#and who did Lucien learn his flirting from

[theladyofbloodshed]

Do you think Feyre would have fallen for tamlin and broken the curse if it was not for Lucien teaching him the delicate art of seduction?

Everybody say thank you to Lucien for being the high lord of spring’s wingman

[onlymexsarah]

Burning Flames IV | Eris Vanserra

Pairing: Eris Vanserra x Archeron!reader Summary: Since you became High Fae there were only two things that scared you: your deadly power and your attraction toward the male you should hate most after Tamlin, Eris Vanserra. Warnings: mention of smut, Eris Vanserra being Eris Vanserra, my english and probably spelling mistakes since I'm also sick A/n: I apologize for my lateness, but uni is kinda taking all my time away. I was dying with the need to write about this scene, and I hope you'll like it🫶🏻 if you want to be add at the taglist just ask! Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5

"Eris is coming to the Winter Solstice celebration at the Hewn City." Rhys informed the Inner Circle while you were discussing alliances for the probable war against Briallyn. "He's shaken by Tamlin catching you two meeting with him," he nodded toward your twin and Cassian. "and wondering if we'll balk from the alliance now that there's the slim chance Tamlin might reveal it. Or decide to sell him out first. We need to remind Eris of our continued commitment, and that he is...important to us. That we have his back."

You heard Cassian snarling with disgust while your sister Feyre echoed the expression.

"So buy him a present," Feyre said, waving a hand. "and tell him we all send our love."

You snorted amused at that. "Don't you have some old, dusty jewels? Give him one of those." You said obvious while you rested your arm on the chair's back..

"He'll want more than that." Rhys said, mouth twiching, and his eyes fell upon Nesta.

Nesta. Rhys wanted to use Nesta to win Eris over. The thought alone made you sick. Why her? Why Rhys thought that Nesta alone could make Eris swung at her feet? He had saved your life, not hers. Actually, he would have let Nesta die if it hadn't been for you and Elain.

But of course, Rhysand couldn't know that. No one knew Eris had saved your life during the war, and strangely enough Eris had never bragged himself nor made any comment.

From what Cassian had said it had seemed that Eris had been interest in flirting with your twin, and you had to admit, he had never tried to flirt with you in any occasion. Actually, he had tried to break your patience. So it did make sense, you supposed. Nesta was the most logical choice.

"You want me to dance with Eris?" asked Nesta caution.

"I want you to seduce him." Rhys' words made your stomach twisting with an unease sensation. You didn't know why you were reacting like that, and you told yourself that it was because you didn't want Nesta close to someone like him. It wasn't because the thought of Eris giving his full attention to someone who wasn't you made you sick. No, you could never want something like that. Someone like him.

"You really think that Nesta's dancing with Eris will solidify his loyalty?" you hadn't meant to make the question sound so...disgusted, but thankfully no one seemed to notice. Actually, most of them echoed your tone.

"I think Eris is our ally, and will expect to dance with a lady of this court at the ball no matter what." Explained Rhys to you, probably mistaking your disgust for worryness. "I won't let Feyre within five feet of him, Mor might kill him, and Amren is more likely to scare him off than win him over, so you, Nesta and Elain are the only options, but from Cassian's report Eris hadn't seem too friendly with you."

Cassian should learn when to shut up, you thought annoyed. Of course Cassian would say that, because Eris had made sure to annoy you at the meeting with Lucien, Vassa and Jurian.

"Was Cassian wrong?" asked Rhys carefully, reading something in your eyes that you quickly hide.

"No." You said with a lazy smile. There was no point in telling them what had happened during the war, probably Eris had already forgotten it too. "He was completely right."

Rhys watched you for few more seconds with his violet eyes that sometime seemed like they could look right inside your soul and read it. You checked your mental shield and found it intact, the fire that you pushed down burned brightly around your mind, protecting it.

***

The black dress you had chosen for the night fell comfortably over your body as you walked down the hall of Hewn City's palace. You had opted for something elegant yet less reveling than Mor's and Feyre's. The straps fell lightly down your shoulders, the bodice had a sweetheart neckline with what looked like black flames over your collarbone. You still had to decide if it was a hint that Rhys knew about your power still lingering in your body, or it was for pure imagine. The flames seemed to fell down your body in a lovely silky gown that captured the lights with each step.

Unfortunately, you now had to wear gloves, because the burned scars had expanded all over your hands, and the gloves was the only way to hide them. Thankfully, since it was winter no one ever questioned them, and tonight you had put some long, black, silky gloves that matched your skirt.

You were currently behind Rhysand and Feyre, between Elain and Nesta as the two of them still were on no speaking term. Tonight was a show of power, with your sister's pregnancy annouce and your twin's beauty offered on a silver plate for the Heir of Autumn.

You had appreaciated how Elain had wanted to come, and it didn't go unnoticed to you that she had opted to wear a plain dress with just two pearls in her hair to not outshine Nesta. Elain had always been the prettiest of the four of you, but tonight it was Nesta's time to shine, and she had gladly disguided herself as plain and boring.

As you entered the throne room every eyes fell on you. Not on you, actually. On your sister's swollen belly. You heard gaspes and whispers all around you. Keir's looked torn between anger and shock, and you had to hide an amused grin.

As your eyes scanned the room with a bored expression, you took you ropportunity to look at the redhead beside Keir, knowing he would be too focus on your sister to notice your staring, but as your eyes fell on the him you found two green pounds already staring at you.

Eris was looking at you. Not at Feyre. Not at Nesta, the one supposed to catch his attention. He was looking only at you, and you hated how your heart skipped a beat.

He looked at you like he could admire you for the first time, and somehow it was true. You both knew that no one would notice your staring at each other, because everyone's attention was on Feyre.

You used every second to drank the sigth of him. Eris was dressed in Night Court black, and you could be damned for how handsomely he was. He looked like the darkest of the dark dreams that someone shouldn't have. That someone be you.

That game was dangerous, you realized. Those stolen glances, stolen moments would lead you only in a dangerous territory. But danger looked so appealing when he let his eyes slowly roam all over your body.

For a moment you felt more naked than Mor and Feyre.

Eris must have noticed the black flames on your dress because he slowly grinned. It wasn's a mocking grin, it wasn't even amused. It was one of Eris' grin that you still had to classify.

His eyes met yours again, and he did the last thing you had expected. He winked at you. He fucking winked.

You felt your cheeks getting warmer and you quickly looked in front of you again, dismissing him as if nothing had happened, and for a moment you wished it hadn't.

As Feyre and Rhysand sat on their thrones, you and your sisters went to stand at the foot of the dais, between Cassian and Azriel who looked like they could kill anyone watching at any of you in a wrong way.

Keir and Eris scuttled forward, and while the former bowed, you pointly avoided to look at the latter. "Allow me to exted my congratulations." said Keir and you knew that he didn't mean a word of it.

"And allow me to extened mine as well," said Eris with a voice that could warm even the coldest spot of the Winter Court. "on behalf of my father and the entire Autumn Court. He shall be thrilled by this news."

Rhysand mouth curled in a cruel half smile, the stars winking iut in his eyes. "I'm sure he will."

Sometime you forgot how powerful and cruel Rhysand could be. He was always gentle and kind with you, with all his family. But the moment that something threated Feyre's life? He become feral, and you were glad for it. You were glad Feyre had found Rhysand.

They gave the crowd some command to make it loose, and when Eris did to follow Keir Rhysand stopped him. "Before you join the merriment, Eris, I'd like to present you with your Solstice gift."

A long black box appeared in his hands, and you tried your best to hide your confusion. Rhysand had never spoken of other gifts beside Nesta, so what was all of this about?

As the box flew to Eris and he opened it you could see the dagger that Nesta had made. You hold your breath as Eris's face went pale. "There's flame in it." He said. "Why give this to me?"

"You're our ally, " Feyre said, a hand resting on her belly. "You face enemies that exist outside of the usual rules of magic. It seemed only fair to give you a weapon that operates outside those rules, too."

You cursed in your mind as Eris understood that the dagger was Made and started to question Rhysand. Eris culd be the monster of everyone's story, but he was no idiot. Actually, you had the suspicious that he might be smarter than he let the other see.

“Ordinarily I would ask you to dance," said Feyre kindly. "but my condition has left me unwell enough that I worry about what so much spinning would do to my stomach.” It was the truth. Feyre had bolted from dinner three nights ago to find the nearest toilet. Now she looked at you and your sisters, as if deciding who would dance with him.

You looked away, not really wanting to see Eris admiring your sister Nesta. You focused your attention on the couples dancing, and you couldn't wait to be among them. You didn't have the same passion as Nesta, but you had always enjoyed it if you had a good partner.

You had asked Morrigan to give you lessons too, just to be able to dance freely with whoever might ask you. It had been fun when you had found Cassian too at Mor's lessons, silently agreeing that you would say nothing about the other.

"One of my oldest sisters shall take my place." you barely heard Feyre's words, knowing she would be gesturing to Nesta, so there would be no point to look away from the musicians.

It was when you heard Nesta stiffining beside you and Elain elbowing you that you looked away and gave the latter a confused look. Elain only inclined her head, pointing to something in front of you.

You furrowed your eyebrow, still confused, and looked where Elain was pointing. Your breath caught in your throat as you found Eris standing in front of you with his hand strechted out.

"If I require right, you are the oldest." He said with that lover's voice that tricked your mind.

You gulped and tried to not let your eyes widining too much as you gave him a nod. "Only by few days."

Why was he not looking at your sister? It was quiet obvious that she was the one planned to be offered to him, the one who looked like a queen. Hadn't Cassian said that Eris had been flirtatious with Nesta? Hadn't Cassian said that Eris seemed to loath you? Then why was he looking like that?

You slowly brought your hand on his, as you had done the day he had saved you, and something about his wicked, sparkling eyes told you he remembered it too.

He brought your hand around his arm, and accompanied you at the center of the dancing floor with a royaly grace. Even throught your gloves you could feel the warmness that his body radiated. A warmness that somehow made your body relax. Hadn't you had asked this to the cauldron? Warm, nice fire? Not the destructive flames that burned inside you.

Eris stopped at the very center of the floor, and you could already feel everyone's gaze on the two of you. What a gossip this would be; one of the High Lady's sisters with the heir of the Autumn Court, dancong at the Winter Solstice.

"Saying that you look gorgeous would be minimalizing." Said Eris as he gently put his free arm around your waist bringing your bodies much closer than they had ever been. "But flames are supposed to be red, not black."

You would have smashed his grin if the violin's hadn't started playing. You put your free hand on his shoulder and rose your chin to meet his eyes, with the fakest, sweetest smile you could master.

You had indeed wanted the dress to be red, because it had always been your favourite colour, but the Night Court's colour was black, and you needed to appear as a unit front.

"I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a member of your beautiful, appealing court." Your tone was soft, not wanting to gain any more stares than what you already had on you, but the sarcasm was there. "I find black perfect for this dress."

You were soo the wrong person to complete the job. Nesta was supposed to seduce him, because Eris didn't rail her up like he did with you. It was impossibile in your mind to even think of being nice with him, let alone flirt.

"What is not perfect is this dance, I'm afraid." he said still with his smirk on his lips. You looked at him confused, and he leaned close to your ear making you hold your breath. "Your High Lord and High Lady look like I have just spilled icy water on them. Aren't you supposed to be the oldest? They seem to think I might eat you in any moment."

His hot breath on your neck made it ashamedly hard to concentrate on what he was saying, and you would never admit to yourself that it was only when he leaned away that you found the capacity to speak again.

"We were all convinced you enjoyed my sister's company more than mine." You managed to say, offering him that truth.

The sound of his dark chuckle was like silk on your skin. His grip on your hadn and waist tightned a little, and you would have ripped his hands away if it would have been any other moment, or any other male.

"And why would I lose time playing with her when I have my perfect match right here?"

Cauldron boils you.

It was a bad, bad, bad, bad thing that you knees almost went weak at his words. It was even worst that your stomach seemed to be dancing its own waltz inside you. It had been so long since someone had touched you like that and hell, no one had ever looked at you like that. Ever.

You told yourself that that was the reason why he was having that effect in you. You had been used to the human's beauty, then you had been too busy to save the world to even notice High Fae's beauty. Eris had just happened to be in the right place at the right time and boom, you were weak on your knees for him.

"Someone might stirr if they heard you calling me your perfect match." You said finding a surprising calm, steady voice. "The future High Lord of the Autumn Court should have no equals."

Something flickered in his eyes as he looked at you with the typical gaze full of secrets. "I have no worries of any equal since you seem so determinated to conceal yourself as a rabbit rather than the dragon that you are."

His words managed to make you shut down every...confusing feeling you had inside and rose your chin a bit higher, watching him with a bored expression. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Is that so?" he slightly tilted his head with the same eyes that a predator used to study its opponent. "Then I take the gloves as the newest fashion in the Night Court? Curious, I don't see many other females wearing them."

He made you do a double spin on your feet before bringing you back against his chest. "I would have thought that a princeling had more important things to think about than the fashion in other Courts." You said coldly.

You hadn't realized that the music had ended until a new dance began and Eris easily led you throught that. It was slower, lighter, but you didn't need to think about the steps; Eris was annoyingly good at leading you.

His eyes darkened a little, as if you had just insulted him. The grip on your hand tightened and you hissed in pain as his fingers pushed into the burned flesh of your palm. "Tell me, it's still about fashion?" He tightened his fingers again and you stepped on his foot angrily.

"Do it again and your father will have to name another heir." you hissed still blinded with pain. Fuck off the whole court him thing; you would have never been good at it nevertless. If Eris wanted to play with you, you would play back.

***

Cauldron boils him.

He was so down bad for you. Never in five hundred years he had met someone who could turn him on just with a glare. And the glare you were giving him was of pure challenge and threat.

He laughed at you. He laughed because it was the only thing he could do. He laughed because the alternative was to see if you would still talk to him like that if he pushed you against a dark corner of the palace, knelt and buried his face under the gown of your dress.

That fucking dress.

You looked like a night Goddess of fire, and the Mother knew how happily he would worship you if given the chance.

But he couldn't. Not until his father was alive. Not until he would be free to let you know the true Eris and let you decide what to do about the bond. Not until you desired him as much as he desired you.

"I would like to see you try without any training." he lightly mocked you, needing to see how far he could push you until you finally gave in and unleashed what you had inside. "But I could make your odds better if you just admit what we both know, Little Flame."

He grinned as he sensed the effect that the name had on you. You face stayed neutral, it was your heartbeat that betrayed you. Eris had to admit it, even if you had just entered the game of scheming, courts and alliances you were doing a great job at it.

"I'm afraid I'm not following you." You said giving the room around you a bored look. He knew you were actually seeing if any of your court was listening to the two of you.

Eris had a vague idea of what would happen if you find out about the bond in the near future. You would be caution about it at first, then after few words with Mor and the Inner Circle you would decide to break it, and why wouldn't you? He was the villain in everyone's story, and he was fine with that. He didn't really plan to change that narrative in your head, yet. But he refused to sit still while you burned yourself in your own power and the Inner Circle did nothing to stop it.

"I could train you." He said suddenly serious. "If you are too ashamed to show your precious family what monstrous power you have, you should have no problem showing it to someone who is already considered a monster."

You arched an eyebrow. "Considered?" you asked ironically. "I recall hearing quiet thrutful stories about you for just considerating what you are."

He didn't pretend to be hurt by your words. He knew exactly what you had heard, what he had done, but obviously you couldn't know the whole true. No one did execpt for one. "Careful to let your new ears believe everything they say about me."

"Because you seem so much more trustfully." You said with a ironic smile that he immediately matched.

"Train with me a day every week, and I'll answer honestly to one question of your choice." He proposed before spunning you on your feet. "Maybe you'll make your own idea of me."

Those beautiful, careful eyes studied him, and he almost knelt right there. "Why would I accept? What do you gain from this?"

His grin widened. "I'm pleased to see that those brutes taught you something useful." He mused. "Let just say I think your power will play a key part to my...succesion on the throne, and I rather have you as my ally than my enemy."

You narrowed your eyes, surely pondering every single word he had said. "I won't do the dirty job for you."

Eris knew you meant killing his father, but of course you couldn't say it out loud since Keir was still around. He admired your quick thinking, and he was extremely glad that you were smart enought to guard yourself around people like himself.

He chuckled lowly. "That is a matter I'll deal with alone." He stated firmly and the fingers on your back lightly caressed you, assuringly. "I just ask for your help when my court will need it."

Eris would never admit out loud that he already know what kind of favour he would need from you. The idea had come up as the two of your were talking, but he knew that if he had proposed it right away you would have left him on the dancing floor without a second thought.

"One day of training everyweek with one question of my choice in exchange of my help, once, when you'll need it with your court?" You carefully stated looking cautionsly in his eyes.

He gave you a grin as he leaned his face closer to yours. "Do we have a bargain, Little Flame?"

He had to call all his hundreds years of training to not close his eyes as your scent hit his nose. It was sweet, like cinnamon and caramel. It was everything he recalled to like, to bring him joy.

He smelled the shift in your scent as your faces were dangerously close, and for the first time he was glad that you were new to this world because otherwise your would have smelled the shift in his scent too. And that, would have bring the two of you in a dangerous situation.

"Yes." you said after a while. He could see that you had thought of every outcome of that bargain, you probably had thought about how to tell the others, what reactions they would have and in how many ways it could end badly. "But you have to stop calling me that."

He laughed. "You should have put it into the conditions of the bargain before you accepted it."

As he said those words he felt something stung on his back. It felt like someone was writing something on his skin with fire. It didn't hurt, it was more like a tickle, and when he saw your hand flying from his shoulder to your back, scracthing the same part on your body that tickled on his, he knew that the bargain had been sealed.

The music ended and he gave you a bow, bringing your gloved hand to his lips. He could smell the burned flash, and a part of him wanted to kill Rhysand to have let you do it to yourself. But he only placed a gently kiss on it, sensing how you, elegantly, shivered and gave you a charming smile.

He studied you for a monent. Your eyes were looking at him with what was not surely kindness, but at the same time was not hatred too. You were trying to find your place in this new, cahotic world, he understood. His eyes traveled on your dress, and his jaw clenched. You would have been a beautiful living flame if it hadn't been concealed with black, somehow a represantion of how you wanted to conceal yourself to fit in that Court.

"Let me begin the training now with a little advise." Eris said still with your hand in his. Your eyes flashed with curious. "Do not follow blindly those who walk in front of you. You might find out that black is not the colout that suits you best."

He didn't wait for you to process his words as he gave you a last, parting smile and turned on his heels, already putting his mask back on. "See you next week, Little Flame." he mocked over his shoulder as he walked away.

He heard you curse him under your breath, and it only made him grin amused. He found it surprisingly fun to rile you up, it was a kind of amusement that he didn't feel with anyone else. He needed it as a reminder that his equal was indeed like him: fierce, smart, witty and always ready to fight when needed.

He walked toward Rhysand and Feyre, still seated on their thrones, already watching him with their calculated eyes. He was sure that they were probably having a mental conversation about what they had seen, and Eris fought the urge to smirk.

"Did you enjoy the company of my sister?" asked Feyre politely with a lazy smile. He had to admit that both her and Rhysand did a great job at acting like the rulers of the Court of Nightmares.

"Your sister's company had been delightful." He said matching her smile. Before asking them what he wanted he was curious to test the waters. "But I'm curious; you showed me what I can have, Rhysand. I'm intrigued enough to ask what you'd want in return."

He saw Feyre's jaw clenching. She would never sold her sister, and surely not to someone like him, but it was still fun to imply just that.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Rhysand not betraying a single thought that was in his mind.

"I mean that whatever you want, I'll give it to you if you promise to keep her safe and away from my father." Eris said suddenly serious.

He saw the confusion flashing on both rulers' face as they surely spoke to each other mind to mind. Eris knew he was letting them see too much, but it was the only way he could be sure that you would be safe as long as his father was alive. They needed to know in what danger you were if his father ever find out what you and Eris were.

"Explain yourself better." Feyre commanded with a cold voice.

He gave her a mocking grin. "You keep your oldest sister away from my father, and train her. and I'll give you whatever you want. You wanted to reassure our alliance? This is the prize."

"I cannot force her in doing anything she doesn't want to, but I can come up with the right arrangment for that." Rhysand said calmly. "But it seems foolish for you to offer me anything I want in exchange for...her safety. Why would you care so much about that?"

He could see that both Rhysand and Feyre were trying to understand what kind of game he was playing, what kind of tricks he had in mind, so he let his mind shield opening a little, inviting them in his head to speak the words that he could not say out loud.

"Because it seems that the Cauldron gave two Archeron sisters to the Night Court, and two to the Autumn Court." Eris said in his mind, knowing that they both were listening.

Feyre's face drained of colours as Rhysand's eyes hardned and his deep, dangerous voice sounded in his mind. "Why should we believe you?"

Eris smirked and let the memory of the day he had saved you fill his mind, letting them see it. He replied the moment the bond stirred inside him, urging him to run toward you. He made them see the exact moment your eyes met and his whole existence screamed the word Mate all over again. He made them see how he had foolishly followed you to the King of Hybern, keeping you safe until you had run to Nesta. He let them see how hard it had been to return to his father and hide eveything, how scared he had been when after the war he had been sat beside his father while you were right in front of him, terrified that any gaze might give him away. The last memory was of when he had found you outside the Autumn Court's camp, and he had been so close to grab you and winnow on the other side of Prythian, not wanting you close to his father in any way.

He stopped the memories just as the one of when you had cured him started to pop in his mind, and watched careful the reaction of the two rulers in front of him. "I cannot risk for the bond to snap for her when my father or any of his allies are close. He would hurt her to hurt me, and despide what you think of me, I won't let it happen."

Rhysand studied him with a heavy, dangerous attention. "I could keep her away from you and have you do anything I want just for the chance to see her, do you realize that?"

A test. Eris knew it was a test, because Rhysand would never do something like that, but still Eris couldn't help but laugh ironically. "It would be the first time you'd do something smart, Rhysand." he tilted his head in a mocking grin.

"You should speak of this matter with Feyre then." Rhysand stated, making a good job at sounding bored. "It's her sister you are mated with."

"I could have your head in any moment if I suspect you to be a danger for her." said Feyre in his head viciously.

"I would like to think that the bond would make your sister miss me a little if you do that." he answered ironically placing a hand on his heart. "But I'll give you everything else you need. After all you are my sister-in-the-cauldron, you might find out you'll have more advantages from this situation than your boring mate."

"Go away before I test that bond theory." threatened him Feyre making his grin grew wider.

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[nocasdatsgay]

Spring Time Affairs

Day three of @polyacotarweek : Secrets

Summary: Flora likes to rile her husband up, especially if it means she gets to play with Elain in the process.

MasterPost | Poly Week Master Post| AO3 Link

Pairings: Tamlin/OC/Elain/Lucien | Rating: E🌶️| Word Count: 1890

Warnings: smut

A/N: relationships should never have to be a secret. Pretending it is for the thrill however, that is acceptable.

Tagging: @saltedcoffeescotch @ysmtttty

Flora should have been ashamed of herself. Should bring the operative word. But the way Elain’s thigh was shaking where it was draped over her shoulder, she could only focus on bringing her over the edge. How she ended up kneeling under Elain’s pale yellow skirts in the small library on the east end was irrelevant.

Elain was whimpering above her as she sucked and swirled her tongue on her clit just like she liked. Stubborn, she thought. Elain was deliberately fighting her orgasm. Flora knew it. She stopped thrusting her fingers and instead wiggled the pads of them, pressing on that spot that had Elain crying out above her. She grinned as Elain came, damn near soaking her face and hand. Flora licked it all up, pleased when Elain started to push her away because it was too much.

“I swear you stay under her skirts more than I do.”

Lucien’s voice startled her as she pulled away and moved to stand. He was grinning wickedly at his mate, who Flora was pleased to see had a flush on her face and was still catching her breath.

“I can’t help it,” Flora made a show of licking one of her fingers. “She tastes so good.”

“You’re lucky Tamlin is looking for you,” Lucien said. He did look ready to bend her over the table behind her. His gaze turned to his mate. “You are a wicked little female.”

“Whatever do you mean, Lord Lucien?” Elain straightened her skirt with her palms.

Flora’s eyebrows shot up. Elain always flirted by riling Lucien up. And the best way to do so was to address him formally. Flora learned that herself the hard way.

“Flora, lock the door,” Lucien did not look at her as he spoke. “I think I need to have a conversation with my mate about inappropriate uses of the mating bond.”

Flora did not suppress her grin. “Of course. Have fun.”

She left, shutting the door and waving her hand to lock it. She tried to not giggle at the squeal she heard Elain let out as she went down the hallway. She went to her husband’s office first. He was normally there most of the day nearing the end of the year months. Sure enough, Tamlin was at his desk, looking over papers. He looked up as she entered and shut the door.

“Lucien said you were looking for me?”

She walked past the chairs and his desk to sit on the table against the window behind him. It was a test; he knew that. She could tell he knew by the way he rose from his chair and turned to her with a predatory look. She smoothed out the skirts of her sky blue dress. He came up to her, nudging her legs open with his own, his nostrils flaring as he leaned into her.

“You smell like Elain. Gods, were you in the library again?”

“Maybe.” She grinned and watched him plant both of his hands on the table, caging her in.

“Wild flower.” Tamlin growled in her ear. “Are you trying to get caught?”

“Why would I do that?”

Tamlin took one hand and pushed up her skirts further so he could stand between her open legs, forcing them to spread further. He pulled back and stood straighter.

“Because you’re a minx,” he tilted up her chin. Green eyes blown black. “I don’t even remember why I called you in here.”

Flora hummed as he tucked a loose golden brown curl behind her ear.

“What a Lady of Spring you are, smelling like another male’s mate. What would the servants think?”

So that was the game they were playing. The ‘pretend the whole court doesn’t know’ game. Flora liked this game, if only because Tamlin could pretend to be possessive.

“Fuck the servants,” she gasped.

He gripped her hips and pulled her to the edge of the table and pressed his body against her. The bulge of his pants rubbing against her. Her underwear was already soaked from playing with Elain. She whined and pouted when he pulled back. A hand on her thigh inched up under her skirt until a claw hooked her underwear. She lifted her rear up so he could pull them off. He scowled as the blue lacy scrap of cloth came into view.

“Who bought you these? It wasn’t me.” He lifted them higher to look at them better. “They’re too slutty for my tastes.” A lie.

She bit her lip. He knew who, but he wanted her to say it. “Lucien.”

His gaze narrowed on her as he tossed the underwear aside. “You want them to know what a little whore you are.”

“No,” she shook her head.

“You do.” He tsked at you. “This is the third time this month I’ve caught you smelling like them. Do you want the court to think I can’t satisfy my wife?”

She almost snorted. Instead, she feigned shock. “No!” 

“But you do. They don’t know our little secret, do they? They just see you, walking around and smelling like this. Makes you look unfaithful. Do I need to remind you who you belong to?”

She tried to not grin or seem too excited as he unlaced his trousers. He reached up and grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him.

“I asked you a question.”

“Yes sir.”

He let go of her chin and his trousers fell to the floor. She looked down and watched him stroke his hard length, the core of her clenching at the thought of what was about to happen. She inhaled as he stepped close to her, wanting nothing more than for him to take her.

“What did you do with Elain?”

Flora looked up, mouth agape. “I- I was under her skirts. I used my mouth.”

Tamlin reached around and grabbed the back of her head, not undoing her braids but holding her still as he pressed his lips to hers. She let his tongue in and he growled while he probed around. He could taste Elain still on her lips and tongue. Flora did not move. He pulled back. He said nothing; only stroked himself once more before pushing into her heat.

Flora fell back on both her hands, head also falling back as she let out a moan. He gave her no time to adjust, not that she minded. She was content to let him take what he wanted from her. Tamlin had other plans.

“Look at me,” a command, laced with the authority of Spring. She lifted her head up, eyes wide open. “Who do you belong to?”

”You.” She whimpered with each thrust, his length hitting that spot inside her. “You, Tamlin.”

He growled again. “And what are our rules?”

”We, fuck, we keep- Tam,” She wrapped her leg around his waist. “We keep it secret.” Another lie. 

“Exactly.” He thrusted into her harder, stroking the pleasure in her higher. “What we do in our bedroom is no one’s concern but our own.”

“Yes, Tamlin.”

“If you’re going to smell like sex during the day, you’ll smell of me.”

“Yes sir,” she cried out. “Only you.”

Tamlin sank his teeth into her neck, causing her to arch against him and yell with her eyes rolling back. He then pulled back and licked at the bite. Her legs tightened around his waist again while he continued to thrust into her, one of her hands going into his blond hair.

Then the doorknob turned and for a moment her heart stopped. She moved her hand and slapped it over her mouth, crying out as she came suddenly.

“Am I interrupting?”

It was Lucien, the bastard. He had the audacity to look innocent as he slipped into the room and shut the door. She was still pulsing around Tamlin, who stopped to look at him.

“What?” He asked, breathing heavily. As if his trousers weren’t around his ankles with his cock buried in his wife.

“The emissary from Summer is here.” Tamlin growled and Lucien grinned. “I just wanted to inform you, High Lord.”

“Get the fuck out and don’t think I won’t punish you for bothering me.”

“Maybe you should punish your wife, since she came the second she thought she was caught.” His eyes flashed at her as he grinned. “I know what you sound like when you cum, Flora.”

“Get out Lucien.” She rolled her eyes. “Weren’t you just with Elain?”

Lucien clasped his hands behind his back. “Elain is a bit tied up at the moment. I can have you join her if Tam wants.”

“Get. Out.”

Command laced Tamlin’s snarling tone. Lucien didn’t drop his grin but exited as requested. Tam threw out magic, locking the door. He turned back to her with a look in his eye. In quick movements, he pulled out of her, pulled her off the table, stood her on her feet and pushed her down across the table. Her skirts were thrown up onto her back and she gasped when he smacked his hand hard against her rear.

“Naughty girl.” He kicked her feet apart and smacked her across her wet cunt. “I didn’t tell you to cum.”

“I’m sorry Tam.” She stood on her toes, hoping he’d do that again. When he did, she moaned loudly, clenching around nothing. “Are you going to punish me?”

“I should.”

She heard him shuffle and felt him push his length back into her. He pulled her upright to be flush against him so he could whisper in her ear.

“You and Lucien both have been so bratty. But I have a meeting. So I’m going to finish fucking you and when I’m done, you’re going put those slutty little panties back on and let my seed drip out your cunt for the rest of the day so everyone knows who the Lady of Spring belongs to.”

“Please.”

He chuckled in her ear, pulling his hips back to thrust up into her. A clawed hand came around her throat while his arm wrapped around her waist as he continued. It didn’t take long for him to finish, growling in her ear as he did so. When he pulled out, she squeezed her legs together and waited. She straightened out her skirts and waited while he pulled up and fixed his trousers.

“Look at my good girl,” he chuckled, coming up beside her to hand her the panties he’d pulled off.

Flora didn’t say anything as she carefully stepped into them and pulled them up. She shivered as she felt his cum slip out of her slowly after she unclenched her legs. She turned to him, batting her eyes innocently at her husband.

“May I be dismissed, High Lord?”

“By the cauldron you make it difficult.” He came up to her, grabbing her by the hair to press his lips to hers before pulling away. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she pressed a quick kiss to his lips one last time. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

She waited by the door until he threw out his magic, unlocking it. She slipped out as if nothing happened and headed straight for Lucien and Elain’s bedroom. Lucien dropped that information for a reason when he barged in and she was about to make use of it.

[isa-beenme]

I'm currently writing three things at the same time, but I felt a need to write something sad, something to break my heart and break all of you along, I can't be sad alone, thank you

The plot is basically: every bat boy's mate deal with depression in a different way, or "three different approaches of depression to three different brothers" (I felt so funny when I thought about this one)

So... do we want a part 2?

Trigger Warning: Self-destructive thoughts, depression

Prompt: Prythian saw the way that Rhysand's mate fell into depression but tried her best to get better. They saw the way that Cassian's mate fell into depression and turned it into pure anger and self-destruction. But... what if Azriel's mate simply... doesn't care?

What Was I Made For?

Sometimes I wish I didn't exist.

Not in the sense that I want to die. Far from it. I dread the thought of my own death. If I stop and imagine what happens afterward, I feel on the verge of panicking. Not death. Never death.

However, I like to think about how everything would be so much easier if I simply didn't exist. The number of responsibilities I could just let go of. The countless times I wouldn't have to rush and cry out of despair for feeling so useless would simply diminish. I would be so happy if I didn't exist.

I started thinking about this when I was 14.

It's been 500 years, and I remain the same.

Five hundred whole years where I feel inclined to ask the Mother to not exist.

But I do exist.

And that's what intrigues me.

I don't know who I am, and I just can't find something I like. There's nothing that keeps me here. Really.

That scares me.

A lot.

I mean, I spent my whole life studying in the Day Court, participating in politics, and learning from the High Lord Helion himself. I was supposed to be his successor. But then Lucien came into the scene and I became his spare. Or second in command. Works the same.

My objective was easy enough, everything I knew, I should teach him. And I did. We had fun. I guess. And then his father made a party to invite his "friends" for a celebration. He told me they weren't really his friends. I understood that feeling.

The Inner Circle of the Night Court sat across from us at the table. It didn't take long for the mating bond to snap between me and the Shadowsinger. The celebration became even bigger when he smiled at me.

And I smiled back.

I mean, how couldn't I, right? He seemed gentle and caring and his face was very pleasant to look at.

He courted me. He flirted, sent gifts, and traveled to the Day Court's capital every often to see me. I'm not sure what love means but I'm pretty sure it's something close to what I felt inside of me every time he looked into my eyes and smiled.

And yet, I feel I could not exist and it wouldn't change a thing.

But if I could make him happy maybe I would understand everyone's desire to be alive. I would understand what it is like to fight for your own life with the necessity to live another day.

That's why I accepted the mating bond.

We had a party. A dinner. A house. Vacations. Damn, the tower of gifts we had to open after almost three weeks of pure sex took me a month.

And yet, I feel I could not exist and it wouldn't change a thing.

We moved to Velaris. My role in the Day Court was long forgotten. I mean, I just said I don't care about anything, how could I care about a job I had just because I was good at it?

Being good at something doesn't mean I really need to live for it.

If so, I would be a dancer. Because I'm amazing at it, I have trophies, experience, and talent. But I'm not a dancer.

If so, I would be an actress. Because I'm amazing at it, I participated in hundreds of pieces, and interpreted tons of characters. But I'm not an actress.

If so, I would be a cook. Because I'm amazing at it, I'm the one in charge of making every meal and every cake for people's birthdays. But I'm not a cook.

If so, I would be a warrior. But I'm not a warrior.

If so, I would be a painter. But I'm not a painter.

If so, I would be a singer. But I'm not a singer.

If so, I would be a seamstress. But I'm not a seamstress.

And when I came to Velaris, almost two years ago I became Azriel's mate. And I hate it.

We easily fell into a routine with his Inner Circle. And now, there's no family that makes me want to keep on living. In fact, most of the time I feel even more exhausted when I'm with my family. Or Azriel's family, if I'm being real.

I feel suffocated by an enthusiasm and freedom I can't keep up with. My family isn't bad, not by a long shot, and certainly not up close. They are great. They stand up for the right causes, love to have fun, and are very liberal about any topic.

Except when the topic is me.

I'm the newest but also the oldest among all the female mates. And that kind of put me on a pedestal I never asked for. Something like: "If she did it, you could too, Feyre"; or else: "Even she couldn't do it, Nestha, don't worry about it"; I'm not a unit of measurement, but sometimes it feels like I'm nothing more than that.

Except when I'm with Lucien. He is the exception to the rule of 'I feel suffocated within the family circle'. I'm his favorite friend, obviously, but that's not the reason why we are so good together. He understands me and seems to grasp the feeling of not wanting to exist, even though we've never talked about it. So, he just exists by my side. And that's exactly what I need.

I don't worry about depression.

Or should I?

I am happy. Truly happy.

Not that people with depression aren't happy.

They must be.

I hope they are.

But sometimes I imagine myself going to a healer's office and pouring out everything I feel. But I never know where to start. So, I stop imagining.

I'm usually happy. Very happy. And this happens with my friends. Or anywhere away from my family. Everyone annoys me in some way. Except for Lucien.

Even when I'm alone, I feel extremely happy. Especially when I'm alone. Whenever I'm alone.

I actually hate studying. Which is basically my job.

But if that means staying away from my family, I seriously consider doing volunteer work at the Library during vague hours. Get a full-time job. Anything to keep me away. And contrary to expectations, I don't feel bad about thinking this way. I don't care.

And that scares me even more.

I don't care, and I don't react. Sometimes, I fall into a vast abyss of overwhelming emptiness, unable to separate reality from what's happening in my mind. I don't feel inclined to react with jokes or anything else. I don't care if they argue with me, yell, speak ill of me in the room next door, or debate on how to 'punish' me when I'm three steps away on the sidewalk.

It doesn't matter.

Nothing matters.

I've made my friends cry trying to prove a point I believe is right. It doesn't matter.

I've cried in front of friends so they'd accept what I was saying. It doesn't matter.

I also have the terrible habit of always wanting to be right. In everything. It doesn't matter if I'm wrong, it doesn't matter if someone will get hurt. I ALWAYS have to be right.

Sometimes I imagine I'm going too far in this abyss to the point of hurting myself. Or others.

And here's another characteristic of mine. I imagine too much. Most likely, I have three or four books written somewhere in my room. But I don't feel inclined to publish them or continue writing. It was just a phase. Just like everything else.

Just like my mating bond with Azriel. I love him, but… I'm not like the High Lord's or the General's mates. They… live for them.

I mean, Feyre is an amazing person, she's such a sweetheart. But as High Lady? I swear, she's more like a city mayor than anything else, she can barely read a full sentence without getting a headache from too much effort.

And Nestha? What a fearless female. She's amazing! But being the General of the Valkyries? Come on. They can't possibly think that, just because they cut a miserable string, they are actually able to fight as a battalion. Right?

Maybe I'm mean for thinking like that. Maybe I'm stupid. Or hateful. Or fake. Or cruel.

So I never say anything.

I keep imagining them. Every day.

It's fun.

Sometimes I like Azriel more than I like myself.

But I like most people more than I like myself.

Sometimes I hate myself.

Sometimes I like myself.

There's a thin line between my two states of mind.

Sometimes I think it's my fault.

Sometimes I think it's my mate's fault.

I don't feel bad about hating him whenever I feel anger spread through me. He also triggers the emptiness in my chest sometimes. He can be annoying with all his senseless conversations. The way he lives his life annoys me even more. Because he can do everything.

He's Azriel, the Shadowsinger, the Spymaster, the poor thing, the one who didn't grow up in a good place, the cute one, the funny one, the pretty one, the hot one, the smart one, the-

I don't know.

If I let the anger get me it will soon vanish. Just like every other feeling I ever let myself have.

You know the feeling of losing something you never knew you actually cared about? That's how I feel about my freedom. Not that Azriel took my freedom meaning that he restrains what I do or like I miss my single life (if I'm being honest I was never a lover to no one, Azriel was my second or third). But this bond took it from me.

I used to float around, doing different things every single day, but now I just fall down and down and down into my inner abyss. I could've been a dancer, an actress, a cook, a warrior, a painter, a singer, or a seamstress because I had the freedom to try it. Maybe I don't want to live for it but I want to live with it. Now I'm… his mate.

I used to know I was empty, but I'm not sure now that this bond keeps flooding itself with love and fear and pain and happiness.

I don't know what I was made for.

I don't know how to feel secure. But I wanna try. I don't know how to feel truly happy. But someday I might… Someday I might… try.

When did it all end? All the enjoyment. All the feelings.

It doesn't matter.

None of this matters.

Since I was 14, nothing matters.

And I wouldn't mind just not existing.

But I want to know what I was made for.

That's why I'm leaving.

[fairyqueentitana]

Let's talk about TVD

For those who don't know TVD is the shortened name for the series known as The Vampire Diaries, the story centres around a girl by the name of Elena Gilbert after the tragic death of her parents.

Elena survives the accident that took her parents' lives and is preparing for her first day of school at the beginning of the series. Now, this all seems nice and mundane until the story progresses and she is dragged into the world of vampires, witches and werewolves, did I mention that she is a doppelganger and the most essential ingredient in a ritual that she has to die in. Yeah so not how she saw her life going.

To make matters worse she gets trapped in a love triangle between her boyfriend Stefan and his brother Damon. Right now that you are all caught up let's jump in.

While the show is quite popular and people celebrate the final victories of Elena and her friends I have an issue with multiple things.

Several Characters in this show are SA'ed one way or another and everyone acts like it's okay. When we are introduced to the Salvatore brothers the reason we are given for their feud is a woman. Not just any woman their sire and the 2nd doppelganger Katerina Petrova aka Katherine Pierce. She moves into their home and flirts with both men while compelling them to keep the relationship a secret from the other brother. While Damon was okay with her vampirism, Stefan was not he was horrified and did not want to be intimate with her anymore. What does Katherine do? Compel him to be fine with it and then continues to be intimate with him. Guys that isn't normal she should have stopped what she did was wrong. The second example is Damon Salvatore who I have to wonder if he is a serial offender what he did to Caroline was awful and nobody really told him off about it he even became best friends with her mother! Then he proceeds to do this with Andy Starr and admits that he was taught to do this by his mentor a female vampire by the name of Sage. He never apologises for these things. Others who come to mind are Klaus, Kol and Lucien however I can't confirm these so they are off the hook.

Elena Gilbert is either Toxic/narcissistic as hell. While at the beginning of the show, we see her as a mourning and afraid girl who is protective of her family which is not really who she is. She uses her friends to their own detriment not caring about the consequences until they really affect her. When she finds out about what Damon was doing to Caroline she scolded him briefly and moved on from the matter then after Caroline is changed she seems to completely forget why Caroline doesn't like Damon and even starts to treat him better than her friend. Another thing Bonnie Bennett has died countless times to protect and help Elena always at her own determent. When Bonnie dies she cries when she finds out it can kill Bonnie she cries but she does not learn from this at all, may I remind yall Bonnie's grams died doing something for ELENA. Then when it comes to not making enemies this girl just makes things worse for herself I mean yes Rebekah was the villain in her book but she had a chance to earn respect and Rebekah's trust what does this girl do stabs her in the back literally then pouts and cries when Rebekah runs her off of a bride when she in her infinite wisdom would not have been in that situation if she had left the woman alone. The situation with the cure as well pissed me off as they knew the consequences of killing an original and chose to kill Kol committing mass genocide and leaving Klaus with his brother's corpse. We all know they could have incapacitated him instead or like any wise person wait on Klaus. Elena is everyone's focus and they constantly sacrifice for her and she does not ever decide to do something smart about it to have a peaceful life. That bothers me.

Caroline and Bonnie Deserved Better. Let's start with our dear Bennett witch, Bonnie Shelia Bennett is a year younger than Elena and so far has died more times than anyone in the show. She never gets a happy ending at all Luka was not on her side and dies, Ben kidnaps her, Jeremy cheats on her and eventually dies, Kai is infatuated with her but tries to kill her, Kol and her would have been fun but it never came to pass and Enzo is killed by Stefan. In addition to it, all her family literally has bad luck with doppelgangers, Amara ran off with Qetsiyah's fiance, Katherine sold out Emily and got her burned at the stake and Elena was the reason Bonnie's mum lost her magic and became a vampire, Shelia died and Bonnie well you get my point. Everything was for Elena and Bonnie lost everything so many times. Now unto Caroline, she has been compelled, raped, taken advantage of, killed and turned without her consent, hated by her parents, and tortured by one of them. And before Klaus, she was of the opinion that every guy she was interested in preferred Elena. And sometimes Elena made things worse. She had a crush on Stefan he turned her down for the copy of his ex/rapist. She likes Matt that's cool and all but he still loves and will always choose Elena. He even looks to her for guidance/approval when it comes to his relationship with the blonde. And Tyler is an idiot who is situationally in love with caroline. The only man that really and truly wanted her honestly she could not be with cause he was Elena's enemy. And she only tells him on the condition he leaves town, not for her sake but everyone else's. When she finally gets Stefan he dies on the same day they get married. Caroline and Bonnie never get their happy-ending relationships because both of them lose the men they love every time. In addition, I would like to point out that they sacrificed so much and hardly got anything from it. Moving on from their love lives when someone turns off their humanity a lot of the things they say are honest to a point. I firmly believe a lot of the misery Elena put the both through without her humanity was the deeply buried thoughts the girl had. There is so much more I want to touch on but I'll leave these three points for now. Please note that I will be doing another relationship dive on TVD and the next show getting talked about will be either MLB, H2O just add water or Teen Wolf.

[writingsbychlo]

I kind of hope Elain and Lucien have kind of a platonic love yk? Instead of the relationship be forced by a bond neither wanted.

I see Elain with Tamlin, as a way to help him have a redemption arc and she IS Spring. And Lucien with someone of his choice. Elain hasn't showed any interest in Lucien. Lucien deserves someone of his picking no someone who may or may not return his affection

honestly, I see such a fantastic romantic arc for lucien and elain. like, picture this:

getting sent on some kind of assignment in the human lands. elain is thrilled to be going back, especially if she can be glamoured and fit in. less thrilled to be going with lucien, but he is the emissary, and he's vowed to look after her, from a distance, respectfully.

the first few days go well. they talk politely, the order food, they stay in rooms with two beds and lucien gives her every single ounce of privacy he can. they actually start to become friends. elain learns about lucien, and lucien about elain. she sees a new side of him. she calls him 'sassy-fox' and 'sneaky-fox' and lots of cute nicknames that make him huff and roll his eyes but smile. he calls her 'petal'.

they actually find a really happy, comfortable common ground. they laugh and tease and have inside jokes. until elain realises she's getting feelings. feelings completely independent of the mate bond, and it scares her. so she completely retreats on herself. lucien is hurt, he doesn't understand what he did, they argue.

they have a very quiet dinner in the tavern. lucien is still mad, elain is still confused and scared, but they're not gonna split up? elain is happy to sit at the table while lucien goes to get another round for them. she watches him go. he gets flirted with. he very politely turns the girl down but it bothers elain anyway. she can't stop herself from making a "oh, you're new girl didn't pay for them? shocking." kind of comment.

lucien gets it, because he's a smart-cookie. "so that's what this is about? elain, petal, why didn't you just say that?" they take it back to the room and only use that one bed. lucien assumes its all lust, and elain doesn't lead onto anything else, she lets him believe her jealousy is lust-fuelled.

they keep travelling and hooking up as they go, and elain treasures the small moments of intimacy. when asked now, their cover is no longer friends or maiden and her guardian, but husband and wife, but she never admits that to him. only when he's not within hearing range. one day, there's only one bed. they cuddle while asleep.

elain decides this isn't enough for her anymore. she wants all of him, in all the moments, not just the ones between the sheets. she wants all his kisses, the sweet ones and the soft ones and the loving ones, not just the passionate ones.

she confesses this to him, and instead of happy, he looks agonised. he's hurt. his heart broke for jesminda, his heart broke for her, and he moved on. why now? why, after he had to sit at family dinners with azriel and watch elain moon over him? why, after he couldn't sleep with anyone else without picturing her? why, when it has been so long? why now?

in the end they work it out, obviously. and then they go home with all the lil clues towards whatever big disaster is happening idk and they save the day like everyone else and yay happy ending.

imagine that.

(each to their own, of course, but this is just me 😅)

[zenkindoflove]

5 and 9 for the salty ask game ☺️

Putting these answers under a cut. Anti-Azris and anti-Azriel.

5. Has fandom ever ruined a pairing for you?

Ruined? Not really. I'm really binary in how I feel about ships. It's either my OTP or I feel kind of meh about it. There are some ships that are NOTPs now and I guess you could say that participating in fandom created the situation. Azris is an example of that. I found it curious and interesting at first as I do with most slash pairings. But not to the point of really diving deep because I don't like Azriel. When I created Alexius and fell in love with him and Eris together, they became OTP and it's very hard for me to get into other ships that contain a character in my OTP. And since I already disliked Azriel and this fandom's obsession with pairing him with every person, I was pretty much done with the curiosity after that. And I think given my next answer, it'll be clear why it just wouldn't be fun for me to ever explore.

9. Most disliked character(s)? Why?

Azriel - SJM really shot him in the leg for me from the jump in ACOMAF. I almost always side eye and get annoyed with the dude who is still pining over his best friend when he's been friend zoned. It icks me out. He was the worst in the High Lord's scene. His macho display to protect Mor's honor by choking Eris really made me see him as this aggro, incel type bro who tries to white knight for a woman not even interested in him. I know people in this fandom are always like omg that scene is SOOOO gay. But if anything it's the straightest thing Azriel has ever done. There is something particularly damaged in straight dudes heads that makes them act like Azriel did in that moment. And I was so turned off and grossed out.

And then Azriel really did himself no favors by flirting with Elain and shitting on Lucien. A lot of people hate the bonus chapter and consider it OOC. To me, his self loathing thoughts and unearned possessiveness was really who I was already imagining. He's insecure and not in a way that endears him to me. I've really loved a lot of dark, broody, and violent characters in the past (Sandor Clegane comes to mind) but Azriel's specific blend of brooding and edge lord behavior does not make me root for him or want to learn more about him. I think if SJM really started having him become more self aware and go on his own healing journey (and please be independent of a woman showing him love because he is nothing but red flags for anyone in this series at the moment - he needs to work on himself first before his love story begins) I could see myself coming around from dislike to feeling neutral about him. It's possible though the way this fandom stans him and how aggressive and weird his fans are have totally ruined me ever liking him though.

Salty Ask Game

[daydreaming-nerd]

SJM ask game

Thank you so much to @kennedy-brooke for tagging me, I hope I did this right (I have zero competence) I hope you guys know that when you tag me in these I totally kick my feett and giggle I get so tickled.🖤

1) What’s your favourite SJM book? A Court Of Silver Flames, that book literally changed my life

2) Which is your favourite series (tog, acotar or cc) Oh my god, it depends on what I last read, which right now is ACOTAR but TOG is my baby

3) Who is your favourite character? (And why?) Nesta and how much time do you have? I'll say this, I'm Nesta through and through, I had a friend who once said I looked like her. Nesta is how I feel about myself and seeing her working towards being better makes me want to be better too.

4) Do you have a favourite quote from one of the books? "So Nesta had become a wolf. Armed herself with invisible teeth and claws, and learned to strike faster, deeper, more lethally. Has relished it. But when the time came to put away the wolf, she found it had devoured her too."

5) Favourite ship? I'm going with Nessian or Rowaelin because I hope I can find someone that sees all of me and chooses to love me anyways too one day :)

6) Elriel or Gwynriel? Or neither? If you're holding a pew pew to my head I'm going Gwynriel. Because I love Lucien too much. but honestly neither.

7) Who’s the most underrated SJM character? This is SUCH a hot take but Tharion Ketos. Has he had his moments recently? yeah. But the way that guy flirts? Oh I would be giggling and kicking my feet.

8) Which character do you wish to learn more about? Eris Vanserra, did I tear him to shreds in my Cassian series? yes. Do need him in a carnal way? Absolutely. I just know he's got shit going on.

9) Are there any characters you don’t like? Ithan Holstrom and I have beef...

10) Favourite bat boy? Shoot me it would hurt less. Honestly I think if I was in a room with them and none of them had mates I'd run to Rhys first. He's a scorpio and so am I (shocker) so I know we would vibe. but on the official mate quiz I got Azriel so???

11) Favourite court?/ Which one would you most like to live in? I'm a night owl (but y'all knew that) and a scorpio, so either night court or autumn but honestly, I think autumn.

12) Favourite SJM villain? Arobynn Hamel, simply because I think good villains are people you absolutely despise and I would find so much catharsis from curb stomping him.

13) If you could change one thing in any of the books what would it be? Might be a hot take but the Nyx plotline. It makes no sense for Rhys and Feyre to be like "we have all the time in the word" and then decide they want a baby right after. like what?

14) Favourite SJM theory? That Ruhn is a shadowsinger (maybe this isn't a theory but I have a fic coming about it soon so shut up)

15) Favourite Archeron sister? I think we all know...Nesta

16) A character you feel is over-hated/ underrated: I can't say my real answer or y'all will kill me so I'm gonna say Tharion Ketos again.

17) Aelin, Bryce, or Feyre? AELIN ASHRYVER GALATHYNIUS

18) What’s your favourite character from each series? Aelin, Nesta, and Rhun

19) If you wrote an acotar book what would you call it? A Court of Blood and Embers (and it would be the blood duel with Az and Lu Lu)

20) Who is your favourite acotar blogger? @tadpolesonalgae (I seriously love everything you.write)

21)What fics would you recommend to people who love the series? I'm not answering this one ONLY because I'm actually working on a fic rec list for y'all

Questions for writers

22) Easiest character to write for? Rhysand, I feel like I am Rhysand (scorpio buddies) so if I would say/do it so would Rhys.

23) Hardest character to write for? I haven't written anything for them yet (plz request) but I'm gonna go Rowan and Lorcan. Only because it's been a while since I read TOG

24) What’s a character you’d like to write for but haven’t yet? ERIS VANSERRA, y'all I am begging you, send me your Eris ideas. I want to write him but I have no ideas.

25) What’s a court you’d like to write about more? Day (incoming jealous Az fic you are all going to love) and Autumn.

26) What’s a character you won’t write for and why? Probably Elain, I just don't know enough about her to be able to do a good enough job.

27) If you could only write for one character ever again, who would you pick? Azriel, he's just such an easy guy to write for right now, and I think people like reading Azriel fics the most.

28) Whats your favourite trope to write about when it comes to Azriel? Reader being Rhysand's sister, I will literally make the reader Rhys' sister in every fic Idgaf, I want our girl to be a pretty princess. and the on top of that JEALOUSY.

29) What do you think is the best/favourite acotar fic you’ve written? I gotta pick between my babies... aight.

How Did It End? put my heart and soul into her and it flopped.

I'll Crawl Home to Her again, put my cooch into this and flopped.

The Prophecy (Azriel's Ending) guess what? put my cooch into it and it flopped.

so bascially if I liked it? It flopped, jail time.

30) Who are your favourite friendships to write about? Cassian the reader, I haven't gotten a chance to do much with it but I hope to soon.

31) For first time readers to your blog, which three fics would you recommend they read? *cracks knuckles*

You want plot? Young Love, Old Money or The Bonds That Break Us

You want smut? You Want a Baby? or Our Girl

Angsty af: How Did It End? and Implode

Tagging (and no pressure if you don't want to do it! ps love y'alls work) : @honeybeefae, @marvelsmylife, @throneofsmut, @azsazz, @sarawritestories

[thirtecnth]

(Lucien Laviscount) THE ROMEO. Please welcome DONOVAN REDFIELD (HE/HIM) to Huntsville, WV. They are a 30-year-old VISITOR who lives in TOWN. You may see them around working as a RANGER at THE WEST WATCH TOWERS. Poor unfortunate soul. We’ll see if they survive.

( *tw - )

GENERAL

FULL NAME: Donovan Kendrick Redfield NICKNAMES: Donny, Don, Red AGE: 30 years old DATE OF BIRTH: July 17th SEXUALITY: Straight (I don't know why I try at this point but here I am) STATUS: Hunter

APPEARANCE

HEIGHT: 6′ 0″ HAIR: Black EYE COLOR: Brown

BACKGROUND

HOMETOWN: Bear, Delaware INCOME STATUS: Middle Class FATHER: Donovan Sr. Redfield MOTHER: Jennifer Redfield SIBLINGS: Older Brother, Younger Brother SIGNIFICANT OTHER: Ex-Wife (Divorced) HOBBIES: Working out, Sports, Music, Reading, Carpentry

TRAITS

[+] Flirtacious, Respectful, Confident [-] Jealous, Impulsive, Secretive

STORY POINTS

Pretty standard upbringing for the son of military parents. He was constantly moving around from place to place so he learned to make friends quickly.

Being a middle child to him meant being forgotten or overshadowed by his siblings but he liked to see them happy. They were talented people and he's always been proud of them but it did hurt his ego some.

In an effort to stand out, he followed in his parents's footsteps and joined the Navy at 17, one year earlier than they had.

Quickly eloped with a girl he had met after boot camp on base. He just fell head over heels for her so quickly and she reminded him so much of his parents.

Then he’d be forced to leave her for a while. When the notice came for his deployment, he had a firm belief that he could trust his wife... He was wrong. She cheated on him while he was away and something inside him broke in an instant.

He wiped his hands clean of the whole thing and was out before the week was over. He stuffed down the trauma that came from the divorce and the deployment and went on his merry way... He never wanted to look back.

He pulled a 180 and began working out and flirting with plenty of girls. He wanted to have fun and do his own thing, which meant spending all his time with friends and hookups.

When he eventually got out of the Navy, he lost all sense of purpose and was completely unsure what to do next.

After a string of dead-end jobs, he was at the end of his rope... His mother suggested a road trip across the United States to find himself and it wasn't long at all until he stumbled into Huntsville with all the junk he owned in tow.

He's been in town now for a few months now and strangely enough... He really likes it. Donovan had joined the rangers since it was more in his wheelhouse of expertise and suddenly, he had a purpose again.

Now he’s bound and determined to keep everyone safe... And maybe have a little fun again too.

WANTED CONNECTIONS

1. Coworkers

2. Hookups/FWBs/Good times

3. Ex-Wife

4. New friends

5. Sibling figures

…More to come, I’m sure!

[fangsforhire]

LUCIFER.

A mere whisper in the wind. An entity said to be inherently evil. To be ensnared by Satan was to be beyond corrupted. For he seduced even the most innocent souls prompting them to sin. Then again what was considered immoral? Didn’t good exist because evil did? The world wasn’t black and white, it was encompassed by grey. ( Nature required a balance; to even the playing field. No one was born sinister, time and trauma stripped you down to flesh and bone and devoured your virtues. ) Every creature had a tipping point, a peripheral moment when the scale could tilt and they could change. Everything had the potential to be become a monster. Lucien knew better than anyone that darkness lingered deep within even those considered holy and pure.

So what stuck up arse had created the bible? Didn’t religion exist as a form of control? So parents could tell their children to stay in line and not commit crime? It was amusing really. ( He’d never imagined he would be forced to analyse such blasphemy. ) Yet there he was, advanced eyes darting across its ancient pages, taking a deep drag on the cigarette between his lips. Inhaling, exhaling. The nicotine helping to curb his cravings; for they were vast and many outside the open car window. Humanity going about their day, taunting the predator underneath his skin.

Fingers itched to rip out the pages, to rewrite the contradictions he was unravelling for the - how many times had it been now? ( How many times had he subjected himself to this purgatory? ) Tongue lashed his upper lip in frustration, smoke billowing as he stubbed out the cigarette and allowed the world to fall away, concentration re-established. Dusk fell and finally, the book was shoved onto the passenger’s seat, hands running down his face; mind burning with repressed memories; shoving against the telepathic mental barricade. HYDRA having done their number on him; amongst others, and yet, he had never forgotten that name.

SAMAEL.

The label of the fallen. How it had plagued him, causing thrashing muscle to tangle in sheets, haunting him while heavy within slumber. It didn’t make sense; not all the pieces fit together smoothly, they were jagged and sharp and left him unfulfilled. Demonic confession having taken some time to digest and by then - back in his own world - it had been too late. ( Not that there was much difference between them. Humanity ruled the roost, the superior species and the rest of the things that went bump in the night, stalked the shadows. ) It irked him, his hatred of them undeniable and yet, he also endured the fact, forging ephemeral connections with a select few who took his fancy, travelling throughout the centuries, intertwined by mortals. It was inevitable really. He had naively assumed upon a time, he could avoid them. That emotions were impotent. Yet since then, he had learned better, accepting they existed and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. Not to mention how exhilarating it was to play with them. ( To flirt and watch their cheeks flush. To share stolen glances, their limbs parting. The soft pulse thudding into a vein, increasing as their adrenaline took over. ) They gave themselves away so easily, enthralled by his presence. Drawn in like a moth to a flame. Even now, he could see one across the street, a petite female, her thoughts deafening. ‘No don’t look, no don’t look - he’s young enough to be your-’ He smirked watching as she stumbled across the sidewalk, far from his type and yet he was smug all the same. Allowing her voice to fade to the back of his mind; searching across the city for what he was looking for. ( The crowd gathering outside LUX; smelling of passable cologne. ) Only now did he falter, hesitating within the confines of his car; shoving standard firearm into the glove box and snatch the bible back up. The journey there was effortless, vehicle locked with a flick of his wrist, smart shoes echoing softly.

No. What was causing his stomach to churn was the fact he knew; the possibility of rejection was always a breath away. Yet now he had convinced himself to get it over with; time seemed to have stood still. ( Alas, it took an age to reach his turn. ) Pupils dilating a fraction; calling upon his energy as his irises shimmered, the blue pools much lighter; convincing the bouncer to not even question his presence and forget about it the moment he was out of sight before stepping into the night club, its atmosphere familiar and appeasing him in a way few things could. The stench of alcohol tangible, beckoning him towards the bar like an old friend.

After setting the damned book down and snapping to the desired page; he leaned across the polished surface to order. Yet Samael was written in bold ink on the propped up pages, standing out like a sore thumb towards the room. Followed by a scribbled sentence in Enochian.

‘Is there somewhere private we can talk?’

With the stage set, he waited. Praying his predictions were accurate and the Devil would resist making a scene in public.

After all - he wouldn’t only end up exposing himself now, would he?

[phoebe-ofthe-cosmos]

A Court of Thorns and Roses | Recap & Analysis, Ch. 17-19

The romance between Tamlin and Feyre continues to build, but they can't escape the greater threat that looms over Prythian.

Spoilers for ACOTAR the book and the series.

Chapter 17

The chapter begins with Feyre dreaming of a pale, faceless woman dragging bloodred nails across her throat. Knowing what I know from ACOMAF this is so :(

She wakes to the sound of screaming and runs downstairs to find a faerie bleeding, screaming over and over that "she" took his wings.

Tamlin begins trying to heal the faerie, with Feyre helping to hold him still. Lucien, however, is not in any shape to help. He looks sickly, is gaping at the faerie's injuries, and runs from the room after throwing up in a pot.

(Lucien's reaction is a set-up to his backstory, which we get in the next chapter. But I also find myself wondering if he knows that Tamlin is responsible for these same injuries being inflicted on Rhysand's mother and sister; I wonder if he cares. I also wonder if this particular injury was something of a message from Rhys to Tamlin).

Feyre swears her first false vow when she promises the dying faerie that he will get his wings back. I don't know if this will be important later but it does feel noteworthy that her first false promise is made in an attempt to help a dying faerie feel happy/safe/comfortable.

After the faerie dies, Feyre stays with him for a long time. Eventually Tamlin gently coaxes her away from the body. Feyre wonders who could be so cruel as to hurt someone like that, which, again, knowing what I do of Tamlin's backstory, feels like SJM may be drawing a parallel between him and Amarantha!

Feyre wants to help Tamlin bury the body, but he says he must do it alone. Clause of the curse, or further evidence that Tamlin can't delegate?

Tamlin asks Feyre why she wants to help since she hates faeries so much anyways; she says she wouldn't want to die alone. That she would want someone to hold her hand until the end and after. She says everyone deserves that. She says she regrets what she did to Andras.

Chapter 18

Feyre sets out to tell Tamlin that she truly is sorry for killing Andras. She finds him with Lucien, and Tamlin invites her to go out for a ride with them.

Tamlin (and Lucien) brings Feyre to a beautiful glen for a picnic. When they arrive, Tamlin and Lucien exchange rushed whispers behind Feyre and then Tamlin sits beside her. Obviously Lucien was telling him to do this. He still seems reluctant to try to seduce her—why? He's shown signs of beginning to develop feelings for her. Maybe he feels icky about it because of the curse, maybe he feels weird in front of Lucien... I'm just speculating, I really don't know why he's back-and-forth on this at this point in the story.

Feyre gets so distracted looking at Tamlin that she forgets things he's just said to her (been there tbh)

Tamlin brings Feyre to a second spot, leaving Lucien behind. On their journey, Tamlin goes ahead of Feyre at certain points and leaves her to navigate the rough terrain on her own. Not very chivalrous! He brings her to a pool of starlight and invites her to swim.

Feyre gets nervous when Tamlin starts unbuttoning his shirt and deflects by asking about Lucien, asking if he's okay after he was sick yesterday. Tamlin divulges Lucien's backstory. I won't go into it, we all know. Lucien was reminded of his lover who was killed in front of him.

Tamlin starts hardcore flirting. Feyre finally feels bold and undresses, Tamlin follows her lead. Feyre is horny. They go swimming in the pool. Tamlin goes under the surface a couple times but Feyre is too afraid of the effects of magic; I find myself wondering about the physics of swimming in literal starlight. Feyre says it feels like something between water and oil. But is Tamlin's hair getting wet? I'm really bothered by the lack of explanation on this for some reason lmao

Tamlin asks how Feyre learned to swim and she says she taught herself. This reminds me of Feyre teaching herself to read and write, and speaks further to her intellect and tenacity.

Later, on their ride back to the manor, Lucien apologizes to Feyre for not helping her with the Suriel. He seems to respect the fact that Feyre's first shot was to free the Suriel, not to save herself. He says that too many fae whom he knows wouldn't have done the same. He says he heard her scream, but hesitated, and offers her a jeweled knife as a token of apology. He doesn't say it, but it's pretty clear that Lucien is sorry for hesitating to help her.

Chapter 19

Feyre finally gets those paints she asked for. Tamlin brings her to the art gallery in the manor. Feyre is touched that he opened this room for her and is in awe of the art. Tamlin leaves her to enjoy the space on her own.

Weeks pass and Feyre paints and paints and paints. She continues to dream of that woman with the red nails. A shadow she can't quite glimpse watches her in her dreams.

One day, while looking for a spot to paint, Feyre is reminded of her family—and realizes that the mortal world has moved on without her. As miserable as her life was, she thinks, it is being forgotten. This is a recurring anxiety of Feyre's, first called out by Nesta. That she will be forgotten. Feyre blames Tamlin for this, because he glamoured her family and is responsible for them believing her safe, for letting them forget her.

Tamlin shows her the rose garden that his father gifted his mother. He notices the change in her disposition and asks her what is wrong. Feyre admits that she feels selfish for painting, for enjoying herself here. But, she says, her family didn't try to save her from Tamlin when he took her. Tamlin comforts her. He kisses her hand, healing a wound, and Feyre gets horny again. He kisses her cheek and then leaves; Feyre is left with the realization that she craves his warmth.

The next morning, Feyre feels that something has changed between them. She wanders into the woods—and snares Tamlin in a trap, one she set knowing he would follow her. Tamlin laughs and frees himself, then shows Feyre limericks he wrote based on that list of words she'd written down that she didn't know. When he finishes, Feyre howls with laughter, "like sunshine shattering age-hardened ice."

We get some of Tamlin's backstory. He says his father was worse than Lucien's! He says that when he became High Lord it was a rough transition because courtiers didn't want a "warrior-beast" snarling at them. Feyre is reminded that Nesta called her a half-wild beast. She sympathizes with him and tells him that he does a good job, protecting his land from the blight. His shoulders slump. I suspect that Tamlin feels, or knows, that he could be doing more.

Feyre notices faeries setting up bonfires, and Tamlin explains Calanmai. Tamlin tells Feyre that she isn't invited to join the festivities. They walk back to the manor in tense silence.

When they return, the garden is eerily quiet. Tamlin tells Feyre to hide, and disappears, leaving her out in the open. She ducks into a hedge and manages to get a view of Tamlin and Lucien talking to... nothing. Someone invisible to her.

The voice says that She is wondering why they haven't given up yet. And why faeries like the naga are turning up dead.

Lucien says that Tamlin isn't like the other fools. I'm getting a mental image of the Mary Jane/Peter Parker "he said no pickles" meme, with Lucien as Mary Jane obvs.

The voice says that She holds their fate in her hands, that she could destroy them with one word, and she isn't pleased with Tamlin's behavior. The voice says that She dumps creatures like the Bogge on Spring's borders as gifts for Tamlin. And as reminders.

The voice says that Tamlin has a lot of fear in his heart, considering it's made of stone. Feyre believes this to be a metaphor! Lucien tells the voice to burn in hell, once again sticking up for Tamlin.

The invisible thing leaves and Tamlin finds Feyre. Lucien is very worried that Feyre might have heard something.

The chapter ends with Feyre wondering who She is to command such power and to strike such fear in Tamlin and Lucien.

[vulpes-fennec]

The Fae Equality Initiative (Ch. 10) 🌊

Summary: We learn a bit more about Cresseida's past and Elain reaches out to the humans residing in Adriata!

Tarquin, High Lord of the Summer Court, has sent ripples of shock throughout Prythian with his plans to eliminate discrimination against Lesser Fae. When the Night Court is invited to send a delegation to Summer Court, Elain Archeron can’t wait to show everybody what she’s capable of on her first official Inner Circle assignment. Little does she know that Tarquin has also recruited Lucien Vanserra’s assistance…

Read: Ch 1 | Ch 9 | AO3

Cresseida had seen—but had never spoken to—Elain Archeron before. So when Tarquin requested her to escort Elain to Safe Harbor House, Cresseida was dreading the awkward interaction. What could she even say? I flirted with your brother-in-law before I knew he had a mate? I still don’t trust your sister, even though Tarquin has long forgiven her? 

But the Night Court delegate had said “call me Elain,” with a stunning smile that instantly put Cresseida at ease. Elain’s tawny brown hair was swept up in an elegant bun, her earthy brown eyes bright and friendly. 

“It’s nice to meet you,” Cresseida said, trying to soften the hard set of her lips. “I can take you to Safe Harbor House, but I’m afraid I can’t bring you back. I have a long day with the Department of Education.”

“That’s fine, I’m sure I can find my way back easily,” Elain assured. “What are you doing with the Department of Education?”

The question was borderline prying, but Cresseida didn’t have it in her to be standoffish to Elain. “To oversee the integration of schools. It’s because several schools are segregated along Fae lines,” Cresseida explained. “Some, not all. Which makes my job easier. Anyways, are you alright with winnowing?” 

“Yes, of course.” When Elain took her outstretched hand, Cresseida was surprised to feel several rough patches of warm skin. As far as she knew, Feyre and Nesta were the only sisters who were trained as warriors. What is a lady like Elain doing with calluses on her palm?

Cresseida’s winnowing was characterized by a warm breeze whipping through the air and salty ocean scent filling their nostrils. They landed rather gracefully near one of Adriata’s many markets. Fish-mongers, vendors, and shoppers filled the mid-morning with eager chatter and energized haggling. Palm trees and colorful tents lined the street. Flapping fish were expertly cleaned and fileted while late breakfast was being served to locals. 

“It’s a good custom to always bring something to a charity,” Cresseida explained the slight detour. “So we pay a visit to the market. I also recommend buying your lunch ahead of time.” 

The market was small, but one of Cresseida’s favorites. It was situated just a block away from her childhood home, and she had fond memories of visiting the market with her mother. Although the war had taken out several vendors, the market still came back at the same time, same place every week. Its resilience was bittersweet, for familiar faces had been replaced by new ones. 

Cresseida watched as Elain curiously took in the hubbub. The humble dress of sage green cotton and plain canvas shoes only seemed to underscore the middle Archeron sister’s beauty as she greeted a Lesser Fae vendor selling savory sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves with another stunning smile. 

The vendor was an elderly female marsh Fae. Marsh Fae were experts in growing rice, spending their days wading through flooded fields. Though they were a mellow bunch, they were frightening at first glance with paddles for feet; short, webbed fingers; translucent eyes; and furrowed gray skin. 

But Elain did not balk, did not stare dumbfounded at the marsh vendor. She simply pocketed the sticky rice packets into her satchel, and continued walking with Cresseida unperturbed.

Cresseida stopped by the citrus stand. “Good morning, Farun,” she greeted the wood nymph. “How has your family been this winter?” 

“Cresseida!” Farun’s leaf-green eyes brightened. “It’s so good to see you again. We are doing well. The orange trees have been quite cooperative, but the kumquats are being fickle. I recommend the pomelos—they’re especially sweet this year.”

Farun was a wood nymph whose family had maintained a citrus grove for generations. Wood nymphs were skilled at communicating with the trees. In Farun’s case, he made sure the trees’ needs were met to ensure bountiful—and delicious—fruit. Cresseida promptly bought five large pomelos and a large bag of oranges. 

“I can carry the fruit,” Elain offered. 

“Oh, there’s no need,” Cresseida replied, opening the little pocket of space and placing the bag of citrus inside. “We can keep them in here.” Was Elain always so helpful, or was she just trying to stay on Cresseida’s good side after the Night Court’s debacle several years back? 

A flower stand suddenly caught Elain’s eye, and the female eagerly bounded up to the sprite—Chessie—who was misting the cut blooms with water. Elain must have said something nice, for Chessie had a toothy grin on her face. Cresseida watched as Elain paid for a large bouquet of vibrant blooms. 

“Sorry,” Elain apologized as she walked back to Cresseida. The multi-colored petals nestled protectively against Elain’s chest made her heart-shaped face glow with new life. “These flowers were too beautiful not to share.” 

Cresseida led Elain down a sloping avenue, past quaint shops and apartments, in silence. I should try to be more amiable, Cresseida thought. She hasn’t done anything wrong, and I’ve only said a handful of words. “What’s Velaris like?” she asked Elain. “I’ve never been.”

“Velaris is…” Elain hesitated. She tried again. “Velaris is called the City of Starlight because the nights are especially beautiful. The river Sidra runs through it, and the Rainbow quarter of art has plenty of galleries and theaters. There are many gardens in the city, though they have to be replanted annually because of the harsh winters.”

“If you like gardens and flowers, I recommend visiting Adriata’s botanical garden,” Cresseida suggested.

Elain smiled. “That sounds wonderful. And yes, I love flowers. I’ve only been here for a few days, but I’ve seen so many fascinating specimens.” Her brown eyes lingered on the remaining rubble and scars along the buildings. “What was it like? During Amarantha and the war?” 

“We had eternal summer, so we were able to assist other courts with extra provisions when Amarantha siphoned off their resources for herself and Hybern. As princess of Adriata, I had the unique privilege of managing trade relations with the other courts. But then my cousin Nostrus, the High Lord, was killed.” Cresseida shuddered at the bleak memory, at how the ground shook with the transfer of power from one High Lord to the next. 

“Oh no, I’m so sorry,” Elain said softly. “Were the two of you close?” 

Cresseida blinked. “That’s the first time someone asked me that,” she said, surprised. “It’s complicated, you know? Varian and I had the most wonderful time with Nostrus when we were younger. He was 372 years older, and he spoiled us with the best things Summer Court had to offer.”

“So he was like a fun uncle?”

“Yes, you could say that. But…when I got older, I began to realize just how Nostrus staunchly defended the norms that Tarquin—that we—are trying to break. It’s hard to reconcile how much I loved, yet resented him, after his premature death.”

Elain was silent for a moment. “That’s what it was like with my mother,” she confessed. “I remember enjoying balls and concerts with her. But looking back, she clearly wasn’t a very good mother to us.” Elain shrugged. “She died many years ago, and I’m still not sure how I feel about her.” 

How did we end up on this topic? Cresseida wondered. Spilling our deepest thoughts to each other? She was going to ask about Elain’s impressions of Adriata, but Safe Harbor House had appeared on the corner ahead. 

***Elain***

Rilum, the director of Safe Harbor House, gave Elain a tour of the small charity once Cresseida left. It was small for a bed and breakfast-type of establishment. Safe Harbor House possessed a decently-sized backyard, overgrown with vines, shrubs, and palms. The upper two levels, Rilum explained, comprised of temporary housing for humans who needed a place to stay. 

Rilum was a young merchant by Fae standards, with rabbit-like features in his curved haunches that had him moving in short hops, buck teeth, and cotton ball tail. Rilum had lost a hand during the war, rendering him incapable of sailing with the merchant fleet. Thankfully his wife, Luna, was a bookseller who made enough money to support them both. “Running a charity is primarily volunteer work,” he explained to Elain. “The board members and I collect a small stipend every month, but that’s about it.” 

“What got you into this sort of work?” Elain inquired. 

“I was doing fairly well for myself, but the war changed all of that.” Rilum lifted his left arm and waved the prosthetic hook that had replaced his hand. “Unable to sail, unable to work…I felt useless.”

“Us Lesser Fae—now, I know Tarquin doesn’t want us using those words but how else am I supposed to distinguish myself from the High Fae—have always relied on each other,” Rilum said in a gentle, contemplative tone. His large, floppy ears twitched. “But I saw how the humans were on their own…they struggled more than us. My friends supported us after the war, and I didn’t want anybody else to be in the same position of helplessness.” 

“As a sailor, I thought the name Safe Harbor House would be fitting for the humans who were looking for a place to stay, for some friendly faces.” 

“And as someone who used to be human, I’m thankful for all that you do.” Elain said softly. “It means so much to me.” 

Across from the administrative office on the first floor was a small medic room, where the human doctor, Sarah, kept a meager stock of supplies. Down the hall was a fairly large common area, with mismatched tables and chairs. The last room was a medium-sized kitchen, where two human chefs, introduced as Lizzie and Samuel, were preparing lunch. 

“So you were the one who brought oranges!” Lizzie exclaimed. “Thank you so much. We wouldn’t have had a fresh produce component otherwise!” 

“You’re welcome.” Lizzie’s face crinkled as she smiled. Her rounded ears, her distinctly clumsy movements, Samuel’s brown hair was streaked with gray—these were traits Elain hadn’t seen in a long time. 

How is it possible that I used to be like them? The fact that Elain was taken aback at seeing humans only solidified the extent of her acclimation to Fae society. 

“We try to provide well-balanced meals twice a day. Unfortunately, we are often running low on funds.” Samuel gestured to the two plucked and skinned chickens, and the smattering of onions, corn, and radishes on the counter. “This is all we have for the time being.” 

The paltry ingredients harkened back to Elain’s days at the dilapidated cottage, when Feyre’s hunt had stretched thin and the last tubers had been dug out of the ground. Oh, how terrible! Elain thought. That I was eating such decadent food while the humans were barely getting by!

Elain suddenly felt ashamed of the bouquet of flowers she was carrying. Safe Harbor House needed groceries, toiletries, new clothes and bedding…and she came with flowers? People couldn’t eat flowers. 

“Please, let me assist,” was all Elain could say in response. “I-I brought these flowers but I don’t know where to put them…”

“What a stunning bouquet,” Lizzie agreed. “Here, I can take them off your hands. They will be a lovely touch on the dining tables. And we would love it if you could help us bake the bread.”

Thankfully, the dry goods cupboard was well stocked with flour, sugar, baking necessities, beans, and rice. As Elain kneaded the dough, she inquired as much as she could about Safe Harbor House.

“Charities in Adriata have their rent waived, thankfully. But other than that, we rely on donations and fundraisers,” Lizzie explained as she expertly cut up the chicken. 

“Donations have been slow and our fundraiser last year was not successful.” Samuel added morosely. 

“That’s terrible!” Elain exclaimed. 

Lizzie glanced at her sadly. “That is the nature of things for humans in Adriata. But Samuel and I don’t have a home to return to. Our town was razed by the Hybern army.” 

“Most Fae are not happy about our presence here. High Lord Tarquin has been generous to humans, but he cannot control the sentiments of all his citizens,” Samuel sighed. 

“If they ever rebuild, would you return to the human lands?” 

Samuel hesitated. “We would like to. But…Adriata is much more beautiful. So many wonderful things to see and eat that we’d never known before.” 

“To be honest, I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I moved back to the human lands,” Lizzie admitted. “I miss seeing other humans. But even if they rebuilt it, it wouldn’t be the same. And I would also miss being near the sea.” 

“I understand,” Elain replied. “What it’s like to long for a life that doesn’t exist anymore.” She had gotten more used to being Fae, but sometimes wondered what her life would have been if Feyre hadn’t shot the wolf that fateful day. I would probably be dead in our desolate hovel, waiting for help that wouldn’t ever arrive. But Tamlin was the one who provided for a new mansion and life. Well, maybe I would have married Graysen if things stayed that way, if Feyre hadn’t found Rhys. But then I wouldn’t have met Lucien or lived in Velaris…agh, too many factors to contend with! 

“Seeing High Lord Tarquin extend protections to what they call the ‘Lesser’ Fae gives us hope that life in Adriata will improve,” Samuel assured her. “These changes have been tough, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?” 

When they finished preparing lunch at noon, the other humans who were residing downstairs came down to eat. Elain now realized why Cresseida told her to bring her own lunch; if they’d added a 16th plate, there would not be enough food to go around. 

A family with two small children, around seven and ten years old, sat next to Elain. “Hello,” the father introduced himself, holding out a hand for Elain to shake—another distinctly human gesture. “My name is Raul. And this is my wife, Maya.” 

“My name is Elain. It’s nice to meet you.” Raul’s human hand, a perfectly strong human hand, felt brittle in Elain’s sure grip. She gulped, trying not to think about how fragile she had been, how easily these humans could be harmed by the Fae. 

“We’ve heard about you.” Maya’s hollowed face was awestruck. “You and your sisters.”

Well, that solves the tediousness of telling my life story over and over again. “I’m honored,” Elain smiled gently at the couple’s children. “And how is your family settling in Adriata?”

“As well as we can. I’ve been looking for work, but it’s been difficult the last few months,” Raul answered. “I was a carpenter in the human lands.” 

“Raul is being humble about his craft,” Maya chuckled, placing her hand over her husband’s hand affectionately. “Only one of the Lesser Fae would hire him, and we are very grateful for that. However, they can only pay him to work two days of the week.”

“Do your children go to school?” Elain asked, shifting her gaze away from the happy couple and towards the fidgeting children. It wasn’t because she couldn’t stand public displays of affection. With all the members of the Inner Circle coupled up with each other and her heightened Fae senses, Elain sometimes knew a little too much about her family and friends’ sex lives. No, it was because Raul and Maya’s tender gesture had her wondering if she could ever be that way with Lucien. 

“Yes, they do. We are also very lucky that education is free in Adriata,” Raul nodded. 

“And how are they adjusting to the changes?” 

Maya smiled. “Children are more adaptable than adults. My youngest…she gets along with everybody. All they do is play, and we’re happy that she’s made some friends already.” 

“That’s good to hear. My education was a solitary one,” Elain murmured, remembering the rotating circle of governesses at the Archeron’s old mansion. “It would have been nice to be surrounded by other children.” 

Just then, she recalled Cresseida’s mention of school integration. “What kind of classmates do you have?” Elain asked the children.

“Faeries,” the daughter piped up. “Blue faeries, wood faeries! Water faeries!”

“Some other humans,” the son added. “Fae, too, but like your kind.” His brown eyes regarded Elain warily, which made a part of her heart twinge. I was human too! Elain wanted to remind him. Don’t look at me like I’m some scary monster! I used to be like you! 

“Please forgive him,” Raul apologized. “My eldest was initially bullied by several of his Fae classmates. Thankfully, his teacher put an end to that.” 

“Nothing to worry about,” Elain said smoothly, trying to cover up the hurt she felt. “My sister herself faced some ah…relentless taunting by some of the Fae.” Nevermind that Fae turned out to be my damn mate. Why the Mother decided for things to be this way is beyond me.

Elain chewed her food industriously, trying to banish all thoughts of Lucien from her mind. 

“We heard that the High Lord is planning to integrate the students at schools. My husband and I are not necessarily opposed, but…are there going to be any safety measures? I don’t want my son to be used as magic practice,” Maya fretted. 

There was fear in the mother’s voice—the same fear Elain once had for the Fae. “I understand your concern,” Elain tried to assure her. “I know someone who is working on that initiative, and I can pass on your suggestions!”  

“Thank you, Elain.” Maya visibly relaxed. “We are so glad you’re willing to listen to our ramblings and concerns.” 

It was one thing to be Made Fae and forced to live in a new city, in a different society. But it was another to still be physically human and living amongst the Fae, Elain realized. The smile she plastered on her face felt like a lie. Like false hope. I’m a Seer, but I don’t know what the future holds for your family. For Tarquin and his court. Even for ME. 

Resources linked here!

Read Ch. 11

[unhealthyfanobsession]

Can I ask for drunk Nesta flirting with Cassian in front of the ic and him getting all flustered but being secretly pleased about it???

Hell yeah you can! I love this idea! It wasn’t specified so I’m going modern here just because I’m not really sure where this could’ve happened in the canon timeline without a bunch of other factors impeding. Also I’m throwing in a dash of my fav jealous Cassian 😏

It wasn’t that Cassian didn’t want to be there. Well, no, actually that was exactly what it was. Cassian didn’t want to be there. He was exhausted and he hadn’t gotten to the gym that morning and he had a massive deadline that Rhys kept insisting they could push back but Cassian didn’t want to. He just wanted to go home and finish his report and maybe have a glass of whiskey to close off a truly awful week.

But Feyre’s art exhibit opened earlier that week and he hadn’t even gotten to see it yet and so it wasn’t like he could blow off her big party when he already felt like the world’s worst friend.

And he was completely lying to himself and everyone else. He didn’t want to be there because he didn’t want to watch Eris Vanserra’s slimy ass mill about the elegantly decorated, high ceilinged, natural light dripping, beautiful space, with his eyes glued to Nesta’s ass as if it was the art they were meant to be appreciating.

Did Cassian also appreciate every inch of her body like it had been sculpted by Michelangelo? Yeah but that was besides the point. And he had the respect to do it subtly.

“Remind me why he’s invited,” Cassian grumbled into his overpriced merlot. Because apparently only wine was classy enough for these fancy, classy, art events.

“He’s Lucien’s brother.” Azriel also didn’t look impressed by Eris’ uninvited hand on the small of Nesta’s back. Or the way he kept refilling her glass before she asked or was even done. “And he’s richer than Midas and spends a lot of that money on art.”

Cassian rolled his eyes. “We have as much money as he does.”

“Yes but you know Feyre’s rule. No family purchases. She doesn’t want to be a success just because Rhys could buy and sell this entire gallery.” Azriel was stoic as usual. Betraying no opinion on the matter.

It was several hours of carefully constructed comments where Cassian pretended he knew anything about art and pretended his neck wasn’t getting increasingly hot under his collar as Eris kept glued to Nesta’s side.

Cassian had no right to be jealous. He knew that. He and Nesta weren’t anything. Casual flirting. Witty banter. Eternal, pining, unrequited love on his end that she didn’t even seem to notice or care about. So fine. Maybe Eris was her type. It wasn’t his place to interfere.

Except that she really needed a glass of water right now and-

Cassian’s hand darted out on instinct as Nesta walked past him, wobbling a little on her completely impractical shoes.

“Careful sweetheart.”

He braced for the hissed don’t call me that, but When he looked up Nesta was blinking slowly through a hazy wall of the wrong wine.

The wrong wine because Eris had been giving her a Nappa Cab Sauv all night when she preferred old world Syrah. Which was probably why she kept drinking it so quickly, looking for her opportunity to get what she really wanted.

“Cass,” she smiled. It was a little lopsided and definitely off kilter, but even through her wine brain he could see that she was playing at something. Nesta had never called him Cass in his life. “It’s so good to see you!” Her voice went up a full octave and she pressed her entire body against his as she hugged him.

The display turned a few heads in their direction. It was mostly just family at this point, and Eris who couldn’t learn how to take a fucking hint. Technically, he supposed, Eris was family. Nesta’s fucking brother in law. Was that how it worked? Was the brother of the person your sister married also your brother in law? Brother in law once removed?

Not important, moron. Drunk Nesta. Body. Wrapped in a tight sheath dress and clinging to him. Cassian closed his hands around her back and got lost for a minute.

Holding her against him like she was made to fit in his arms. Breathing in her scent like he could capture it in a bottle and spray it on his pillow every night before he went to bed.

Someone cleared their throat. Feminine. High pitched. Mor.

Nesta had already let go and was smirking at him a little. He dropped his hands immediately. “Um, yeah, always a pleasure.”

“Interesting choice of words,” Nesta’s grin was feline. She was definitely up to something. And normally he would make a stupid remark, probably something about how much more pleasurable the evening would be back at his apartment, except that she was drunk and his entire family was staring and Eris was still standing there.

“Can I get you a glass of water?” It seemed like the right thing to say. To offer. Feyre smiled a little, a silent thank you. Azriel was covering a laugh, Mor was watching them both with narrowed eyes like a hawk, and Rhys honestly couldn’t have cared less. Nesta’s eyes narrowed. “Or maybe throw you into a pool,” Cassian joked stupidly.

“You should probably buy me dinner before offering to get me wet.” Someone dropped a glass. Cassian honestly thought it might have been him and he wouldn’t have noticed. Not in that moment. Not with Nesta looking at him through hooded eyes and talking about…

He could do this. His pants were not getting tight. Not at all. Because he wasn’t a damn teenager.

“I- um- do you-”

Nesta burst out laughing. It was a sound he’d never heard from her. She was usually all sultry under her breath snorts or ironic guffaws. Full, deep, angels singing, laughter was not usual for Nesta.

As evidenced by the fact the no one was even pretending not to be watching them anymore.

“I’ve got her.” Eris pushed himself back to Nesta’s side.

“Does he?” Nesta looked straight at Cassian, one eyebrow raised. “Because I’m willing to bet he wouldn’t have made it past glass two if your family wasn’t here.”

Azriel coughed. Amren cackled.

“You… do you want him to have you?” It came out wrong. The words. He meant did she want Eris to take her to get some water. Like he offered. He didn’t mean, he couldn’t, he wouldn’t…

“I want you to have me.” She was drunk. She was so drunk and it shouldn’t have been hot but fuck him it was. It wasn’t some sloppy college night out messed up drunk. It was a woman whose inhibitions had been soaked in wine just enough that every word out of her mouth was low and hot and honest.

“Find somewhere else to be, Vanserra.”

“Hey man what the fuck? We were talking-“

Cassian scoffed, snapping out of whatever flustered mess Nesta had put him in. “Anyone who gave her that much Cab Sauv doesn’t deserve to talk to her. Get lost.”

“I saw you eyeing the bottle,” Nesta laughed a little, swaying on her toes. Cassian moved his hands from a support on her bicep to a full arm around the waist support. Even if she did try to fall he could lift her with one arm easy. “Thought you might say something after…”

After the night they spent in her apartment with a bottle of her favourite Syrah only a week ago. It hadn’t been on purpose. Feyre and Elain and Azriel and Lucien were all supposed to be there. And they all conveniently cancelled only after he’d already showed up.

Which, judging by the barely contained grins on their faces, was even less of a coincidence than he thought. Busybodies.

“I’d offer you a glass of Syrah now, but I think what you need is a coffee.”

“Oh but then I’ll never sleep. And I do think I’m ready for bed.”

Sensing that he’d lost, Eris swore under his breath and stomped off.

“Let me take you home, Nes.” Cassian whispered into her hair.

“Hmm, your place or mine.”

“Yours,” he kissed her temple, pulling her legs out from under her and not even paying his family a backwards glance. “For a nightcap of 2 big glasses of water and a bottle of aspirin that I’m going to leave on your nightstand for the morning.”

“You don’t want to be there in the morning?”

Cassian groaned. “You said it yourself, Sweetheart. Dinner first.”

“You’re never going to let me live this down.” Nesta sighed, head lulling onto his shoulder.

“Actually go for dinner with me next week and I promise to never bring this night up again. And bribe our friends to do the same.”

“Deal,” Nesta said immediately.

An hour later after Cassian had supervised Nesta drinking her water he was about to leave her apartment when she yawned.

“Hey Cass,” she mumbled, half asleep.

“Yes sweetheart?”

“You made a bad bargain. I would’ve gone out with you either way.”

Cassian chuckled, a low rumble. “I’m satisfied with the bargain I made.”

“Cheesy as hell.”

“You love it.”

Nesta laughed, “I am prepared to tolerate it at best.”

“Good enough for me.”

[bookofmirth]

okay, be honest with me

you think there is a real (like r.e.a.l.) chance of el/riel being endgame? I didn’t have anything agains the couple, you know, I didn’t like it but if it was sjm wanted I would read it but after the nasty stans I totally loathe the couple now

No. I honestly don't think there is. I've made a similar post before but it was kinda jokey. Here are my actual reasons why:

A majority of the "evidence" I have seen of them being a potential couple is just them existing in a room at the same time. They are not currently canon. They are not in a relationship.

Azriel's POV took place after chapter 58 in the book. It began with him being jealous, angry, lonely and Elain showing sexual attraction to one another. It ended with him smiling about Gwyn.

Rhys told Azriel no. He then backed off. I'm not sure where the narrative is coming from that he is willing to fight for Elain. He gave up. We know this because:

After his POV, about 3-4 months of time passed in the book during which they had zero interactions, even when they were in the same room (which was only once). There are no more exchanged glances, he doesn't mention her, nothing.

Outside of his chapter, Az and Elain don't exchange a single bit of dialogue in the entire book.

After his chapter, Gwyn flirts with Az and Nesta tells him he is the new ribbon. We know what she is telling him. People who don't are playing dumb.

After his chapter, Azriel helps Gwyn to pass the Blood Rite Qualifier. Compare that with him not wanting Elain to even try helping with the Dread Trove, though she volunteered. There is a very clear contrast between Azriel aiding and empowering Gwyn to achieve her goals, and Azriel preventing Elain from being autonomous. SJM loves couples who empower each other (feysand, nessian, rowaelin, elorcan), and never ones who tear each other down or prevent each other from taking action (chaolaena, feylin).

Azriel did not - I repeat, he did not - identify what was wrong with Elain in acowar. I know a lot of theories hinge on this. However, they are misreading the scene. Azriel doesn't identify Elain's problem. He identifies her power. And immediately thinks about how and why that power will be useful to the IC. If he had identified her "problem", the next discussion should have been how to make her better. Not how they could use that to their advantage.

On a related note, I still firmly believe that Elain and Azriel have the potential to be toxic. I've avoided using that word in the past because I think it's overused and people use it without understanding what it means, but it's true. No one is saying they currently are because they aren't in a relationship. Relationships don't start off abusive or toxic. Feylin didn't start off that way. I think Tamlin still loves Feyre. That doesn't mean that he didn't hurt her by trying to take away her agency, much in the same way that Azriel tries to take away Elain's. I still have a crapton of thoughts about this because I saw a shitty take today that acted like abuse is an all-or-nothing deal and because Az has been nice to Elain so far, that means he would never step out of line. That's blatantly untrue and not how abusive or even toxic relationships work.

As a couple, Elain and Az would enable the worst parts of each other.

As a couple, Gwyn and Az would challenge each other to be better.

SJM has never, at any point, talked about Elain and Azriel as a couple. She has talked about elucien as a couple.

If Gwyn weren't a threat, people wouldn't be bent out of shape trying to invalidate her in every single way possible - she's too young and immature, she's secretly evil, she can't have sex because she's an SA survivor, she's just a side character, etc. etc.

Gwynriel + elucien + emorie + jurassa = a HEA for everyone.

Lucien is Elain's mate. Azriel is not.

We don't know what Elain wants, but not a single sjm ship has started with the pair even liking each other. Maybe lysaedion? Every other ship has been combative and distrustful at first. Elain and Azriel don't even have that tension.

The tension in other sjm ships has been internal - reasons why the two characters mistrust one another, or have conflict, or don't like each other, or misunderstand each other. She doesn't tend to write ships where the conflict keeping them apart is external. This is partly why people love her characters so much - we get to know a lot about their feelings and motivations etc. and so the world stuff just... suffers, sometimes.

I'm sure I could think of other reasons, but these are the main ones. There isn't a way to say with 100% certainty that yes or no, this or that thing will or won't happen in the future. Technically, anything could happen. They could time travel in the next books and meet JD Salinger and then learn French and bring electricity back to Prythian. I doubt it, though. So is e*riel possible? Eh. I'd say like 0.0001%, based on how she has written them so far, how she has written other characters, and the way she has written other ships. And since it's becoming more evident that she has a limited range of character and ship types that she likes to write, I don't know if she'd deviate from that.

[46inpm]

(MLQC) Hello there! May I request a scenario where the guys get jealous when MC gets hit on and agrees to give her phone number without understanding the other guy's agenda? I really love the protective/jealous x dense pairing 🎀 thank you so much for your effort and time! 🙏

Sorry this took so long to answer. There was some stuff in my life and I was having a hard time thinking of ideas for this.

Jealous Boys with Dense MC

Victor

Victor does get jealous but he doesn’t often show it (mostly grunts and quiet looks of annoyance that you can’t see)

Unlike him, you’re a very social person who can get along with anyone because you see everyone that chats with you with nothing more than friendly intentions

At times it really makes you naive and Victor worries but he knows that you wouldn’t cheat...still the jealous feeling is hard to get rid of

You two were on the plane in first class having three seats in a row

Victor has been sleeping mostly to pass the time and preparing you to leave to the airport is slightly exhausting

He wakes up in the middle of the flight to you and the guy sitting next to you talking about already exchanging phone numbers

This again? Does this dummy ever learn?

Let’s just say he’s been with you in this scenario before

The guy flirting with you can tell that your some naive pretty girl but Victor will make sure this guy knows who your heart belongs to

He gives off hints that you two are together which stops the guy from trying to take advantage of your density

Before you nod off to sleep Victor whispers something

“Wake me up if we get there.” 😴

“When we get to the hotel, I’m going to have to teach you who your body belongs to.”

“...What?”😶

Lucien

Lucien’s the flirtatious one in the relationship but it seems you have the title of being flirtatious and oblivious

His dark side hates how you flirt with guys without even knowing

The way you touch their arms accidentally and stare at them when you have a conversation

He knows you don’t mean to hurt his feelings but he would always step in to make sure the other guy gets the message

You always apologize and promise that you didn’t mean to as well as you won’t do it again

Yeah let’s just say you have to promise a lot and Lucien always tells you it’s no problen

The other guy could mostly tell that you were in a relationship with the professor when Lucien stares at you with the most adoration and how Lucien flirts with you

He has to protect his little butterfly, they can very much accidentally fly into a spider’s web

No one will take the only colors he sees away

You normally don’t understand how you always never see the signs but after thinking about you can

“I’m always an idiot that gives my phone number away without realizing the guy’s agenda.”

“It’s fine. If the guy still bothers you even after finding you have a boyfriend, you’ll just have to have a phone call to make him embarrass.”

“Like how?”

“You tell him frantically how much only I can satisfy your body.”

Kiro

He knows he has no right to be jealous since everyone loves him and there’s practically a billion smut fan fictions of him

The star can’t help the feeling of his chest feeling tighten at the sight of you talking to another man

You two were shooting a movie together so that meant everyone was everywhere but he easily found you in the crowd.

Why are you smiling to someone other than him like that??

Miss Chips seriously has no idea the power she holds over a man who can easily control people

Of course he has to keep doing the movie shoot

Everyone is amazed how fast he does his scenes without mistakes because they don’t know he’s hurrying up so he can get to you

When he finishes Kiro spots you handing your phone number to the guy you were talking to earlier

For someone who acts in a lot of movies and shows he’s terrible when trying to coverup his jealousy

It’s weird how every time you give your phone number, no one ever calls or responds hmm must be some hacker

“I gave that guy my phone number because he would tell me a great restaurant. Why hasn’t he contacted me?”

“He must be busy or his girlfriend is just jealous. You know finding ways to delete contacts. How about I delete the guy from your mind, Miss Chips.”💦

Gavin

We’ve seen Gavin jealous in one of the dates

He never blames you because it’s not like you did it on purpose

Gavin is the quiet, looks mad type of jealous

He knows you would never cheat on him or lead him on but he can’t help but want guys who have certain intentions not be near you

This guy has been waiting since high school to finally be with you so you can somewhat see where he’s coming from

Tell him to back off or if he’s getting a bit out of control and he’ll understand

No way would he want to dictate your life and the people who’s allowed near you

He’ll stand behind you from a distance a shoot daggers from his eyes when a guy tries to get your number

It’ll scare the dude off before he gets a chance to even turn his phone on

Probably because your dense and guys take advantage of that, he’ll do more PDA than usual

“If that guy bothers you, just tell me.”

“He wasn’t bothering me. I was just about to tell him my boyfriend was coming back after being gone for awhile.”

“I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you. I was thinking of staying up all night.”

Shaw

Shaw is the type of person to be where crowds, bars, and loud music so clubs are the ideal spot for him

Clubs are also the ideal spot for men to hookup with pretty women

I see Shaw as a bit of a bad boy tease who women always want to get with

It’s funny when he goes to the bar to get two drinks and return for you to be chatting with two drunk guys with obvious intentions

You are the type to get a compliment about how good you look in that dress and you would thank them as you tell them where you bought it

When he hears you exchange phone number he knows he has to step in

Geez Shaw has to make out with you in front of those guys for them to get the message

If those guys are okay with breaking up a relationship then Shaw will use his evol to zap their phones

Whoopsie you’re phones lost it’s recent data/memory

Shaw is sneaky so when you dance with him on the dance floor you have no idea he managed to delete those two guys phone numbers

“I leave for two seconds and you’re chatting with some guys.”

“They wanted to know about my dress.”

“Maybe they’ll get what they want when I show them a pic of you without it with my name written on you...”

“What did you say?”

[utilitycaster]

Wizard Breakdown Tracker, #136

Yet again we have had an episode covering a remarkably short span of time - perhaps our shortest yet, as honestly this might have covered under an hour, in-world. So once again I cannot really vamp about what most of the NPC wizards are doing, because honestly I am pretty sure Eadwulf might have just been doing push-ups the entire span of this episode. So our eyes turn, pun intended, to the man of the hour, the drow trapped on an emotional rollercoaster only partially of his own making, Shadowhand Essek Thelyss, and pretty much everyone else can wait. Probably for a couple of weeks since I suspect next week will similarly not cover much time.

As a reminder, Caleb Widogast is a PC, not an NPC, and is also, currently, a sheep.

Currently sidelined: Allura, Pumat, Trönt, Astrid, Eadwulf, Ludinus, Oremid, Known Gem Wizard Hotsauce Lutefisk (this is still funny to me and I have learned that the audience one must cater to is always one's self), and the body of Vess Derogna which to be perfectly honest was probably unceremoniously dumped somewhere in Aeor, which is going to make this either way more awkward, or way less. That said the Mighty Nein's next task is "deal with Ikithon" so it's not like they're going to avoid murdering Assembly members.

Essek Thelyss: I observed that there were four major themes among the tags in my activity from this past episode:

I want to punch Lucien so much

I want the wizards to kiss so much

ha! tiny Veth on a sheep! the water elemental has titties!

In my opinion there is too much going on

These are all very correct opinions to hold and Essek is currently, if I may understate the situation, experiencing the last one. And also probably some variation of the first two. Probably not the third.

Within this one hour, at most, span, which I should note immediately follows his discovery that the Aeorians were excellent at dunamancy and did not appear to give a shit about the Luxon in the bargain, he has learned that Caleb and Beau have some abilities based on those eyes; that the cranky immortal weasel that sits on Jester's shoulder is actually her shapeshifted archfey god; that time travel specifically tailored to do the exact thing he wants to do is not only real but also seems to require the combination of his own expertise and the expertise of his potential love interest who also wants time travel for the same reasons; that Jester is fully aware of his flirting, thinks it's great, and got an answer from Caleb that he (Essek) is not privy too specifically thanks to eyeball powers; and that there are still a whole bunch of monsters after them although they might have all killed each other. He has taken 36 points of psychic damage, has been carried by a flying Caduceus, has been grappled by a water elemental, is probably sopping wet, and now he is in the Astral Sea and what's more he's probably going to be at the front of the pack, because he is a high-level wizard and Caleb is a sheep with intelligence 2 for the moment, unless Tiny Veth decides to bonus action dash*.

This is a lot, and I think the sheer nonstop nature of all of this has punched through the cheerful nihilism I predicted last week, and I am fairly sure the main thing getting him through this is that first, tis a far far better thing, better than he has ever done; and also he was right about the Luxon.

Conclusion: 9/10. I was going to say this is just a countdown to when Essek can finally scream into Caleb's shoulder for an unspecified amount of time but actually Essek seems like the kind of person to lie face down on the floor, also for an unspecified amount of time. Either way it is going to be well-earned.

Yussa Errenis: Again, I find it enjoyable to think that a tiny part of Yussa that cannot communicate meaningfully with Jester's sending or do anything really does still exist within the insanity, watching from the inside and psychically face-palming, which is rich coming from Mr. What does THIS button do. Anyway I hope a tiny surge of hope has arrived, as the party finally enters the astral plane and can hopefully do something.

Conclusion: I already made my Cantorian infinity joke very early on and while I can't vamp about the Dwendalian wizards I can about that, namely, did anyone else read the Number Devil? I think it was originally written in German but I read the English translated edition, and it was about like, basic number theory, geared towards kids, and honestly it was great. Anyway my point here is that there's a chapter towards the end where they go to Number Heaven, where the Number Devils live (the cosmology of the dreamscape in which the Number Devil resides is not really made clear) and they meet Georg Cantor, and he is very strange in a "I thought about infinity WAY too much" way, and now I am imagining the Somnovem as being kind of like Georg Cantor in a children's book from the 1990s about math. Anyway. Yussa is still off the charts but maybe we're a little closer to rescuing him.

*because this is the internet and some people are insufferable I am acknowledging here for posterity both that out-of-combat Astral Plane movement per the DMG p. 17 is not strictly subject to the walking speed = 3 x INT score, and that Beau could also bonus action dash if she wanted to use her limited ki points in the worst possible way, but I am trying to make a very sophisticated joke here, namely hahaha wizard smart sheep stupid Veth tiny.