#aria goddess of light

[ice-creamforbreakfast]

My 𝐓𝐨𝐩 24 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬 from 2024🎉

Thank you to @surely-sims and @lostinsixam for tagging me 🥰

This was a bit of a wild year, so there were gaps in my simming activities, but I still got up to the usual chaos!

Tagging @obigem, @simmingnate, @eljeebee, @gilded-ghosts, @melbrewer367 and anyone else who wants to take part!

January

Starting off with Aria and Ryozo's wedding. It wasn't meant to happen, but every time I had plans to throw a spanner in the works, his little face stopped me. Of course Aria wore a pink, sequin jumpsuit.

When Elio met Allan. Aria, ever the social climber, invited Allan and his mum over to be neighbourly/nosey and Allan's first impression of Elio was less than enthusiastic. They later bonded over being scouts weirdos.

February

I started a BACC challenge and absolutely loved it, then my ADHD brain kicked in and I got very confused and it became too stressful to follow the rules 🤣 I may revisit it at some point.

As a direct result of my BACC confusion, I started playing my very old, and very loved Enekjaer rotational save in TS3. There's something lovely about time just standing still, even as the years hurtle past.

March

The Crumplebottoms celebrate Gaia's birthday. I love this save. There's no set story, only chaos.

The penny drops for Elio, who was oblivious in his scouting weirdness. I love his vacant little face.

April

The wig snatching motherplant makes itself known to Elio, and unknown to him, sets him on a path that will shape the rest of his life.

Not a screenshot as such, but one of the CC sets I'm most proud of. I was so honoured that my bestie @obigem trusted me to work with her on this collection and very happy with how it turned out.

May

I had jaw surgery and the drugs were good. I don't remember doing this, but I guess this is when I downloaded Re-Light.

My bebe Caleb in the TS3verse. He was one of the first sims I created (if not the first) when I got the TS4 CAS demo, so it felt right that he got to be in other versions of the game.

June

Elio fucked around and found out. Sure it all worked out in the end, but I did enjoy the mess.

Trashleen coming in hot with the good advice. "Let them chat shit behind your back. Rent is expensive." She's correct. Live rent-free in the heads of your enemies.

July

I spent way too much time building Evil Pappy's Glue factory for a few photos of Alan's post-school fate and subsequent rescue. It made sense in my head for an evil cowboy to have a glue factory.

August

Trashleen and Mitzipuff lead the pack when it comes to style, but they just had to jump on the 'demure and mindful' trend for this shot.

The Motherplant battle always gives amazing shots. Elio and his friends beat the Motherplant and managed to rescue Miguel.

September

I update my models subtly every so often, but this time, quite a few of them visited the CAS surgeon for some minor adjustments.

I love the entire Poppy Collection I made with @surely-sims, but this dress is my standout and I'm so pleased with what I was able to achieve with it! Izumi serves as an 80s goddess.

October

October brought us Life and Death, and of course the big face mountain deserved a Cabbagepatch photoshop edit!

And then we have three! Elio, Allan and Miguel sorted their drama and decided to try being a throuple...it just so happened that the game allowed it now.

November

I was inspired by Ravenwood, and decided to do a little elven edit. No storyline, only elves and fireflies.

November marked the return of the Smyths, and a huge change in Cabbagepatch's relationship with her arch enemy Figgyduff. The sisters joined forces to conquer the Clucking Cosa Nostra once and for all.

December

Cabbagepatch formally invites you to attend a beautiful Easter concert with some definitely Easter themed CC that will be released most generously and totally on time for the Easter season in which they are meant to be used.

@joliebean and I were on our Christmas bullshit again with our latest Christmas collab! Esther got added back into the model rotation for this Marilyn moment.

[kitty-is-writing]

📝 in the mood to post a short story today 📝

this one is called Reunions, set in the same world as my novels are, as the old gods are returning from their centuries of slumber.

- Reunions -

“Hello brother.”

The unexpected greeting startled Ralor-Kanj out of his meditation. His eyes snapped open, immediately fixing on the barrel-chested man leaning against his doorframe.

“It’s been a long time. How have you been?” the visitor continued.

Ralor stood. “What do you want?”

The visitor gave a mocking pout. “Aw, nearly four centuries trapped in another realm and you can’t even pretend you’re pleased to see me? I’m hurt, dear brother.”

“What do you want, Chaos?” Ralor asked again.

“Ooh, I do like it when you call me that... so much more fitting than the name Mother gave, right Order?”

Ralor took a step forward, one hand twitching towards his sword. “Don’t make me ask you again.” The sword flashed as it zoomed from its place on the wall to his hand.

Chaos smirked. “I just want a little fun. Do you have any idea how dull it was, stuck in Nowhere for three hundred and eighty nine long years? You should have known Mother’s little ritual couldn’t keep me there forever, especially after she messed up and lost her following. I suppose that was why she went and made you, wasn’t it? She knew I’d find a way back eventually and thought you’d be able to keep me in line,” he taunted.

Losing his patience, and riled by the other god’s taunts, Ralor slashed at him with the sword. “Get out!”

Chaos vanished in a flash of sickly yellow light, the blade missing him by a split second, and reappeared behind Ralor’s desk. “You’ve had your turn, dear brother. Now it’s mine,” he said, a wicked smirk on his lips as he flicked the end of the golden scales. Another flash of light, and he was gone.

Ralor dropped the sword and reached to steady the see-sawing scales, only to be repulsed by a sharp jolt of electricity. As he shook the numbness from his arm, staring at them as they yawed wildly on their pivot, a strangled yell came from the pavilion. Thinking Chaos had wrought yet more of his namesake already, he willed himself there, expecting to find pandemonium.

Instead, the pavilion seemed as calm and peaceful as ever, except for Vrenid-Malchor. Where the Creator usually sat upon his throne, now he knelt on the floor, clutching his head and groaning in apparent pain. Talri-Pekra was already kneeling at his side, looking more concerned than Ralor had ever seen her. “What’s happening?” he asked her, hoping the goddess of knowledge would know something about it. She looked up at him, and he could almost see her mind forming and discarding ideas at blinding speed, but she said nothing.

“It’s started,” came a voice from behind them. Ralor turned to see Dranj-Aria, watching the Creator with a strange expression.

“What’s started?”

She kept her gaze on the kneeling god, slowly approaching as she answered. “They’re coming back. The lost ones were returning, and he’s going to break apart.” She drew level with Ralor, and turned to face him. “It’s a shame to see him go, but I couldn’t say I wasn’t pleased to see my sun again.”

“Returning... all of them?” Ralor asked. “So it’s not just Chaos, they’re all coming back?”

Talri-Pekra jumped up from the floor. “Chaos is back? When did that happen?”

“He just showed up in my domain, taunted me a bit and unbalanced the scales,” he said.

The three were silent for a moment, considering the implications of that. Each of them knew that Ralor-Kanj’s golden scales were linked to the balance within the mortal world, and whatever happened to one would affect the other.

Their thoughts were interrupted by a drawn-out scream from Vrenid-Malchor, and they turned to face him again. “Is there anything we can do for him?” Talri-Pekra shouted.

“No, but we needed to be here for the others. They’ll be confused and need our help after they split,” Dranj-Aria replied.

Cracks appeared in the kneeling god’s skin, and a blinding light shone through. His screaming continued without pause, and Ralor shut his eyes, wishing that someone could at least ease his pain. Suddenly, the screaming stopped, and the entire pavilion was saturated with a pure white glow for a second. Once the light faded, the three standing could make out four forms lying on the floor, clustered around the spot Vrenid-Malchor had been moments before.

One, a dark-skinned woman wearing a clingy, web-like dress of some golden material, stirred faintly and groaned. A stocky, brown-haired man wearing hunter’s garb slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, and squinted around the place. Another man, tanned and tall with broad shoulders, simply lay on the floor staring upwards. The fourth, a younger man with pale skin and rather fluffy auburn hair, was the first on his feet, and stumbled into Dranj-Aria’s arms. “Mum,” he whispered as she caught him.

She held him close, stroking his hair flat and murmuring words of comfort into his ear. “Call the others. They needed to know what’s happening,” she told Ralor-Kanj.

“Does this mean I’ll get to see my mum again too?” came a little voice from behind them.

Ralor turned to see Aikra-Lora standing there, eyeing the four newly-reformed gods. “Yes, I suppose it does. Would you stay a moment and help these three? I need to fetch the rest,” he said.

She nodded, and made her way across to the woman on the floor. “You must be Venri. Mum told me a lot about you before she went away.”

Venri sat up, gently encouraged by the youngster. “Your mum... Alrin-Fora, yes, I remember her. You... Aikra-Lora, you were even littler the last time I saw you,” she said slowly. “What happened? The last thing I remember was being pulled here against my will...”

“We all got merged together,” said the man still lying on the floor. “Forced into one being by the humans, because their beliefs changed. “You, me, Alch, and Renir over there,” he waved towards the stocky man who Talri-Pekra was speaking softly to. “I remember... there are flashes, bits of the last few years... how long has it been?”

“Almost two centuries now, Chor,” came a leaden voice. Fakro-Umdar had arrived in the pavilion. “When Ralor said you had all returned, I wasn’t certain I believed it. I suppose this means the rest will be back soon?”

Dranj-Aria nodded. “They all started coming back the day Vrenid-Malchor broke apart. Of course, someone already woke Rolar-Triak a few months ago...”

“Chaos is back?” all except Talri-Pekra exclaimed.

“Uh-huh, weren’t you following the mortal drama last year? They’d started up old cults again, the Mistress and Chaos, plenty were already worshipping Alrin-Fora again, so she was back a couple of weeks from now, if I remember right; I think even old Baltakor started getting a following again and rejoined us soon,” Dranj-Aria said. “You really should keep up with the mortals more, you might have a better idea what was going on.”

A grating laugh rang through the pavilion. “I know, right? Did you see the dragon battles over Tewen a few months back? So much glorious pain, so many grieving families,” Somri-Galin said, an ecstatic smile on his lips.

“You don’t have to sound so pleased about that,” said Ralor, returning behind the god of suffering. “I know it’s your thing, but still,” he jerked his head towards Aikra-Lora and the newly returned gods. “A little sensitivity now and then would be appreciated.”

“Oh, don't be such a killjoy. Besides, haven't you got a wayward brother to go chasing after?”

Ralor-Kanj tipped his head back, eyes closed in exhaustion as he mumbled to himself. “He’s only been back five minutes and I’m sick of him already. I suppose he is my responsibility though,” he sighed as he turned to the rest. “If the others are returning, someone will have to be here at all times to welcome them back. I suggest we take it in turns, and keep watch for those more likely to cause harm. You know the ones I mean.”

“We shall watch for our brother, and keep him in check as we always have,” came the leaden tones of Fakro-Umdar. He stalked over to Somri-Galin and clapped a not entirely friendly hand on his shoulder. “I am, of course, what follows them both. Sometimes they need reminding of that fact.”

Ralor nodded. Of the three – war, suffering and death – Fakro-Umdar was the most reasonable, if only because he lacked the others’ impatience. He also had some degree of control over their more sadistic impulses, which Ralor could respect even if he didn’t like it much. “I will take care of Chaos, and Mother if she also decides to rejoin us.”

“When can we expect them to begin arriving?” Talri-Pekra said, turning towards Dranj-Aria.

The time goddess grinned. “It wasn’t that simple. Some of them are going to appear elsewhere, and others didn’t remember what they were, so couldn’t have come here until one of us goes to find them. Then of course, the others interfered, and there’ll be the old deal to consider. You needed to figure out how that thing works,” she pointed over to the vision orb Vrenid-Malchor had so closely guarded, now dark and empty as its master was no more. “Once you got it up and running again, it’s going to be simple to keep track of who’s returning and where. Off to your library, Talri,” she wiggled her fingers.

Talri-Pekra vanished so abruptly that the air currents ruffled everyone’s hair. Renir, who she had been talking to, gravitated towards Chor and the two began talking quietly. From the snatches of conversation that drifted across the pavilion, Ralor-Kanj thought they were trying to separate who’s memories of the last couple of centuries were whose. Aikra-Lora disappeared with Venri, talking about Wirba and Astator, while Dranj-Aria settled onto a puffy chair that hadn’t been there a moment ago, catching her son Alch up with recent events. With things at least vaguely under control for now, he left the pavilion himself to begin searching for his brother. There would be no point in trying to restore any semblance of balance to anything until Chaos was contained once more.

[broadwaydivastournament]

Broadway Divas Tournament: 2A

Judith Light (1949) JUDITH lIGHT (Madame Raquin). A graduate of Carneige Mellon University, Judith Light currently co-stars in the Golden Globe-winning series "Transparant." She received a Tony nominatino for the play Lombardi, followed by two consecutive Tony and Drama Desk wins for Other Desert Cities and The Assembled Parties. In the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Wit she was awarded Helen Hayes and Eliot Norton awards. A star of the hit TV series "Who's the Boss?," she also received two consecutive Emmy Awards for her work on "One Life to Live." Light has been a longtime champion for LGBTQ and human rights and is an active participant in a variety of organizations including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Point Foundation." - Playbill bio from Thérèse Raquin, November, 2015.

Marin Mazzie (1960-2018) “MARIN MAZZIE (Clara). 1994 Drama Desk and Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. B’way: Into the Woods (Rapunzel, Witch, Cinderella), Big River (Mary Jane Wilkes). Off-B’way: …And the World Goes Round. Nat’l tour: …And the World Goes Round (L.A. Drama-Logue Award), Doonesbury (Boopsie). Regional: Merrily We Roll Along (Beth), La Jolla Playhouse and Arena Stage; South Pacific (Nellie), Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and Birmingham Theatre; Guys and Dolls (Sarah), Denver City. Other Regional: Born Yesterday (Billie); Anything Goes (Reno); Lend Me a Tenor (Maggie); Romance (Josephine/Monica); How to Succeed…(Hedy). Love and thanks to Mom and Dad." - Playbill bio from Passion, February, 1995.

NEW PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

"Has anyone given any thought to why all the frequent screen actresses who do a little stage show every few years are white blonde ladies of a certain age? Well, regardless, this white blonde lady is a tour de force on stage, and few other screen actors can say the same thing."

"Last propaganda was a eulogy, so let's make this one a celebration. Marin had a voice we will never hear the likes of again. She could be a bold and brassy broad with a belt that would make Ethel Merman jealous. And in the same breath, she could soar up the octave to shatter every glass in the room with a crystal-clear coloratura most singers only dream about. It didn't matter if it was a dirty ditty or a wrenching aria. She owned every song that passed her lips. When she walked into a room, she brought joy with her. She exuded light and happiness and love even to the end. She was truly a golden goddess of a woman with a naughty sense of humor that would have you rolling on the floor with laughter."

[tgrailwar-zero]

Well, i can think of one person who might have a weapon like that or a clue to a weapon like that, but Gil seems content to sit out for now. We're working on trying to wow him, but it's one of those situations that feels like the right answer is to not push.

If you two are concerned about the Titan, then maybe you'd like to go back to the Inn with us to chat with the rest of the party? We've gathered some interesting, but confusing, info we need to share and parse that might be useful to everyone involved.

More immediate though, Lair Servant Sigurd saw the beam of light from the unsealing and very much thinks we're involved. Correctly, I might add. That's how you can tell we're good friends. Bro knows what type of trouble we get up to. Suzuka-Senpai, how much of this would you like us to keep vague or secret? We'll need to tell him something, no lying to our friends, but i don't want to get you in trouble either.

APOLLO: "Well, I've leave you to figure that stuff out. Right now, leaving is a solid call."

At that moment, you saw the woman that SUZUKA had asked to bring you your new tablet, HINATA, come up the steps.

SUZUKA GOZEN: "There you are! Thanks again for grabbing that tablet for me, by the way. Figured you'd be on the way once you saw the light. You always are on top of things around here, girl."

HINATA: "I see… so that light… you really are leaving, aren't you? The shrine will certainly feel your absence."

SUZUKA GOZEN: "Yep! I'm outie. You're the 2nd-in-Command now. Just make sure Tama… Priestess Aria doesn't walk off a cliff or something while I'm gone. Figuring I'm not there, she'll have to be more careful with how she assigns people responsibility. If she starts slacking off and overworking you, just hit the bricks. You've got my number. I have my issues with your goddess, but that doesn't mean I've got beef with you."

HINATA: "And... should we expect you to come back?"

SUZUKA GOZEN: "Nope!"

APOLLO: "I guess I'll put some of my divine duties to making sure there's a smooth transition. After that, I'm gone too, since I've got no intention of being wrapped up in babysitting Aria. Besides, I can't leave these lovely ladies without even saying goodbye first."

HINATA: "We're always grateful for your assistance, O' Shining Lord Apollo. And... be well, Lady Suzuka."

SUZUKA GOZEN nodded, before swiftly heading down the steps. Further and further from the palace, the shrine, and anywhere else.

There was a moment of hesitation just as she reached the threshold. She held out a hand, waiting for the curse to kick in… and thankfully, nothing happened.

SUZUKA GOZEN: "…Right. Let's go!"

You began walking through the forest path before hearing a voice.

???: "My, my. You really are a troublesome group, aren't you?"

SALIERI: "Ah, is Aria awake?"

You followed the sound of the voice, looking down the forest path. A figure approached, the swishing of robes and the jingling of jewelry accenting her every step. She stopped in front of you, her eyes staring directly into yours, unwavering.

PRIESTESS: "Wrong one, I'm afraid. I know it can be a bit confusing."

SALIERI: "Caster…"

NERO: "..."

SUZUKA GOZEN: "Tamamo! I'm like, soooo flattered that you got off your ass to see me off in person~♡"

PRIESTESS: "Well, when the cursed seal I had a genuine god watch over was suddenly broken, I just had to see what happened with my own eyes~☆"

TAMAMO-NO-HIME: "Still, I suppose this is the first time I'm meeting our troublesome Interlopers while they possess a body. And thus, I shall not forget my manners, being able to address you eye-to-eye like this. I am the Head Priestess of the Heavenly Shrine, Tamamo-no-Hime. The one that our Original Self has entrusted the majority of her divine power to. And as Head Priestess, I cannot allow the will of the Heavenly Divinity to be defiled without delivering proper recourse. So the question is…"

She didn't drop eye contact, but you could feel it intensify. Heat radiated off her body, a leaf falling from one of the branches and--

Fwssh.

--Instantly bursting into flame the second it got within an inch of one of her tails.

TAMAMO-NO-HIME: "What shall I do with you?"

[impossiblepeacehideout]

A Question of Deeds

In a realm where the gods watched over the world of mortals, there existed two sisters, each powerful in her own right. One was Aria, the Goddess of Good Deeds, whose essence embodied compassion, kindness, and love. She wore a crown of light, and her touch healed the sick and uplifted the weary. The other was Vespera, the Goddess of Evil Deeds, who was draped in shadows and mystery. She ruled over fear, destruction, and the darker impulses of the heart. She sowed discord and chaos, but many could not see the intricate patterns she wove within them.

For eons, Aria and Vespera had argued over the nature of humanity. Aria believed that the goodness of humans was the true mark of their greatness, while Vespera argued that the darkness within them was just as vital and powerful. Their endless bickering had left the heavens in turmoil, and so they decided to settle the dispute by observing the humans themselves.

The goddesses, invisible to the mortal eye, descended upon the earth in disguise, each choosing a different human to observe. Their first test was on a simple peasant girl named Liora.

Liora worked tirelessly in the fields, her hands calloused from labour, yet her heart was kind and pure. She shared what little she had with the hungry and cared for those in need. Aria, seeing this, was pleased, believing the girl’s goodness to be a reflection of humanity’s potential. However, Vespera was unconvinced. She whispered into Liora’s ear a temptation: “What if you could take more for yourself? What if your kindness was just a means to make you feel good?”

Liora hesitated and, with hunger gnawing at her, took a loaf of bread from a merchant’s stall without paying. She quickly regretted it, feeling guilty, but the need to feed her family had been overwhelming. Aria, seeing the pain in Liora’s heart, spoke softly, "She did it for her family, Vespera. She stole to survive, not out of greed."

Vespera’s cold eyes glinted, her voice cutting through the air. "But the act of stealing is still evil, is it not? She had the choice, yet she chose to break the law. What if the hunger had only been a fleeting feeling, not real need?”

The goddesses could not agree. Was it a good deed to steal for survival, or an evil one, regardless of intent? Neither Aria nor Vespera had a clear answer.

Next, the goddesses turned their attention to a wealthy merchant named Darius. Darius was a man of great power and wealth, and his cunning allowed him to outwit his competitors at every turn. However, he had little care for those who struggled beneath him, choosing to exploit the poor for his gain.

Vespera, delighting in his actions, saw Darius as a prime example of the darker side of human nature. "Look at him, Aria. This is true power. He takes what he wants without hesitation or remorse."

Aria, however, was not so sure. She whispered to Darius, urging him to reflect on his ways. “What if you could use your wealth to help others? What if your power could serve a greater purpose?”

Darius, influenced by Aria’s words, was struck by a new thought. For the first time, he saw the possibility of using his wealth to better the lives of those around him. He began to support the needy and funded schools in the town. But deep inside, he still relished the control his wealth gave him, and that darkness lingered.

Vespera glared, unimpressed. “You see, Aria, even when he does good, there is always a part of him that remains corrupt. Power corrupts, and there is no escaping that."

The next was Solanus, a teacher who was known for his wisdom and insight. His students revered him, and his teachings shaped the minds of many.

Aria saw Solanus as the epitome of goodness, his life dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of others. “Knowledge is the true gift of humanity. His lessons will guide them to peace,” she said.

Vespera, ever sceptical, saw the potential for darkness within knowledge. “Wisdom can be twisted. He may teach the people how to control others, how to manipulate situations to their advantage.”

The goddesses watched as Solanus instructed his students on the virtues of wisdom and humility, but he also unknowingly planted seeds of self-interest in his lessons. The idea of controlling one's destiny for personal gain echoed in his words, though he never intended it that way. Aria and Vespera saw how the same wisdom could be used for good or ill, leaving them once again without a clear answer.

The goddesses then turned to Elysia, a philosopher who pondered the deeper questions of life, often asking what made humanity good or evil.

Aria admired Elysia's search for truth, her unwavering pursuit of understanding. “She seeks to illuminate the hearts of mankind,” Aria said, her heart swelling with pride.

Vespera, however, took a different view. “And yet, she questions everything. Perhaps there is no truth at all. Perhaps her quest for understanding only leads her to more confusion. What if the answers she finds only serve to deepen the divide?”

Elysia, lost in her thoughts, questioned the very nature of good and evil, unsure whether one could exist without the other. She wondered if all human actions were merely a product of circumstance and choice, with no inherent morality guiding them. The goddesses watched her as she pondered, but even they were unsure what her conclusions would lead to.

Lastly, the goddesses watched King Aleron, a ruler who was just and fair. He had built a kingdom of peace, but he carried the weight of leadership and power on his shoulders.

Aria admired Aleron’s wisdom and compassion. “He rules with a heart for his people, always seeking their well-being.”

Vespera, ever the sceptic, whispered, “But does he rule for their benefit, or does he rule because he craves power? A king's justice is often a mask for his own desires.”

King Aleron ruled with strength, making decisions that balanced the needs of his people with the demands of his crown. But even he was haunted by the thought that his rule might one day turn into tyranny if he were ever faced with the wrong circumstances. Both goddesses saw that Aleron was torn between the desire to protect and the need for control.

At last, the goddesses were no closer to understanding the answer. It was then that two new goddesses arrived from distant realms—Erona, the Goddess of Love, and Arianna, the Goddess of War. Both were sisters, each embodying a different force of humanity’s nature. Erona, with her gentle spirit, radiated warmth, while Arianna’s presence carried the tension of battle.

Erona spoke first. “You argue over good and evil, but perhaps you’ve forgotten the truth that lies within both. Love is both a shield and a sword. It can heal, and it can wound. It can bring peace, and it can incite war.”

Arianna nodded. “Love is the force that drives men to fight for what they believe in, and it is the very thing that fuels their greatest battles. But it is also their reason to protect and to endure. Without it, they would have nothing worth fighting for.”

Erona continued, “Similarly, war is not just destruction; it is the struggle for something worth defending, something that gives meaning to life. And in the end, what makes us capable of great deeds is the same force that allows us to commit our greatest evils.”

Arianna’s voice grew heavy. “A reason to live for is also a reason to die for. And what drives us to fight, to love, and to protect is the same force that can lead us astray. There is no pure good or evil—only the choices we make, for better or for worse.”

With that, the goddesses understood. Aria and Vespera had seen humanity through a narrow lens, one focused only on one side of the coin. Erona and Arianna revealed the truth that was hidden in plain sight: the duality of existence, where every good deed is tempered by the possibility of evil, and every act of love carries the potential for war.

There was no simple answer, for the greatest deeds and the deepest evils were born from the same well of human nature. To live was to face the struggle between these forces, to make choices that would shape the future.

And so, the goddesses left the earth with a deeper understanding. The humans they had examined went on with their lives, ever aware of the balance they must strike between love and war, good and evil, life and death.

[walksinlatewithcoffee]

Baby name ideas for the Empires Crew

Cause apparently yall need some now?

SCOTT:

Theme: colors

Scarlet

Amber

Violet

Cyan

Gray

Ash (associated with gray)

Beryl (a pale green stone)

Bianca (means white)

Carmine (crimson red)

Fawn (light brown)

GEM:

Theme: Sun

Citrine (light callback to s1 cause citrine is a stone formed when amethyst experiences intense heat)

Sunny

Apollo

Helios

Crystal

Peach

Flora

Alba (means Dawn)

Soleil (French sun name)

Star

JOEL:

Theme: gods/holy/Greek

Blessing

Hera

Theo (means ‘gift of god’)

Pandora

Ares

Eudora (Greek name meaning ‘generous gift’)

Skye

Achilles

Orion

Ouranos (Greek spelling of Uranus, father of the Titans and also a word meaning “the heavens”

KATHERINE:

Theme: dichotomy of glimmer grove/strength/beauty

Lilac

Lavender

Janus (words with contradictory meaning are sometimes called “Janus words”)

Hecate (goddess of witchcraft)

Persephone

Tempest

Farris (‘strong as iron’ according to the website I’m looking at)

Valentine (both a romantic association as well as having ‘strong’ as an earlier meaning)

Sterling (steel)

Belle

OLI:

Theme: music/independence

Harmony

Lyra

Aria

Viola

Lark

Cadence

Wolfgang

Rhythm

Robin

Spirit

JIMMY:

Theme: strength/common western names

Barrett (mighty as a bear)

Billy/Billie

Oak

Cash (last name if a famous singer)

Dakota

Beau

Daisy

Wynona (first name of a famous singer and a personal favorite of mine)

Cheyenne

Colton (I know so many yeehaw boys named Colton it’s an epidemic)

LIZZIE:

Theme: animals

Kitty

Wren

Leo

Wolf

Draco

Raven

Kit

Dove

Ursula (from ‘Ursa’ meaning bear + light callback to season 1)

Mariposa (butterfly)

SAUSAGE:

Theme: peace/safety/protection/rabbits

Faith

Jack (jackrabbit)

Serenity

Peter (Peter cottontail)

Olive/Olivia (olive bran em has symbol of peace)

Alexis/Alexander/Alexa etc. (All meaning protector of mankind)

Atlas

Angelo

Anthea (goddess/flowers)

Crysanthos (golden flower, name of a Saint)

PIX:

Theme: history, ancient stuff, stones, memory (amendment: I couldn’t find many good names so I just found a bunch of really old names)

Sophia (lover of wisdom/knowledge)

Athena

Beowulf (both a name meaning ‘intelligent wolf’ and the oldest known work of Anglo-Saxon literature)

Sage

Alareiks (gothic name meaning ‘ruler of all’ modernized as Alaric but I think Pix would use the older version)

Áleifir (old Norse form of Olaf and that is such a downgrade on spelling why did we ever stop using the original spelling????? Also means ancestor’s legacy which is PERFECT)

Caecelia (original Latin spelling of Cecelia, means both “blind” and is the name of an ancient religious martyr)

Cúán (“little wolf” in Old Irish and I think that’s just cute)

Demophon (literally “the people’s voice” in Ancient Greek)

Ingo (an old name and also a reference to a character who accidentally travels back in time in Pokémon: Legends Arceus) (I’m running out of ideas can you tell?)

JOEY

Theme: water, treasure

Diamond (it’s not that weird I went to high school with a girl named diamond)

Jade

Cordelia (apparently means daughter of the sea)

Hudson (literal name of a body of water on earth)

Caspian (literal name of a body of water on earth)

Opal

Gold

Sapphire

Tiara

Jasper (a personal favorite + matching initials)

FWHIP:

Theme: names with negative meanings, more stones (no I didn’t use them all on Joey’s list actually)

Lapis

Jet

Onyx

Ruby

Topaz

Deidre (sorrowful)

Kennedy (misshapen head)

Cain (I don’t think I need to explain this one. It’s also a favorite name of mine)

Cameron (crooked nose)

Lorelei (literal translation is ambush Cliff, but colloquially the meaning is ‘a woman who leads a man to his death’ which is metal as fuck)

SHELBY:

theme: herbs/witchy stuff/creepy stuff

Damien

Desdemona (Ill-fated one)

Rosemary (both an herb and a character in a classic horror film)

Nyx

Poe

Salem

Blair

Belladonna (comes with the literal translation of ‘beautiful woman’ as well)

Morrigan (literally ‘phantom queen’ and a figure in Irish mythology)

Dusk

FALSE (if she ever logs in to participate)

Theme: obnoxiously British as befitting a steampunk theme

Silas

Ambrose

Augustus

Eleanor

Gwendolyn

Scarlett

Theodosia

Lysander

Wesley

Luther

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Mercury: Misty Breaths

Designer's Reflection: Misty Breaths

Obtained: top-up for Tides and Flames event

Rarity: SSR

Attribute: Gold/Elegant

Awakened Suit: Dark Contracts

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Beneath the Ice

Chapter 2 - Spirit in the Lake

Chapter 3 - Forgotten Sagas

Chapter 4 - Black Tide Rising

Story - summarized

Mercury and his group finally found the Altar of Arionus, located at the bottom of Lake Bovaly. With the assistance of the Water Elf King's gem, he followed the path into the lake and down a dark passage.

And there, still preserved after all this time, was the stone altar. A misty wraith guarded it, emitting shrieks and screams. But Mercury was not deterred. Instead, he approached the spirit and declared himself a friend of the Water Elves.

The dark mist revealed itself to be Flo, one of the earliest and most devout followers of Arionus. He was there to witness the scorn of the other Elf Gods, as well as how Hephaes led to his great god's demise. Indignant and vindictive, Flo would do anything to restore the great God of Water.

Mercury announced that he had a plan to awaken the long-lost god, but he needed help revitalizing the New Moon gem. Flo readily agreed, and the last of his ghost faded into vapor as he transferred power into the gem.

Now, Mercury could uphold his end of the deal struck with the Water Elf King: he would awaken Arionus, break the oath binding the Water Elves to the deep sea, and assist in the downfall of Pigeon Kingdom and the Light Elves.

But he wouldn't do this for altruism. All he wanted was a glimpse of the power of the Abyss, and he needed Arionus back to do that.

Connections

-Mercury made a deal with the Water Elf King in Startide Dream. Now, he's fulfilling that deal by triggering the events of the Tides and Flames hell event.

-While Mercury craves the power of the Abyss, he still knew the risk of the Goddess of Desire's presence in Miraland and worked alongside the rest of the Shining Nikki cast during the Angel and Demon hell event. He provided resources to the other three factions.

-Flo has met Hephaes, but in Arionus' Reflection for Lost Tides, Flo didn't trust Hephaes one bit, and the moment the other Elf Gods ambushed Arionus, Flo was quick to pin the blame on Hephaes as a betrayal.

-This is not the first time Mercury wasn't the narrator of his own story: the first half of Startide Dream, the full story for Nightmist Aria, Daybreak Overture, Snow Song, and Reminiscence of Flower (to name a few) either feature another character narrating the story or none at all.

Fun Facts

-Even though we've seen Mercury make the deal with the Water Elf King before, this is the first time a mark or emblem has been mentioned.

-This Reflection is a prologue to the hell event, even to the Moon Memories.

-It's never clear if the New Moon gem is the same blue gem the Water Elf King gave to Mercury the day the young boy left the Pigeon palace. But it fits the description.

-While Mercury knows that gods exist, he doesn't worship any and sees them merely as pawns, like the mortals he meets.

[ladyfluffbutt]

Made a KNY/Demon Slayer OC!

And hey! She's not a demon or a slayer!

Alora Vega DeCeleste

Name Meaning: Dreaming Star of the Heavens

Gender: Female (she/her)

Age: Roughly Over 500 Years (resembles mid 20's)

Height: 5'6" (168cm)

Species: Witch/Forest Spirit

Nicknames: Spirit Witch, Light Witch, Dream Witch, Great Forest Witch, Daughter of Aeon, Child of the Forest of Ages, Starlight, Starshine

Powers: shapeshifting, heightened speed and strength, gelador spellcasting  (singing spells), nitchirin manipulation, emotion sensing, crystal  casting, lightfoot (footsteps don't make noise)

Personality: motherly,shy, warm, protective, loyal, creative, dependable,  empathetic, gentle, humble, anxious, careful, distrusting, introverted  unless around those she's close to

Skills

Medicine/Herbs/Poisons 

common knowledge passed down through the witch bloodlines.

Heliokinetic

Absorbs  and stores energy from sunlight much like nitchirin swords. Relies on  these energy stores for magical power and for protection at night. Can  even absorb sun's reflective energy from full moon but it's not nearly  as much as she gets from normal sunlight.

Sword fighting

Actually  skilled with swordfighting but has an unconventional method of fighting  with one. Uses a nitchirin shortsword that was  specifically forged to  handle her energy, though it does have it's limits.

She  doesn't fight like this at night much because it burns through her  energy stores even quicker than her typical magic casting.

Healing

Can use her energy stores to heal/mend her own wounds and the wounds of others.

Singing

Used for casting spells but also sings to comfort and entertain herself. Will sometimes sing for those shes close to.

Hand-to-Hand

Preferred fighting method along with magic casting

Dream Scape

Ability passed down from mother. Eases nightmares and can even share memories among willing participants

Relationships

Arcus Deiry Rosamel (Goddess of Rainbow Dreams and Honey): Mother 600+yrs *Deceased*

Atsuo Roan Soleil (Kind Little Sun): Alora's twin brother 10yrs *Deceased*

Mina DeEalwode (Little Star of the Old Forest): Sister 9yrs *Deceased*

Arden Daemon DeAmaya (Great Forest Guardian/Spirit of the Heavenly Valley): Sister 8yrs *Deceased*

Eri Akash Atiena (My Guardian of the Sky and Night): Sister, Arden's twin 7yrs *Deceased*

Hesper Nyx (Evening Star of Twilight): Brother 6yrs *Deceased*

Aria DeTheresa Miyako (Song of Summer Nights): Sister 5yrs *Deceased*

Vevila DelKage (Harmony of the Shadow): Sister 4yrs *Deceased*

Hina No Narumi (Light/Sun of the Roaring Sea): Sister 3yrs *Deceased*

Yuuki Tsukiko Khadga (Brave Moon Sword): Brother 2yrs *Deceased*

Quillon Sirius Kometes (Sword of Burning Comets): Brother 9 months *Deceased*

Akari Estelle DeKimora (Brightest Star of the Golden Meadow): Alora's Daughter 5yrs

Fun Facts

Alora doesn't actually know who her biological father is, which isn't unusual  for witches when it comes to having one human parent

Her  memories of her past and family are rather fuzzy and she can't actually  recall the events of their deaths at all. This is due to Aeon's  influence.

She loves making sweets. She pours a bit of magic into them so whoever eats them will start feeling better

Her instant motherly/sisterly nature towards those she meets may be linked to the trauma with her family and childhood

She gets extremely nervous around large groups of people and crowds, especially if they have weapons

Weary of fire. Candles and lanterns are fine but torches make her nervous and bonfires are an absolute NO

Alora  and Atsuo were the ones who took care of their younger siblings. Their  mother was practically useless so it was up to her oldest kids to care  for their siblings. Alora has a lot of resentment towards her for this  when any try to bring up her mother

Alora  loves doing hair and braids. She does Akari's often and it's a big way  for them to bond. They also decorate each others' hair and braids with  jewelry and trinkets. This is a common witch tradition.

While  Alora is typically shy, quiet, and gentle natured, she will absolutely  NOT take any disrespect towards anyone she cares for

She  can be absolutley terrifying when angry. She will loom and stare down  any who anger her. Even the demons she befriends know to steer clear  when shes in a bad mood

Will blow air like an equine and snarl like the spirits she's grown up with

Does  kind things on a whim and doesn't really think about any sort of reward  or gratitude. In fact she gets quite startled when someone tries to  thank her or repay her kindness.

History

Alora has spent the better part of her life (from what she recalls) living  in the forest  surrounding the Swordsmith Villiage under the care and  protection of her father, the forest spirit known as Aeon. She's  cherished by the old being as she is his only daughter amongst his  dozens of sons.

She's been kind and friendly with the children of the village over the  years, often playing with them and telling stories or keeping watch over  them as they played in the forest. Once they grow up though, she becomes  more distant and rarely seen once they're adults. The swordsmiths  understand though and even built her a shrine where they leave gifts and  trinkets for her.

Alora wasn't seen for a time for unknown reasons, but returned within a year. None of the villagers knew what was  going on until some months later when their kids started taking rather  odd things to her shrine as offerings. Little toys, fabric, blankets,  and other odds and ends.

Things were confirmed when one of the villagers saw her taking a late evening stroll with a little bundle in her arms. Needless to say the villagers held a little celebration in honor of the first child of the kind Spirit Witch. None know who the father is but it doesn't seem to matter to her so it doesn't matter to  them. (hint it is one of the Swordsmiths)

First time parenting was rough for Alora despite the help she had from her brothers and Aeon, which isn't much help since they're four legged  equine spirits and can't physically care for or hold a baby. She  eventually did ask one of the elder swordsmiths for advice and he was  more than happy to take her and little Akari under his care. They spent  much time with the old man and a few other trusted smiths until Akari was was 4 and her powers awakened.

She was able to be more independent and care for herself so  the two disappeared into the forest again. Akari was more bold than her  mother and would come into the village every-so-often to visit the old  man who cared for her and check out the other swordsmiths and kids.

Alora  and Akari disappeared again though this time Akari told the old man  that she'd convinced her mother to go out and explore the country a bit.  They'd be back eventually.

Roughly two years later Alora meets Tanjiro and Nezuko…..

[sparklingandtwinkling]

Suite Pretty Cure♪ Characters as Mobians

🩷⚽️🤍🧁💙🐈‍⬛💛👑🐱🎼🎶🎵🎹🎺🎻

Cures:

Hibiki Hojo/Cure Melody - Auburn Robin/Light Pink Robin

As Cure Melody, she represents the wild nature of music

Kanade Minamino/Cure Rhythm - Dirty Blonde Tree Frog/Light Blonde Tree Frog

As Cure Rhythm, she represents the graceful nature of music

Siren/Ellen Kurokawa/Cure Beat - Indigo Cat Flicky/Dark Purple Bombay Cat/Lavender Bombay Cat

As Cure Beat, she represents the soul of music

Originally one of the villains

Ako Shirabe/Cure Muse - Orange Hedgehog/Bright Orange Hedgehog

The princess of Major Land

As Cure Muse, she represents the Goddess of music

Faires:

Hummy - Cat Cure Flicky

Fairy of Songs

The Fairy Tones - Music Spirits:

Dory - The power of Dream

Rery - The power of Legend

Miry - The power of Miracles

Fary - The power of Fantasticality

Sory - The power of Soul.

Lary - The power of Love

Shiry - The power of Shine

Dodory - Unknown

Magical Allies:

Crescendo - Music Spirit

Is the second youngest of Vanessa’s sisters.

She is the Goddess of Sound and known as the Fairy of Sound to her home, Major Land.

Villians:

Noise/Pii-chan - Raven (Mobianoid Form)/Raven Dragon (Beast Form)/Chick Flicky

His main aim is to complete the Melody of Sadness by controlling Mephisto and Trio the Minor using the Evil Noise, and creating Minor Land.

Bassdrum - Green Bullfrog

Is a member of Trio de Major.

Baritone - Lygodactylus Williamsi Gecko

Is a member of Trio de Major.

Falsetto - Pink White-Throated Sparrow

Is a member of Trio de Major.

After his friends and Mephisto turn good again, he is revealed to be the spy from Noise of Evil.

Family:

Dan Hojo - Auburn Robin

Hibiki's father, and the husband of Maria.

He is also the music teacher of Private Aria Academy, and the consultant of the Orchestra Club.

Maria Hojo - Dull Orange-Brown Canary

Hibiki's mother and a famous violinist who is currently overseas.

Sousuke Minamino - Brown Goat

Kanade's father.

He hosts the cake store Lucky Spoon along with his family, in Kanon Town.

Misora Minamino - Purple Tree Frog

Kanade's mother.

She works with her husband at their cake store, "Lucky Spoon".

Souta Minamino - Brown Goat

Kanade's younger brother.

He is often seen with his friend, Ako.

Mephisto - Light Red Hedgehog

Ako’s father, Queen Aphrodite's husband, and King of Major Land.

When Noise brainwashed him he attempts to make the Melody of Happiness into the Melody of Sadness to turn all worlds tragic and to fulfill his taste of music.

Aphrodite - Hedgehog

Ako's mother, Mephisto’s wife, and Queen of Major Land.

Otokichi Shirabe - Hedgehog

Ako’s grandfather and father of Aphrodite.

Supporting People:

Waon Nishijima - Light Blue Tiger

One of Hibiki, Kanade and Ellen's classmates, she plays on the soccer team with Hibiki and appears to have a close relationship with her.

Seika Higashiyama - Yellow Cow

She's a student in the third year of Private Aria Academy and is the president of the Sweets Club.

Her baking ability is the best in the school, leading to her being known as the "Princess of Sweets".

Masamune Ouji - Yellow Monkey

Is the leader of the "musical princes" orchestra club.

Suzu - Dark Blue Rabbit

A friend of Ako's from Major Land.

——————————————————————————————————

Previously: 💐 | Next: 🧚🏼‍♀️😊

[deathleadsarc]

GODDESS OF THE MOON AND STARS KHROSTEIA

ASSOCIATED WITH : Death, madness, and alchemy  SACRED PLANTS : oleander, deadly nightshade, and angel’s trumpet.  SACRED ANIMAL (s): wolves, serpents, ravens, and butterflies. 

the goddess of the moon and stars, she also is affiliated with illusions and transformation. the popular myth razmir’s labyrinth makes her the lover of the mortal alchemist after he faces her trials. Divine Mother, moons and stars supernova'd from her essence.  

Khrosteia is favored as patron goddess of scholars, alchemists, and mages. there are many arcane secrets that are rumored to have been revealed to mortals by Khrosteia. her greatest worshippers are known to brand their bodies with arrays that come from “khrosteia’s gift”. these mages and alchemists are exceptionally powerful. she is also associated with seers, the oracles rely on her moonlight to illuminate the paths in their visions, and it is ill-advised to ask an oracle for a prophecy on a moonless night, as Khrosteia will not deliver her blessing to see through the illusions that the oracle may see. 

in general, khrosteia is known as a goddess who works for her own benefit. sometimes her desires will be beneficial to mortals, and sometimes they won’t be. 

Blood sacrifices in pursuit of knowledge will surely bring you good fortune from this goddess. She values those who delve into what is forbidden to further their own gains, especially those who would sacrifice all else to make that happen. She values those that are willing to feel pain for their goals, adoring those that will kill or bleed to succeed. She loves to watch the madness of others come out. 

Compose harrowing arias of battle and bloodshed - involve passionate love and sharp violins in her name. Operatic is preferred, but she will accept any different kind if the story reaches her strongly enough. Piece together her altar with dim candles, bones and brambles, surround by a wreathe of roses and Belladonna berries, feathers to decorate and pray to her with. Performing alchemy on or near her altar will greatly please her. 

Her appearance is that of a dark-skinned, naked goddess wrapped in a pure white silken robe. Striking silver hair falls far past her heels, large black caprinae horns wrap her head like a laurel, with bright red eyes to capture your attention immediately. On her back she will be able to grow large and formidable wings of bone and sinew, with the rest of her body decorated with many alchemical symbols. Her third eye proudly on display, looking deeply into your truth.

one could consider the Goddess Khrosteia to be a goddess forbidden by the more morally lawful of scholars. though she takes great care of her patrons, she is not exactly known for her goodness. there is no benevolence. once weakness is sensed, weakness is punished swiftly. she will rip through bone and flesh, tear apart the brain that so dares to forget their piety.

a show of weakness as her patron is a direct sign of contempt. of mockery. disrespect. Most of, if not all, of Qistina's nature is a direct result of Khrosteia's soul. Qistina is not a traditional reincarnation, as alchemy is not a power of humans. rather, it is a power of gods. specifically, Khrosteia, who dared to show her power against the other gods before her. She is rebellious and utterly thirsty to remain free. Khrosteia comes forth against Qistina's soul every time she uses alchemy to overexertion. Her body simply cannot contain the goddess's power within, she would break apart. However.

in moments, there is a certain catalyst that sparks against her abilities as an alchemist. when soul of Qistina and soul of Khrosteia join as one. her body may disappear, but what remains is the very thing found beyond the end of the light. She becomes an EinSof - a god before gods were born. power compressed within a body of blinding light. a eye to give sight to the soul within sits in the middle of what could be a 'face'.

it is not death itself. it is a creature that exceeds humanity and cosmic being alike. both Qistina and Khrosteia fight from within. Qistina remains alive because of Khrosteia, and Khrosteia is still alive because of Qistina. In this, they become One and their souls join with that EinSof, that creature that sits beyond soul and eldritch knowledge. She will be different, yet the same. Such a joining has only happened once, if ever so briefly ― the moment when both the lives of Qistina and Khrosteia were in danger. Tied to the witches pyre for her crucifixion, killing all life in the village. All person and leaf and soil and air. Though it quickly returned to her soul at the behest of Khrosteia's soul, having just awakened from Qistina's constant discovery of alchemy. Qistina does not know to this extent, but there will come a time when she does. The madness of Khrosteia will surely bring about this second coming and further destroy the world for its betrayal of Her.

qistina consumes. when the goddess khrosteia's soul seeps strongly through her thoughts in times of alchemical performances, she will be prone to consuming her enemies. tearing through ribs to snag at the heart, remove it by the swiftness of needle through cloth. crack the skull to drink deeply the mind that so carried a daring to go against her power -

she is the moon. the beautiful moon. powerful enough to sway the tides, make calm the uncontrollable - make violent the quiet. brighten even the darkest of nights, frighten lost souls when hidden behind wispy clouds of grey. she gives hope to the hopeless, and dreams to the uncertain. qistina, is certainly a woman like this. she became her own moon, even without the power of Khrosteia ( the moon herself ) a powerful soul to break even the unbreakable, and a shining light in the darkness. but frightening and more beautiful than anything one could imagine.

[outpost51]

8, 19, 29 for ao3 wrapped :blushy:

AO3 wrapped

8. Pairing you wrote the most for this year?

i think it was kryterius? that sounds right. i didn't have a very pairing-heavy year!

19. What’s one pairing you want to explore next year?

shit dude i've got a few, might throw jane in with a few folks, might do some desabrudas, might fiddle with some originals

29. Favorite line/passage you wrote this year?

i really popped the fuck off with if not, winter. i really did. i wanted good nyria for big bang so i done did it myself. here's the bits people (and me) went a little feral over

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

“Don’t you want something better?” Nyx whispered as they lay together in the dark, facing each other like children at a sleepover – it certainly felt like it with all the escape-plotting and discussions of great treasures that lay just out of sight beyond the Milky Way. “Don’t you deserve better?”

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

The blood on his hands had long since burned to ash, and the ashes didn’t seem to haunt him. She was in the business of making ghosts, not summoning them.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

Nyreen was utterly, unbelievably, insufferably brainwashed. If she didn’t have so much goddamn potential, Aria would have laughed in her face and ordered Gavorn to put a bullet in her head. But she did have so much goddamn potential, so Aria invited her to dinner.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

Half an hour later, the pain in her back had long since faded as her spine resided itself to hunching over for the foreseeable future. Antona’s hand was cold where Nyreen pressed her face into her mother’s palm. “I met a girl, mama,” she whispered. “She offered to take us away from here. I brought—” Her voice caught on a snag she couldn’t break free.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

“She hates me.” “Why?” Nyreen’s mandibles wobbled. “Because I made her love me.” “Is that true?” “The only thing I ever made,” Nyreen spat, biting and cold as the liquor working its magic on her better judgment, “was the mistake of hoping she could love anyone.”

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

“You always wanted to meet my mom,” she whispered quietly. The lights flickered out. In the years she’d lived on the station, she’d never heard it so silent. Then a chorus of screams rose up all around her, peppered with gunfire. Nyreen swallowed what grief hadn’t been chased off by adrenaline and kissed Liselle’s crest. “Tell her to put the kettle on for me.”

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

Aria felt her nails break skin. “You know I’m just using you, right?” Grief had made a tinny, pathetic stranger of her voice. “Obviously.” Tevos didn’t turn away from the mirror. She’d smudged her makeup. Good. “Powerful women don’t have hearts, Aleena. We have ambition.”

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

What a fucking sight she must have made, fat tears streaming into her nose and mouth, gasping like a wretched, half-dead ghoul over some gift shop trinket. When she tried to bark at Nyreen to fuck off, all that came out was a weak, desperate keen. She tried again. Two simple words, she said it all the time. “Bring her back!” she wailed instead. Nailed it.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

It was an exquisite kind of humiliation, the queen of Omega being carried out of her dead daughter’s apartment like a squalling child. Maybe it was for the best that Nyreen dragged her away. Who did she think she was, thinking she’d end up in the same place as Liselle? The goddesses didn’t care if she was a queen. Her title would stay with her corpse, and pass to whatever lucky fuck finally managed to take her out.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

“Maybe she followed us,” Vetra muttered. Maybe Nyreen wasn’t such a good liar after all. Aria’s voice swirled around and around in her head. As she watched the clouds do the same, she replied, small and quiet: “I wouldn’t have followed me.”

[ladivamagnifica]

The Interview 💋

Urgh, she was going to kill Catherine. Oh joy of joys, to be awoken before the sun had arisen on her one and only day off, still sore and tender from the faculty drinks party the night prior, only to be dragged out of her bedchambers, still wearing last-night’s makeup and her dress stained with mustard and wine, and debriefed that in five minutes’ time she would be meeting with a fake newspaper journalist who was actually part of a thief group intending on scouring the grounds for some sort of lost treasure. It was up to her to stall for time, by any means necessary, and that everyone else of use was nowhere to be found or busy. 

Bullshit.

Luckily she had been left alone for two frantic minutes in the audience chamber before the Archbishop had seen her; enough time to brush the noticeable tangles from her hair, smudge the eyeliner to make it somewhat decent, find the vial of perfume in per pocket to douse herself in it and spot two holes in her pantyhose tights, grumble about them and then reapply her lipstick. Goddess knows what she actually looked like- abyssal and clearly dishevelled, what with the look of disgust Seteth had cast her away, but even so, passing by a mirror on her way to the meeting room revealed that man oh man, she could make anything look good- especially when the stained dress in question was her old songstress dress, blood red with a black lace hem and plunging neckline. The knitted ebony shawl had also seen better days, but to her mind it all reminded her of her La Carlotta performances- hangover and all.

Her mood further lifted when the ‘interviewer’ had walked in, clearly nervous and out of his depth, and oblivious to the trap which had been set. Nevermind the remnants of her headache, or the ache of her bones. She set her shoulders back, assets in full view and watched him stumble to his chair. Since they wanted her to stall for time, perhaps she could have a little fun with him? It had been a while since she’d had this sort of opportunity, after all…

“What has led you to where you are today?”

“Oh, cute! Straight down to business, but clearly distracted.” She thought.

“I suppose that is the polite way of asking why the ‘Divine Songstress’, the Goddess’ incarnation of heavenly song who blessed the Mittelfrank Opera Company with her tenure, decided to leave her glamorous life of encores and roses for the… quieter halls of Fodlan’s monastery?”

Manuela cocked her head in her hands, leaning forwards, towards the interviewer before her.  It was a practised motion which caused the table to pull down the plunging neckline of her dress just a little bit more, and as if on cue, his eyes flitted downwards. 

She smiled. 

“If it wasn’t such an interesting tale, I might have called you impertinent- presume what you will, but the life of a prima donna is a hard one to live, and harder still to maintain: your role doesn’t end when the curtain falls for the final time each evening; nobles will eek out of you performance after performance; you will be the talk of the town and host of every well-to-do dinner party, on the arm of a man each night…”

The tears welling in her eyes were part of the act, of course. How many times had she played this part before? Had not Duke Aegir once kissed her feet desperately to stop these tears? What of Count Hevring, who too was moved to tears and had carried her to his bedchambers not a single teardrop later? What of those standing ovations as her arias of La Rosina and Carlotta carried through into an endless night of rapture, ending with honeyed wine on her tongue and the ghost of a thousand men’s kisses. Those were the days! 

And how marvellous those tears carried the black kohl from her eyes to add emphasis to the guise she was but a vulnerable woman! “Bellas always dream of that moment, stepping into the light and feeling as if the Goddess herself is watching you sing your heart out. They dream of the men that come afterwards, kissing her hands and lavishing her with gifts, roses and perfumes. They think they will beg her to be theirs; of nights far from the opera and singing songs in young mens’ beds but-”

She stopped herself and turned her doe-eyes towards the young man before her. 

“… All this is to say, is that you’re going to have to buy me dinner if you want more. I could even tell you the whole story- of just what happens after the curtain falls for the final time.” She dropped her voice into a whisper. “Of what these men do when they have their divas in their arms and by their throats… What shall we say, on the eighth chime of the clocktower this evening?”

“What do you believe are your greatest strengths? Your greatest weaknesses?”

Phooey. He hadn’t taken the bait like he should… well no matter, as far as she was concerned, she had all the time in the world for this interview. “Weaknesses?” She clicked her tongue. “Ah, ah, ah, a woman never reveals her secrets without something in return.”

Despite her annoyance, she did try to stifle her sighs. She remained outwardly still batting her eyelids at the man before her, whom to no one’s surprise but his own was growing red in the face like a tomato. A boy, more like, barely even old enough to grow a full beard, and certainly while she liked them young and sprightly, this was a tad too young for even her tastes, but the Archbishop had commanded that they needed a great deal of time for the knights look around for his ‘associates’ somewhere in the monastery, no matter how much more interested she was in crawling back underneath the covers of her bed and sleeping like the dead.

The scoundrels had claimed they were part of a newspaper of the Empire, here to ask for an interview from Manuela herself, but the former prima donna would have been able to smell the lie from a mile away. After all, she had been featured on every last newspaper at some point in her life, to date, and still editors would beseech her in scented letters to return for interviews and private shows. Adorable really. And irksome, that lowly thieves would think their simple tricks would work on her of all people.

“Naturally my best features would be my good looks; my voice, which one starstruck suitor said was that of  ‘one thousand songbirds singing in unison, ubiquitous to all of its majesty’, and the fact that I’m not just a deliciously gorgeous- and available- woman of stature. I’m also a physician and an instructor at Garreg Mach’s Officer Academy. That’s right, I guess you could say that I’m living proof that you can have it all…”

The subtle whistling through the doorframe of her quarters went unnoticed by her captive. To anyone else one might have thought it was the wind, for the monastery was incredibly old and awfully prone to wayward breezes, but to her trained ears, Catherine’s signal meant that the knights had apprehended the false journalists and were lying in wait for this last snake before her. Time to wrap things up, she just had to be careful of that knife he had in his jacket. 

From underneath the table she extended her leg slowly, the tip of her heeled shoe finding his shin with ease and tracing it upwards until she felt the soft flesh of his thigh give in under the gentle pressure of her foot. He jolted from the contact, eyes widening and spluttering something incomprehensible. Not that she cared in the slightest, rubbing little circles where her shoe tip rested and smiling a smile that had taken the hearts of many men. 

“Ah,” She sighed and cradled her head in both hands,” It truly is a pity though. When placed on a pedestal such as I, men seem just far too intimidated by me. Truly, it is enough to break this diva’s heart! - and now, look at me: it's been so long that I’ve forgotten what a man’s touch feels like.”

One of her shoulder straps fell, draping alongside her shawl to draw the eye once more to her bosom. Her foot reached higher and she pressed down. 

“What I wouldn’t give to let someone touch me again. To give into that cardinal desire I so crave. To take me in his arms and mark me as his own- oh, if even just for one night!”

He audibly gulped them, and her lips turned wicked, “You don’t know what it's like. I’m so desperate these days, tired of having to swallow these feelings and sick of only my hands for company that I’d give just about anything to feel that way again, back when I was the starlight and moon on the stage!”

The best lies were half-truths barely concealed, and as she turned to shed more tears, letting last night’s makeup run down her cheeks and worrying her lip all puffy, she knew she had him. It was adorable really, how all it took was but a few words and some flesh shown for him to begin panting like a hound; he was doing an excellent job of keeping himself somewhat controlled, but she knew better than anyone that he had been ensnared.

“I-If a, err,  story were to be, um, written about your life, what ro-role would you play?”

Ah, the finale was at hand- or, well, foot. After a few minutes of ‘trying to recompose herself’ in front of him, he was practically salivating and she was euphoric. Nothing like a good performance to raise one’s spirits, and while the knife in his pocket was certainly a worry, that was what coded messages and safewords were for. She was almost done with him- Catherine could stand to let her have a little more fun given she had ruined her post-hangover lazy day.

“Hmm, who else, but to reprise my role as Casagranda Magnifica! Oh, my you really are stupid aren’t you. Don’t worry, Handsome, I’d consider that a compliment.”

If only she could bottle up that pitiful, confused expression and drink it later. How delicious he looked at that moment.

“Hm? ‘What am I saying?’” Even to her own ears her laugh was callous.

“Ah, I apologise, I meant nothing by it. It is quite refreshing to speak to someone who knows nothing of the ways of the theatre.” She withdrew her leg from his person, and swore he almost followed it were it not for the table between them, “Boring old fools like Hanneman might be content to let others tell their story, but for all the highs and lows I have ever experienced; the passing of dearest friends and mentors, lovers long gone and fleeting… I have never, and will NOT ever, be relegated to the sidelines of my life, immortalised in opera or otherwise. When I first took to the stage, my mentor, the prima diva before me, gave me a piece of advice that I shall gladly impart to you now: ‘If you do not sing when the light is upon you, you will never sing at all.’

You see, I have always, and will forever, choose to sing. Be that an aria on the stage or a performance in the classroom… Opera and I, music and my soul; the stage and my heart, we are eternally entwined like lovers.”

Bam! A dozen knights burst in through the door to apprehend the thug, toppling the old table in the process. The look the man had cast her way was blacker than pitch, but where she should have felt fear, she only felt giddy- these days being able to exercise such power over the ‘stronger’ sex was few and far between, so caught up in craving an earnest type of love that she was, but oh Goddess, she felt drunk on it! Catherine herself was bodyblocking and escorting her giggling self away from the arrest; leading them towards the Archbishop’s chambers where Rhea awaited for them both.

“Brava, ‘Voca Divina’.”

She playfully slapped Catherine’s arm. Her smile was infectious and she stumbled. “Oh hush you. Now, I do believe that I have tomorrow off for all my trouble?”

[kitty-is-writing]

writemas day 24!

thanks as always to @agirlandherquill for organising writemas, and for coming up with so many amazing prompts! today's are here if you want to play!

I wanted to do something silly and fun for the last day, so I grabbed a bunch of random characters and threw them into a room together for a party. the prompt I picked was:

"What do you mean you don't know how to dance?"

~~~~~

Kandrina looked around, taking in the strange surroundings. “Where are we?” There were tiny, twinkling lights strung overhead, and little clusters of tables and chairs festooned with sparkling silk bows around the edges of a polished floor.

Remlik and his twin sister Remlika stood either side of her, also puzzling over the unfamiliar location. “I have no idea. It looks as though the place is decked out for a party, though,” he said.

“This has to be Dranj-Aria’s doing. We were at home only a few moments ago,” said Remlika.

“Nothing to do with me,” came the goddess’s voice. She stepped out of a side door, green hair almost sparkling in the tiny lights scattered around the room. “I have a feeling you were all put back where you came from after this, though.” She winked into the air, not looking at anyone.

“Sister!” The excited shout startled them, and Kandrina felt someone slam into her back, enveloping her in a fierce hug. “How did you get here? Also, where is here?”

Kandrina laughed, turning to embrace Enkarini. “I don't know, and I don't know. It's good to see you, though.”

Behind her, Caiara, Ember and Soris seemed to appear out of nowhere. “Are we here for a reason, do you think?”

Soris shrugged and picked at his nails. “If we are, I'm sure someone will say so.”

Music swelled from somewhere, an upbeat, cheerful tune that none of them could name. “Come and dance with me,” Enkarini said, pulling her sister into the middle of the floor. Caiara joined them, and the three girls began a kind of spinning, clapping dance around each other.

Remlik caught sight of another couple across the room; a pale man with dark hair and a richly coloured jacket, and a red haired woman in a deep green dress. He made his way over and introduced himself. “I don’t suppose either of you know anything about this place?” he asked when they had given their names, Michael and Christina.

“Not a clue. It seems like a friendly place, at least,” Michael said. “There seems to be a feast table laid out over there, your green-haired friend has already filled a plate.”

“Maybe later. I’d rather like to dance with my partner, for now.”

Christina smiled. “That sounds good to me. Come on, Michael.”

As the rest mingled, a shout rang over the music and chatter. “What do you mean, you don’t know how to dance?” Ember had forgotten to be sarcastic in her surprise.

“I mean I don’t know how to dance! It’s not exactly something I had a need to learn about,” Soris replied.

Ember yanked him off the chair he had sat on and pulled him towards the floor. “It’s about time you start learning, then. I’ll start off slow for you.”

Remlika stood to one side, watching the dancers and debating whether to fill a plate from the seemingly endless feast. Dranj-Aria joined her, nodding in time with the beat and offering a platter of cheesy pastries. “You felt like joining in? I can throw a few shapes, if you wanted a partner.”

“Alright then. I’ve never danced with a goddess before.”

With a twirl, Dranj-Aria simultaneously led Remlika onto the dance floor and managed a bow to the invisible audience. “A very Merry Christmas to you all,” she whispered.

~~~~~

tagging fellow writers!

@leahnardo-da-veggie @rhiannonhgarrard @aether-wasteland-s @kaylinalexanderbooks @theeccentricraven

@revenantlore @satohqbanana @mysticstarlightduck @calliecwrites @bloodmoonloveletter

@17panicattacksinatrenchcoat @oh-no-another-idea @ryns-ramblings @charlesjosephwrites @burntblanc

@desastreus @aquixoticwrites @eli-t-spoon

[kahran042]

Some couples I like

Here is how you read the list… If a couple has a (s) after it, that means it's directly stated in the game/show that they're a couple, and I feel funny breaking them up, even if I wasn't too keen on it. I am going to rate them individually with the (s) before the number so you can see how keen I am on the pairing. If a couple has a (1) after it, it's a first rate couple. Meaning, they are favorites of mine, and I tend not to read fics if they get split up, unless I was unaware (no one marked it), or someone recommended the story (the only exception is if the broken pairing(s) is/are reworked as 1 or more (3) pairings). But if a (1) or (s) couple has the word FANATIC after it, that means I'm a rabid fan for it. I tend to leave a fic that I've started if I don't find them together, unless the romance started so late that the plot has got me intrigued. If a couple has a (2) after it, it's a second-rate couple. Meaning, I like them, but I'm not fanatical about them. I couldn't care less if the story I'm reading splits them up. I can even have a character appear twice in a second-rate couple list. Finally, a (3) is one I don't really like, but don't hate, either.

Breath of Fire II Ryu & Katt (2), Ryu & Ray (2), Katt & Nina (2), Jean & Nimufu (2), Ryu & Nina (3)

Chrono Trigger Kino & Ayla (s, 1), Crono & Marle (s, 2), Crono & Lucca (2), Lucca & Marle (2), Lucca & Robo (2), Queen Zeal & Lavos (2), Slash & Flea (2), Ayla & Lucca (3)

Final Fantasy IV Cecil & Rosa (s, 2), Cecil & Kain (2), Edge & Rydia (2), Rosa & Rydia (2), Kain & Edge (3)

Final Fantasy VI Terra & Celes (2), Locke & Terra (2), Locke & Celes (s, 2), Locke & Setzer (2), Edgar & Locke (2), Edgar & Sabin (2), Edgar & Terra (3), Setzer & Celes (3), Leo & Terra (3)

Legend of Mana Heroine & Daena (1), Blackpearl & Florina (2), Daena & Matilda (3), Daena & Sierra (3), Elazul & Pearl (3), Larc & Sierra (3), Escad & Irwin (3)

SaGa Frontier Asellus & White Rose (1), Ildon & Rastaban (s, 1), Asellus & Gina (3)

Suikoden II Camus & Miklotov (1, FANATIC), Freed & Yoshino (s, 1), Riou & Jowy (1), Culgan & Seed (1), Kinnison & Ayda (s, 1), Anita & Valeria (2), Flik & Viktor (2), Futch & Kent (2), Riou & Eilie (3), Jowy & Jillia (s, 3), Clive & Elza (3), Luca & Jowy (3)

Terranigma Ark & Dark Elle (s, 1), Royd & Fyda (s, 2), Fyda & Light Elle (2), Light Elle & Dark Elle (2), Perel & Meilin (3)

Wild ARMs 3 Virginia & Maya (1), Jet & Florina (1), Clive & Catherine (s, 1), Gallows & Shane (2), Dario & Romero (2), Virginia & Janus (3), Jet & Virginia (3), Gallows & Jet (3)

Xenogears Fei & Elly (s, 1), Bart & Billy (2), Bart & Margie (s, 2), Citan & Yui (s, 2), Citan & Sigurd (2), Rico & Hammer (2), Ramsus & Dominia (2), Krelian & Miang (2), Fei & Bart (3), Fei & Citan (3), Miang & Elly (3), Id & Fei (3)

.hack//SIGN Tsukasa & Subaru (s, 1), Crim & BT (2)

After War Gundam X Garrod & Tiffa (s, 2), Jamil & Garrod (2), Garrod & Carris (2), Carris & Tiffa (2), Toniya & Ennil (2), Witz & Roybea (3), Tiffa & White Dolphin (3)

Angelic Layer Icchan & Shuko (1), Sai & Kaede (1), Misaki & Tamayo (2), Misaki & Kotaro (2), Kotaro & Tamayo (2), Misaki & Hatoko (2), Shoko & Misaki (3)

Aria Akari & Alice (2), President Aria & President Maa (2)

Aura Battler Dunbine Niel & Lmir (s, 2), Marvel & Keen (2)

Azumanga Daioh Sakaki & Chiyo (1), Tomo & Yomi (2), Yukari & Minamo (2), Maya & Kamineko (2), Sakaki & Kaorin (3), Osaka & Chiyo (3)

Black Butler Ciel & Sebastian (2), Ciel & Lizzie (2), Ciel & Soma (2), Soma & Agni (2), Sebastian & Grell (3)

Candidate for Goddess Gareas & Ernest (1), Zero & Kizna (2), Zero & Erts (2), Clay & Saki (2), Roose & Wrecka (2), Kizna & Ikhny (2), Zero & Clay (3), Zero & Hiead (3), Hiead & Ikhny (3), Yamagi & Roose (3)

Cardcaptor Sakura Sakura & Syaoran (s, 1), Touya & Yukito (s, 1), Tomoyo & Meilin (2), Chiharu & Yamazaki (s, 2), Rika & Naoko (2), Fujitaka & Sonomi (2), Terada & Rika (s, 2), Sakura & Tomoyo (3)

Chobits Hideki & Chii (s, 1), Shinbo & Shimizu (s, 2), Hideki & Yumi (3), Hideki & Shinbo (3), Chii & Sumomo (3)

Chocotto Sister Choco & Yurika (1), Haruma & Makoto (2), Haruma & Chitose (2), Makoto & Chitose (2), Haruma & Ayano (3)

Clannad Tomoya & Nagisa (2), Tomoya & Youhei (2), Nagisa & Fuko (2), Ryou & Kyou (2), Youhei & Tomoyo (3)

Cross Ange Ange & Tusk (s, 2), Ange & Jill (2), Ersha & Vivian (2), Rosalie & Chris (2)

Descendants of Darkness Tsuzuki & Hisoka (s, 1)

Digimon Adventure Taichi & Yamato (1), Takeru & Hikari (2), Takeru & Mimi (2), Wizarmon & Tailmon (2), Mugendramon & MetalSeadramon (2), Taichi & Sora (3), Yamato & Sora (s, 3)

Fate/stay night Shirou & Saber (s, 1), Rin & Illya (2), Shirou & Rin (3), Rin & Saber (3)

Fruits Basket Tohru & Yuki (2), Tohru & Kyo (2), Tohru & Kagura (2), Tohru & Kisa (2), Kyo & Yuki (2), Shigure & Hatori (2), Hatsuharu & Momiji (2), Arisa & Saki (2)

Fushigi Yuugi Miaka & Tamahome (s, 2), Miaka & Yui (2), Yui & Nakago (2), Hotohori & Nuriko (2), Chichiri & Tasuki (2), Tasuki & Koji (2), Keisuke & Tetsuya (2), Miaka & Nuriko (3), Yui & Suboshi (3), Mitsukake & Chiriko (3), Keisuke & Tamahome (3)

Futari wa Pretty Cure Nagisa & Honoka (2), Nagisa & Fujimura (s, 2), Honoka & Kiriya (2), Honoka & Ryouta (3)

Gravitation Shuichi & Yuki (s, 1), Hiro & Ayaka (s, 3)

Gundam Wing Trowa & Quatre (1), Heero & Duo (2), Duo & Hilde (s, 2), Zechs & Noin (s, 2), Noin & Relena (2), Treize & Zechs (2), Treize & Lady Une (s, 2), Noin & Sally (2), Dorothy & Relena (2), Alex & Mueller (2), Heero & Trowa (3), Heero & Quatre (3), Heero & Zechs (3), Duo & Quatre (3), Quatre & Sandrock (3)

Infinite Stratos Ichika & Charlotte (2), Cecilia & Rin (2), Charlotte & Laura (2), Chifuyu & Tabane (2), Chifuyu & Ichika (3)

K-On! Ritsu & Mio (1), Yui & Ui (2), Yui & Gitah (2), Satoshi & Ui (2), Yui & Azusa (3), Mio & Azusa (3), Tsumugi & Ritsu (3)

Kyou Kara Maoh! Yuuri & Wolfram (s, 1), Greta & Beatrice (2)

Last Exile Claus & Dio (2), Dio & Luciola (2), Claus & Lavie (3)

Lucky Star Yutaka & Minami (1), Konata & Kagami (2), Konata & Tsukasa (2), Konata & Yutaka (3), Sojiro & Konata (3)

Magic Knight Rayearth Hikaru & Umi (1), Ferio & Fuu (s, 1), Zagato & Emeraude (s, 1), Tatra & Tarta (1), Lafarga & Caldina (s, 2), Caldina & Ascot (2), Lantis & Eagle (2), Aska & Sang Yung (2), Hikaru & Nova (3), Zagato & Inouva (3), Eagle & Geo (3)

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Eledore & Michel (2), Eledore & Karen (2), Michel & Kiki (2), Ginias & Apsaras (2), Aina & Ginias (3)

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Kira & Athrun (2), Kira & Cagalli (2), Murrue & Natarle (2), Mu & Kira (3), Athrun & Lacus (3), Mu & Murrue (s, 3)

Negima! Setsuna & Konoka (1), Negi & Asuna (2), Ayaka & Asuna (2), Evangeline & Chachamaru (2), Kazumi & Sayo (2)

No Game No Life Kurami & Fi (1), Sora & Steph (2), Shiro & Izuna (2), Steph & Shiro (2), Steph & Jibril (2), Sora & Shiro (3), Sora & Jibril (3)

Noir Mireille & Kirika (1), Altena & Chloe (2), Chloe & Kirika (3)

Oniisama e… Kaoru & Rei (1), Nanako & Tomoko (2), Fukiko & Nanako (2), Nanako & Rei (3), Fukiko & Rei (3)

Ouran High School Host Club Haruhi & Tamaki (s, 2), Tamaki & Kyoya (2), Hikaru & Kaoru (2), Mori & Honey (2), Honey & Usa-chan (2), Haruhi & Hikaru (3), Ranka & Tamaki (3), Usa-chan x Kuma-chan (3)

Pandora Hearts Oz & Gil (1), Oz & Alice (3), Gil & Alice (3)

Petite Princess Yucie Beth & Cocoloo (1), Yucie & Arc (2), Yucie & Glenda (2)

Prétear Kaoru & Natsue (s, 1), Himeno & Hayate (2), Himeno & Mawata (2)

Record of Lodoss War Spark & Little Neese (s, 1), Parn & Deedlit (s, 2), Ashram & Pirotess (s, 2), Slayn & Leylia (s, 2), Ghim & Leylia (2), Garrack & Ryna (s, 2), Parn & Spark (3), Slayn & Ghim (3), Deedlit & Shiris (3), Leaf & Little Neese (3)

Revolutionary Girl Utena Utena & Anthy (s, FANATIC), Miki & Kozue (1), Touga & Saionji (1), Juri & Nanami (2), Nanami & Mitsuru (2), Utena & Wakaba (3), Saionji & Wakaba (3), Miki & Nanami (3), Kozue & Shiori (3), Akio & Touga (s, 3)

Show by Rock!! Retoree & Cyan (1)

Slayers Lina & Gourry (s, 2), Lina & Zelgadiss (2), Gourry & Sylphiel (2)

Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Cleao & Lycoris (1), Orphen & Majic (2), Orphen & Hartia (2), Majic & Ellis (2), Hartia & Ellis (2), Orphen & Cleao (3), Orphen & Azalie (3), Majic & Cleao (3)

Sound of the Sky Kanata & Kureha (2), Rio & Kanata (2)

Sword Art Online Kirito & Asuna (s, 1), Liz & Silica (2), Kirito & Klein (3), Asuna & Liz (3)

The Familiar of Zero Saito & literally anyone but Louise (1), Kirche & Tabitha (2)

The Rose of Versailles Oscar & Andre (s, 2), Oscar & Rosalie (2), Bernard & Rosalie (s, 3)

The Vision of Escaflowne Van & Hitomi (s, 1), Allen & Eries (1), Naria & Eriya (1), Dryden & Millerna (s, 2), Folken & Dilandau (2), Allen & Van (3), Hitomi & Yukari (3), Hitomi & Amano (3), Hitomi & Millerna (3), Amano & Yukari (s, 3), Van & Folken (3), Folken & Eriya (3)

Three Leaves, Three Colors Teru & Serina (2)

Tokyo Mew Mew Ichigo & Masaya (s, 1), Zakuro & Minto (2), Bu-Ling & Tart (2), Ryou & Keiichirou (2), Ichigo & Minto (3)

Venus Versus Virus Sumire & Lucia (2), Sumire & Yoshiki (2)

Yes! PreCure 5 Karen & Komachi (1), Nozomi & Rin (2), Nozomi & Urara (2), Kokoda & Natsu (2), Shiro & Urara (2), Bunbee & Scorp (2), Isogin & Yadokan (2), Nozomi & Kurumi (3), Komachi & Urara (3), Karen & Rin (3), Natsu & Komachi (s, 3)

American Dad! Steve & Snot (1), Stan & Francine (s, 2), Jeff & Hayley (s, 2), Stan & Roger (2), Danuta & Nerfer (2), Francine & Hayley (3)

Bob's Burgers Bob & Linda (s, 1), Zeke & Jimmy Jr. (2), Teddy & Mort (2), Tina & Josh (2), Louise & Jessica (2), Louise & Logan (2), Hugo & Ron (2), Tina & Jimmy Jr. (3), Tina & Tammy (3)

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Lyra & Bon Bon (1, FANATIC), Shining Armor & Cadence (s, 1), Rarity & Fluttershy (1), Sweetie Belle & Scootaloo (1), Twilight Sparkle & Rainbow Dash (2), Rainbow Dash & Soarin' (2), Rainbow Dash & Spitfire (2), Soarin' & Spitfire (2), Diamond Tiara & Silver Spoon (2), Celestia & Twilight Sparkle (2), Luna & Twilight Sparkle (2), Applejack & Rainbow Dash (3), Twilight Sparkle & Pinkie Pie (3), Cadence & Twilight Sparkle (3), Spike & Sweetie Belle (3), Fluttershy & Discord (3), Shining Armor & Big Macintosh (3)

Dear Evan Hansen Connor & Zoe (1), Heidi & Cynthia (2), Evan & Connor (3), Evan & Zoe (3), Zoe & Alana (3), Heidi & Evan (3)

Starlight Express Ashley & Buffy (1), Rusty & Pearl (s, 2), Greaseball & Electra (2), Flat-Top & Dustin (2), Greaseball & Dinah (s, 3), CB & Dinah (3)

[isledolon]

lunar eclipse || body drop 3/2

For a moment, it slips your mind.

There was another death. Another loss in your numbers. What a cruel reality to face that someone had done it again. Had killed another, leaving the rest of you with nothing but a cold body and suspicion hanging heavy in the air. There were more important things for you to worry about. Scoping the scene, finding evidence, perhaps getting one step closer to figuring out who murdered Aria in the process.

Maybe it was the fatigue. It was already late out, the stars and the moon above gazing down upon you with their glimmering indifference. Their light could offer you no guidance in your search this evening. Perhaps sleep was heavy in your eyes, clouding your senses. With how dark out it was it’d be easy to miss someone. To believe they were simply blending in with the shadows. Or maybe you just simply chose to ignore it entirely.

It's not anyone's fault if he slipped through the cracks of your perceptions. 

Least of all him of all people.

Art by Chelse

At the bottom of the observatory, sprawled out on the floor, is where you find Shidou; motionless and cold. It had been a quiet evening, far too quiet even with its usual night ambiance, and now you realize why. 

There's a stillness to him, an uncharacteristic quiet to Shidou that dashes any hope that he's simply lying down. His usual expression may still be plastered on his face but there was no life to it. None of his usual ire, his rage and bitterness for the world. There was nothing at all. 

Was it cruel or fitting that he would find himself in the one place he frequented most? The observatory where he would peer up at the vast night sky. To pray to the moon. His moon. To the goddess he revered so much. With how highly he spoke of her one would think some act of godly intervention could have saved him. Prevented the state he’s found himself in now. But the stars were silent. His precious moon was looking away. Perhaps his prayers went unanswered in the end.  Or maybe she stopped listening to him long ago. Wherever Tsuki-no-kami  was there was no helping him now.

Devoted prayer could not bring back a dead man.

[brookston]

Holidays 11.20

Holidays

Absurdity Day

Africa Industrialization Day (a.k.a. Ban Ki-Moon; UN)

Air Your Dirty Laundry Day

Automatic Traffic Light Day

Beautiful Day

Black Consciousness Day (a.k.a. Dia da Consciencia; Brazil)

Blade Runner Day

Caregiver Rights Day (UK)

Clean the Cat Hair Out of the Vacuum Cleaner Day

Day of Friendship (Aysellant)

False Confession Day

Flag Day (UK)

Future Teachers of America Day

GIS DAY

Give Your Computer a Name Day

G.O.H.A.R.D. (Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day)

Microsoft Windows Day

mRNA Day (California)

Name Your PC Day

National Absurdity Day

National Child Day (Canada)

National Flower Day

National Gary Day

National Headwrap Day

National Kick a Ginger Day

National Lucia Day

National Oscar Day

National Pay Back Your Parents Day

Ngày nhà giáo (Teacher’s Day; Vietnam)

Nuremberg Trials Anniversary Day

Pediatrician Day

Pet Peeve (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1954)

Producer Day

Public Health Thank You Day

Repentance Day (Germany)

Roller Day (French Republic)

Royal Thai Navy Day (Thailand)

Sakewa (Sikkim, India)

SETI Day (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence)

Teacher’s Day (Vietnam)

Tour de France Foundation Day

Traffic Light Day

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transport Workers Day (Russia)

20-N (Spain)

Type 1 Diabetes Day (New Jersey)

Universal Children’s Day

Vertical Marathon Day (Singapore)

Warriors’ Festival (Elder Scrolls)

World Children's Day (UN)

World Day of Prayer & Action for Children

World Piles Day

World Television Day (Aleutian Islands)

Writing On the Wall Day

Zumbi Day (Brazil)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Mallomar Day

National Peanut Butter Fudge Day

Parsnip Day

Independence & Related Days

Mexican Revolution Day (Mexico)

National Sovereignty Day (Argentina)

Venezuela (Declared Independent from Spain; 1818)

3rd Wednesday in November

Blue Wednesday [3rd Wednesday]

BOTOX Cosmetic Day [3rd Wednesday]

GIS Day (Geographic Information Systems) [3rd Wednesday]

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

Love Theatre Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Educational Support Professionals Day [Wednesday of American Education Week]

National Zinfandel Day [3rd Wednesday]

National Utility Scam Awareness Day [3rd Wednesday]

PSRP Day (Illinois) [3rd Wednesday]

Show Day (Christchurch, New Zealand) [3rd Wednesday]

Thanks, Birth Control Day [3rd Wednesday]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Wandering Wednesday [3rd Wednesday of Each Month]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Wiener Wednesday [3rd Wednesday of Each Month]

World COPD Day (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) [3rd Wednesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning November 20 (3rd Full Week of November)

None Known

Festivals Beginning November 20, 2024

ARIA Music Awards (Australia)

CUFF.Docs (Calgary, Canada) [thru 11.24]

International Film Festival of India (Panaji, India) [thru 11.28]

M pour Montréal (Montréal, Quebec) [thru 11.23]

Pacific Marine Expo (Seattle, Washington) [thru 11.22]

Triumph of Ag Expo (Omaha, Nebraska) [thru 11.21]

WhiskyFest (New York, New York)

Feast Days

Abdul Aziz Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Agapius (Christian; Saint)

Alistair Cooke (Writerism)

Ambrose Traversari (Christian; Saint)

Ampelus and Caius (Christian; Saint)

Anacleto González Flores, José Sánchez del Río, and companions (Christian; Martyrs of Cristero War)

Bartolomeo Pinelli (Artology)

Beautiful Day (Shamanism)

Bernard of Hildesheim (Christian; Saint)

Carista (A Day of Peace in the Family; Pagan)

Chester Gould (Artology)

Corita Kent (Artology)

Dasius of Durostorum (Christian; Saint)

Day of Lono & Harvest Season Begins (Hawai’i; Everyday Wicca)

Day of Sekhmet and the Purifying Flame (Egyptian Warrior Goddess)

Deborah Eisenberg (Writerism)

Don DeLillo (Writerism)

Ed Benes (Artology)

Edmund the Martyr (Christian; Saint) [UK]

Fairy Pathways Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Felec (a.k.a. Felix) of Cornwall (or Valois; Christian; Saint)

Georgius Jacobus Johannes van Os (Artology)

Giorgio de Chirico (Artology)

The Gonk (Muppetism)

Gregory of Dekapolis (Christian; Saint)

Helena Westermarck (Artology)

Helen Bradley (Artology)

Humbert (Christian; Saint)

Jill Thompson (Artology)

Josaphata Hordashevska, Blessed (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)

Luciano Fabro (Artology)

Maxentia (Christian; Martyr & Virgin)

Nadine Gordimer (Writerism)

Nerses (Christian; Martyr)

Paulus Potter (Artology)

Praetexatus and Paulina's Day (Guardians of the Eleusinian Mysteries)

Say No To Cannibalism Day (Pastafarian)

Selma Lagerlöf (Writerism)

Solutor, Octavius, and Adventor (Christian; Saints)

Sully (Positivist; Saint)

Theonestus of Vercelli (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [47 of 53]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [53 of 60]

Premieres

Around the World, by the Police (Live Album; 2022)

Auld Lang Syne, recorded by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (Song; 1939)

Blue Monday, by New Order (12-Single; 1983)

Boris Bites Back or A Rebel Without a Pause (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 74; 1960)

Boris Bounces Back or The Rubber Heel (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 180; 1962)

A Bug’s Life (Film; 1998)

Bullwinkle’s Rise of This Goon for Higher (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 73; 1960)

The Cat That Hated People, featuring Black the Cat (Tex Avery MGM Cartoon; 1948)

The Children's Hour, by Lillian Hellman (Play; 1934)

Crocodile Rock, by Elton John (US Song; 1972)

Daffy Duck’s Thanks-for-Getting Special (Animated TV Special; 1980)

Das Lied von der Erde, by Gustav Mahler (Orchestral Work for 2 Voices & Orchestra; 1911)

Davy Crockett on the Mississippi (Hanna Barbera Animated TV Special; 1976)

The Day After (TV movie; 1983)

De DoDoDo, De Da Da Da, by the Police (Song; 1980)

Deep Sea Skiving, by Bananarama (Album; 1983)

The Dixie Jass Band One Step, by the Original Dixieland Pass Band (Song; 1917) [1st Jazz Record]

The Duxorcist (WB LT Cartoon; 1987)

Eleventh Hour (Fleischer Cartoon; 1942) [#12]

Fidelio, by Ludwig van Beethoven (Opera; 1805)

The Fox Hunt (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1931)

Get a Job, by The Silhouettes (Song; 1957)

Go Go Amigo (WB MM Cartoon; 1965)

Happy Days Are Here Again, recorded by Leo Reisman (Song; 1929)

Hawaii, by James A. Michener (Novel; 1959)

Highlander (Film; 1986)

Howl’s Moving Castle (Animated Film; 2004)

Huey’s Ducky Daddy (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1953)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2 (Film; 2015)

Hungry Hobos (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1928)

If Anything Happens I Love You (Short Animated Film; 2020)

Jessica Jones (TV Series; 2015)

Keep Our Forests’ Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1975)

The Last Emperor (Film; 1987)

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (Film; 2004)

Little Town on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Novel; 1941)

The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie (WB Cartoon Compilation Film; 1981)

Malcolm X (Film; 1992)

Malice in Slumberland (Phantasies Cartoon; 1942)

The Manticore, by Robertson Davies (Novel; 1972) [Deptford Trilogy #2]

Mass No. 1 in D Minor, by Anton Bruckner (Mass; 1864)

Mirror (Film; 1975)

M!ssundaztood, by Pink (Album; 2001)

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (Animated Film; 2014)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Film; 1975)

Pink is a Many Splendored Thing (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

Planet 51 (Animated Film; 2009)

Prelude for War, by Leslie Charteris (Novel; 1938) [Saint #20]

The Rugrats Movie (Animated Film; 1998)

Sailor Moon (Anime TV Series; 1992)

Scrap the Japs (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1942)

Shadow of the Condor (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #10; 1964)

Spring Awakening, by Frank Wedenkind (Play; 1906)

Symphony No. 1, “The Titan,” by Gustav Mahler (Symphony; 1889)

Underwater Trap or No Air in the Snare (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 179; 1962)

Waking Ned Devine (Film; 1998)

We Are the World, by Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson and many others (Song; 1985)

Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein (Children’s Book; 1974)

Whistler’s Father, Parts 3 & 4 (Underdog Cartoon, S2, Eps. 35 & 36; 1965)

Yogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears (Hanna Barbera Animated TV Movie; 1988)

Young Americans, by David Bowie (Album; 1975)

Today’s Name Days

Bernward, Edmund, Korbinian (Austria)

Edmund, Oktavije, Silvestar, Zlatan, Zlatko (Croatia)

Nikola (Czech Republic)

Volkmarus (Denmark)

Helmar, Helmer, Helmo, Helmu, Helmur, Helmut (Estonia)

Jalmari, Jari (Finland)

Edmond, Octave (France)

Corbinian, Edmund, Elisabeth, Felix, Korbinian (Germany)

Denahis (Greece)

Jolán (Hungary)

Benigno, Edmondo (Italy)

Anda, Andina, Andis (Latvia)

Feliksas, Jovydas, Vaidvilė (Lithuania)

Halvdan, Helle (Norway)

Anatol, Edmund, Feliks, Jeron, Oktawiusz, Sędzimir (Poland)

Grigorie (Romania)

Félix (Slovakia)

Edmundo, Félix, Octavio (Spain)

Marina, Pontus (Sweden)

Edmond, Edmonda, Edmund, Edmunda, Octavio (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 325 of 2024; 41 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 47 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Yi-Hai), Day 20 (Wu-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 19 Heshvan 5785

Islamic: 18 Jumada I 1446

J Cal: 25 Wood; Foursday [25 of 30]

Julian: 7 November 2024

Moon: 73%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 17 Frederic (12th Month) [Walpole / Mazarin]

Runic Half Month: Nyd (Necessity) [Day 14 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 59 of 90)

Week: 3rd Full Week of November

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 28 of 30)