#and that time i played blades in the dark with people i am no longer on speaking terms with

[evilkitten3]

#5th level psychic lance?#or its a 5th level dissonant whispers#and OP needs to use its reaction to run as far from the post as possible#which is pretty funny#also good post

judging by my search history it was college of whispers 15th level psychic blades. however i mainly just looked that up to be sure it was possible to do that kind of damage in dnd (i have not played enough dnd to be sure). the actual spell is adhd tumblr post

extremely unsexy of adhd to make me both very annoying and very sensitive to the concept of being perceived as annoying

[goldenwilliamson]

hard launch | leah williamson

pairing: leah williamson x reader

a/n: merry christmas!!! enjoy some christmassy awfc fluff x

summary: reader and leah film their parts in the arsenal christmas gifting video. reader receives a gift that shows everyone who's girlfriend she is.

word count: 1.3k

The Arsenal media team had set up a Christmas tree lined with presents for all the girls to open for a video. You obliged happily, excited about having a present to open before Christmas. Leah however had to be convinced.

"It's bad luck! You can't have us opening gifts before Christmas!" She said, her voice firm.

"Ease up Lee, it's just a little present from the club," you said, rubbing the space between her shoulder blades while silently laughing at your girlfriends commitment to tradition.

"My Mum can't find out about this, she'll have a fit," Leah says, eyeing the tree scornfully.

"Well she might see this video when it goes up," Frimmy says from behind the camera.

You move out of the shot now and watch through the screen of the camera as Leah steps into frame and speaks directly to the lens, "Do I look as awkward as I feel? Because I'm sorry Mum, I don't normally do this before Christmas day, I'm being forced to."

Shaking your head, you and many of the other girls watch on in anticipation as Leah unwraps her gift, and when she pulls out the electric keyboard you all exchange knowing glances. It's no secret that learning piano has been Leah's latest mission, and you more than anyone have been along for the journey. Most evenings now your night was soundtracked by Leah sitting at the piano stool, reading her sheet music and practicing.

When she was preparing for her performance with the BBC orchestra you must have heard her play that Shania Twain song about 200 times before you had to cut her off.

"You've got it Leah, I promise," you had stressed to her.

"I'm just so nervous, I need to know I can do it perfectly!" She demanded, starting to play it again.

"Nope. No. I'm sorry, but I'm cutting you off. It's time for bed," you had said. Even though you were always supportive of her endeavours, you knew she was only stressing herself out with the drive for perfection.

"Baby, please just let me practice it one more time, then bed," she pleaded like a little kid asking for five more minutes of play time.

"Fine. Once more. But I am telling you it's been perfect 98% of the times you've played," you said.

She just waved you away and played it once more all the way through, perfectly of course, and then finally conceded to your request. When you finally crawled into bed together that night you turned towards Leah, murmuring into the darkness.

"I'm starting to get worried that I'll have Shania Twain stuck in my head forever."

Leah giggled but reassured you, "I won't be playing it forever. And trust me, I'm sick of it too."

Now today she was sitting down, playing the little electric keyboard and trying to get everyone to guess what she was playing. You knew straight away it was Adele, because she had played it for you just last night, but it took everyone else a little longer to catch on.

Leah, pleased with her present moved along to allow for the next girls to go through. You stepped in, ready to unwrap your presents with Steph and Kyra, but before you got to pull off the paper one of the Arsenal media people pulled you out.

"We'll get you to open yours on your own, Y/N," they told you. You weren't really sure why, but you trusted their vision and waited for your turn.

When you were finally standing in front of the camera after Steph and Kyra, you felt your present through the wrapping and you could tell that it was a piece of clothing. As you pulled it out, you unfolded it to reveal a t-shirt. And you instantly realised why they'd got you to open it on your own. It seemed to be a fan made t-shirt that had pictures of Leah all over the front as well as LEAH WILLIAMSON printed in large pink block letters running down the side.

You bent over laughing, not even sure if you should show it off to the camera. While you and Leah were officially together, it hadn't really been confirmed publicly. The media team knew that and obviously got you on your own so they could easily leave your clip out of the video.

"Really?" You looked up at the small crew, holding the shirt up next to your face.

Leah, watching on began to laugh now, seeing what you'd been given.

"Best present of the day guys!" She exclaimed.

"So ridiculous," you said as all the girls behind the camera laughed.

"Hard launch," Kyra said, teasing you both.

"Shut up," you smiled, "This won't be going on the Instagram," you said assertively, pointing directly down the barrel of the camera.

"Why don't you put in on, Y/N," Leah suggests.

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" You narrow your eyes at your girlfriend, knowing how much of a kick she would get out of seeing you wearing the top, looking like a fan.

"Go on," Steph urges you.

Begrudgingly, you pull your training shirt up over your head, receiving playful wolf whistles from the girls before you pull your new t-shirt down over your body. When it was on you held your arms out, showing it off.

"How do I look?" You said, giving a little spin as the girls clapped for you.

Leah walked over towards you and held onto your waist, admiring herself on your shirt.

"I bet this inflates your ego," you say, seeing the cheeky sparkle in her eyes.

Leah didn't even say anything in response, she just moved to stand next to you, threw her arm around your shoulder in a very platonic manner and posed towards the camera.

"I love meeting fans," she said, smiling at her own joke.

"Ha ha," you said sardonically, rolling your eyes and nudging her away from you.

"We should get a photo of this though," Leah said, pulling her phone out of her pocket and handing it off to Steph who snapped a picture of you both. When you looked back at it Leah wore a very cocky smirk and looked as if you were posing for a photo with your favourite footballer.

Katie stood over your shoulder to peer at the photo, "Oh that's got to go in a photo dump girls."

"I don't think so," you said quickly, leaving it there. Though you did wear the top around for the rest of the day, finding it surprisingly comfortable, until you tucked it away into your bag before heading home.

You had honestly forgotten about it until Christmas Day when you were scrolling on Instagram in bed after the long day of festivities and you saw Leah had tagged you in a photo. She was right next to you sitting on her phone with a smirk on her face.

"What have you posted?" You asked, clicking onto it and swiping through the various Christmas photos until you saw your own bashful face reflected in the photo that Steph had taken of you in the shirt. The caption read, Best time of year (love my fans @Y/N.Y/L/N) x.

Katie McCabe had already liked the post and tagged you in a comment, President of the Leah Williamson fan club aren't ya? @Y/N.Y/L/N.

"Leah!" You said sharply, looking at your girlfriend in disbelief.

"What? It's a great photo," she said.

"You're fuelling the fire," you said, referencing the ongoing speculation online about your relationship.

"So what? I don't care if people know we're together, do you?" Leah said simply.

You realised that you also didn't care, in fact you would be proud for people to know, so you shook your head.

"Of course I don't," you said, reassuring her that you were okay with this.

"Good, then stop being grumpy about the photo," she said, leaning over to give you a kiss.

"It's such a bad photo! I genuinely look like a teenage fan girl," you laughed.

"That's what makes it so great," Leah says, giggling at her ability to annoy you.

You shake your head and pick up your phone again, feeling confident in your relationship with Leah, no longer caring if people know or they don't. This leads you to respond to Katie's comment with two simple words that are enough to send all the fans spiralling over the small confirmation: Hard launch?

[amyriadofleaves]

outside it starts to pour — neuvillette | chapter four

synopsis: in the limelight of fontaine, the prying eyes of its people never truly tears their gaze off the iudex and you, the présidence du conseil d'état, which makes for baseless rumours to fester and echo throughout the theatrics of opera. you and neuvillette are challenged by the reputations the both of you are expected to uphold, and the weighty decision to navigate these intricacies rests upon the discerning judgement of fontaine's archon.

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ao3 : wattpad  ˚　.˚　

⌗ pairing : neuvillette x fem!reader ⌗ feat : neuvillette, reader, wriothesley, clorinde, sigewinne ⌗ warnings : a lot of blood?? ⌗ word count: 6.6k (a little longer this time teehee)

“I never knew entourages were your thing.”

You tilt your head. “How’d you know I had someone with me?” The image of the Chief Justice flashes through your mind for a moment.

Clorinde shrugs. “Some people from outside the Pankration Ring were babbling about seeing someone with the head of civil affairs. Were you always such a high reward person? Fame catch up with you yet?” She says this as she deepens her voice, posture straightened with her hands on her hips. Your eyes wander around the fortress, at the brass that graced every corner, seeing a few puddles pooling under a number of leaky pipes. 

Playfully nudging her arm, you snort at her jab. “You’re acting as if I’m some textbook rags-to-riches story. And no, fame has not caught up to me. I am no snob,” you tell her with a chastising look, but the attempt to steel yourself breaks when you feel your lips unwillingly quirking upwards into a smile, before you begin to shake trying to restrain your laugh.

It is not long before it infects Clorinde, too, and she falls victim to your foolish sense of humour. You lean on each other like two girls who’ve had too much to drink, afraid to let go lest one of you falls over; and you fail to notice the chiding looks of the people around you, but Clorinde shakes herself off before flicking your forehead causing you to stop your fit of laughter. 

“Gosh, remind me why I’m here again?”

“Oh I’ve seen you in your office, working away like a lifeless machine—” Clorinde feels at your arm. “What a pity. All that muscle is now reduced to flab.”

“Okay, ouch.”

Someone clears their throat from the other end of the room, and a manly voice sounds. “Hey. Clorinde. Get your friend over here so you can finally get to sparring.”

“Alright, alright,” Clorinde groans before dragging you by the arm to the ring; you stumble on the heel of your boot, stride broken by the unexpected force.

She chuckles at your clumsiness, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Come on, don't be such a klutz," she teases, her grip firm as she leads you towards the sparring ring. You shoot her a playful glare, feigning annoyance.

As you approach the ring, the shouts of brutes and the scrape from blade against blade pierces the air in a dissonant choir. Clorinde releases your arm as you stand at the very base of the stairs leading to the ring, and you square your shoulders — drawing in a long, sharp breath. Acutely aware of their eyes on you, you smirk. You are knowing how their eyes follow you — others, a bit more indifferent in the ‘affairs of the ‘overworld’’ so to speak. If you were any younger and naïve as you were,  you would’ve crumbled under their watchful eyes, but you know better than to have your weakness out for show, to be an open book. 

A man clad in a dark grey coat and haphazardly bound black bandages stands in the centre of the ring, eyeing your every move, and you see him smile to the duelist next to you. From description alone, you surmise that this is the Duke; and you take in how he is a lot more different in appearance than you last saw him: a little bulkier in frame, the pinch of boyish recklessness now discreetly tucked under the guise of responsibility.

A cheeky grin plays on his lips, before he gives you a bow. You return the courtesy with a light curtsy. It is a lie to say you aren’t a little intimidated, but you play it off by avoiding his eyes, afraid that he might see right through you and immediately think you an idiot. And you are not an idiot, you tell yourself over and over like a broken record.

“It is a pleasure to meet you again, Your Grace.” Your eyes stay trained on the floor before a chuckle breaks the silence.

Bewildered, you look up to face him and he waves a gloved hand in jest. “There is no need for such formalities. If anything, it should be me doing all of that. And plus, a friend of Clorinde is a friend of mine.” 

Clorinde sees right through his facade and dismisses it with a derisive ‘pfft’. “You certainly didn’t act like that when you first met me.”

“Oh come on my dear, dear Clorinde,” he places a hand on his chest in faux distress, a pout forming on his lips. “You know it isn’t like that.”

The duelist rolls her eyes before he puts his hands up in surrender and steps backwards.

The ring awaits, and you take a deep breath, ready for the impending spar. The crowd's anticipation adds to the pressure, but you push aside any lingering hesitation. Clorinde smirks, sensing your resolve, and steps into the ring beside you.

The announcer from the side announces the start with a rumble. “Let the sparring begin!”

The duelist bows her head, and you follow suit. Instinctively, you reach for the pellet gun at your hip as Clorinde does for her sword; it is an odd selection for a spar, and the crowd seems to raise a few eyebrows at this. Dejected as you are at the pellet gun resting in your fingers instead of your normal musket, you take this as an opportunity to give yourself more of an advantage with a slowing factor. A mere practice of skill, it was, really. 

Clorinde rushes in with a burst of speed, her blade flashing downward in an opening diagonal slash at your torso. You slip left of the weapon’s reach and step backwards, barely missing a cut by a finger’s breadth. You and Clorinde possess different skill sets: she requires a closing of distance whilst you have to create distance. 

A space separates the two of you and you slightly duck before firing a shot at her shoulder blade. The gun recoils against your arm and sends the bullet ricocheting against the wall and you stumble. Frustrated, you palm the holster of your gun and wriggle your hand to loosen your muscles. Can’t blame me for this, you think blindly, giving yourself a petty excuse for your blunder. Clorinde springs forward at the brief seconds of your imbalance and slashes at an angle. Rather than trying to escape backward or sideways, which you cannot do in time, you draw your gun as you drop to the ground on your back and you fire upwards. You cannot help but smile as the bullet hits her in the torso. 

She grimaces in stinging pain as the bullet falls to the floor. Rolling onto your stomach, you fire again from a crouch. From all the spinning, your vision swirls in a blur and your head is clouded. Without thinking, you stand and attempt to create more space, but realise you have unequivocally cornered yourself against the restraints of the arena. Before you can manoeuvre your way through the ring, the duelist comes in at full speed and you are given a mere few seconds to react. Clorinde slams her own blade into the path of your weapon with the intent of disarming you with so much force that you feel the impact reverberate through you like a shockwave. You fully expect the impending pain to come at any moment, but it never does. Instead, a resounding clash sounds from metal against ice echoes throughout the ring. You do not even realise the sword that comes to manifest through your fingers until you notice the gleam of light blue shielding you from the overhead lights.

A still silence fills the air as both of you widen your eyes in astonishment. Amazed gasps sound from the onlookers, and they are now eyeing you with more intent. You do not dwell on it for long before you bring your sword down at a speed, sending Clorinde staggering.

You cannot help but laugh. “And you called me a klutz.”

The look in her eyes almost shouts a flippant: 'I am totally fucking you over,' and it makes you instantly regret even speaking. 

Clorinde’s left hand seizes your hand, gripping hard. You let out a grunt of pain. With a light twist, she forces your makeshift weapon downward, and the numbing pain that grows in your wrist knocks the blade out of your arm, and you barely catch the glint of your own gun at the base of your feet. One final cry to win was you squirming in her grasp to reach it, but your fingers hover helplessly, unable to grab the grip of the gun. 

The next move you make is miscalculated, an oversight. You jab your elbow into her shoulder, overlooking the blade that she left hanging in the little space between the both of you. Adrenaline pumps through you like a vice, and you push further, forcing another blade of ice spiralling through your fingers, ignoring how you are completely stripped of your energy and the sudden humidity of the room. The crowd gasps, and for whatever reason, you do not pay it any mind — until you see Clorinde stopping too, stepping away.

Your eyes flicker haphazardly and notice that her eyes trail slowly to your abdomen, and you absentmindedly comply. At first you do not notice anything, but then the hand that had come to rest over your stomach comes away red, and you stumble in horror at the wetness flowing down your pants as if your intestines had given out. Your blouse blooms red too, clinging to your skin like a lifeline, and the forearm that clutched your stomach is now stained with blood, diluting further as it trails down the sword swirling with the condensate that rests on the ice.

Clorinde steps forward, but you hold out an arm to command her to stop. You can handle this, it is nothing you can’t bear. You take a few steps backwards, your free arm reaching for the rope that lines the ring.  Sweat beads on your forehead and suddenly everything is burning and your stomach is catching fire. Your heart thumps furiously against your ribcage and you greet the feeling like a friend; it is a familiar one, the same heart that beats whenever you are huddled in the corner of your room blocking out the shouts from the other end of the door along with other more unimportant things.

No. You can already vision how this would turn out for you. You cannot emerge from the depths of the sea injured and dead weight for the contract that stands. How will Neuvillette push through without you to serve as a catalyst? This was no one-man act, and this, you have come to terms with. 

With your blade still held and your resolve unchanged, you advance with a futile step. Might as well push forward now; it would be pathetic to surrender in a friendly match against your own best friend. 

Clorinde’s eyes flood with worry as you show no sign of yielding. “Name, stop. Let’s get you to the infirmary.” 

You are wordless as the pain festers to your upper chest and you feel as if you cannot breathe and all the air is knocked out of your lungs. People are going to think you’re weak, unable to defend yourself: a delicate worse-for-nothing figure. But I’m not weak, you want to scream at the world. If they think otherwise, so be it. The thought teeters precariously before ultimately shattering into the void of the unspoken.

The duelist looks over at Wriothesley pleadingly as she stabilises your weakened figure and eyes the audience with a sort of disdain. “I concede,” she says, before repeating: “I concede.” She also doesn’t fail to shield you from them, and you wish to thank her later for it. 

“Wriothesley, help me out here?” She manoeuvres herself so she can wrap your right arm around her neck and, expectantly, waits for Wriothesley to take your left.

“Yes ma'am.” 

Though you do not hear it, you see the silhouettes of many receding from around the ring in a blur. Black spots form in your vision and you barely catch Wriothesley taking your left arm over his neck before your consciousness lurches what it feels to be a sudden moment. A brief thought is pushed to the forefront of your mind before everything swarms black — and the question is as mundane as the person it concerns:

Just what exactly could the Chief Justice be doing right about now?

____

“Ah, my dear Neuvillette. Don’t you just love the taste of fame?”

Neuvillette’s eyes do not leave his paperwork and the last thing he wants right now is to be pestered by the lady in front of him. “Now’s not the time, Lady Furina.”

She steps forward, the thud of her heels growing increasingly louder in an act of taunt. “And when is the right time, Chief Justice? This is a breakthrough for your career, and you’re sitting around your office like a nobody when you’ve quite literally stolen the hearts of the whole populace.”

Neuvillette taps in rapid succession at a blank piece of paper, subconsciously counting the dots that spray from the quill in his hand. It is not everyday that the Chief Justice loses his temper. But today is not everyday and nor is it anything normal. He still feels your warmth against his ear, and he lightly ghosts his hand over it.

Furina snaps her fingers repeatedly. “Monsieur Neuvilletteee! Earth to you?”

He responds with a darkening glower. Looking away, he makes out the shape of her pout through his blurred peripheral vision, and hears her sulk. “I need to talk to you about preparations for the proposal! This is very important — go too long without one, and the people will think the two of you are simply an affair. Oh, I bet you don’t like the sound of that.”

“The proposal? We’ve barely gone a day with the approval of the contract, and you’re already pressing me for the proposal? Give her a rest, she is out with a good friend of hers. 

“Well obviously the proposal isn’t for today, I’m talking about preparations. You need to purchase a ring, she needs her hair done — perhaps a new dress tailored — I think the dress she wore yesterday was rather tattered and worn…” she tuts, finger on chin. “Oh! And I don’t think it would be much trouble to have the Melusines involved, would it?”

The silver-haired man sitting in his seat is being pulled from all his limbs like a puppet. He subconsciously notes all the things she had just listed, and his mind hiccups at the idea of purchasing a ring.

“Can’t it just be simple? Such exaggerations of a mere profession of romance shan’t be necessary.”

“But that is exactly the point! Don’t forget that I have my own duties to attend to in the dark, you are hot news. I saw how you two were this morning — everyone did!”

The flashing of cameras and the unwavering look on your face rushes through him like a deluge and his stomach pits. When he returned from his trip to the Fortress of Meropide, he had washed his face in a nearby restroom earlier and noticed the touch of lipstick on the very point of his ear. He found no point in removing it.

“So you want me to purchase a ring and propose to her in front of every breathing Fontainian, is that right?”

Lady Furina's smile widens a little too much and becomes a pain to look at. “Why yes, it is a statement of love and devotion, after all. Make sure what you pick makes her eyes pop. No woman wants a ring that dulls complexion.”

He does not care that it is him that has to oblige — but subjecting you to unwanted fame is beyond him.

Not wanting any further arguments, he caves. 

____

You are in and out of consciousness, but not so much that you cannot make out the panicked conversations the two are having in hushed voices. Funny enough, you're unsure if the fact that they can't find Sigewinne anywhere troubles you a little or if you're simply just drained and want to go to sleep.

“Can’t you walk any slower?” Wriothesley grunts.

Clorinde snaps back with a glare .“Can’t you realise we’re dealing with a gash that could tear open if you keep up this pace?” 

“Can’t you both,” your voice breaks off, and instead of continuing you droop your head before mumbling: “just shut up?”

The two people on either side of you are stunned into a chastising silence and if this were any different you feel that you would’ve laughed.

The man to your right clicks his tongue. “Oh, whoops. Forgot you were even awake.” He adjusts your arm a little too roughly and you let out a cry of pain as it doubles the sensation of your wound.

Clorinde smacks his arm and you slightly shift backwards at the lack of support. “What did I tell you? Okay — let's set this aside for now. We need her in the infirmary before her whole blouse gets drenched.” 

You don’t see or hear his response, and so you briefly imagine him having an indifference to this. Sure, it is everyday for him in the Fortress, but you do not know him very well, so he might have had a different reaction — perhaps a brief look at Clorinde almost begging her through his eyes for her to know what to do even though he, too, knows basic protocol? Plausible too.

“You’re going to need to take a deep breath for this.” The duelist’s voice is as monotone as ever, and as your lids flutter open you see that you are greeted with your archnemesis.

Stairs.

Not like they were anything too taxing; a mere five steps up and another few steps down and you’d be in the infirmary; but you instantly flinch back as they assist you with the first step, and you feel their arms grab for your back. You almost black out again the moment you glance at your abdomen but Clorinde promptly pushes your chin upwards so you don’t see the worst of it. 

“I don’t think I can make it up the stairs,” you say, defeated. You eye both of them carefully and they seem to almost weigh the possibilities and come to a solid conclusion (the word ‘solid’ is an overstatement).

“I mean we could bring the infirmary to her…”

Safe to say, Clorinde isn’t amused. “Wow, let's bring a whole bed out for everyone to see! Forgive me, but I won’t allow that for her. There are many problems on the surface as is, and I don’t think this paints a good image for her.”

As delirious as you are, you manage a nod in agreement and squeak out: “Whatever. Get me there.”

Wriothesley’s eyes are crazed as he looks at you with doubt.“W— you just said you couldn’t make it up the stairs.”

“...And that claim still stands. But what other choice do I have?” You say this through gritted teeth as the pain wells up in your side for the nth time this afternoon. The light peeking through the ceiling of the Fortress seems to dim and you take this as a sign that is just shy of dusk. 

Clorinde’s lips quirk into a small smile, and you miss it because you are unable to keep focus on anything except the blood you feel dripping into your slacks. “Alright. Just squeeze something every step you take. On the count of three:”

Wriothesley starts and they alternate. “Three.”

“Two.”

“One.”

With a yelp, you grip firmly onto the man next to you and let out a sigh of relief when your feet touch another step of the staircase. 

“Next time, please grip me somewhere else.” You slowly eye where your hand lies and it is unfortunately somewhere not ideal. Oops.

“Not my fault you have a built-in stress ball,” you look at him and Clorinde and realise that you have four more to go. “OK. I think we can go at a faster pace.”

Clorinde’s hand leaves your wrist as she wipes her palm on the base of her shorts and finds your hand again. “Are you sure? You looked like you’ve walked ten miles and it’s been just a step up.”

You look forward and nod your head. “Affirmative.”

“Alright then.”

Wriothesely announces the count of three rather plainly and you grip somewhere else this time. You bite your lip harshly; you do not want to complain any more than you have and instead shut your eyes to steel yourself, but fuck, did it hurt more than the first time.

You thank the gods above that it did grow easier the more steps you took, and with having given Wriothesley more bruises than dignity you finally made it to the platform at the top.

“Tough part done,” you mumble, eyeing the corridor with contempt. Not as tough, you suppose, and push ahead, your arms still hanging limp by their shoulders. You can't help but notice your blood swirling in the pools that flowed from each end of the hall, but the metallic scent of the pipes overpowers the metallic of your own.

Your boots touch the ground with a heavy thump that echoes so loudly it feels like your head is whirling quicker and you can’t make out any object in front of you. 

“Smells like murder.” His attempt at lightening the mood does more harm than good, and through your lethargy you still furrow your brow. Clorinde berates him in a low voice and you don’t even attempt to say anything in response. It is awfully silent, and suddenly you wish he had continued speaking. You force your eyes wide open out of fear that you might not wake up the moment you close them, but you have to fight against your weighted eyelids, and it is, by a mile, a terrible battle.

Fatigue - 1, You - 0.

A light shines from your left and you let yourself breathe.

“We’re here. Just need to tough through another flight of stairs and you’ll be alright,” Clorinde comforts, lifting your right arm a little more after noticing that you were slightly being raised a little higher on your left because of the height difference between her and Wriothesley.

“Here goes,” you tell yourself. This is not the first time you’ve been in a situation like this. 

Just a bit of blood and you’re crying? You look just like your mother.

You do not particularly enjoy the feeling of descending the stairs, but at least it is better than ascending them, and faster too. No need for any counts to threes. 

You wring your arms out of their grips, and soundlessly stumble to the bed closest to you. Mindlessly, you slip into the slight depression of the mattress and the springs groan under a new added weight. 

Wriothesley frantically looks around and suddenly his head is in his hands. Clorinde seems to adopt the same wrinkles between her brows as the man beside her has, and they are both thrown in a panic. The duelist still appears calm and collected throughout, and you’re surprised that the ‘panic’ they are thrown into has been reduced to a civilised conversation on how to deal with you.

Unbuttoning your blouse reveals that it takes a lot of work to separate skin from material, and you feel something stir in the pit of your stomach, or lack thereof. Dried blood starts to flake from the chilly air and the skin lining the wound is swollen pink, puffy and tender to the touch. Turning away, you aren’t partial to someone like Wriothesley to seeing the other scars that are littered throughout your skin like a canvas, and you know it isn’t pretty. You do not like your idea on what you are to do next, nor do you think it’s ideal, but with nothing to show of Sigewinne, you have to take the risk.

“Clorinde. Pass me rubbing alcohol and a towel.”

Clorinde casts you a weary look. “Surely you’re not thinking to do what I think you’re gonna do —”

“Yes. It's exactly what you think. Now pass it to me.” You turn your head a little as your hands beckon her over, and she hesitates before reaching for what you asked for and passes it to you. You do not miss the long look she gives Wriothesley.

The items weigh like a burden on your hands, and you almost decide to hold out until Sigewinne arrives. Even though you know this is probably the worst choice you'll ever make, you choose to ignore the nagging voice and go forward with it because simply, you are impatient. And what good were you to the public if you were ugly and unkempt? You know that everyone and Lady Furina would find you ridiculous. Would the Chief Justice share the same opinion? Would he break his impartiality to think that of you? For a brief moment, the answer flickers to a yes, but you swallow it down like a pill. No. No, he wouldn’t.

“Shouldn’t be too bad.” Bracing for the sting, the anticipated pain hovers like a phantom before the fabric even grazes your skin, but before you can give yourself room to yield, you jab the cloth over the gash and almost scream at the sting. You keep your mouth sealed shut and only rapid pants escape your lips. The pain courses through your veins and suddenly every working limb is now subject to agony. You absolutely detest the feeling, and you were sure that you would never find yourself like this after your father…

Shaking your head, you distract yourself by observing how the blood seeps through the cloth with ease, and you begin to question just how much blood you’re losing and how your body hasn’t given out. But the answer to it is fairly simple. Or maybe it isn’t. 

Your composure is so frigid you think the Duke is beginning to grow a little uncomfortable with just standing there.

“You can look away.” Even though you didn't have much energy to begin with, you startle yourself by being able to talk coherently in spite of everything.Your mind is dumbfoundedly collected, almost as if trained; for this you know why, and you decide not to mope over the memory. It still does end up slipping through the cracks. 

The clean blade against skin. Your father’s nasty laugh as you let out a cry of defeat. The reopened wound triggers a cascade of memories, but you resolve to relegate it to the past: a mere memory. You know you will never see him again, the idea of closure long gone and ties severed. His name, once a burden, now fades into the recesses of your memory, and you find solace in no longer sharing it.

Wiping the blood around your wound, you robotically reach for a needle and thread next, and this time Wriothesley steps forward with his hand outstretched to finally say something. “Woah there. I think we’re gonna need Sigewinne for this one.”

Your arm retracts from the needle and you wave him off with a curt wave of your hand. “I got this under control, don’t you worry,” you declare, but the claim dies on your lips when you feel your eyes drooping and your limbs going slack and the two are thrown into another dispute. 

“We need Sigewinne!”

“She should be coming in about,” the Duke checks his watch. “Five minutes.” He steals you a glance and continues: “Hang in there.”

Clorinde tears her gaze off yours and her brows knit again. “Well what if she doesn’t ‘hang in there’?” Her voice is thrown into a hush, but you can still hear it, and she knows you hear every word leaving her lips.

You use this time to silently teeter to the open cupboard of needles and thread. Surprisingly enough, you look back and find them in their own world. Perfect! You take a generous amount of thread along with a few needles with different gauges and slyly return to your place at the foot of the nursing bed. You dab antiseptic on the tender flesh of your gash. The sting is something you never get used to, and a low groan leaves your lips, and your head tips over.

Clorinde whirls lazily on her heel and points a finger at you. “You. Stop playing a fool. Your wound will get infected if you keep going at this rate. And don’t think I can’t see what you’re trying to do when I’m not looking,” the duelist reprimands, and you can’t help but admit defeat. Hah! She thought.

“Yeah, OK. Shut up and come over here for a second.” You do not face her, but hear her slow strides from behind.

“What is it?”

“Come closer.” you place the needle under her fingers, and flick her forehead. A zap courses from her fingers.

“Ow?”

Her complaints morph into incoherence as you study the needle and find that it is warm to the touch and slightly blackened at its point. 

“Thank you!”

Feeling at your abdomen, you conclude that it is numb enough to begin stitching. The sanitisation is a mere precaution, because as much as you trust everyone in this room and the nurse that isn’t present, you cannot trust whatever might be in the Fortress’ air.  It takes a few attempts before you successfully guide the thread through. 

And before Clorinde can stop you, it is far too late. The needle pierces skin, and you squint your eyes at the discomfort. If you could manage one, you could manage seven more. You are nowhere adept nor do you have a steady hand, but you are quite proud of the deep cuts you’ve stitched up in the past; they still did their job.

The Duke’s complexion is nothing short of sickly as his hand flies to his mouth. “I can’t— I can't watch this.”

“You just don’t listen, do you?”

You smile wearily. “Well, Clorinde, that is my expertise.”

Just before your fingers swoop down for another stitch, a certain Melusine skips down the steps and pauses at the sight.

“Oh? What do we have here?”

Wriothesley scratches the back of his neck before cracking a smile that seems to say: ‘caught us!’. “Ah, Sigewinne! We were just looking for you. Now if you could tend to this high demand patient we have it would be greatly appreciated.” He points over his shoulder without turning his head, and yet the shaky undertone in his demeanour is unmistakable.

You give him a look even though his back is towards you.

Sigewinne nods her head. “Alright then. Let’s take a look…” if she’s surprised, her face betrays nothing. She waddles to the other side of the room and reaches for a new, cleaner towel; and you realise how comical a sight this is — with both the Champion Duelist and the Duke following her every move in silence as you sit stiffly on a worn mattress. She returns and studies the needle in your hand and holds her own paw-like hand out. Placing it in her hand, she dips the towel into a bowl of warm water and cleans the area properly this time.

“Take a deep breath in for me please.” you do not know why you silently follow her orders. “And out.”

That was your que to prepare for the second stitch. Not bad; it did feel less haphazard than your own. Sigewinne’s eyes do not leave your wound as she pops a question: “Will you need your entourage to escort you to the Overworld?”

Suddenly all your worries are gone and are now replaced with a new one. “My entourage? Oh, no, that wouldn’t be necessary.” The needle comes up from under your skin and her paws move downwards.

“Are you sure? I can contact him if you like.”

You playfully look to the side. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

Sigewinne unfortunately does not take the hint and questions your dismissal of your dealing with him. “But you were just with Monsieur Neuvillette just now, I don’t see why it would slip your mind. Unless you’re suffering from short term memory loss, that is.” Your eyes widen at the mention and you motion your hand to to your neck to stop her before she goes off on a tangent.

The pair standing on the other corner both seem to share the same concerns. Wriothesley quirks a brow. “Monsieur Neuvillette? Surely you haven’t made yourself fancy for the Chief Justice.”

“No, he is not my suitor; just a mere colleague of mine. Our relationship is strictly professional — that is all.”

The Duke smiles. “Yeah. Sure. That’s how it always starts. Workplace romance is a classic.”

Clorinde tilts her head. “What has gotten into you? Always blabbering about romance this and romance that.”

“You, Miss Clorinde, should be aware that I have always been hopeless for things like this. I am not as stoic as you or the Chief Justice of Fontaine.”

“I am well aware. I just choose not to acknowledge it — oh and…” she breaks off mid-conversation, leaving Wriothesley sulking like a defeated dog. “How has Monsieur Neuvillette been? I’ve heard that he’s been involved in some ‘scandal’, but I’ve been too busy resolving business. I haven't an idea what it’s about.”

Dread fills your gut as you come to another decision you have to make today. Either you tell her the truth or skirt over some details so she doesn’t tie any link back to you. “As it turns out I haven’t really been well-versed in the melodrama of the people, but from word of mouth,” your hand cups one side of your face as you whisper, “he has entangled himself with a commoner.”

Wriothesley and Clorinde both shout a distressed “What?” in unison.

“I surmise he hasn’t taken any of it into account,” the duelist guesses, shooting a blind shot in the dark.

Your lips curve into a leer. “He’s doing what he always does. His job.”

___

"M-monsieur Neuvillette! What brings you here?”

“Good afternoon. What rings do you suggest would suit...”

The jeweller, filled with the delicate hum of conversation and soft hushes of conversation, momentarily hushes in anticipation. Neuvillette, however, maintains a calm demeanour, allowing the flustered individual to collect himself.

The person takes a moment, clears their throat, and continues, “... suit your refined taste? We have an exquisite collection of vintage pieces or, if you prefer, more contemporary designs. Perhaps something that resonates with the essence of your intended occasion?” He glances nervously at Neuvillette, awaiting his response with bated breath.

“A simple engagement ring would be right up my alley. Your guidance…” He quickly searches for the name etched into his nametag and spots a ‘GATTINEO’ on his person “Monsieur Gattineo,, in finding the perfect ring, would be much appreciated,” Neuvillette states, and he smiles stiffly, unable to tell if he’s just scared the worker senseless or struck the first normal human conversation he’s had in weeks.

The person behind the counter nods profusely and points his arm to the left. “R— Right this way, monsieur.” 

Neuvillette gazes at the employee intently, studying the way his hands slips at the knob that seals the rings from under the glass display and slowly retrieves them, pushing the array of wedding bands toward the Chief Justice as if a single sound might shatter the fabric of time. 

The Iudex takes pity and reassures him that he ‘need not be so tense’, but whether the employee buys the claim is a story he does not remain privy to. Gloved hands pick a ring from the second row from the array and he holds it in the light, checking the glimmer of the diamond that sits snug under the hooks of white gold. Too dull, he notes, already picturing it against your ring finger. He thinks that you do not deserve such a ring of commonplace, and he politely places it back into its respectful place on the display.

He reaches for another, acutely aware of the growing pairs of eyes that are burning into his back. Another ring is victim to the light and he needs little inspection to know that this wouldn’t flatter you in the slightest. Scrunching his nose, he turns to look at other options. 

None seem to suit his taste.

Neuvillette stands stationary for a moment before noticing a glint to his right. It is a ring that appears lacklustre at first glance, but when he looks at it for longer, he realises that the ring is not as uninteresting as it initially seemed.

He points at it through the glass. “Would you mind if I take a look at that one?”

“Why, sure. It is a latest addition, monsieur, and is very much flattering on any bride.” The Chief Justice, who is ever impartial to opinions, disagrees. He does not think it is flattering on just any bride.

Its centrepiece is a gorgeous sapphire, and his mind immediately shifts to the casual blue undertones of the clothes you wear. It would certainly complement her eyes, he thinks, picturing the glimmer of blue on your skin. It would make your complexion ‘pop’, as Lady Furina had said. It is nowhere near extravagant, but keeping it simple is to make a statement. 

He pinches the ring in between the pad of his thumb and index finger. “I would like to purchase this — does it come with a box?”

The worker is stunned, eyes practically popping out of his skull. “Y—Yes! It surely does. That would be one hundred thou—”

“Please, put it on my tab.”

Now the worker is really ogling at him. He hasn’t even heard the full price! He figures up how much he will get for this commission, and it will buy him a luxurious lifestyle for several months. Heavens above, he really was lucky today. 

“I can do that for you. Just give me a moment to get the box from the back.” The man scutters away, and the conversations around Neuvillette are now brought into vivid technicolour.

“Is it for the woman in the tabloids? I heard she’s the newly employed head of civil affairs.”

“She really has done everything under the sun.”

The Chief Justice’s ears perk at the phrase in response. “You can’t trust everything you see in the media. Looks to me that she’s only in it for the money.”

“You are right… Perhaps it is a calculated move to push her way through the ranks! What a sly, sly woman she is.”

Are they seriously speaking about you around the very man that dictates the verdict of whom is guilty? That kind of daring makes Neuvillette's eyes narrow. He does not wish to entertain their idle gossip, but he also can't watch while his future wife is being disparaged in such a manner. To him, your resilience is remarkable. That, is one aspect of your character that he truly admires. But one thing rings true: fame comes with a price.

Neuvillette’s jaw ticks, and his warm, serene mien freezes over, his glare a piercing chill. He composes himself, and turns on his heel with a rigid calm. The words that leave his lips send the people’s blood running cold.

“If you are to speak ill of the woman I am to propose to — and that is certain — I hope you see to it that the repercussions are to be nothing but shy of being remarkably uncomfortable. ”

a/n: this one kinda strayed off my outline if im gonna b honest but like are we really complaining cuz PROTECTIVE NEUVILLETTEE OGME

taglist : @sek0ya, @souxiesun

[treacheryinblue]

God (of death) Complex

Chapter 3 Preview

Here's a little snippet of the next chapter since I know people are ready to see what's in store! It's just a mini conversation between Noah and his demon lackey, but I like it because it's the first we're seeing him interact with someone that isn't the main 'you' character. This chapter is going to be very different from the last two, and I'm really excited about it.

ANYWAY. Thanks for listening to my rambles.

PREVIEW BELOW THE BREAK.

“That soul is not meant for this land, my lord.”

Silence was given as a response. 

“She is not destined to be here, and you know what will hap-”

“Yes, I am well aware of the consequences to my actions.” Noah heavily exhaled, though he appeared uninterested in the conversation. 

Sitting atop his throne, black and sleek, one hand gripped the arm rest while the other was bent and lifted to his face. He examined his nails, further showing his boredom. 

“Please forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, my lord, but…the Light Ones are not happy. It has been nine times now and each plays out just like the last.”

A growl was emitted from him, dark eyes flickering to the creature who stood below. “I do not need you reciting my failures to me, demon.”

Noah couldn't bear to think of how you had been ripped from him countless times now. Pried from his hands. Stolen away. You had spent centuries together, longer than any human could dream of living - if one could call you alive - but he knew an infinite amount of centuries more would never be enough. He needed forever. 

“If the Light Ones think I'm going to give up just because they look down upon my doings, then they are sorely mistaken. Maybe they aren't as all knowing as they like to remind us of every chance they receive.” He spat with disdain.

The demon clamped his mouth shut in fear that he may further anger the embodiment of darkness sitting before him. This is how they remained for a long moment, neither speaking, but the demon holding many questions on his pointed tongue. 

“‘My lord…” he cautiously began after a moment. “Might I ask…what is it about this girl that you're so drawn to? You encounter humans everyday, thousands of them, but none have made you so…”

“Weak?” Noah finished the demon’s sentence for him, his eyebrows quirked. 

The demon immediately fell to his knees, his jagged forehead pressing to the marble floor as if to already begin begging for forgiveness. 

“No! I would never say as such, my lord!” 

Noah shook his head as his focus returned to his nails, just as the ruby encrusted dagger appeared within his grasp out of thin air. 

“There's no need to grovel,” he exclaimed while turning the dagger, inspecting every inch of the blade. “I have become weak when it comes to her…but I don't have an answer for you as to why.”  

It was still a mystery even to him. 

“Does Death itself not deserve the chance to love and to be loved in return, though?” 

[ashenprofessor]

Celebrating TOA and the people who contribute to make our group what it is.

Repost, don't reblog. Only fill in what you feel comfortable sharing!

Happy anniversary, TOA! Here's to many more years spent together.

Name: Rua

Pronouns: they/he

Birthday (no year): 02/10 (I share my birth with Kaze and am also a twin!)

Where are you from? What is your time zone? From UK, GMT

How long is your roleplay experience? however long Byleth has been in TOA

How were you introduced to roleplaying as a whole? tbh, I'm not even sure. Just found TOA somehow despite not really being a tumblr user and yeah... here I am.

How were you introduced to TOA? see above answer

Do you have any pets? Yes. A black void cat who's mine and family dog.

What is your favorite time of year and why?(Season, holiday, general period) Autumn because the temperatures mean can snuggle up with games/book/videos but not freeze your ass off. Plus autumn colour is so pretty.

What is your IRL occupation? Structural Engineer

Some interests and things you like/enjoy? I like fantasy and sci-fi books, playing boardgames and rock climbing.

What non-Fire Emblem games do you play? Kingdom hearts, Professor Layton, Persona, Yakuza (Like a dragon), Pokemon, Final Fantasy, lot's of games really 😅

Favorite Pokemon type & Pokemon: Dark type. Lycanrock (Duskform)

Tell us some funfacts and trivia about yourself! I'm a black belt in taekwondo, I like to crochet and I've just started learning drums.

How did you get into Fire Emblem? I bought Awakening after watching a top 10 3ds games video where it was described as 3d chess. Played a bit then got very invested in Fates as it was releasing. Bought my copy birthright with first ever paycheck.

What Fire Emblem games have you played? Engage, 3Houses and 3Hopes, Fates, Awakening, Echoes, Warriors (started), Fire Emblem Binding Blade (Currently playing)

First & Favorite Fire Emblem games: first was technically Awakening but I didn't finish it till 2023. First finished was 3 houses. My favourite? Either fates or 3 Houses.

List your 5 favorite Fire Emblem characters across the series! Byleth, Shez, Kaze, Dimitri, Xander

Who was the first character ever to make you go “ooh I like this one in particular” and why? Can be any context and reason! Dimitri for his story arc. And eyepatch. And later hairstyle.

Any Fire Emblem crushes?

If you’ve played (or are familiar with) the following games, who was your first S support? Who would you S support nowadays?- Awakening:- Fates:- Three Houses:- Engage:

Favorite Fire Emblem class?

If you were a Fire Emblem character, what would be your class and stats? Would you be playable? Ninja or tactician.

If you were a Three Houses character, what would be your affiliation? (Black Eagles, Blue Lions, Golden Deer, Church of Seiros, Those Who Slither in the Dark, unaffiliated civilian, other - for example Almyran) Blue Lions

If you were an Officers Academy student, what would be your boons, banes and potential budding talent? Boon: Reason Bane: Heavy Armour. Budding Talent: Gauntlets

If you were an Engage character, which nation would you originate from? (Firene, the Kingdom of Abundance; Brodia, the Kingdom of Might; Elusia, the Kingdom of Knowledge; Solm, the Queendom of Freedom; Lythos, the holy land of the Divine Dragon; Gradlon, the desolate land of the Fell Dragon)

How do you pronounce TOA? T-O-A

Current TOA muses: Byleth

Past TOA muses? Chrom, Shez, Dimitri

Who was your first TOA muse? If you no longer have them, can you see yourself picking them up again? Byleth. Don't think I could ever drop them.

Do you believe you have a type of character you gravitate towards writing? Mostly with MC as less anxiety of getting the portrayal or lore/canon wrong. I do like Lords too.

Do you have characters or types of characters you don’t think you can handle writing, but wish you could? I wish I could write a soft/tragic character which people would love/protect. Or a complete arsehole but I always feel bad being too mean.

What kind of scenes, situations etc do you believe you enjoy writing the most? I've really enjoyed writing pokemon AUs and word count challenges.

Do you have any scenario in mind for your muse(s) that gets you thinking “man I hope I get to write this one day”? Maybe some other type of AU which aligns with other interests like Persona/KH/ Camp Half-blood etc.

Favorite TOA-related memories? Just the love and support from everyone here and the fun we all have together hyping each other up. Plus Lore events. Especially Unscripted 2022 where Shez became a K-pop idol in dance offs while Byleth was in a apocalyptic future. The dichotomy was hilarious.

Present or past tense? Past tense is what I default to writing but my dyslexia means I can swap part way through sentence! Third person.

Normal size text, small text, no preference? Normal text as easier to read.

Got any potential muse delusions to share? If I could handle 2 muses I would love a Shez rerun

[yukyunotabibito]

Celebrating TOA and the people who contribute to make our group what it is.

Repost, don't reblog. Only fill in what you feel comfortable sharing!

Happy anniversary, TOA! Here's to many more years spent together.

From neffi <3

Name: Vergil

Pronouns: She/He/They

Birthday (no year): November 14th

Where are you from? What is your time zone? I'm from the Midwest (America), but my current timezone is PST

How long is your roleplay experience? 'Bout two and half years total I think? If tumblr RP

How were you introduced to roleplaying as a whole? Does warrior cats on the playground count?

How were you introduced to TOA? Stalked the twitter for like a year

-

Do you have any pets? I have a cat back home, but she's not with me at college

What is your favorite time of year and why? (Season, holiday, general period) Fall! Because it has my birthday :3

What is your IRL occupation? Student <3

Some interests and things you like/enjoy? Well isn't this embarrassing. My current obsession is 2ha/Erha

What non-Fire Emblem games do you play? Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, Elden Ring, Persona, Ensemble Stars, etc.

Favorite Pokemon type & Pokemon: Dragon! Appletun <3

Tell us some funfacts and trivia about yourself! I'm a marine biology major!

-

How did you get into Fire Emblem? A friend of mine introduced it to me in 6th grade and like any autistic child I immediately got completely obssessed

What Fire Emblem games have you played? (In order of the number), Blazing Blade, Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn, Awakening, Fates, Three Houses, Engage

First & Favorite Fire Emblem games: First was Fates. Current favourite is Radiant Dawn I think.

List your 5 favorite Fire Emblem characters across the series! Nasir, Kurthnaga, M!Corrin, Erk, and Zephia

Who was the first character ever to make you go “ooh I like this one in particular” and why? Can be any context and reason!

Any Fire Emblem crushes? 😳Camilla. Any hot woman in general, so most of them. Vaguely Nasir.

If you’ve played (or are familiar with) the following games, who was your first S support? Who would you S support nowadays? - Awakening: First was Chrom. IDK now. - Fates: First was Jakob. Mozu now. - Three Houses: First was Claude. Yuri now. - Engage: First was Alfred (Male Alear). IDK now.

Favorite Fire Emblem class? Kinshi Knight!

If you were a Fire Emblem character, what would be your class and stats? Would you be playable? Random village NPC #12

If you were a Three Houses character, what would be your affiliation? (Black Eagles, Blue Lions, Golden Deer, Church of Seiros, Those Who Slither in the Dark, unaffiliated civilian, other - for example Almyran) Black Eagles

If you were an Officers Academy student, what would be your boons, banes and potential budding talent? Boon: reason, bane: gauntlet, budding talent: bow

If you were an Engage character, which nation would you originate from? (Firene, the Kingdom of Abundance; Brodia, the Kingdom of Might; Elusia, the Kingdom of Knowledge; Solm, the Queendom of Freedom; Lythos, the holy land of the Divine Dragon; Gradlon, the desolate land of the Fell Dragon) Elusia

-

How do you pronounce TOA? 🤔(separate letters, to-ah, other?) As the letters, so Tee-oh-ay

Current TOA muses: Kurthnaga, Nasir, and Zihark!

Past TOA muses? (In no particular order) Velouria, Anankos, Izana, Cadros, F!Morgan, Forrest, M!Corrin, Cadros, Erk (am I forgetting anybody???)

Who was your first TOA muse? If you no longer have them, can you see yourself picking them up again? Velouria. No, I don't think I can see myself picking her up again at this current point.

Do you believe you have a type of character you gravitate towards writing? (If you filled this out last year, has this changed in any way?) I don't even know anymore. Zihark has confused me. #Girl send help.

Do you have characters or types of characters you don’t think you can handle writing, but wish you could? God. If a man could dream.

What kind of scenes, situations etc do you believe you enjoy writing the most? (If you filled this out last year, has this changed in any way?) Emotional drama :3

Do you have any scenario in mind for your muse(s) that gets you thinking “man I hope I get to write this one day”? Hm... I'm not sure

Favorite TOA-related memories? Dollhouse.

Present or past tense? Past? I think?

Normal size text, small text, no preference? Normal please wah wah wah

Got any potential muse delusions to share? 😉Under the right circumstances Yukimura could happen. But I don't that will be any time soon if ever

[marrowcrunch]

What are your top 3 favorite vtm clans (or bloodlines)?

Bonus: which clan do you think you'd fit in with? :3c

Oh boy, this is going to be long lol

Favorite: Tzimisce 

Gosh, what a surprise :O

But yeah. I mean, firstly, the cool factor is undeniable. It's always such a joy designing Tzimisce characters because even toeing the strictest borderlines of canon they're allowed to get real weird with it in a way that most other clans aren't. I don't mean this as hate at all so I hope it doesn't come across like that, all clans are beautiful <3 but if you're playing Ventrue, Brujah, Tremere etc to some degree you'll always just be playing as Some Guy. With a Tzim it’s like…Do you want some sick-ass bone blades on your arms? No problem! Another pair of arms to put more bone blades on? Sounds good! Do you want to be bioluminescent like a squid? Great! Go crazy! 

Second: Full disclosure, I am the “My fursona is my TWOO SELF” flavor of furry. And the idea of having near total freedom of form— to be able to give myself a tail, claws, fangs, horns, [long censor beep], whatever I want, to abandon my human shape, fills me with Yearning. 

In the complete opposite direction, I also find personal meaning in the clan as someone who suffers from chronic pain. Shamelessly copy-pasting a reply to another post: 

The flavoring of Vicissitude as a creeping infection, as the actual body of the Eldest spread from generation to generation, able to rise up and consume its bearers at any moment, resonates with me very deeply as someone whose pain is caused by congenital tissue defects and which will inevitably get worse over time.

The idea that…there’s something horrible lurking inside your body. It can’t be cured. It can’t be removed. It is part of the very fabric of your being. And it is going to eat you alive, it is going to eat and eat until there’s nothing left. That no matter how you struggle, eventually it’s going to win. But you struggle anyways, because what the hell else is there to do?

The clan also has its revenant families, who are all collectively my most Specialist Little Guy in the world. I am a huge sucker for ye old trope of Special Family Bloodline Technique, and they scratch that itch for me in a really fun and interesting way. 

Second favorite: Giovanni. I actually don't have any deep reasons for this one, I just think that “fucked up necromancer vampire crime family” is such a fun concept lol. I like organized crime stories. It's also another one for the “bloodline technique” category— in v20, they even have their own associated revenant family, the Rossellinis! 

Third favorite: Salubri. The vibe I get is that they’re deeply underappreciated because people feel like their designation in both fluff and crunch as “the nice ones” means that they’re boring and clash with Masquerade’s overall tone. But I STRONGLY disagree— I think that's exactly what gives them so much potential for the sort of personal, existential horror that is supposed to be at the heart of Masquerade. I actually want to write a much longer post sometime that really gets into why, but part of it is this— being a magical pacifist unicorn prancing in a sunny flower field isn't “horrifying,” but being a magical pacifist unicorn in a dark forest where the only other animals are wolves that want to eat your face sure is. I also think the contrast between mainline (healer) Salubri and Salubri antitribu is a really rich thematic vein— again, I want to write more on this later. 

Bloodline lightning round:

Ahrimanes: Cat-themed woman power. I like the concept of Gangrel in tune with the spiritual elements of nature. Spirits in World of Darkness are fun because they can be anything. 

Ventrue antitribu: Knights in modern settings are cool.

However, if the question was “Which clan are you most like?” instead of “What's your favorite”, the answer is far and away Toreador. I love making art, and while I mostly just write now because my body has kind of fallen apart, I used to dabble in a bunch of different mediums and loved them all. That and I already do the “oh that flower/painting/ random pattern of light on the wall is really pretty *zones out and stares at it*” thing in real life lol so that would just be business as usual. If I couldn't be a Meat Criminal this is actually the clan I'd choose to be embraced into. 

Thanks for giving me a chance to talk :)

[alatariel-gildaen]

I am not doing well.

At all.

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 42. I live at house number 42. As a life-long Hitchhiker's Guide fan, this is a birthday I've looked forward to for years (for my brother's 42nd a couple of years ago, I bought him a bowl of jet-black petunias, with a whale toy nestled amongst them. I was wondering how he would top it) but I cancelled my birthday this year.

Last year, my family drove down to visit us. My side of the family isn't large. Both sets of grandparents are dead, my mum was an only child, my dad's brother - who never had kids of his own - died when I was about 4. My brother is single and doesn't want kids or a partner. So my side of the family is me, my parents, my brother.

And we're close.

So yeah... they drove down to see me for my birthday. They stayed a couple of nights. They were going to leave shortly after breakfast on the morning of March 16th, but I persuaded them to stay just a little longer. To come with us to soft play, and then go after lunch.

They left mine at about 2pm. My little boy gets very distressed when people leave, so they had to sneak out (hence why they were originally going to leave after breakfast, straight from the hotel, so they didn't upset him.) As predicted, he got upset, and I texted mum. She answered straight away.

Anyway. She always gives me updates when she's on the road.

"We've just crossed the bridge. We're stuck in traffic. We've stopped for a coffee." And after an hour and three quarters, when I hadn't heard from her, I sent her a WhatsApp asking how they were getting on, then carried on playing with my 4 year old.

An hour later, I realised she hadn't replied. I checked my phone - the WhatsApp had been delivered but not opened. I didn't think anything of it immediately. Then half an hour after that, I saw that I'd forgotten to give mum her mother's day present, and messaged her again.

About another half hour after that message I realised what the time was, and started to worry. They ahould have been home, and still none of my WhatsApps had been opened. I called her. It rang and rang, with no answer. I tried my brother's phone. The same happened. I called Dad. Same again. I called and called and called, and by now panic was setting in.

So I began looking online for traffic updates. Any reason at all why they may be held up, unable to answer their phones. I saw that there had been an accident on the M25 around the time they were due to get there, and obviously my mind jumped to the worst. But the more I looked into that accident, it didn't seem to fit. Traffic reports said it involved a van and a lorry, and besides, if they were held up in traffic, they'd still be answering their phones, surely?

I looked at google maps, and the a21 looked completely blocked. Dark red for miles. I went on a local "what's happening" facebook group and there were several posts saying the same thing. Avoid the A21. Serious head-on collision. A stolen car being chased by police had ploughed into a white Audi, with three passengers. Two elderly. Judging by the suitcases, they'd been or were going on holiday.

I cannot begin to explain the horror of reading that. We began calling every single hospital we could think of, trying to track them down, and finally found them in Brighton. My mother-in-law raced over to us. The plan was that she would take me, my husband, and my son over to my sister-in-law's (which was on route) drop my son off there, then take me and my husband to hospital.

Just as my MIL arrived, the police turned up to tell me there had been an accident. I think they were very confused that I seemed to know more about it already than they did.

Anyway. The next 2 months were literal hell. My dad was in a coma, and at 80 years old, was walking a knife's edge between life and death. His list of injuries was extensive. From top to bottom, he had a broken shoulder blade, broken collarbone, every single bone in his right arm was broken, his elbow completely shattered, he had 5 broken ribs, his spine was fractured in two places, his pelvis was shatterd, his femur broken. One lung was punctured and collapsed, he had internal bleeding into stomach, his renal artery was damaged.

My mum and brother fared better. My brother had quite severe concussion and extensive bruising, but nothing else, my mum also had bruising and a small tear in her liver, but they were otherwise conscious.

After a week, both my mum and brother were discharged from hospital. We found a 2nd hand mattress that we set up in our living room, so that me, my husband, and my son could sleep in there, my brother taking my son's room, and my mum taking ours until dad could come home.

And he seemed to be miraculously improving.

But after a week, we received a phone call at around 3am. Dad had taken a turn for the worse. His heart had stopped twice, and they had made the decision to not resuscitate should it happen again. We should get to the hospital to say goodbye. We were told it wasn't a matter of 'if' but 'when.'

We stayed by his side for 36 hours, telling him stories. Remembering happy memories. And after those 36 hours, I remember the doctor's exact words. "I don't understand what miracle has happened here, but I think you are safe to go home."

My dad is a miracle. He improved. He woke up. 6 weeks later, he was well enough to be moved to a hospital closer to home.

But the trauma of those two months will always stay with me. I can no longer celebrate my birthday because the association and guilt that I was the one who made them stay later, and it was because of me that they were there in the first place, are too intertwined. I have been officially diagnosed with suffering from PTSD as a result of it. Yesterday was awful, but I know tomorrow will be even worse.

Tell your loved ones that you love them. I am fortunate to still be able to do so, but that can be taken away from us in a heartbeat

[elenagr]

For nolofinweanweek

I am from Russia. Sorry for my English. I fan Tolkien and The Silmarillion. I want share my thoughts about the last seconds of Fingolfin. Sorry, I use translator.

@nolofinweanweek Day 4 Dagor Bragollach

He uses his privilege as a dead. He follows what is happening in Arda, looking at the tapestries of Vaire, communicates with his loved ones and with his warriors, for whom fate has also prepared these Halls. But his fea was never completely healed. The last seconds of his life were too brutal. When Fingolfin Finvion is alone with himself, the memory returns again to those moments: an incredible force pressed him to the burning ground, from which he - even then - desperately tried to rise once more.

It would seem, what can he think about when wild pain tears apart the hroa, and the monstrous black leg is heavy like a mountain? About oneself? But no, this is not the time for such thoughts, this is not the time to feel sorry for himself. He need to continue the fight. Grip his sword hilt tighter. Find in self or from somewhere unknown the strength for one more strike. …The golden locks of Indis, with which he played as a child… The silky hair of Anaire… The gray-blue courageous eyes of his father… The last look of Arafinwe before their parting in the darkness (how are they left there?)… Perky voices of children… Arakano Jr. and Irisse are no longer in Middle-earth, but the two sons still have to continue their common cause. And so - for their sake, for the sake of the living - and the fallen! Elves and Men, those who fought side by side with him in large-scale battles and in small skirmishes. For the sake of those whose bodies, along with the herbs of Ard-Galen, turned into the ashes of Anfauglith…

Find the strength for the final blow! Unprecedented pain overwhelms the mind, the wounded body weakens… He want to die quickly in order to get rid of the torment. The enemy already received seven wounds - in memory of the Dagor Bragolls. Perhaps enough has been done?

There had already been such moments in his life: both in the Ice and in battles, when it seemed that life was leaving. But in the last seconds, a light shone from somewhere. Distant starlight through sticky fogs. The bright light of the sun that greeted his army in Middle-earth. Lights of fragile flowers blooming underfoot. Maybe all this is a reflection of that very Light, in the rays of which he was born and raised, loved and raised children, and took responsibility for the people. Light of the Two Great Trees. The light of that life that was taken from them all by the Enemy.

In the end, leading his troops, defending Hithlum, taking part in the Siege of Angband, he thought not only about revenge for his father, for his son, for his comrades. And about the life that should come after victory.

This life should be no worse than the one that was in Aman, in the light of the Trees. For her sake, for this life, great sacrifices were made. And even if this battle is hopeless, the more wounds are inflicted on the Enemy, the sooner it will come, this life. With this thought strength came, and the blade entered Morgoth's black foot.

The fallen Vala broke Fingolfin's body, and through the pain, the Light appeared to elf… The last light before the Halls. And - vision or not? - the flapping of the wings of a huge Eagle. As a triumph of his life’s work, as a symbol of moral victory.

[duha54]

Hello hello! If it's not too much to ask I'd like to do a match up with the Haikyuu boys!!

1 & 2: I would like romantic and I go by she/her pronouns! And I would prefer our silly goofball boys!

3: I don't really have any preference as to which characters I don't want. I really love them all so go ham with whoever you think works best with me!!

4: What I usually look in a partner most is someone who can be both my partner and best friend! I'm a friends to lovers girly if that makes sense; someone who is able to be playful with me and mess around while still being the loving partner they are. The second thing would be someone who is affectionate! I'm very touch starved and a hopeless romantic so I wanna do all the cute things you see in romance anime, from dates to the actions the love interest does to our mc! And the third will be more physical, someone who is pretty/handsome. I find a lot of people pretty/handsome though so I'm not sure how much that'll help 🙈🙈.

5: When first meeting me I'm kinda reserved? I usually have this really nice front that most people have but once you're in my circle group I'm very much a gremlin! I like to make the corniest dad jokes e v e r, everyone rolls their eyes but I think they're HILARIOUS (cuz they are 🤨🤨). But I also have a bit of that mom friend in me! I like to check in with others, make sure they're doing alright, if they're having fun, if they need anything, I'm always there to help however I can!

6: I really like to read! My main genres of reading is fantasy plus a sprinkle of romance added to it! Those are the only kind of books I'll ever read. I love to game as well! My main type of game genres are fps and rpgs! I'm also a bit of a singer 😏😏, I like to do small concerts in my rooms with my plushies as my audience!

7: My love language is quality time, physical touch, and words of affirmations! Goes both ways for receiving and giving.

8: I actually don't have a dream date because I haven't really dated anyone before (a girl can dream) 🙈 BUT, maybe just playing video games together? Or going to an aquarium? I just like being with someone, especially if it's with my S/O :]

9: I don't really have an aesthetic..? I just wear very casual or basic things. A simple shirt and jeans and I'm good to go! (I do try and wear something cute with my limited wardrobe but I struggle with finding a style that suits me 😔😔). I'm the tallest person you'll ever meet, not to brag or anything. I stand at a whopping 5'0, I know, that's pretty tall 😏😏. I have black hair and dark brown eyes. My hair stops just below my shoulder blades and I wear glasses! I also have a few moles on me and scars from minor injuries I've obtained or just me simply being clumsy 😔.

10: I actually don't know a lot of quirks I have.. Uhh.. I can wiggle my ears? Lol. I also dabbled in a bit of archery, you can even call me a pro 😉 (I'm mediocre at it lol)

Hopefully this isn't too long! I tried to keep it short but I've realized that I talk a lot 💀 anyways lots of love and I love how you write!! It just scratches something in my brain :] 🫶🫶🫶

Don't worry about it being too long (*^▽^*) In fact for me the longer, the better ! So if there are details you didn't tell me about, I'll be more than glad to hear you out ! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ

Just please can someone tell me how am I supposed to notify an anonymous person that when his match up's ready ?

[eclipsecrowned]

objectivism before autism. sources before vibes. logic before character shilling.

i don't think i can abide those rules but let's try.

so first off on a grand scale, nothing he has done is any worse than our heroes? there's this soldier who is the pawn of a malignant figure of power killing indiscriminately out of a misplaced sense of moral superiority. am i talking about bl*ckthorn era d*linar, or canon era m0ash? both are running around carving down opposition and serving a force of evil riding on a campaign of helping 'his' people. everyone loses, but especially the soldier loses his personhood. the only difference is how pre-war rank defines each man's narrative to me -- d*linar is upholding a system that in turn benefits him, m0ash is a deeply, humanly flawed desire to tear down those same power structures. they can parallel, b-money just won't let them.

my second point is basically the thesis statement of the series: no one is beyond help. people choose every day to be better. healing is a journey. we already see my man having the sort of deep conscience-grappling trauma that defines d*linar and k*ladin, especially after the tower. we see him holding back where he can go absolutely unhinged otherwise, despite his clear apathy. there's still a part of the man within the machine, and i think that's pivotal. people can make choices. people can stop, can reach out, can say 'never again.' we see it over and over again in the series. accountability paving the way to a brighter future.

also, loving others seems to be a large requisite to this, probably highlighting how important support is to those trying to be better irl. d*linar cries because his son cannot hate him, despite the horrific things he's done and how he's hated that boy in turn. k*ladin has his love for his men, and the true desire to protect those around him. m0ash is mostly unchained, but he's still got that link to his former captain, and sweet jesus, his response to what happened to t*ft -- point is, i think it can play out without feeling totally out of left field 'no m0ash-kun is good guy now and wants to defend konohathiru with narudin-kun.'

there's also something to how he responded to r*narin dealing psychic damage with 'and here's what you could have been if you had fully baked a single idea in your life.' i keep coming back to it. there's something brewing there.

as for how i think it will happen... listen, i make the m0ashsuke jokes all the time, ask my discord buddies, but i don't think this ends with him welcomed back into the fold. it'd be cheap somehow but would not surprise me if the author did go the route of 'no he's cool with the system now and is going to come back and be a good guy,' because he's so opposed to the system of his society that he turned kingslayer. i am a firm proponent of 'shit is going to get worse at the duel.' i also think this will be his redemption.

one idea i've floated is that it's going to come down to m0ash, the fleeing masses, and a man making a choice. maybe it's no longer about tearing down those in power, maybe these are innocent darkeyes like his family. maybe this is everything he didn't want when he started dreaming of making a stand. maybe he registers there is no better system waiting. so he does his part to strike against the other side as hard as he did against the kh0lin. one last dance. he might go down a folk hero, the former br*dgeman who stood up for his people against the encroaching dark. he doesn't go down having apologized or with the chance to see where this goes, but he dies having at least made his own decision and not being anyone's pawn, and in that becomes a complicated figure rather than a strictly villainous one.

i also like the somewhat fringe theory of 'new 0athpact' and that our r*diant protags are going to be a man short to hold 0dium back for the next 15 years -- and m0ash digs his blade into the ground before them. accountability. he killed a her*ld. he'll make up for this, and make a choice for himself. he's spited one corrupt leader, and he's happy to do it again. take him with them. he doesn't beg forgiveness or admit he was wrong -- he just balances the scale he tipped into chaos.

i don't know if this is what i will get, admittedly. personally, i think m0ash has some points, and stand by if he had a bit better sense/patience, if he was able to more critically parse his intent in getting revenge, he'd be a menace to the kh0lin as the sort of revolutionary the people sorely need. i just don't know that the author agrees with me. doubtless of m0ash does get one last stand or similar, he'll go in k*l's arms apologizing for all that he's done, bleeding and begging k*l to help their people. do what he couldn't -- what he was too blind to see.

but honestly i want an unrepentant but wiser m0ash making his own way, to whatever end, instead of constantly caught in the gears of machines far older than he is. if he has to apologize, have it be to people he hurt, not systems he's lashing out at -- hey prince sorry for the lifelong trauma of witnessing your father's death, hey man that i love i'm sorry i drove you to literal breaking point despite knowing better, etc, etc.

[airyairyaucontraire]

Watching The Mandalorian S3E04

Okay, so last week's episode, which was almost all about Dr Pershing who absolutely nobody likes or wanted to know more about, was 59 minutes long. This week's, which is PRESUMABLY about DIN DJARIN THE MANDALORIAN from The Mandalorian, is only 33 minutes long. Do you think they could please try to have a consistent episode time? I don't mind about five minutes here or there, but this is absurd, and it just really feels like the people in charge are no longer interested in telling a story about Mandalorians.

anyway last week I was bored and indignant and Bo-Katan got involuntarily baptised and adopted which probably isn't even in her top ten of strange things that have happened to her

NB - I get pretty salty in here so if that would bum you out or if you genuinely enjoyed the episode maybe just keep scrolling

okay so remember how in that episode of The Book of Boba Fett that was completely hijacked from Boba Fett to be about Din's problems, the covert was down to literally two people, the Armorer and Paz Vizsla, living in an underground lair with a glow-in-the-dark sigil to let you know it was there like a vampire safe house in Blade? How did they get all these Mandos together after that? I know they're trying really hard to push some bullshit about "there was a two year time lapse and that's why Bo-Katan's bob is longer or something" but it simply does not make sense and is unsatisfactory. Anyway, there's a shedload of Mandalorians here and they're acting like yahoos on the beach. If there were road signs on this planet they would be so shot-up they'd look like lace.

I miss Boba Fett

remember Boba Fett?

(wistful sigh about Boba Fett)

okay the little kid going up in a jetpack was pretty cute

and Grogu's just being cute and Zen rock gardening down at the water's edge WHERE IN RECENT MEMORY A HUGE MONSTER SPLURSHED UP ON THE BEACH AND STARTED TRYING TO EAT PEOPLE

I mean I can't say it enough

THEY HAVEN' T EVEN PUT UP A FENCE

Din it's really nice that you want to include him but... have you done anything to prepare him for this kind of rough-housing? Yeah yeah learn by doing and everything, but he's not even the same species as the other children in this activity, let alone approximately the same shape or size.

Have you explained to him that it's not okay to choke the other kid with his mind? Because I feel like that's going to be his go-to move if they come at him like a spider monkey.

"I am his ward"? How are they using that word exactly? Isn't he your ward? You're his guardian. He's Dick, you're Bruce, not the other way round.

Din Djarin please stop making your baby play paintball on the beach

HERE COMES ANOTHER FUCKING MONSTER

MANDALORIANS ARE SO FUCKING STUPID

THAT KID HAS THE MOST DOGSHIT LUCK

of fucking course your jetpacks don't have the range to follow the dragon to its lair! They're only for short hops! You're all idiots!

"I'm out of fuel. It always gets away."

IT ALWAYS GETS AWAY?

THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY?

HOW MANY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN EATEN!!!???

so Bo-Katan has to be the only functional adult

can I just say

if Bo-Katan Kryze is the most functional adult present, the kids are in so much trouble.

"It would kill the child" - why are you all carrying on so leisurely as if the child isn't most likely already dead? Why would Bo-Katan go all the way back and not simply radio back to base, keeping an eye on the lair and giving them the co-ordinates to join her? What do you actually care about "the safety of the foundling" when you do absolutely nothing to protect your children from the MARAUDING WILD ANIMALS of the planet you have UNACCOUNTABLY SETTLED UPON?

why... why is this show so dumb now

like I don't require genius from a Star War but why is everyone a fucking meathead

okay I think the baby is having A PTSD FLASHBACK not that anybody's paying attention

so are they finally going to deliver on "who took care of Grogu?"

just some random Jedi (okay, actually I approve of it not being anyone I recognise; if it wasn't going to be Maul which I always knew was extravagantly unlikely)

and a tiny bit of voice work from Temuera Morrison

(dreamy sigh) Temuera Morrison

so they're getting a bit more use out of the Coruscant "sets" they "built" for last week's waste of the better part of an hour

Okay, that's a Naboo ship, they're easy to recognise because they're so shiny and chrome

I'm curious what this implies about emergency plans Padmé may have made

"Mandalorian steel shall keep you safe as you grow stronger." Unless, of course, you're snapped up by one of the RAVENOUS BEASTS that MARAUD all around our FLAGRANTLY UNFORTIFIED SETTLEMENT

well his papa will be very proud to see his new little tummy-shield

YOU'RE GOING TO CAMP OVERNIGHT?

HOW ARE WE NOT SUPPOSED TO THINK THE KID IS LONG SINCE DEAD? why would the dragon not eat him as soon as it got home? It's not Kong, it's not going to decide he's cute and play with him instead!

"It will kill the foundling if it is attacked. It has happened before when it has taken others." And we have never, ever developed any safety precautions to prevent that happening. Look, do you care about these children or don't you? If you cared about them, wouldn't you supervise them when they're out in an open area frequented by monsters? Or perhaps simply not let them go out in that area, given that the monsters show absolutely no fear of the multiple heavily-armed adults in the settlement?

I - I feel like they sat down and wrote this episode like "This is a tough challenge for our heroes, and will show us their strengths as they work together to overcome it!" as opposed to "This is a moronic situation that wouldn't have happened if anyone involved had the merest smidgen of the most rudimentary sort of intelligence."

there should've been one of those Batman gags where a cameo guest star opens a window in the cliff and pops their head out for a bit of banter

"He's my son! And I'm a BIG BEEFY IDIOT"

HOW HAS RAGNAR BEEN AT LEAST PARTIALLY INGESTED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND HE'S STILL ALIVE ENOUGH TO SHOUT "HELP ME"? EVEN IF HE WAS IN SOME SORT OF THROAT POUCH NOT BEING DIGESTED YET HOW DID HE NOT SUFFOCATE?

I don't say this lightly: the Ewoks cartoon (1985-1987) had better plots (and the episodes were only slightly shorter)

we are the e-e-e-e-e-e-Ewoks, we're the spirits of the forest moon

AND NOW THE MOTHER RAPTOR, WHO WAS ONLY TRYING TO FEED HER BABIES, GETS CHOMPED BY A MOSASAUR IN THE MOST PROFOUNDLY UNJUST MOSASAUR-CHOMPING DEATH SINCE KATIE McGRATH IN JURASSIC WORLD (2015)

I mean God forbid women do anything

AND NOW I SUPPOSE THE RAPTOR BABIES JUST STARVE

oh okay so you MURDER THEIR MOTHER and then ADOPT THEM? I suppose that's responsible in a morbid way

this really did feel like the dénouement of a Saturday morning cartoon

look will you please just drop them off with Boba Fett who I would actually trust with pet care

how was there room for the three babies AND the team of Mandalorians in that ship

okay I would actually love it if BK goes around telling people she saw a Mythosaur and nobody believes her or they all think it's a metaphor or an imaginary friend like when nobody believed Big Bird about Mr Snuffleupagus (which they eventually changed because they didn't want to give children the message "adults won't believe you")

well that was just awful

wow

they really are exploring new ways in which to stink

are Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni well

are they exhibiting symptoms of cognitive decline

[arcanescionmoved]

SHIPPING INFO: Caitlyn Kiramman.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR MUSES SO PEOPLE KNOW HOW SHIPPING WORKS ON YOUR BLOG.

Tagged by: @misfits-of-zaun, @misstantabismuses, @independentzaun, @saviourofzaun Tagging: @hxundsprxdigy, @freedomsbounty, @legendscried, @bioniczaunites, almost everyone has done this already so XD

1. WHAT IS YOUR OTP FOR YOUR CHARACTER?

I won't lie, I absolutely love Caitlyn x Vi (violyn, what a pretty ship name), however, I feel liek saying OTP means I'm exclusive to such things? Caitlyn and Vi are soulmates in my eyes, they will always be meant for each other; however with roleplaying, there is so much more we can go into. And that includes OCs!! So while I love this ship, I am not exclusive to it and that's all I'll write.

2. HOW LARGE DOES THE AGE GAP HAVE TO BE TO MAKE IT UNCOMFORTABLE?

Caitlyn is around 25 years old (In her Baroness verse its conditional. could be 25 as well or older as 35/38). I would say the most I go with with caitlyn is perhaps 20 years pushing it. In reading it, I'm not bothered as long as things are tagged, but arcane is filled with very dark themes and its there. Caitlyn in IC setting would not go any further then at most 20 years difference.

3. HOW FAR DO STEAMY MOMENTS HAVE TO GO BEFORE THEY ARE CONSIDERED NSFW?

For me, I'm not troubled by anything nsfw, whether its sexual, violence, or other topics in that area. So in terms of sexual relationships, I feel like for it to be considered nsfw is when hands start moving. They could be fully clothed, but its still the groping, hands slipping under shirts/pants, even intense make-out sessions I think would all quality for being nsfw.

That being said, nsfw for me is more of a warning to those who write with me. just hey, this is getting spicy and if you don't like it turn away because I typically do write out nsfw scenes including smut. I enjoy the writing of it because its a part of the characters and their developing relationship.

In terms of violence, again, its part of the story, no matter how ugly it is. I would say nsfw in violence if blades/weapons come out, and the writing is visual it would be marked as well.

5. WHO ARE OTHER CHARACTERS YOU SHIP YOUR CHARACTER WITH?

Alright, the fun part!! So, I haven't been around much to truly establish much, but I have a few ships that I've gotten to play around with!

Naturally, I have Caitlyn and Vi, and what I love about my ships with them is like, with everyone I write with the ships are different. Caitlyn has different connections with different Vis because all writers play them differently! I first started writing with @freedomsbounty and her Vi, and we kind of changed things up where Vi didn't walk away in teh rain in that angst, but actually decided to embrace her feelings and then promised to return. So its definitely a different way.

But then I have my ship with @misstantabismuses which is far more in depth with spreading out the timeline to be longer, rather then working in what looked like 'days' in teh show. So its this first developed partnership/friends, bonding on a level of noticing each other and then in time this whole '...oh shit.... I think I like her what do I do' and exploring this sort of long-term development from work partners to friendship to lovers.

So I of course love exploring with any Vi and I'm open to it (which I hope it would be known that I would never force a ship! I do ship them but I am not going to be like 'your vi has to like caitlyn' sort of thing).

As for other ships, some I'm exploring is with my Baroness Caitlyn, she has a relationship with Jinx as well! Its definitely a unique perspective in the mirror reflection of Piltover Caitlyn being with Vi, but here Zaunite Caitlyn is with Jinx. There's also an exploration between Baroness Caitlyn and Sevika, where Sevika works for Caitlyn in a sort of 'trade off contract with Silco where Sevika is now her body guard. Fun things to play with!

I also am open to other ships not just exclusively romantic. For example, @legendscried Jayce and Caitlyn are absolutely in a found family relationship. They grew up both as misfits, both having heritage from other lands, and just overall connecting with each other and finding comfort in the other. They develop a brotherly/sisterly bond and its a very strong one. I briefly touched based with @astrxae to and the possibility of Caitlyn having a big sister in Irisa which will be fun to explore!! And then oh, Oh the twisted AU with @independentzaun where Caitlyn and Jinx are half sisters! This whole complicated mess with that and the whole "How far will you go to take care of your sister" while also, ALSO dealing with the resentment of teh past and unable to forgive and forget. And then having Vi in it with her head going 'your her half sister, i'm her half sister, but caitlyn and vi aren't related' like the mind fuckery of this whole situation is absolutely hilarious!

But yes, that being said, I'm open to trying so many things and open to exploration of all ships if we plot and play around with it!

6. DOES ONE HAVE TO ASK TO SHIP WITH YOU?

Yes. While I am open to shipping, I don't like being thrown things at with no plotting behind it. That being said, I'm very much an open communication channel, I have tumblr DMs as well as Discord (I prefer discord cause I can sometimes get obsessed and excited and write PARAGRAPHS worth of things). But I'm very much one for establishing a relationship before writing it. I like to make sure like, a character will click wiht Caitlyn and that chemistry through OOC talking.

I'm not one to be like 'we have to write 5 threads to see if chemistry works', but my form of checking on chemistry is talking ooc and seeing how one action reacts to the other and so on. If that chemistry is establish, then its ten times easier to start writing a ship.

So basically, come talk to me OOC. 99% of the time, I'm sure i'll ship, I just need to be able to talk and ramble and plot with you.

7. ARE YOU SHIP OBSESSED OR SHIP MORE-OR-LESS?

So, I don't quite understand this just because, I don't know? I love ships, but not exclusively romantic. I'm in for all the ships, whether its romantic, platonic, even antagonistic! I'm here to write and enjoy teh development between characters. So if I develop a ship it happens.

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SHIP IN YOUR CURRENT FANDOM?

I love all my ships, I have several of them so its more, like, I just enjoy writing them! Whether its Caitlyn x Vi, or exploring the realms of other ships, I wouldn't say I have a favorite. Because all of them are my favorites, that's why I'm writing them! A few to list that I'm enjoying playing with are Caitlyn x Vi, Caitlyn x Sevika, Caitlyn x Jinx, Caitlyn x Ran, I also have my platonic ships with Caitlyn x Jayce, Caitlyn x Irisa (OC). There is also an new antagonistic ship i'm getting with Caitlyn x Neopolitian which is going to be a very of Sherlock x Moriarty which is gunna be hella fun I bet!

Honestly, if we have a ship, its a favorite.

9. FINALLY, HOW DOES ONE SHIP WITH YOU?

Message me and go 'CAN I OFFER YOU THIS MUSE!?' and then we talk. Really simple. I won't automatically say yes, but like I said. OOC communication and checking chemistry by talking.

[fr33sh00tr]

Waves. Hi. I was the anon...I get nervous but ongod I am perceiving....I love sport au's I just think they're funny and silly:) tell me more

HIIIIIII!!!!!! some of this might repeat from the last post bc its late and im tired but here are some more AWESOME FACTS

the organization seekers of darkness are based on the new york rangers, specifically the jersey stripes and color schemes of the uniforms but purple instead of blue and black instead of white

some of the org members are based off irl players: xigbar's appearance is based off mika zibanejad, xemnas' position and goaltending style is lifted from igor shesterkin, saix's enforcer-like qualities are from ryan reaves (who is unfortunately no longer on the nyr

i didnt mention this in the last ask but all of the org members DO IN FACT use their powers to cheat constantly. they have a rule within the team that using their powers is okay as long as they cant get caught by refs or cameras

xigbar specifically uses his gravity powers to invert the inner ear liquid of opposing team players who he is fighting to knock them off balance.

I HAVE A FIC FOR THIS AU ALSO!!! it has the ace attorney team in there too but you can skip around to the org chapters if you wish... you won't really miss anything

the team doesnt have any staff which is fuckt up compared to both irl teams and other teams within the au. they dont have any medical staff or equipment managers or anything theyre just insane like that

luxord has this very unfortunate penchant for catching pucks in the face that is exacerbated by the fact that he refuses to wear a visor on his helmet

marluxia is like a fucking TANK on the ice he bowls over people all the time. he's honestly probably better suited to be a football quarterback but he is really good at keeping the other team from shooting the puck

whenever larxene isnt playing shes on the bench screaming like a spectator. and she has been known to scream "KILL HIM" when a fight breaks out on the ice

despite being consistently in the top 10 teams in the league at all times, the seekers are so damn annoying to everyone that they are considered an underdog team on the in-universe twitter community. similar to how the vegas golden knights are

there have been numerous occasions where vexen and zexion have made a call against the team (they work for the league, not the seekers. it doesnt make sense but dont worry about it) and they have gone home to the castle later that night and found the doors to their rooms mysteriously welded shut. such is life in the hockey team that never was

axel is so. how do i describe his playstyle. if he gets too into the game his skate blades will heat up and melt the ice. he is aware of this so he doesn't stand still even when shooting

if you know what the michigan move is - it's demyx's specialty move. he mostly does cheap, insane, or unexpected goals and is rarely ever able to replicate them afterwards

OKAY that is all i can remember at the moment. i need to go back and update that fic at some point but i imagine as this hockey season picks up (and if the nyr continue to win like they have been) i'll probably be talking abt it more... seriously though thanks for asking about the hockey au ^^ i love talking about it

[baronobexi-blog]

On The Radar -- Guns Blazing by Basheer Ghouse

Game Title: Guns Blazing

Genre(s): Tactical/Alt-history TTRPG

System: Ahadi (inspired by Genesys, Storyteller, Blades in the Dark, and wargaming)

Format: PDF/Hardcover

Campaign Start: March 28th, 2023

Campaign End: April 27, 2023

Campaign Goal: $10,000 (Current Pledge Amount: $18, 001)

Campaign Team Size: 26 (Note: Certain parts of this post will occasionally be updated to reflect the progress of Guns Blazing such as the pledge amount, met stretch goals, or the addition of new stretch goals. So, if you’re interested with the campaign then please make sure to check back.) --- --- --- Game Info: So, what exactly is Guns Blazing about? – Guns Blazing is a tactical, alt-history TTRPG that takes place in an alternate 1920’s of Jinn, diesel powered mechs, and anti-colonial revolution. In the world of Guns Blazing, Europe’s once powerful hold on lands not their own are now waning, declining colonial empires on the brink of collapse. The twilight for European empire has come, it refuses to listen. Challenged by revolutionaries, colonial subjects seeking freedom, or fledgling ideologies wishing to remake the world. Like a dying beast holding stubbornly to its final breath. The old order of Europe refuses to acknowledge its colonial deathbed even if it ends in blood and fire for all. Villages are burned. Ancestral homelands are broken. Families are torn apart by unflinching, unfeeling colonial bureaucracy. This is an old order that does not care about people. It does not care if innocents are harmed by malice or incompetence. It does not care if cultures are destroyed, distorted, or hollowed out. You are either subject, victim, or threat to It. Yet there are even worse things than man’s cruelty.  The fungal horrors that are the Iram march side by side with the colonial garrisons. It's a simple relationship. The Iram are fed those that the empires do not care for, the empires receive loyal beasts along with grand treasures unimaginable. Then there are the Ma’ Jooj. Carrion prophets of the industrial charnel house that is the modern battlefield. The Ma’ Jooj take the dead and turn them into reanimated cannon fodder known as the Resitched. Finally, there are the Atom Unborn. They pursue the distant, nascent dream that is nuclear power. And it is a dream pursued even if it ends with the world burning in nuclear fire. It is a dark time to live in. It is a time where the old and new ways clash with each other. It is a time where the old order is on its deathbed. It is a time where monsters, whether they be colonial administrator or fungal horror, walk the world. Yet it also is a time of heroes. The rallying cry of rebellion, revolution, and liberation is on the air. No longer. No longer will the horrors of the old order be allowed to fester unchecked. No longer will homes burn. No longer will stolen land be occupied. The world is entering into a twilight. It may either end in a twilight of hope or a twilight of despair. It is up to you and countless others to decide how this twilight finally ends. Who am I playing as? – You take on the role of an international volunteer in Guns Blazing. There are six playbooks for the game that can offer you a variety of ways to shape your volunteer along with how you approach the game in combat and in narrative. And we’re able to see what four of those playbooks look like in the quickstart preview. With their names being: Butcher, Vanguard, Hunter, and Artillery. Who am I fighting? – As an international volunteer in the struggle against Europe’s waning but still powerful colonial empires. Your enemies will range from the mundane to the eldritch. You will resist the colonial garrisons of the European empires. You will clash with the fungal horrors that are the Iram. You will face the carrion prophets that are the Ma’ Jooj and their reanimated Resitched soldiers. You will fight with the nuclear dreamers that are the Atom Unborn.   Is there a preview of the game in play? – Yes! The campaign page for Guns Blazing helpfully offers a link to a two shot actual play that shows what the game is like in play along with an introduction to one of its scenarios. --- --- ---

--- --- --- Campaign Info: What’s the campaign funding? – The campaign for Guns Blazing is funding the following: art, layout, editing, and printing costs. Additionally, the funding will also ensure that everyone involved is paid at fair rates. Are there shipping costs? – Yes, there are shipping costs for Guns Blazing. They are the following: US $13, US Non-Continental $30, Canada $23, United Kingdom $25, European Union $34, Australia $41, Rest of World $54. However, the campaign page does say these shipping costs are estimates for a single hardcover. And also says that means to reduce international shipping costs are currently being looked into.   When will the game come out? – April 2024. --- --- --- --- --- --- Pledge Info: * Financial Hardship PDF ($10) – Pledgers at this level get a discounted copy of the core book PDF. However, please only pledge at this level if you need the discount due to financial hardship. (28 of 50 left) * Core PDF ($25) – Pledgers at this level get a core book PDF copy along with access to playtesting copies. * Hardcover ($50) – Pledgers at this level get both a 6″ x 9″ hardcover and PDF core book copy along with a choice of starter scenario. * Complete Edition ($65) – Pledgers at this level get both hardcover, PDF, all three starter scenarios, and STL files. * Retailer Bundle ($100) – Pledgers at this level, whether for retail or just wanting to introduce the game to their friend group, get five hardcover copies of Guns Blazing at a very deep discount. However, this pledge level does not come with any additional stretch goals or PDFs. It is primarily intended for retailers and will result in higher shipping fees compared to a single copy.    * Volunteer Edition ($200) – Pledgers at this level get the hardcover, PDF, all three starter scenarios, and the opportunity to create a character who will be featured in the game art of Guns Blazing. (All gone.) * Hosti Humani Generis Edition ($250) – Pledgers at this level get the hardcover, PDF, all three starter scenarios, and the opportunity to create either a foe or vehicle. This foe/vehicle will have rules, art, and writeup. (All gone.) * Band of Misfits Edition ($350) – Pledgers at this level get the hardcover, PDF, all three starter scenarios, and the opportunity to create an organization/faction. This organization/faction will get art, a logo, and writeup. (All gone). --- --- --- --- --- --- Stretch Goals: * VTT (Virtual Tabletop) Integration ($17,500) – This will result in Guns Blazing having full VTT integration for all its starter scenarios. VTT integration will consist of the following: maps, tokens, and free VTT copies that have the appropriate tiers and add-ons. * Expanded Core Book ($25,000) – This will expand the budget for art, writing, layout, and editing. Additionally, this will also provide more funding to expand the role of guest writers. * Expanded Starter Scenarios ($30,000) – The starter scenarios will receive a core book treatment. This means that the starter scenarios will get an expanded budget for art, writing, layout, and editing.  * Guest Writer Program ($35,000) – This will allow the campaign to bring on more writers for the project. And every additional $5,000 dollars over the $35K goal will result in even more writers being hired. --- --- --- --- --- ---  Add-ons: * Starter Scenarios ($10 each/$25 pack) – The starter scenarios PDF’s for Guns Blazing can be added to a pledge for $10 each or can be bundled together as a $25 pack.  * Stream Kit ($10) – This is a stream kit that has the following: pre-arranged layouts for 3-6 players, a GM, map, caption box, be right back screens, and materials to create your own stream kit. The stream kit was created by Brandy Rose (Cutestpatoot Games) * Guns Blazing: The Wargame ($15) – A wargame set within the setting of Guns Blazing. Guns Blazing: The Wargame makes use of the Riposte! System by Erika Chappell (Flying Circus, Blackout, The Flesh Is Weak). This add-on adds the following material to a pledge: basic rules PDF and army lists for the Republic of Mysore and the British Empire.  * Core Rules PDF ($25) – Adds another core rules PDF to a pledge. * Additional Hardcover ($45) – An extra copy of the hardcover at retail price added to a pledge. This add-on however will add additional shipping costs to a pledge. --- --- ---

[teememdee]

Kaisa's Eighth Birthday Present [minific]

689 words - Runeterra-verse - Kassadin PoV - a story of Kai'Sa getting the knife mentioned in her official biography

“Now hold on just a moment Kaisa,” Kassadin says, stilling his daughter with a gentle hand on her shoulder, the other reaching into one of his pockets. “I’ve one more gift for you.”

Kaisa’s smile widens across her face, eyes sparkling with wonder and anticipation. “What is it?”

Kassadin produces an object wrapped in a small roll of fabric, held together by a string tied in a bow at the top, and places it in Kaisa’s hands. “Go on.”

Sitting next to him, his wife leans in closer to his side. “You didn’t tell me about this,” she whispers, watching Kaisa carefully unwrap her new present.

“Because I knew you’d try and stop me,” Kassadin whispers back, chuckling. “It’s just an extra little something.”

“Oh, woah,” Kaisa gasps, the fabric unfurled to reveal a knife, with a sleek steel blade and handle carved of polished dark wood. “Really?” She asks, still smiling and looking back up at her father.

Kassadin nods. “Really. Go ahead, you can hold it.” He holds in his laughter at the feeling of his wife’s hand forming a tight grip on his arm.

Kaisa very slowly takes hold of the handle, clutching it tightly in a fist and testing the knife’s weight as she waves it around a little.

“Now be careful.” Kassadin takes the fabric wrapping  and string to allow her to hold the knife with both hands. “Don’t point it at other people, and watch the tip, it’s quite sharp.”

“I’ll be careful,” Kaisa says, watching the blade as she slowly moves it back and forth in the air.

“Happy birthday, Kaisa.”

“Thank you!” Kaisa surges forward to hug her father, mindful to not stab him as she does so. When she pulls away, her focus turns to her mother. “Can I go play with my friends now, Mama? Please?”

Her mother releases a sigh, though the smile that sits on her face is nothing but adoring. Kassadin feels a tug on his heart at the sight of just how similar the look is to the one on their daughter.

“Yes, Kaisa, go see your friends,” his wife says. “I’m sure they have gifts for you as well.” She reaches for Kaisa, placing a hand on her cheek and a kiss on her forehead. “Promise you’ll be safe.”

“I promise,” Kaisa says.

Her mother fondly moves a few strands of hair out of Kaisa’s face, then kisses her forehead again. “Okay. Happy birthday, binsikhi. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mama.” Kaisa hugs her as well, before gleefully running outside to find her friends.

Kassadin smiles at her excitement, then suddenly finds himself being lightly shaken about by a grip that has returned to now hold his shoulder.

“A knife, Kas? She is eight!” His wife says, with not a hint of any genuine anger in her words.

“And I had three double that size by the time I was six,” Kassadin laughs as he’s allowed to come to a standstill. “She’s a smart girl. She’ll be fine, beloved.”

“Still, if she ends up cutting some child’s leg open, I’m letting you do the stitch work.” She pokes at the dimple in Kassadin’s cheek. “Where did you even get that?”

“I made it, actually. I pulled some favors over the past couple trips. Piltover steel, Ionian wood — be thankful I didn’t get it enchanted for her. I thought that might be a bit much for right now.” Kassadin wraps an arm around his wife, pulling her into his side and kissing her temple.

She hums, cuddling him closer. “Well, that was thoughtful of you, my love. She is very lucky to have such a wonderful father.”

“And I am just as lucky to have such a wonderful daughter.” Kassadin brings his wife’s head up with his free hand, drawing her in for a kiss that he feels her smiling into. “As well as a wonderful, beautiful wife. You two are my world, you have all of my heart.”

“I love you too.” She rests her head on his shoulder, with a small sigh. “I pray she never needs to use that thing.”

originally posted to twitter 8/23/2021 my longer works can be found on Ao3!