often introduces them as “My boyfriend Frank, and Frank’s boyfriend Leo.”

13. Frank reluctantly admits to Leo that he likes Taylor Swift. Leo is obvs a swiftie, so absolutely goes MENTAL at this news, ofc ridicules him mercilessly for it, despite how hypocritical it makes him look (“This is not about me!”), but still insists they sit down with Hazel and make friendship bracelets (Frank no longer has the heart to tell him that he wasn’t actually a huge fan, just had a couple of her albums and liked her songs, unlike Leo who knows every word to every song, all the lore behind it, and Tay’s favourite colour, star sign, and shoe size.) AND I KNOW I HEADCANNON EVERYONE AS A SWIFTIE SHUT UP LET ME PROJECT.

14. Frank buys Leo fidget toys he think’s he’ll like. Sure, Leo can make his own, but it’s the sentiment that counts.

15. And they stay friends after the War. Frank frequently visits from New Rome University. They have long iris messages where they gossip and talk shit.

16. Leo becomes godfather to Frazel’s children. Absolutely SPOILS THEM ROTTEN (I also have a shit-tonne of hcs about Leo babysitting Percabeth’s kids, so lmk if you’d like to hear that.) Will visit the Zhang-Levesque household on the weekends, makes the kids gifts, teaches them how to safely use a fire extinguisher, helps them prank their dad.

17. I know Jason is meant to be Leo’s best friend BUT if Valgrace was cannon then that would leave room for Frank to be the BFF. NO BUT, YOUR HONOUR, YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND- They started out hating each other, but then became INSEPARABLE once they took the time to get to know each other and realised they were actually really cool people. It’s not enough for them to be friends, they need to be BEST FRIENDS. They need to be their ONE AND ONLY. They need to knock on each other’s cabin doors on the Argo II at 3am and have long discussions about Their Feelings. They need to be 100% comfortable with each other and tell each other everything. Yes, Leo is annoying but he is Frank’s annoyance. Yes, Frank is a goof but he’s Leo’s goof. BEST. FRIENDS.

They’re just such an unlikely pairing, I love them sm.

Thank you for sticking with me, I will not apologise for my ramblings, you were warned, but if you did make it to the end, here, have a sweet 🍬 You are clearly just as dedicated a Valzhang stan as I am (It is currently 00:54am where I live)

I will probably have a lot more Thoughts and Feelings coming your way soon, so don’t think for a second that I’ve got it all out of my system. I still haven’t finished the series yet, and I know that as soon as I post this I’ll think of something else that I should’ve added, but I hope this was enough for now.

(Also, I’m British, so I’d use a £20 (“twenty pound”) Note, in case you were curious.)

Again, thank you so much annon for the Ask- as you can see, I LOVE VALZHANG.

[simslegacy5083]

Today's (3/7/2025) Episode: Let's Plan A Wedding

“You’ve been such a close friend to us since we moved in; we’d love for you to be the one to join us in marriage” Skye told xir great-grandfather one morning. The couple had a long list of wedding “to-dos” to complete that day, and getting their chosen officiant on board was their first task.

“I’d be honored” Candor smiled “I promise I won’t let you down, I officiated your great-grandmother Daisy’s wedding centuries ago and did a pretty good job if I do say so myself. While we’re on the subject, I think now is as good a time as any to give you my wedding present.”

Elyse smiled shyly as Skye opened the box to find two flirty potions nestled snugly inside. “These look great – thank you!” the new mage said.

“You’re welcome. I thought you would appreciate a little something to help get you both in the mood on your wedding night.” he told them “good luck today. I can’t believe the chapel where Chance and I got married is still in business! You’ll have to tell me what you thought of the old place.”

“Its perfect, don’t you think?” Skye exclaimed as the pair sat discussing the tiny chapel in Newcrest while xir new personal drone Giggles whirred away in the background catching documentary footage of their wedding preparation journey. “So cozy, it will be such an intimate celebration. Plus, its steeped in family history! Dad said Grandma Violet got married here too.”

Elyse’s furrowed brow told Skye she disagreed about their first potential wedding venue. “I’m sorry, but this is cramped, not cozy. No separation between the wedding and reception space at all, and I don’t think it will even seat all our guests! I’m sure it was perfect for your ancestors, but I really want something a little grander for our big day.”

She gave her fiancé a stern look. “We’re only going to get married once, so let’s look a little harder for a venue that really fits the occasion.”

“Now THIS is more like it!” Elyse gushed at their next stop. “This chapel is gorgeous, and the view from the reception space out back it to DIE for!”

Skye sighed happily “I still say the last place was nice, but this is undeniable prettier. I’m going to be able to get some great shots of our ceremony here, and the view from the terrace outside will be so dramatic for portraits. I think we both agree, this is the one?”

 “No question” she nodded, letting herself be pulled into her fiancée's arms for a celebratory kiss.

“If you want to get some pictures, why don’t you start now?” Skye nodded enthusiastically, setting the timer on xir camera and posing with xir love beside the arch.

“I see why they call this the city of love” Skye sighed happily as the teleporter deposited the couple just outside the village square in Tartosa. “this place is beautiful, and we can get everything we’ll need for the ceremony and the reception right here in town.”

“I can’t wait to find my dress” Elyse agreed “the boutique is famous for its wedding fashions.”

“Thank you for compromising on something with a bit of blue in it” Skye kissed xir future spouse softly on the cheek in gratitude as they exited the shop a couple hours later. “You are going to be a beautiful bride, and this way we’ll match, which is a tradition in my family.”

“You have too many “traditions”! I can’t believe your mom put up with all of them when it was her turn!” Elyse pouted playfully. “I still say brides should wear white, but I guess a little bit of blue embellishment won’t hurt anything.”

“Remind me why I need a bouquet again?” she continued as they made their way to the flower stand.

 “For tossing into the crowd at the reception.” Skye told her. “They say the sim that catches it will be the next one to get married. After this we’ll head to the bakery. I just hope the cakes are high enough quality for me.”

“You and your “refined palate”” she chuckled “you know, some of us would just call that being needlessly picky!”

“…this one looks nice, but I’d love to see a sample in person. Also, is it made with high quality ingredients?” Skye asked the clerk, handing back the book of options they’d been presented with as they looked around the sweet shop.

“We have a sampler deal” said the other sim, “for those hoping to nail the right taste and not just the right look for their special day.”

“Nope, nope, nope” Skye shuddered a couple minutes later, fighting down a wave of nausea. “I loved their designs, but this tastes awful. I could do a better job myself, or maybe I can get Great Grandpa Candor to summon Grandpa Peachy to help. Dad mentioned that cakes were his specialty.”

Elyse thought the fancy dessert had been delicious, but she knew better than to argue with Skye when it came to food. “Whatever you say” she shrugged “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” With that the couple headed back home, excited to officially tie the knot in the very near future.

View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[fountainpenguin]

"If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy? If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?" (x)

New Fairly OddParents 'fic today!

Frayed Knots - Chapter 37

"Greater Odds"

📖 Read on FFN || Read on AO3

☁️ Cloudlands AU

✨ More Fairly OddParents 'fics

In which Anti-Cosmo struggles with right and wrong, submits his godparenting application, helps his fiancée crossdress, and forms a closer bond with Wanda Fairywinkle.

Also, if you didn't catch Chapter 36 - "House of Cards" - when I posted the new Frayed Knots cover on Friday the 13th, don't forget to read that first!

(First 1,000 words under the cut)

Greater Odds

Splitting with Anti-Lance ached so deep in my chest, I thought I’d fall to tiny pieces, my arms and legs strewn like confetti shreds across the floor. For a week, I pushed through campus life with a gritted smile damn well plastered on my face. I held composure as best I could in Mona’s company, knowing she looked to me for support in this time of separation, but Blonda was a different story. With the start of the semester came the return of our study sessions - and the absence of her judgmental sister - and after a bit of prodding on Blonda’s part, I finally cracked.

“He- he showed me through sacred ceremony how much he cared, that he loved and cherished me, that he desired my happiness… a-and when I offered to pleasure him in return, he dropped me…”

“I’m so sorry,” Blonda told me. She never touched me without permission - didn’t try to take my hand or force a hug - and she never asked that I shut up. She didn’t make any side comments like “Anti-Fairy culture is so incomprehensible” either, which I appreciated more than I really expressed at the time. I quieted on my own eventually, but keeping my mind on our early-semester studies was more difficult than I would’ve liked. My dripping nose and soppy eyes kept getting in the way. Ugh.

“Don’t tell Anti-Saffron,” I begged Blonda, clutching her shirt before she reached the door on our way out. “She’ll consider me a total loser!”

Blonda raised her brows so high, I half expected her to reply, “And this would be news to her HOW?” But… she didn’t. So I liked Blonda quite a bit.

Carl Poofypants High didn’t have a second room with an array for Anti-Fairies to roost from. I went back and forth about this with the faculty several times, with them pulling all sorts of excuses as to why they couldn’t prepare another room in a timely fashion. Bundling close with arms and wings wrapped around each other kept Mona and I from succumbing to gangrene (Again), but living outside wasn’t practical- I found myself anti-poofing back and forth between our tree and the Fairywinkle twins’ room to store my homework or pick it up again. Both Wanda and I were salty about it. And while my rank as stepson of the High Count technically granted me allotted funds and my own private accountant… I had a little too much pride to beg the off-campus housing options to give a pair of young Anti-Fairies a chance. No. I had a different plan in mind.

When out first semester vacation hit, Mona and I travelled to the Anti-Bentleaf colony to tell her mums. Anti-Penny and Anti-Dixie gushed over her, with the latter sobbing about how big her little cowgirl had grown. They peppered me about the same.

Maybe, I thought, taking every cheek kiss with due regality, marrying a dame I’ve fallen out of love with won’t be as rough as I feared. After all, my in-laws adored me. I’d even done 1 on 1 training with Anti-Penny back in the day, studying architecture, art history, and practising my demon summoning. I couldn’t walk away from all that.

We spent two nights with her family, then continued on our way to the Blue Castle. Anti-Buster opened the entry door while we floated through. He congratulated me, though I could tell from the stern line across his forehead that he still held out hope I’d break things off with Mona and attempt to repair the knots in my karmic weave. Yes, well… It just wasn’t fated that way. Or maybe I just didn’t want to. I smiled back at him and said nothing. His eyes narrowed. Then he swept off. “Perfectly peculiar,” Mona said.

“Yes, indeed. Seeing as he engaged me in play and learning far more than Anti-Bryndin did - or my mother, for that matter - I was looking forward to his response. I’d like him to stand with me on our wedding day.” Anti-Robin certainly doesn’t deserve to.

“Not that,” she said. When I blinked and turned, she lowered her voice, pulling her amauti hood even tighter around her ears. “He’s without red regality.”

“… The cloak.” I whipped my head down the empty corridor, then back to Mona. “I wondered why the field sounded so tense. Do you think he’s stepped down as First General?”

Not for his daughters. He won’t even acknowledge they’re his in public. How is Anti-Wanda handling this? Is she all right? She’d worked alongside her father ever since joining the camarilla. I should talk to her.

My core began to beat, dragging at Cosmo’s conscious mind until I felt him turn and either chew his shoulder or the back of his leg. Hold the crystal ball… I had misgivings about pulling strings for Anti-Buster’s death in spite of Mother’s pushing… but I think I could send a stranger to their next incarnation without batting an eye.

My brains were meant for so much more than clawing at the walls… and I deserved so much better than being scoffed at by a Fairy school for following Anti-Fairy custom and leaving Anti-Lance’s colony when it no longer fit my needs. I could’ve been an architect, you know. I very nearly was. Why, with my exam scores - minus the ones unfairly discriminating against me for being an Anti-Fairy - Carl Poofypants’ administration should be tripping over themselves to secure me a new room with my very own array! They ought to beg that I stay enrolled. They weren’t the only Fairy World high school around- I was hardly bound to their rules and regulations. Certainly not if they couldn’t give me or my culture the time of day.

On parchment, the dancing thoughts I so boldly entertained were still treasonous and cruel, but they were a mite less treason than they could be. Taking out a man I didn’t know sounded much more palpable to my sensitivities than killing the one who’d raised me. Not to mention, the little I knew of Big Daddy Fairywinkle - Anti-Buster’s counterpart - had not precisely assured me I wouldn’t meet resistance if I crept into his house, even with all the demon-summoner knowledge I possessed.

And then I shan’t be dooming Wanda, Blonda, Anti-Wanda, and Anti-Wendy to life without their fathers. Yes. Yes, I was quite sure I could kill another drake if it meant sparing Anti-Buster from the cruel, simmering plots of my mum.

📖 Read on FFN || Read on AO3

[moonlightreal]

The Jewel Riders graphic novel

so, how was it?

What I loved:

-The art. Gorgeous! Flowed well, the colors were good. Love it!

-That they made Merlin creepy. In the cartoon Merlin is clearly supposed to be a gentle, all-wise mentor but something about him always came off as a tiny bit creepy in a way the creators of the show did not intend. The creators of the comic picked up this creepiness and ran with it and I am well chuffed that something that was a fanfic idea I had was also going through these creators minds and they went with it and I love it.

-The creators’ love for the world of the Jewel Riders. They brought back the sheep! They remembered Kale’s evil-baby-deer form! They love Tamara and got her spot on! (true Jewel Riders fans love Tamara, we all just do) they had a scene where Fallon is upset and sits with Moondance mirroring one of the more powerful moments in the show. The writers of this comic must have really loved the cartoon, the silliness and the darker tone both together. This is completely a Jewel Riders graphic novel. It’s got the right vibe, the right worldbuilding, it is so perfect at being what it is!

-The plot driver being Queen Anya/Adrianna’s love for her banished sister, with flashbacks to them as teenagers in training to be Jewel Riders. Setting up Merlin as being responsible for Kale getting denied her magic jewel and turning evil and opening up redemption possibilities. Flashback images of young Kale and Adrianna. This is the perfect plot decision, I love it, 10/10 no notes.

What I did not love:

-The story was presented… not badly, but there were a lot of moments that made me go “I think this is what they’re trying to say, but I’m not sure.” For example, Gwen is getting ready to marry Drake and become queen, and she doesn’t want to. I think the intended plot is…

Land Beyond Dreams, that’s what I think the intended plot is. In the cut-from-the-final-version words of Princess Rosella, “But I’m not prepared to put my freedom on the shelf. How can I share with someone else what I don’t understand myself?” Gwen likes Drake but isn’t sure she wants to marry him and she knows she doesn’t want to marry him right NOW, and she knows she’ll be queen someday but she isn’t ready to stop adventuring YET… is what I think the graphic novel is saying, but it isn’t saying why Gwen can’t just say all that and spend more years as a Jewel Rider.

And it seems like Drake got fired from being a wolf riding boy Jewel Rider to… be Gwen’s full time bodyguard and fiance? But why would that mean giving up his own adventuring? And why does everybody seem to be cutting him out of all the action? There’s no logical reason he isn’t still a Jewel Rider. He even has his Forest Stone in a few panels.

While I utterly love how Queen Adrianna missing her sister summoned said sister back from evil banishment but it happened kind of confusingly. Adrianna summoned her sister, started seeing visions of Kale? Gwen didn’t see them. And then suddenly the land is all thorny and apocalyptic with no “Since Merlin said that Kale had returned, evil thorn plants have been growing out of control!” from anybody.

...is anyone else getting the same vibe that I’m trying to describe here? Like there’s a good plot, but like I’m having to do some long stretches to connect the pieces and the writing could have been changed just slightly to pull everything together in a way that requires less “it seems like” from the reader.

-And here comes the rant.

The thing I really did not love. The thing that made me downright furious with the creators of this graphic novel.

The book had nothing to help new readers who hadn’t seen the cartoon understand what was going on. No little explanatory text, no introductions to the characters and world. There needed to be at least a simple character page like manga have in the beginning… hang on, I can photoshop. The graphic novel needed this:

Ok I made that in like 5 minutes and it’s garbage, but you see my point! This would have added so much for people who just thought the cover was cool and picked up the graphic novel with no prior knowledge of the world. Without it, I’m afraid that the book will only sell to fans of the show, and I can’t imagine that there are enough of us to keep a graphic novel series going. So I think the creators’ decision to write something that’s ONLY for old fans and NOT AT ALL for new fans will result in the series being a flop instead of delivering more Jewel Riders fun for all of us for years to come, and for that I am so angry I could spit nails, so angry I could yell at the people who made a graphic novel that I have so much good to say about!

I hope so much that I’m wrong, and there will be more volumes published because I am just going wild to find out what happens next. What’s up with Kale now that she’s back? What’s up with Merlin now that he’s getting more and more questionable?

And as a longtime fan, what else are the creators going to bring back? Kit the prismfox? That critter made an impression on a lot of us! Ian, the beast of the forest who Gwen kinda had a thing with? The gliders? Will Morgana be back? Will we see any of the other girls’ parents? Will there be anything about Moondance and Cleo being princesses of the unicorns? Might they introduce another zebracorn friend for Shadow, or explore his origins? Could they go mining in the show bible and pull out the biggest unused gemstone: Gwen’s younger sister Tara? They’d have to figure out a way to explain how Tara was never mentioned once in all the show, but maybe she was hidden away for her protection, or kidnapped and the queen was so distraught she swore never to speak of it or something, silly lampshades but why not?

The world of Avalon has so many directions for a writer to explore and I want to see all of them!

[fxoye2]

If you could do another reboot of TOS (not SNW, like something entirely new like AOS) where you could reinterpret the forming and the characters of the senior Enterprise bridge crew, and Jim and Spock, how would you do it?

OH WOW ANON, you’ve just thrown the ultimate question my way and I’m already vibrating with ideas. If I could do a complete reboot of TOS, like an entirely new interpretation of the senior bridge crew and, of course, Jim and Spock (because they are the centerpiece of my SOUL), we’re talking reimagining everything from their personalities to their dynamics… OKAY, LET'S GO. Prepare yourself. This might get chaotic.

First off, we’re keeping the essence of who these characters are. I’m not gonna go wild and give Kirk a goth phase or make Spock suddenly super emotionally expressive. But I would LOVE to explore more layers in a fresh, modern way, making sure we don’t lose their core traits while digging into deeper stuff.

JIM KIRK: THE HUMAN DISASTER BUT MAKE IT MODERN

Okay, so Jim Kirk. He’s still gonna be that cocky, brilliant, insanely hot mess, but we’re diving deeper into his psyche right from the start. Like, we’re not gonna hide the fact that he’s battling a ton of inner demons. I’m talking about fleshing out the "Kirk Gambit" right from the beginning—a guy who feels like he has to prove himself constantly because he’s so young, so brilliant, but so insecure that he masks it all with bravado. And unlike AOS, we’re not just gonna see him be “the reckless one who learns responsibility.” We’re gonna get a lot more of the loneliness of command, the way it weighs on him to keep everyone alive. He’s always got that charming swagger, but you’ll also see him in his quarters late at night, dealing with his own trauma, regrets, and fears.

Think about how cool it would be if this Kirk is always playing chess against himself—both literally (because, you know, it's Kirk) and metaphorically. Always strategizing, always three steps ahead but secretly always wondering if he’s one move away from losing it all.

SPOCK: BRING ON THE VULCAN ANGST

Spock stays Spock—Vulcan logical AF—but we’re cranking up the identity crisis right out of the gate. I’d want to really dig into the push and pull of his human side and Vulcan side, but in a way that’s a bit more raw. Like, I want Spock who struggles with the discomfort of being different, not in the “I’m an outcast” way but in the “I’ve been at war with myself for years, and I don’t know if I’ll ever fully reconcile this.” He’s gonna be this walking contradiction that’s super controlled on the surface but you know there’s this insane storm brewing underneath.

AND GUYS. The Vulcan Mind Meld? Oh, we’re using that way more in this reboot to really dig into the whole Vulcan telepathy angle. There are SO many emotional ramifications of Spock’s abilities that TOS barely scratched the surface on. We’ll see him accidentally connect with someone’s mind (KIRK) and then have to deal with the fallout of feeling things he was NEVER meant to feel. Gimme all the Vulcan psychic angst.

Oh, and because this is a reboot, I’m adding more Vulcan rituals. Give me Spock taking part in some ancient telepathic ceremony where he has to confront the darker sides of himself. Maybe that’s what pushes him to finally embrace who he is, or, you know, bring him closer to Jim because Jim’s gonna be like, “You don’t have to be perfect, Spock. I like the messy parts too.” <3

KIRK AND SPOCK: THE SLOWEST SLOW BURN OF ALL TIME

Can you tell I’m obsessed with their relationship yet? Because I am. And in this reboot? We are going FULL SLOW BURN here, people. I’m talking years of UST (unresolved sexual tension), a relationship that evolves from pure professionalism, to friendship, to “oh shit, we’re soulmates.” I want them to be T’hy’la in the truest sense of the word, but we’re not rushing it. Oh no. This reboot will give us glimpses of their bond right from the start—tiny moments where Kirk and Spock are just a bit too close for comfort, where they’re so in sync it’s almost creepy, and neither of them really acknowledges it at first because they’re both in denial.

And when they finally get there? CHEF’S KISS. It’s gonna be like the climax of everything the whole show has been building towards. But not in a “kiss and roll the credits” way. No, no. We’re doing years of emotional build-up before they even touch. And when they finally do? OH BOY. The fandom’s going to lose their collective minds. Like, Spock finally opening up fully through a mind meld and Jim realizing, “Oh my god, it’s always been you,” in a way that will make EVERYONE cry.

Also, no love triangles. Sorry Uhura, love you girl, but let’s focus on besties dynamics here and leave Spock and Jim to figure it out.

THE BRIDGE CREW: ALL THE FOUND FAMILY VIBES

Now, let’s talk about the rest of the crew, because they’re vital to the whole thing. My reboot would make them even more of a found family.

McCoy: He’s still gonna be that grumpy, Southern, snarky doctor we love, but in this reboot, we’re getting even more of the grief he carries. His divorce? We’re seeing the emotional toll. The reason he became a doctor in the first place? Maybe we’ll explore some flashbacks to a past trauma that still haunts him. And OH, the banter with Spock stays, but I want McCoy to be Kirk’s emotional anchor. Like, McCoy knows when Jim’s close to burning out and pulls him back.

Uhura: We’re giving her more depth, more screen time, more agency. She’s gonna be a linguistic badass (as she should be) but also play a key role in away missions and espionage-type plots. Oh, and she’ll be the team’s moral compass, always pushing Kirk and the crew to make the right choices when it comes to diplomacy.

Scotty: Still the miracle worker, but I’d love to explore his personal life a bit more. Maybe give him a backstory that involves some loss, something that explains why he’s married to the Enterprise (maybe a ship saved him in his past?). Also, can we have some shenanigans with him trying to teach Kirk how to handle the ship’s tech? Because we all know Kirk doesn’t listen.

Sulu: MORE SWORD FIGHTING, because why the hell not? I’d also love to give him a subplot where he’s torn between his duties as a pilot and a personal dream he had before joining Starfleet. Let’s see him grapple with what it means to serve on the ship while having to put aside parts of himself.

Chekov: MY BABY. Let’s lean into his prodigy status, but also, let’s see him struggle with imposter syndrome. He’s so young and brilliant, but what does that kind of pressure do to a guy?

OVERALL TONE: SPACE OPERA MEETS CHARACTER-DRIVEN CHAOS

The tone of this reboot would still be fun—plenty of space action, weird planets, alien diplomacy—but it’s gonna be a character-driven story at its core. It’ll dive into the emotional and psychological cost of space exploration. What does it mean to constantly be at the frontier? How does that affect the people who put their lives on the line every day? I want those high-stakes missions, but I also want to see how those missions change the crew—how they rely on each other to cope, and how their bonds deepen with every near-death experience.

Basically, I want a perfect blend of cosmic adventure and intimate character study, with enough Spirk subtext to drown a starship. Because why not?

…Okay, I should stop before this turns into a 12-page treatment for a script no one asked for, BUT ANON, I’m so glad you made me think about this because now I’m itching to see this reboot happen. Come on, Paramount, CALL ME. 😤

[once-and-future-loser]

tell us about organ shoes…👂

Hi! Fantastic question and thanks @powerful-owl for the referral. I am thrilled to share some information about my niche interest and profession!

So organ shoes are a helpful tool that many but not all organist wear to utilize the pedalboard on many organs. As seen below. It resembles a piano keyboard and the notes are the same. These are lower bass notes, think the bottom third of the piano.

However, organ pedalboards have developed in different ways over time and to make sure I include any European readers indo want to briefly mention that the above pedalboard is "AGO Spec" (Built to the official American Guild of Organists Standard Organ Console Specifications) a diagram of which is show below.

Organs don't have to follow these guidelines, but they do standardize organs so that playing on a different instrument than your typical setup is an easier transition.

The two things to note are that the keys are radial and concave to facilitate the natural reach of the feet as you move from up and down the pedals.

This is not how they always were because as organs that would be recognizable as such to our modern eye were first being built in Europe the literature didn't call for a lot of technical prowess on the part of the player and was mostly for bass support and additional interest.

Most pedalboards were flat like the one below.

As composers such as J.S. Bach and Buxtehude added more prominent rolls of the pedals to their compositions the instrument also became more complex to accommodate.

However it wasn't until the Romantic Era (nineteen century) that literature started requiring dedicated shoes that help many today.

You see composers (particularly the French) began wanting smooth connected playing rather than the baroque composers who favored more articulated styles.

This requires heel and toe pedaling techniques. Most performance practice for the baroque era only calls for toe.

The performer above is demonstrating this song the heel to hold down one pedal so that they can transition to the next one with very little to no gap in the sound.

So, back to organ shoes, what you actually asked about lol. 😂

They feature a 1.5" heel typically that helps to facilitate the above mentioned technique. The bottom of the shoe is also made of suede leather that makes it smooth to move across the pedals while also giving a tiny bit of grip once force is applied. The shoe is also very lightweight and slim to avoid pressing more than the desired pedal.

So there you have it. An introduction to the pedalboard and also why organist have special shoes!

I like them a lot but many wear regular shoes and plenty play in just socks so all of the above really comes down to preference.

I loved preparing this, I used to be a public school teacher so I apologize for the info dump/lecture, but I can't help myself 😅.

Please let me know if you have any other questions! I LOVE talking about the organ!

[kitkatanimates]

The playtime critters: Chapter 2 - Shopping trip

Dogday finishes writting up a list of groceries he needs to get for the up coming week. He sets the pencil down and gives the paper a flap before reviewing the list to see if he is missing anything. "Okay, let's see here... i'll need eggs... a few flats at least, and some bacon, and hashbrowns. Piggy said it should be on sale, that's good for me. Then I'll need some more bread, oh! I can bake some cookies later! I'll see if catnap wants to help then! So I'll also need to add brown sugar, chocolate chips, and some granola to make myself some oatmeal cookies!" His tail wags excitedly as he grabbed the pencil again and began writing more things on the list to buy before setting it down again, letting out a hum as he stuck out his touch in concentration while tapping the end of the pencil on the table. "What else would I need...microwave popcorn? We could have a movie night! Yeah!" He writes a few more things down before setting the pencil aside and reading over the list once more before folding it in half. "Alright! That should be good! Now I'm ready to go!" Dogday then runs back to the living room grabbing his bag and running out the front door.

He walks down the trail past Craftycorns palace house and through a small gravel path surrounded by beautiful oak trees. Shimmers of light shine through the gaps within the leaves, like tiny little spotlights dancing through around him preparing for an extravagant show. The fresh smell of dandelions filled the morning spring air, and hints of other plants and wild herbs that grew nearby. He has a strong nose, and can smell every little thing. It's what he always enjoyed about the outdoors, the fresh smells around him, and often times new and different smells that he can't help but want to understand more about, like what herb nearby has this bitter but spicy smell? or the flower that held a faint sweetly sour aroma, or...

....the smell of musty old decay...? Dogday stops in his tracks and smells the air for a bit. What was that awful, dreadful smell? it was faint, but present. Like a dying animal that passed through mere hours ago. He can still smell it...He looks around a bit to see if he can find any evidence or source of what might have been here previously. He walks off the track and into the shade of the trees, seeing something that looked like a footprint on the ground. before he could get a closer look at it, he hears a voice close by. "Hey Dogday! what are you doing?" its was a soft gentle voice, belonging to none other then Craftycorn. He smiles and forgets about the mysterious footprint and happily running back to where she was. "Hey craftycorn! I'm just on my way to the store to do a bit of shopping! Forgot a few things the other day and decided to get the rest of it today."

Craftycorn nods in understanding and giving a gentle smile in return. "Ah, I see. I was actually on my way there as well. I need to buy some art supplies since I'm running low, and I miss placed my brushes somewhere again. Mind if I tag along?" Dogday steps to the side letting room for Craftycorn to walk beside him. "I don't mind! Let's go!" He replies leading the way to the town square as she jogged up beside him.

"So are you coming for the sleepover next week?" Dogday asks with a wag of his tail, just getting excited about the idea of the sleepover, and being able to hangout with all of his beloved friends! Crafty gives a nod and beams brightly at him. "you bet! I'll be bringing over some games, if that's okay with you?" She asks shyly while fidgeting with her necklace. "of course! The more the better!" Crafty lets out a little sigh of relief seeing as Dogday was all for the games she wanted to play. The two talked about their morning, and what they planned to do later that day. Before they knew it, they were in town square as light blinded them from leaving the clearing and into open.

The town square was relatively big, but comforting. the ground there was concrete patterned on the ground tile like. In the middle stood a big fountain spraying water from the top and a clear blue in the bowl below. On top where the water sprayed down from was a smooth statue shaped to look like a fuzzy critter with a thin bow on their neck. He didn't know what critter it was, but it has been there for as long as he has known the place, and stopped questioning what it might have been. around were various different shops, like; the post office, the grocery store, a diner/cafe, laundry mat, and a library. on the other side of the fountain between the laundry mat and library was the trail that had a tall sign showing the way to the nightmare critters territory. A similar sign stood beside them, but read Smiling critters instead.

Craftycorn and Dogday made their way through the automatic sliding doors of the store, and felt a wave of air conditioning hit them. A shiver ran down his body from the sudden chill. He shook it off and waved bye to Craftycorn and went on his way. He grabbed a shopping cart and began pushing it around the store looking at the various products on the shelf. It was unknown how the products got here as there wasn't really anyone who runs the store or even manages it, yet it was stocked up for whatever they needed and self checked out. If someone tried to steal, would anyone notice or stop it as there is no one who runs it? that remains a mystery to him, but he never questioned it as it was normal for him and his friends. Dogday made his way into an aisle and grabbed some more eggs, and various other foods he needed for next week's sleepover.

He stopped in an aisle and found a bag of fishy chips. He smiles and throws it in his cart before making his way to check out. After making his purchases he carries his bags of belongings out of the store and lets the warmth soak into his fur. He inhales a deep breath enjoying the warmly cool breeze and letting out a content exhale as he goes and sits by the fountain. He looks into the clear water looking at his wobbly reflection. He chuckles at amusement before taking out a coin from his bag and holding it in two hands and holding it close to his chest. "I wish...for my friends to have a good week!" He mutters a loud and drops the coin into the fountain letting it sink to the bottom. The fountain was magical to him. Whenever he made a wish, it always came true. it was almost as if the fountain was listening to him, Wanting his wish to come true. Almost like it was calling to him. to tell him to make a wish. So he would whenever he was passing by the fountain every few days.

"HEYYY, PUT ME DOWN!!" A whiny yell is heard from a distance. Dogday cocks his head to the side and follows the sound of protests and laughter through the trees and to a clearing revealing none other then 2 of the nightmare critters, Icky Licky, and Alastor Gator.

[m1ckeyb3rry]

A

PSYCHIC DAMAGE LMFAOOOP omg…now I’m shaking just thinking of the wc HAHAHA I’ll start mentally preparing…

OK DID YOU READ THE CH???? ANOTHER MANIFESTATION OFF THE LIST?? I’m strike throughing this to make it harder to read at first glance in case you haven’t read yet We literally said tabieita best duo because they’re mature enough and confident enough alone which allows them to duo without dependence THAT WAS LITERALLY LIKE HALF THE CH????

Yuki third wheel friend…yuki the “walk behind the duo on the sidewalk” third friend….tbh I think the person I’ve seen him with the most is actually Isagi??? From his little tantrum/rivalry moment….no ykw you’re so right we claim yuki!!

LMAOOOOOOO I’m crying this is so true to their dynamic and I love it sm….barou nagi honestly another iconic duo I can imagine Barou being like “you better stand six feet away from my ball at all times”…

STOP WAIT THATS GENIUS Barou one of the girls HAHAHA that’s so real though!! It kinda reminds me about how Kunigami was canonically like that before bllk because he hung around his sisters a lot!! IM GONNA SHIT MYSELF LAUGHING “y/n l/n is a lovely girl who can really keep a house clean. any man would be lucky to have her” GOODBYE the duo wingman plus imposter wingman dynamic im so living for this….

OOOH NICE!! Except for the knocked out part LOL I feel like I’ve heard that they have that effect…but fr!!! I have no idea how it’d work exactly but you could also maybe consider taking a smaller dosage to see if it’s enough to keep the nausea under control without glueing your eyes shut….that’s sometimes what I do with allergy meds LOL

PARAGLIDING omgggg HAVE FUN!!!! I can def imagine how it’d seem intimidating but I bet you’ll have a lot of fun once you’re in the air!! Just channel your inner crow HAHA THE EMO MOMENT LMAOO BUT DONT LOOK OUT THE WINDOW /hj I feel like seeing the scenery and other cars move from the side perspective makes that dizzy feeling worse…..could be different for you though but that’s what I’ve noticed!

REAL lowk I wonder if it’s maybe more of a he doesn’t actually know what loneliness is because he’s been left alone all his life kind of thing….but anyways…..

-Karasu anon

YOU SHOULD BE SCARED 😈 or alternatively grateful HAHA looking back at that 6-9k word count estimate is cracking me up because this one is making the otoya version look short 😭

I DID READ IT FINALLY AND OMG WHEN NAGI CALLED THEM A MATURE PARTNERSHIP I WAS LIKE ??? why is bro reading the tumblr convos that’s word for word what we said in the past 😟 also wait this is cracking me up…

CANNOT believe we have a canon panel of hollyhock sengoku era otoya now ⁉️ pov bro on his way to chill in y/n’s room instead of actually trying to find and kill reiji hiiragi as he was hired to 🤫

i do think i’ve seen him with isagi the most also because of the mancity match but tbh isagi has so many more relevant duos (rin, bachira, barou, even hiori and nagi) that it feels very very one sided?? i wish yuki and kuni or yuki and reo would become a duo because i think he would work w either of them really well!! technically reo and nagi are already a thing but it could be a way to break them up and let them find new friends and partners that push them more!! and kunigami + chigiri is also a thing but chigiri is so chill w everyone that i could see kuni and yuki being like a secondary duo the way isagi and hiori are

BAROUNAGI MY FAVS IN EVERY WAY!! truly they have the relationship rin and sae could have if they were just a tiny bit more normal abt things/their rivalry (but you didn’t hear that from me 😶‍🌫️) and LMAOO omg wait lowkey if only kunigami wasn’t busy in wildcard he would also be a hilarious prospect for that kind of thing 😭 barou gives me such one of the girls vibes though like i bet he’d let his gf braid his hair and whatnot…the SECOND one of the bllk boys says smth he tweaks heavy but he won’t take them out even if they’re shit because like his girl worked hard on them 🙁 LMAOOO the yuki barou team up would be wild especially when karasu is actively working against them 😰 and nagi is also just there for some reason too??? i think it would be funny if he gets dragged into things as a repeated bystander and eventually he gets super invested because it’s like an episode of a drama for him but irl 😭 so he somehow knows everything going on but refuses to intervene on either side (which pisses barou off) because he exclusively wants the tea and doesn’t really care how things end up 😩 he’ll randomly drop hints to move the plot along when it’s getting boring though but they’re cryptic enough that they end up causing more chaos than anything…like “karasu i heard y/n likes tall dark haired soccer players” “SHE LIKES ARYU???”

unfortunately i was knocked out on just half of a pill 😩 and paragliding was super super cool + not scary at all but i DID throw up into a little plastic baggie like 5 or 6 times and was nauseous/dizzy soooo would not repeat that experience 😓 but honestly i’m still glad i did it because it was so fun besides the vomiting and such a unique experience!! truly felt like a little bird hahaha…apparently nausea and motion sickness are a symptom of my birth control so once i’m back home i’m going to call the doctor and see if they have any tips!! for now we must endure i suppose 😔

truly i don’t think nagi understands human connection or loneliness or anything like that too well so he’s fine living without actual relationships because you can’t miss what you don’t know 🙁💔 but honestly he seems like he would’ve been very loving if he was raised normally?? like despite what everyone thinks he’s pretty loyal to reo and treats choki so nicely that if he had had a proper upbringing he probably would’ve been such a good friend/significant other 😪 that’s just my headcanon though until we get his actual backstory (like his childhood not just right before bllk) and see what things were like…adding this to the manifestation circle because i NEED to see baby nagi!! i bet he was soooo cute (and also i need to know if he escaped the bowl cut allegations 😭 his hair is wavyish so i think he must be safe?? but you never know)

[admiralfluffy]

Shipgirl Appreciation Thread -Akagi

Well, said I was gonna do this, and who better to start with than the Prime Waifu herself, Akagi. My journey with Akagi starts a few decades before she's introduced in Azur Lane. Back when I was but a youth, my budding interest in the Pacific War brought me to a little movie called Tora! Tora! Tora! Of course, we see the flagship of the Kido Butai, Akagi. Her design was so unique compared to almost any other carrier, and I found myself fascinated with her. I found just about every book in the English language on Akagi over the years(not that there are that many, sadly). I had a 1/700 waterline model of her, if it had Akagi, I had an interest. (Except for Pearl Harbor, that movie is BAD). So, fast forward a few decades, and a friend of mine says, "Hey, there's this new game that turns WW2 ships into cute anime girls". My interest piqued, I downloaded the game and started playing. And there, on the first real level, was Akagi, setting fire to my base(and my heart). I was immediately taken by her design and her confident demeanor, and the more I learned about her, the more I fell in love. She's a little crazy, yes, but in a fun way. She makes it very clear that despite being just a tiny bit obsessed with you, she will never do anything to upset you, and if you choose to be with someone else, she accepts that as long as you understand and accept her love for you. Of course, if you choose her(which you should), she's loving, devoted, and has chains specially prepared just for you. Isn't that sweet?(Yes, yes it is) She's also utterly devoted to her people and her family, something I really respect, even if she makes some bad choices as a result of it. Doing the wrong thing for the right reasons always gets a few points in my book. She straddles the line between crazy fun and just plain crazy like a pro, and it's been fun watching her progress both in the story and through her skin lines. Her skins, speaking of, are all breathtakingly beautiful and have gotten better and better as time goes on. My current favorite is her party dress skin. Perfect blend of classy and sexy.

And, in the end, Akagi saved my writing career. At that point, I had been writing for a few years, even getting myself published in a few fanzines, only to get a response of utter silence. I'd get a like here and there, maybe one random comment, but even when I asked for feedback, the most I would receive is a collective shrug. I felt like my writing wasn't good enough, wasn't memorable, didn't draw anyone in. And with this profound lack of interest, I decided I'd give up writing. Before I did that, however, I was going to roll the dice one last time. I wrote a simple one-shot fic called New Year's Resolution, about a Commander and Akagi on New Year's Eve and put it up on Reddit. I figured if nobody reads it, then at least I went out writing about a character I love. But people did read it, and they liked and commented and wanted more. So I wrote more. And I grew and grew as I wrote until I am leaps and bounds better now than when I started this AL fanfiction journey four years ago. Any success I have in writing, I owe to Akagi. I've always loved her, and I always will.

[asa-do-your-thing]

Dreams - 4 - Robb

18+ MINORS DNI Jon Snow x F!OC / Robb Stark x F!OC Word Count: 3.3k Masterlist with Fic Warnings - Contains Death, SA and Abuse.  Dividers by @cafekitsune

“Are you unwell, my love?,” Robb asked Lucie tentatively, seeing her hands shiver lightly after his father’s guests had come to congratulate them. Maybe she was just overly excited, that was all, that must’ve been it. He knew that she would have been ready for a long time, his mother had told him so herself, yet at the same time he could understand completely why she had given her the option to announce her… her… intentions in her own time.

Lucie downed her cup in one go and graciously curtsied to Lord Wells, who sucked his teeth and nodded at her. “Aye, she’ll do fine for you, my Lord,” the man mumbled and gave Robb a grin. Glancing after the old, fat man, Lucie tried stretching her neck a bit - her hair and headdress looked like they were giving her a headache.

“Not at all, Lord Robb,” she said and sat back down, further avoiding his gaze. “It is… uh… I am sorry for taking my time. I am sorry for not… Being a courteous lady.”

Robb frowned and sat down as well, gently placing a small sweet treat onto her plate, trying to get her to smile once more. “Lucie, darling, you are a courteous lady! Do not apologise.” He reached out and touched her hand lightly, trying to soothe her nerves.

“I-I know but…” Lucie stammered before quickly averting her gaze, taking a big breath, and steeling herself, giving the next passing Lady a regal nod. It was clear that she was still shaken up by the guests. “It is indeed... surprising, how quickly things are transpiring. I am uncertain as to how I may best proceed, my Lord, though that knowledge has been made more difficult by our lack of acquaintance.”

Robb nodded in understanding as he grabbed his cup of wine and took a sip. He knew that his mother had been planning this for some time now, but he also knew how stressful it was for a young woman of noble birth to be thrown into such grand expectations all of a sudden with little time to adjust. Also... it was Lucie, after all. At some points Robb had thought that she would manage matrimony perfectly and in others it seemed like Lucie had never prepared herself for it.

He sighed before giving Lucie's hand another squeeze and setting his cup down on the table. “Let me help you then, my love. We will go through it all together until you feel ready and better able to handle it all."

Lucie's jaw tightened as she gave him a sharp smile. "I must thank you for your kind offer, yet I believe I can manage it myself, it is not as if we are to marry tomorrow." She took a bite out of the sticky pastry and sighed.

What was going on within her? Robb had no clue and cursed himself once more. What was he doing that troubled her so?

"Sorry for my sharpness, my Lord. I like to do things alone," she mumbled as she gently wiped the crusty flakes off of her dress, "and in my own time. Speaking of which, how long do you think we should court? And... what do you plan on us doing during that time? Picnics and garden strolls are obviously impossible here, in this weather."

Robb nodded understandingly, trying to produce a suitable answer. He knew that Lucie was not one to be easily won over, and he was going to have to be patient if he wanted to make their marriage work.

"I understand, Lucie," he said gently, taking her hand in his. Gods, her hand was tiny... "We can take things at your pace. As for how long we should court, I believe that is entirely up to you. I do not want to rush you into anything You are not ready for."

Lucie nodded slowly, looking nervously down at their intertwined hands. "Thank you, Robb," she said softly. "That means a lot to me."

Robb smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Maybe he was doing something right after all. "As for what we can do during our courtship," he continued, "I was thinking we could go on some outings. Maybe we could ride out, or go on a hunt together. And if the weather is too cold, we could always stay inside and spend time together in the library or your drawing room. Sansa's told me of your skills with a quill."

Lucie's eyes lit up at the mention of her drawing. "I would like that," she said, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I've always loved drawing, though I would never had imagined you being interested in it."

Robb grinned, feeling a sense of excitement building within him. Maybe he could make this work after all. "Then it's settled," he said. "We'll take things at your pace, and we'll spend our courtship getting to know each other better. And who knows? Maybe we'll even fall in love by the time we'll stand in front of the Weirwood tree."

Lucie stared at her hands, her eyes wide with apprehension. Robb's heart sank as he realised that he had pushed her too far and too fast. He squeezed her hand lightly, and she finally looked up at him with trepidation in her gaze. "It's okay," he said softly. "I am not trying to force anything on you, but I do know that there is something special between us, and I want you to give us a chance."

Lucie nodded slowly, still looking uncomfortable about the whole situation. She cleared her throat before speaking again. "I understand," she said quietly. "But if it's alright with you, I think I would like to take my leave now and go back to the library."

Robb sighed sadly and firmly shook his head. He had hoped to be understanding of her connection to Jon, but he now had an engagement to uphold. So much needed to be discussed, plans that needed to be made - but by the hour of the bat, the revelry was far from over.

"I cannot allow you to leave," he said with a blend of earnestness and regret. He leaned in until his lips were mere inches away from her ear, and he brushed them against it quite delicately before speaking again in a low whisper. She smelled wonderfully of peonies. "We have to maintain good standing, my dear. You must stay here. I am sorry, my sweet."

Lucie stiffened at Robb's words and pulled away from him, her hand slipping out of his grasp. "I understand," she said, her voice cold. So she spent the rest of the evening next to him, staring out at their guests from her place at the high table, chatting about embroidery with Sansa, drawing back from his touches and curtly answering his questions.

A knot of unease tightened in Robb's stomach as he observed Lucie's behaviour. He had hoped that these few days together would start to bridge the gap between them, but it seemed that she was even further away from him now than before. The thought of her slipping away from him without ever really knowing if there had been something more between them made him ache inside.

He let out a soft sigh and furrowed his brows as he frantically sought for ways to bring her closer to him. She obviously was not ready for any kind of declaration, but maybe if he could make the right moves, keep her interested and get her comfortable enough with the idea. But how? He knew it wouldn't be easy - he had already made some mistakes by pushing too hard too fast - but there were options; forbidding Jon from spending any more time with her, having Sansa tell her about him in a positive way, marrying her earlier than she would've wanted to, or even seducing her into willingly accepting his advances…

All of these solutions presented their own challenges and consequences, but they were better than simply letting Lucie slip away without a fight. With that thought firmly planted in his mind, Robb started plotting out the perfect plan on how best to introduce Lucie into his life in a way that suited both them.

"I cannot stay here with you any longer. I need to be alone," Lucie muttered, standing up from her seat and giving him a tight-lipped smile. She stood up from her seat and walked briskly out of the room, leaving Robb alone with his thoughts.

Robb leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Maybe he just needed to give Lucie some space. Maybe if he backed off a little bit, she would come around. Or maybe not. He was not sure anymore. He was not sure about anything and it made him furious. What on earth was that girl doing to him?

He downed his wine in one desperate swig, the liquid burning down his throat as he stood up abruptly, knocking over his chair. He stumbled out of the Hall, needing to escape the fiery ache in his chest. Wildlings and pirates meant nothing to him now as he tried to push thoughts of Lucie from his mind, but her image remained etched in his memory.

Her beauty consumed him, making it impossible to focus on anything else. The sight of her trembling rosebud lips and delicate hands haunted him, their softness mocking him. He could not bear the thought of causing her pain, yet he knew deep down that it was inevitable if she didn't... come around.

Outside, the snow was falling softly, creating a peaceful atmosphere that Robb found infuriating. He could have been standing here, with her in his arms, pressing sweet, chaste kisses on her lips, but no, she had to be... had to be her stubborn, moody self. He took a deep breath of chilly air, letting it fill his lungs and clear his head. Suddenly, he heard a voice calling his name from behind him. He turned around and frowned, it was Theon.

"What do you want, Theon?" Robb asked, feeling irritated at the interruption. He was not in the mood for company right now.

"Woah, easy there," he said. "I just wanted to talk." Theon theatrically held up his hands in surrender.

Robb raised an eyebrow, sceptical. He did not trust Theon as far as he could throw him when it came to emotional subjects. "About what?" he asked.

Theon shrugged. "About Lady Lucie, I suppose," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I noticed that things aren't going quite as smoothly as you'd hoped."

Robb bristled at Theon's words. "What are you getting at, Greyjoy?" he asked, his tone sharp.

Theon smirked. "I am just saying," he said, "maybe you need to try a different approach."

"Like what?" Robb asked, feeling his frustration growing.

Theon stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Like being more assertive," he said, wiggling his brows. "Lucie wants a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. Not someone who dithers around, waiting for her to make all the moves."

Robb scowled. "And you think you know what Lucie wants?" he asked, incredulous.

Theon grinned. "I know what women want," he said, winking. "Trust me on this. Anyhow, Jon must be doing it right, she practically begged you to spend time with him before. Do not you want the same, for her to beg for you?"

Shaking his head, Robb bit his lip, feeling a mix of anger and amusement. "I do not think that's a good idea," he said, turning to walk away.

Theon grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Come on, Robb. Haven't you thought about it? Getting her to want you? And not in the darling sense, you know what I mean."

Robb yanked his arm away from Theon, disgusted. "You are sick, Greyjoy," he spat. "I would never force myself on a woman."

Theon just laughed. "Force? Oh, no, no, no. I am not suggesting that at all," he said, his tone sly. "I am suggesting that you let her get a taste of what you have to offer. Let her come to you. Give her a little taste of the forbidden fruit and watch her become putty in your hands."

Robb's stomach turned at Theon's words. It was vile, manipulative, and wrong. Lucie deserved better. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down before speaking again. "I am not going to take advice from you, Theon. I know how to treat a woman with respect," he said firmly.

Theon shrugged, still smirking. "Suit yourself," he said, turning to walk away. "But do not come crying to me when Jon steals her away. 'Oh Jon... fuck me Jon...'," he said, trying to imitate Lucie moaning, bursting out laughing.

Robb watched Theon's retreating form with disgust before turning to make his way back inside.

His fists clenched as he walked, thinking about how Lucie went to the library with Jon. He could not help it - he was jealous of Jon, and he knew that Lucie was special to him. As Robb continued his journey across the yard and towards Lucie's guest quarters, his heart raced with anticipation and dread. He knew it would be inappropriate of him to come to her chambers at night, yet... they were engaged, weren't they?

The old stone walls surrounding her quarters seemed like a physical wall between himself and Lucie - a reminder of his own unworthiness in comparison to Jon, a reminder of Theon's words. As if in answer to his doubts, Robb delivered one powerful punch into the wall before pushing open the creaky wooden door leading into Lucie's chambers. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside hesitantly; it felt like an intrusion of her privacy but also strangely familiar at the same time.

He noticed right away that there was no sign of Jon nor anyone else for that matter; just rows upon rows of books lined up neatly on shelves as if arranged by an obsessive librarian. It seemed almost too peaceful until Robb heard a faint noise coming from somewhere within the walls of bookshelves – it sounded like something soft rustling against parchment paper or maybe even fabric moving against skin... could it be?

He crept around the corner of a bookshelf and suddenly he froze as he realized what he was seeing. Lucie had fallen asleep beneath one of the bookshelves, lying on her back with one knee bent and with a large book opened on her chest. Her hair fanned out all around her, shining in the faint candlelight like tendrils of ink, her lips slightly parted in sleep and a peaceful expression etched into her features.

Robb's heart pounded as he looked upon Lucie's sleeping form; it felt almost surreal that such an image existed - something so beautiful yet so fragile at the same time. He wondered if Jon had ever seen Lucie this way before – with no care in the world besides for restful slumber. The thought made Robb feel strangely jealous as an image of Jon laying underneath Lucie shot through his mind.

He shook his head to dispel the thought; it was not right to allow such feelings to take over him like this...yet, here she was before him - beautiful, delicate, and vulnerable. He stepped closer towards Lucie, unable to take his eyes away from her sleeping figure; surely it would not be too wrong if he just admired her from a far?

Before he could react, Lucie noticed him and let out a shriek, dropping the book to the floor and quickly reaching for a nearby quill to weaponize. She stood up, trembling with surprise, eyeing Robb suspiciously as if she expected an attack from him.

Robb held up his hands innocently, trying to defuse the situation. "I am sorry Lucie," he said urgently. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay - I heard strange noises coming from inside this room and it worried me." He gestured towards the scattered parchment scrolls on the floor, trying not to think about what exactly she had been doing inside this library in the middle of the night and why she had fallen asleep here instead of her luxurious bed.

Lucie's expression softened slightly at Robb's explanation, but it was not enough; she was still suspicious of his presence here and she was not ready to let her guard down yet. She took a step back and narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice laced with unease, fear, and sleepiness.

Robb swallowed hard before answering her question; it was now or never. He took a deep breath then spoke softly: "I want you – I can see that Jon makes you happy and I want to know why. What is it about him that makes you so content? Why does my presence not bring you joy like his does?" As soon as he finished speaking Lucie gasped in shock and immediately charged forward, throwing a book at him.

He tried dodging it, yet it still hit him with great force into his chest, making him Tumble back.

“Because he does not compare himself to you! He is sincere! How dare you come into my chambers, late at night, only to ask me such stupid questions?!” Lucie fumed, grabbing a second book to throw at him.

Robb clutched his side and grimaced. “No need to throw a second one, Luce! I won't touch you, I swear.” He paused for a second and let out a breath. “I am sincere as well.”

Narrowing her eyes, Lucie huffed and took a step away from him. “Then why do not you care?”

“Care about what?” Robb asked, glancing at her. She looked more angry than afraid. “I do care about you, you do make it difficult for me.”

A small tear slipped down Lucie's cheek as she lowered the book she was holding. “I came here, newly orphaned and all you cared about was to give me presents and pleasantries to shut me up. You only want me to marry and love you, which does not seem like you care a lot.”

“Well, I do love you! And I would give you everything I can!” Robb retorted, a bit of anger flaring up. Why was she mad at him for giving her attention?

Lucie shook her head and threw the book angrily at the floor. “Alright. Then… then… if you know me that well, why won't you tell me what keeps me up at night? What robs me of my sleep?”

Opening and closing his mouth, Robb blushed and looked at the ground. She was right - he knew her sleep was not well, yet he never thought of questioning her. “I do not know, Luce.”

“See?” Lucie spat, walking closer to him. “You only know that I am to marry you and give you heirs. You know nothing about me. Jon does.”

Sighing, Robb rubbed his temples. “You've never told me. How can I know if you do not tell me?”

Lucie pushed her hands into her waist, stepping even closer to him. He felt her hot breath on his cold skin.

“You've never asked,” she muttered and stepped even closer, “and I doubt you'll understand.”

Following his instincts, Robb wrapped an arm around her wait and held her tight. “I… Luce, I care, I really do,” he muttered, looking down at her and wiping away a tear on her cheek. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

Lucie, shockingly, wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled herself closer and hesitantly kissed him. “I know, Robb,” she muttered, lowering herself down again. “But… but… ah, forget it.”

She stepped away from him again, letting him go. “I should go to my chambers and you should rest. You will… have to do things tomorrow. Do not let yourself be seen leaving my chambers.”

Everything within him spun as he tried suppressing a boyish grin. So she did like him…

“Yes, uh, I suppose I do.”

With that, he looked at her once again, before turning away to go to his own chambers. Gods…

3 - Lucie <= Previous Chapter ¦ Next Chapter => 5 - Jon

[letters-from-dekarios]

(you are incredible, truly, if I were to count how often I read the response letter, the number would be embarrassingly high.

I allowed myself some crossovers here because in the game, Astarion quotes Tell-tale Heart so that opens up a loophole for real life works to make some appearances here! And the author's name honestly sounds like it would exist in the world of bg3 xD

I saw multiple cameos of Tim Downie reading poetry and I desperately needed to find an outlet.......)

{There was a restless about him that Gale couldn't quite place a finger on. Busying himself with some tomes or preparations for work serves only as a temporary relief. But when another letter of his old friend arrives, it settles. A warmth then, spreads in his uneasy limbs. Comfort.}

⚝─⭒⭑⭒─⚝

Warm Greetings, Gale Dekarios

A little bit of an ego never hurt anyone, though I sense you might even disagree with me on that. I assure you, I don't mind you rambling on about yourself, especially after not hearing from you personally in so long. I am quite interested in anything you wish to share with me. When I heard of your companions for the first time, I definitely thought their descriptions were exaggerated, but as word of your achievements grew, it became pretty clear you were quite a colorful set of adventurers. I suppose such a variety of lives lived serve as quite the opportunity to learn about new perspectives and yourself.

Though the fact you traveled all that time on foot - I dread to think of the state of your knees! Borage fruits would be beneficial here should you ever find yourself on long walks again and Mandrake leaves for joint pain in general. Courtesy of my father, he insisted I should let you know. Surely there are healing spells for this but my old man is a bit scared of 'witchcraft' as he calls it. (You can't imagine the face he made when I had first told him about attending Blackstaff Academy. Being the sweetheart that he is, he supported me still. There are stories here I will save for when we meet in person. Stay tuned.)

I'm glad Tara and your mother are doing well, even if you had to endure quite a bit of scolding. You can't deny them their caring and at times overbearing nature - it's an expression of love. I've learned as much from my family. I'd be happy to ease your load on baked goods, motherly love is a magical ingredient in on its own after all, or so I've heard.

I'm quite pleased to know I inspired you, I suppose I was rather blinded by all of your talent back then and missed that side to our interactions. Frankly, I'm happy you thought of me at all. There's no denying that I feel a bit flattered even, I count my optimism as one of my greater traits and I've worked hard to maintain it throughout my darker times. See it as smoothing out a dent in the molding of that piece of pottery that is me.

Speaking of which, it has actually become a bit of a hobby of mine. There was a time I used to sit for hours in the basement and work on vases and pots, though usually smashing them was the end result - It's awfully therapeutic. But I have completed a few tiny ceramics that are mainly for decoration.

Currently my projects revolve around making specialized pots for my plants. I've become a bit of a homebody in the progression of my ailment and the greenhouse gives me motivation to drink up some sunlight along the greenery sometimes. I'm tempted to look into the usage of magical plants.

If there is one thing I'm guilty of, it's busying myself with things to fill out any gaps in my days. The more I do the better, lest I wake another day to find my limbs weigh a ton of bricks again.

Moving on, I wish you lots of luck with your professorship. Those nights spent trying to teach me a spell or two will finally pay off. I do hope I wasn't too bad of a student because you were an excellent teacher. You'll be a great professor also, I'm sure. And I wouldn't mind being a translator - there's a satisfaction in being able to explain something to someone else. And I admit I miss hearing you ramble before you put your thoughts into order for the common person.

I do very much hope the allies you've made will deter any enemies that you met along the way.. Although it would be quite bold to mess with someone who has defied both Gods and Devils. Perhaps you're lucky and there's too much of a risk factor to it.

And maybe that's how any potential suitor feels, too. I imagine it's quite intimidating to be with someone who has saved innumerable people from a Mindflayer invasion. Or they have certain expectations of you as a hero while I'm sure you still see yourself simply as a very ambitious mage. With a bit of an ego.

Either way, it's good to see you're not too hung up about it. I was going to joke that you are already committed to your work, but you beat me to it. Fair enough. If I am allowed to demonstrate a small annotation here, I think things like love are found in the most unexpected places. As you've said, you need a foundation to build upon rather than that sudden spark of love at first sight. It might take until the roof is put up or the furniture is being arranged for you to realize you have found yourself at home in the person right beside you, the only thing left to do then is to settle in. I'm also still in the process - an open lot and waiting for a permit, you could say. Those can take quite a while to be granted. But currently unhoused.

As you can tell, I also haven't lost my poetic tendencies. Although I am much more a consumer and commentator than a writer, I dabble occasionally and I am terrible at it. There's already a very good passage on this that I recall from a book I've recently transcribed, but I fear I'll be sending my whole library back to you, considering all the things I can think of that might be of interest to you in there. Perhaps you ought to see it for yourself some day.

I also want to say I was delighted by your sonett at the end. You have an incredible way with words and I find myself continuously quoting you in my mind ("Having everything yet nothing at all", "no longer a block of unused clay", "sui generis, of its own kind. Inimitable. Bespoke.".. you catch my drift). The pictures you paint are that of a skilled brush and they are brought to canvas by a man who has a mind that can put his thoughts into form, and it is commendable. While I am still stumbling over my words, I hope the ones of another that I attached to this letter might resonate with you instead.

Enough of the rambling on (we are awful at this), my family is well. My father has an apothecary here in town, but his assistant is usually the one at the counter while he's off traveling, gripped by a sudden sense of wanderlust. Right now he's trudging through the Misty Forest and visiting Daggerford for new herbs and writes me regularly.

I don't know if you remember my aunt at all, but she's usually the one to stick around and check in on me everyday in case of difficulties. She's also doing quite well, though I think my proneness to worry is definitely something I've inherited from her. Besides that, my friends are similarly busy with work and travel but overall doing quite alright. There's a peace in this stillness that life sometimes offers.

Do tell me all about the Academy once you've resumed your work there, I'm quite curious about the state of things. And if you have another piece of poetry springing from your quill anytime soon I'll be most eager to review it. Are you still in contact with the companions you've met on your journey? And how has your return to Waterdeep been received? I'm sure you were dearly missed. How does it feel to be back home, stationary and warm after being on the road for quite a while? There's likely a bit of getting used to the old ways of things again. Perhaps even some yearning and reminiscing of your travels, although less about the walking and more about the comradery and thrill, I assume.

I'm taking care of myself, I promise you. You better do so as well. Don't underestimate the power a bit of sunlight and a walk outside have on your mood (and health!!). You should know that your letters are a great joy to me and I am just as keenly anticipating your reply. Especially with the prospect of a visit on the table - I'll be glancing out of the window for the arrival of my mail without even realizing it.

~ Warm regards, Theo Rivershade

PS: I audibly chuckled at the part where you threatened to scold me, should I attempt to travel to you. You sounded exactly like my aunt. I think your mother and Tara are rubbing off on you a tad bit. It is amusing and somehow endearing.

PPS: Your "idiotic rambles" will be regarded as the musings of a wise man one day, just you wait. Although I beg of you to tone down on all those complicated words when you teach your students. I know they might sound better than modern synonyms and their etymologies are just so interesting but I assure you that your class will pick up on your favorite words and tease you with them. Coming from firsthand experience.

{Together with the letter, he finds another, smaller parchment on which a poem is written, Theo having made an effort to use his neatest handwriting here as well. The poem reads:..}

"When I compare / What I have lost with what I have gained, / What I have missed with what attained, / Little room do I find for pride.

I am aware / How many days have been idly spent; / How like an arrow the good intent / Has fallen short or been turned aside.

But who shall dare / To measure loss and gain in this wise? / Defeat may be victory in disguise; / The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide."

Loss And Gain - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

{ small annotations are scribbled by the side of the text, as though the half-elf couldn't help himself.}

"> days idly spent, not realizing time was running out. The thought was there but the courage to leap wasn't."

"> arrows are meant to hit a target, falling short or aside as though missing an opportunity, distracted by something or shooting your shot but with not enough momentum. The opportunity passes."

"> defeat/victory, ebb/tide, a low is the sign of a turning point, a second chance, one needed to fail to realize what had been lost and take that regret and reflection to turn their fate around and try again, intending to hit the target this time with conviction."

⚝─⭒⭑⭒─⚝

(let me tell you the way I grinned like an idiot on the train as I listened to the wizard himself read out that poem.. It reflected the way the potential relationship between the two of them slipped out of their grasps so well!!!

And also I'm so happy you like Theo?? I wasn't too sure if I was able to get across his character through text but it seems to be working. Thank you do much for this blog this is so delightful! Don't feel bad for being busy and not replying immediately, we all have lives of our own to take care of and I'm very happy you take time out of yours to indulge us like this. <3)

Dearest Theo,

I can assure you I was the most skeptical of their situations at first! But as the days grew longer and the nights more restless, the stories told made all too much sense for my companions. In an unfortunate kind of way, it put my circumstances into a perspective I’d never considered prior. Call it ignorance, or perhaps man-made stupidity, but I hadn’t thought that there were situations worse than I until I met all of them. It helps to lessen the blow of the anxiety in one’s heart when you recognize you aren’t at your worst as you once thought.

Please, I may be in my later thirties now but long-distance walking is no match for me! Though I must admit, because I can hear your incessant comments about that statement being untruthful, it would take a bit of a toll on these bones of mine. Whatever needs to be done to combat it, I am certain you will find a way.

How could I not think of you? Amidst our childish revelry and academic discourse, you were the one thing within my life that was constant. Even when my world changed so rapidly, you, Theo, you were the same. I could always count on you to be there. Whether it was to poke fun at me or laugh at my haphazard spell-casting, you challenged me in ways that I cannot forget. Oftentimes, I find myself reminiscing over those days as though I could turn back the clock and relish in them all over again. The day I stop remembering the glow of youth on you and how I imagined what you’d be like as you grew up is the day I am buried in with the dirt.

Pottery is an amazing hobby! I do not consider myself talented in the arts, but pottery has always amazed me. It takes a careful, steady hand to not pierce the clay that you’re moulding. Perhaps when I visit I can see the wonderful pots you’ve created, that would be nice. I’m sure your craft has improved much the more you’ve practiced, and I’ll be quite able to recognize the stamp of your originality you’ve placed on it.

Ah, you flatter me so, Theo! I do like to give myself a bit of a pat on the back, so to speak, when it comes to my lectures. Speaking in front of those curious, ever-hungry minds does remind me much of my attempted lessons with you. While my frustrations would get the better of me, it was good practice. I believe that is what has sparked my love for teaching— knowing that, even though it may take some students a bit more effort to grasp, in some way I am affecting their lives to their benefit.

I appreciate your confidence in me. It can be overwhelming sometimes, especially when my desk is stacked high with papers needing to be graded, but it comforts me to know someone believes in my efforts. But if you ever want to seriously consider it, I know the academy can make accommodations for you as you need.

Hah! You amuse me. Or maybe it’s the wine at this hour as I write to you. Intimidation is hardly the word I’d call it, but despite the ego I hold I can’t deny I minimize my accomplishments from time to time. If they are intimidated, I couldn’t imagine why. I suppose you have a point, however.

I guess you could say I cannot measure any potential suitor against my… mental requirements. As aforementioned, it’s difficult for me to allow someone in when they cannot compete with the idea I have in my head already. Perhaps I am stuck on someone or something. I simply cannot get past this roadblock and allow myself to indulge elsewhere. Never mind, though, that is what these pages and ink are for.

“An open lot and waiting for a permit.” My friend, you are as much the poet as you claim me to be. Perhaps we should contact our local authorities to get a move on with granting those permits, hm? It’s an odd sort of feeling, wishing to rush the granting while not wanting to finish the building. When the home is complete, though, the workers go on their way and I am simply left in an empty box. Does it get any simpler in this life? So complex these things are, it almost makes a man want to sell the lot entirely.

You know I am a sucker for good books and transcribed poetry. I would be happy to explore the contents of your library one day when I get the chance to visit.

You would be surprised how long that sonnet took to write! My mind was blanketed and uninspired. But I knew I must deliver for you since it has been so long. The words penned by Henry touch too close to home, your annotations only driving the point closer. I am ever thankful you share such things with me.

“How many days have been idly spent”, “The thought was there but the courage to leap wasn't.” How true your annotation is. It can often feel as though one is wasting away. Despite the efforts one wants to take, fear has a stronger grasp that prevents them from making the move.

“Has fallen short or been turned aside.”, “…shooting your shot but with not enough momentum. The opportunity passes.” This resonates oddly, you could say. Hesitating in letting go of the arrow prevents you from succeeding to the fullest extent, and thus the target has moved on and is no longer attainable. Not unless you can rebuild your momentum again, that is.

“Defeat may be victory in disguise; / The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.", “one needed to fail to realize what had been lost and take that regret and reflection to turn their fate around and try again, intending to hit the target this time with conviction." Ah… I stated that the last one resonated, but this is even more so. Being knocked down time and time again can often blind oneself to the small victories happening around them. In my case, my fall to selfishness provided room for improvement and allowed me to gain a more sensible heart. When the intention behind the aim becomes clear, it is easier for the target to be hit. Failure is not often the last and final step, but it is the first one that allows a person to move forward.

I am glad your family is well! It sounds as though your father is having much fun in his adventures. He would do well to keep that spirit up! I’m sure he’ll find much satisfaction in it. For your aunt, oh I do remember her so. She reminded me of my mother in a way, and I’m glad to hear she hasn’t changed much. Sometimes we need that overbearing, motherly presence to help keep us in line. Sometimes that motherly presence comes in the form of a middle-aged human man. You cannot blame me for my concern!

Believe me, I will write you as soon as I set my eyes on this new generation. I cannot wait to see what attitudes these young ones have and how much has changed since we were once here in their positions.

I do still keep in contact with those that I can! As we have all resumed our new lives, it can be hard to keep up with all that’s changed. Astarion, bless the vampire’s changed soul, visits Waterdeep now and then when the moon is high enough to do so. Wyll, I’m sure you know Duke Ravengard’s son, writes often. As gentlemanly as he is, boy do his words get overwhelming. He’s almost like a small child, needing to write about every detail and every change in the city. The others I met along the way write when they can, as how things usually are. Each are busy with their respective new duties as I mentioned.

As for the welcome parade, once I returned home, it’s safe to say not many were pleased with how it happened, but a majority were relieved. Considering I isolated myself from most of them, choice words were exchanged, a scolding here and there, but for the most part, it was handled well. Having a hero in the City of Splendors makes the spot an even more firey tourist attraction, seeing where the great “Wizard of Waterdeep” once grew up as a normal young boy! Please, the flattery is exhausting. I much prefer being “Gale Dekarios” now. But I know they mean well, most of them do.

Being home, though, despite the gawking and attraction, is refreshing. Sleeping in my bed, with no worry of being attacked in the midst of the night, certainly eases my heart. Not wondering where my next meal will come from or whether I will have the strength to make it through the day is certainly calming, too. Resuming my not-so-normal life has taken some time, I’ll admit, but it’s better than it was on the road.

You’d be correct, though. I sometimes do miss the travels and the good times we’d share around the campfire. Late nights under the stars sharing a bottle of wine like we had no time left to live… the feeling of walking on the edge between life and death, the thrill of knowing you might die a hero without living to see if you would succeed… in its own kind of a way, it was exciting. It brought a sense of adventure that sitting at home grading papers cannot counter, no matter how much I enjoy professorship. But I doubt I’d turn this up to experience that all over again, I’m afraid my body cannot handle that any longer.

Good! You should be taking care of yourself, otherwise I may have to send a mirror image of myself to combat your neglect. I can promise you I am taking as best care of myself as I can. As I said, I’ve got both Tara and my mother to step in if anything happens.

Do you ever miss Waterdeep? Do you ever think you’d return if you had the chance, or would you want to? I know I do miss your presence around here, but I know health concerns can come in the way of that. Are you interested in continuing your studies at any point? It would be fun to see you as a translator and a student at the academy again, I can just imagine you there now.

I promise to send word when I have a moment to head to you. I cannot wait to hear from you again.

From the desk of,

𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒔

P.S. Oh, please! I’m sure they’ll do fine with the more complex words. I’m now going to use more of them just to prove you wrong, Theo. I may have shaved down my ego, but you know better than to challenge a stubborn man with his own skills.

text reads: gale dekarios

staaawwwwpppp omg… that poem took so long trying to find words that rhymed and also had the right syllables. i should’ve payed more attention in english class as a kid haha. and yes!! theo is my little baby… i want to hold him and gale like tiny dolls and make them hang out. UGHHH i love the ocs everyone is throwing at me.. but theo has a special little place in my heart right now ~kore

[peppertaemint]

Taemin’s fandom has been in a tizzy for weeks on end now, and although it is rather mild compared to other fandoms, they’re reaching peak British levels of constant, low-level complaints. I spent some time reading around all the different complaints to see the breadth of it, and this what I found:

The fans, whether shawol or solo, are in two extreme camps: either everything is Taemin’s fault and he’s just a fucker fuck-boy at this point OR he’s the most perfect, sweet angel baby who could never do wrong and is a victim of well, everything. There are complaints about everything, and the complaints have complaints.

The tour was planned badly, the venue sizes are too small, the send off in X country wasn’t good enough, there is no send off in X country, there aren’t enough tour dates

The new label is incompetent, new label isn’t putting out enough online content, new label is not protecting him enough, music quality is suffering, concept quality is suffering

People don’t care about dating but can’t understand why he doesn’t bother to confirm or deny the rumours, making some feel it’s deceitful or purposefully hidden

He’s not putting enough energy into reciprocating with fans and people are now attributing that to him having a partner and caring less about his fans because of it (the unfortunate instance of him being the only artist, among many juniors, not having prepared any gift at all, let alone the elaborate gifts that some artists were giving to fans at the year end performances played right into this idea…)

The complaints are complained about, moralized and almost ‘graded’ as to who is allowed to complain and over what; everyone is sharing opinions but no one can meet in the middle - it’s very much ‘my experience and feelings are valid but yours aren’t’

What I think has happened is that despite the ridiculous nature of the Weibo dating rumour, the idea has taken hold and people, whether they want to admit it or not, are unsettled that it’s neither confirmed or denied. They’d rather it be one or the other (I saw “hate” accounts saying they don’t care if he’s dating but would prefer someone say at least something, lol). I think that it’s all taken root and made people think ‘things are not what they seem’ and, when coupled with the label change, which has impacted group content, merchandise, the fan clubs, and now SMTown, people are feeling disillusioned. Add in some mixed reviews on the quality of the last album, and you have the perfect storm in a tiny little teacup.

It doesn’t help that there is a lot less content online now that he’s switched over to BPM. There are fewer behinds and of course, a complete lack of any SHINee content that includes all members. My guess is that for many, the label switch feels like a net-negative from where they sit as a fan. Given that the small tour venues, for the majority of cities, mean that a large number of fans can’t attend (including myself in my own city of London…), there are probably people not feeling satisfied and wondering where things are headed.

All this is not to validate or agree with the complaints. It’s more me making sense of it because logging in day in and day out and seeing the discord is a bit taxing, though some of it is entertaining, especially the fans who sound like girlfriends angry at their faux boyfriend. Imagine going in for your recording knowing you’ve got 750 angry girlfriends watching? LOL … isn’t that punishment enough for any perceived wrongs?

In all seriousness, I’m happy that people can voice their opinions without it turning into violent language and threats, but I also think some people need to take a break and walk away. Their expectations are too high. If they truly feel they’ve invested so much and are not getting the required return on their investment (to put it in their language), then the best thing to do is to cut the investment. Take your time back and let the artist win your attention back. There’s nothing wrong in doing that.

[singsweetmelodies]

i won't be able to watch the race today but i'm already dreading the result, SO i decided to make this table of predictions to prepare myself for every eventuality*

*that i could think of

i'm only predicting the wins (+ more or less how they came about to be) otherwise i'm going to be here all morning and be late for my event. i might still be late for my event, but... here goes!

SINGAPORE GP 2023: POSSIBLE WIN SCENARIOS

feat. (completely unbiased of course) commentary by katie singsweetmelodies

carlos and george take each other out at the start. charles leclerc wins the singapore gp 2023! 🎆🥰❤️

if this one comes true, i will never shut up about it and will literally be dancing on the rooftops. DREAM SCENARIO BABY!!! (yeah, sorry georgie, i am SO willing to sacrifice you for a charles win.) we want that win #6... we want it SO MUCH 🥹

george russell passes sainz on the start and proceeds to win the singapore gp 2023! 🩵

if this one comes true, i will still be very happy (and not just because it means sainz DIDN'T win.) i love george. a second win for him would be very nice indeed <3

carlos sainz keeps it together and somehow wins the singapore gp 2023 😐

if he actually does this, i may - through gritted teeth - finally utter the words "fine, carlos sainz is a good driver." (i will however also mutter something under my breath about how 2023 is the year of ugly people, and charles is too beautiful and too good to have his name on the list with the likes of the fucking red bull duo anyway. good RIDDANCE that it's sainz who's the only non-RB winner in such a hideous year.)

we have a repeat of singapore 2017, with the top 4 all taking each other out & lewis hamilton proceeding to win the singapore gp 2023! 🎆💜

if this one comes true, my ferrari heart will be in bits BUT i will simultaneously be fucking ecstatic for lewis. i WILL yell "get in there lewis" an inordinate amount of times, and celebrate that 104 with everything in me.

lando somehow wins from p4 (🤔) and gets his first win in spectacular but chaotic style. lando norris wins the singapore gp 2023! 🧡

if this one comes true, i will be... baffled, first and foremost. but then also pretty happy. i have no idea how this one could reasonably come true, but it would be low-key iconic if it did, tbh.

the chaos at turn 1 is even more chaotic than in singapore 2017, which means that fernando alonso from (wherever he qualified, i forgot lmao oops) wins the singapore gp 2023! 🥶

if this happens, i... will celebrate that it's not a red bull? i'll celebrate it for exactly 14 seconds and then turn off the tv. i'm not an alonso fan. to me, he's barely a step up from another rbr win. yes, it IS a step up. but like, the step is 1cm high.

*dutch national anthem starts playing in the background* AND MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE SINGAPORE GP 2023! the eleventh fucking race in a row, hoo-fucking-ray.

if this one comes true, i will shake my fist at the fia and insist that it's all their fucking fault for not GIVING MAX A FUCKING GRID DROP, like, you know, the PRECEDENT SAYS THEY SHOULD HAVE. he should have gotten six places at least, in my opinion. nine would've been apt, too. but nooooooo. the great white hope is above all precedent and penalty, apparently. (anyway yeah if verstappen wins i will have no celebrations whatsoever. except maybe a tiny, petty internal one that at least it wasn't sainz. but yeah, nah. if verstappen wins, i won't be very surprised, but i will NOT be amused.)

in a move that shocks genuinely EVERYONE, sergio pérez wins the singapore gp 2023! 🇲🇽

i have no idea how this one could reasonably come to pass, tbh. maybe verstappen's engine dies??? and the ferraris and mercs.... either take each other out, or are WAY slower than yesterday. maybe the red bull was sandbagging???? very drastically??? nah. this one won't happen, let's just be real. but if it somehow does, my enthusiasm will be one fraction of a percentage higher than it would've been for a verstappen win. that is all.

liam lawson wins the singapore gp 2023! 😱👏

yeah no this isn't going to happen - i just wanted to say it. liam lawson, you are my HERO for knocking max verstappen out in q2. you will be p1 of my heart no matter who wins this weekend <333 (except if it's charles or lewis. or pierre, somehow. because, you know. priorities. xD)

RIGHT, well. now at least i feel like i'm mentally prepared to open my f1 app tomorrow evening and see pretty much any result. 👍. let's do this thing